CALEDONIA-MUMFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE
MR DAVID V. DINOLFO
99 NORTH STREET CALEDONIA , NEW YORK 14423
(585) 538-3482 .FAX (585) 538-3430

August 27, 2008

Dear Parents of Cal-Mum Students,

It will soon be here. The first day of school for students is Wednesday, September 3, 2008! Important mailings from each of our schools are sent out in August to help prepare students and families for a successful start. The Annual District calendar contains a fresh look with useful information for the entire school year. The District has also expanded its use of our school website, www.cal-mum.org . This correspondence alerts you to an important change that affects your children regarding our school website.

On Tuesday, August 26, 2008, the Board of Education will adopt Policy #3321.SCHOOL DISTRICT STANDARDS FOR WEB PAGE PUBLISHING. Many districts have a school website. We have received many positive compliments as well as constructive criticisms on how to make ours better. This new policy is on our website for your review.

The Annual District Calendar provides parents with the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) notification. Under the FERPA, the District must provide notice to parents of the types of student directory information that it releases publicly. Parents have a right to opt out of District release of student directory information regarding their child. Such information is usually contained in newsletters, news releases, sports rosters and other District releases. This policy is required for all school districts. Over the years, it has been very rare that parents use this opt-out option.

District protocols and controls assure student and teacher safety when using school computers in accessing the Internet for instructional purposes. The District has a strong Internet filter that blocks access to questionable sites. Cal-Mum has the same Internet filter control used by 47 other school districts. However, when we post information on our school website it is on the Internet for all to see.

Consequently, the District has developed Policy #3321 that requires parental consent on an annual basis for posting student directory information on our school website. We believe that it is important
for parents to have a clear understanding on how the District will use its website in posting student information. We believe it is important for parents to provide their consent and authorization when we place such information regarding their child on www.cal-mum.org .

Please discuss these matters with your child. We ask that you submit the enclosed form by Wednesday, September 3, 2008. Your child could bring in this form and leave it with his or her homeroom teacher
at the Elementary School or first block teacher in the Middle School or High School. You can also mail
or drop off this form at any of the three principal's offices.

This policy will become effective on October 1, 2008. The District will use the month of September to begin the implementation of this policy. During this transition period, we will continue postings on our website and make changes as necessary as we receive these parental forms. By the end of September, the change to the new policy will be complete.

The District website connects our school with our community and our extended families across this country. Cal-Mum alumni can keep track of their favorite sports teams; grandparents learn about grade level activities, concerts and other important events in the lives of our students. The use of our school website will expand in future years as technology becomes a greater part of our life. The concerns over Internet safety are real and create an important decision for parents. This policy is intended to provide a balance of safety and appropriate standards of District use. This policy provides parents an important choice on how the District will use its website for children.

If you have any further questions, please call any of the following:

James Wolinsky, Elementary Principal 538-3481

Robert Molisani , Middle School Principal 538-3482

Thomas Woodruff, High School Principal 538-3483

Kathleen Brown , Technology Coordinator 538-3498

Sally Santora, Website Coordinator 538-3449

No doubt you have many last-minute items to attend to before the start of the school year. I ask that you move this item to the top of the list. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this matter.

Sincerely,

David V. Dinolfo

Please follow the links below

Policy #3221 Web Page Publishing in the Schools

Policy #7540 Directory Information and Military Recruiters

Regulation #3221F Website Release Form

Posted August 27, 2008