Online Safety

Here's a holiday reminder that it's important to know the basics of online safety. Whether using educational apps, social media or shopping for the holiday season, a lot of information is collected by companies. Pinellas County Schools Digital Responsibility and Safety Starts with Me campaign includes a reminder to help your children (and families) be mindful of their digital lives by sharing some guidelines to be safe online. 

Here are some online safety tips for kids:

1. Create strong usernames and passwords. Avoid personal details, and choose inoffensive names.
2. Use strict privacy settings. Opt out of location sharing and other data collection when possible.
3. Be cautious with personal info. Help kids understand what data should remain private, like phone numbers or addresses.
4. Look for secure URLs. Ensure websites use "https" to indicate a secure connection.
5. Do a password check. Test the site's recovery process—safe sites ask for a new password link, not the original password.
6. Review sharing settings. Keep posts private by adjusting privacy settings.
7. Skip unnecessary details. Only provide the information that’s needed for account creation.
8. Be cautious with downloads. Avoid risky downloads and use antivirus software to protect devices.

Cyberbullying 

As we get ready for the holiday break it’s a good time to talk about Cyberbullying. 

 Unfortunately, cyberbullying is something many children/students may face during their time online. For some, it might be brief, but for others, it can leave lasting emotional scars.  

For parents, families and caregivers, it’s crucial to stay actively engaged in your child’s digital and offline activities. This involvement enables you to offer support and intervention when needed. By working together with us, we can help children navigate online challenges, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and stand up for one another in a positive way. 

As Halloween approaches, we want to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe celebration. Pinellas County Schools is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and staff. We appreciate the trust you place in us to keep our campuses and classrooms secure for learning. It's been two weeks since we returned to school after the storms, and we want to share some safe school transportation tips.  

For students walking or riding a bike to school, please wear clothing that is visible to drivers. For parents driving their children to school, please be mindful of traffic and be patient and alert while dropping off and picking up students in the car line. See more tips for students, bike riders, and parents. 

We'd also like to take this time to remind everyone that making a threat against a school, students, or staff is no joke. Each case is taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and met with consequences, which include possible expulsion and discipline outlined in the Student Code of Conduct or legal action, including arrest as determined by law enforcement.  

Law enforcement is aware of anonymous posts circulating nationwide on social media regarding possible threats to schools. Local law enforcement and school administrators are monitoring these posts and taking the appropriate action to keep our students and staff safe. If you or your student sees a threat on social media or witness any suspicious activity, please do not repost it. 
  
We ask that you report it to law enforcement, school administration or through the district’s  Say Something Anonymous Reporting App found on our school’s website. 
  
The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We remind everyone that making a threat against a school, students, or staff is no joke. Each case is taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and met with consequences, including discipline according to the Student Code of Conduct or legal action, including arrest as determined by law enforcement.