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Full Text of Letter to Parents About HCS Computer Issue
May 2, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians:
At this point, I am sure you are aware of the technology related issue we have been dealing with at
HCS. A few weeks ago, we became aware that students were using a confidential password to bypass
our Internet filtering system.
Throughout the last three weeks, we researched the degree to which our system was breached,
held informational meetings for our parents, students and faculty, and determined the steps our school
would take to set boundaries for our students. Our intent through all of this was to seize the teachable
moment and make this overall experience one that would ultimately strengthen our school.
Mr. Chapman, Mr. Roy and I spent countless hours assessing the situation and the factors that
allowed this situation to occur. The findings of our investigation were complicated and sometimes
surprising. They are as follows:
* The use of our confidential password to bypass our filtering system is something that has been going
on for years. HCS graduates tell us that they also bypassed the system when they were students here.
* There is an erroneous understanding that students were allowed to bypass our system in all HCS
classrooms. There were some mixed messages given to our students, in limited cases, regarding the
“degree of wrong” that was involved in bypassing our filter. A minimal number of teachers gave their
approval or did not “act” on a breach of our filtering system. Please note, however, that the majority
of teachers at HCS did not allow students to bypass our filtering system. Students understood which
classes they could get onto blocked sites and which classes they couldn’t. Most of our teachers upheld
our Internet policy. Appropriate conversations were held with those who did not.
* There was a degree of confusion, expressed by many of our students with the informal rules
regarding our Internal Filtering System. Students understood the formal rules in our Acceptable Use
Policy but thought at times, some teachers would allow students to bypass the system.
* For the cited reasons, many students did not follow the “Acceptable Use Policy” as it was written in
all classrooms. Many of our students made the wrong choice, in select classrooms, because they felt
they could. Students were able to articulate this when we spoke to them. Students did understand that
they should not bypass the filtering system and now understand that there are consequences for their
actions. Many of our students came forward on their own and admitted to their mistakes. Other
students did not choose to do so.
After our investigation began, we became aware that additional problems existed on our computer
network. Key stroking software and password hacking software had been downloaded and resided on
our system. There was no evidence that lead us to believe that this software had ever been used or
that our records had been infiltrated.
From our investigation, we understand the need to set clear guidelines, be explicit in our teaching
and continually monitor our system. The “password” will be limited in use and teachers will only have
access to a filter bypass through our technology department. We also need to stress to our students
the need to make “appropriate, principled choices” when facing a situation.
The week of May 12 through the 16th, HCS will offer a week-long discussion on making the right
choice when it’s presented to you – “even when no one is watching.” We will also be reintroducing our
HCS Touchstone and remind our school community that students helped to craft the thoughts and
guidelines that we all hope to live by. Our “Making the Right Choice Week” will include topics of Cyber
Safety, Drugs and Alcohol use, Madison County’s TAP (Survey) and Brain Research on the “teenage
brain.” The final day of the week will include discussions on the relationships between these factors,
decisions at school and beyond the school day.
Throughout our discussions, May Jam has been an integral part of all of our conversations because
of its meaning and the reason for its inception. Many years ago, May Jam was created as a thank you for
positive behavior and a celebration of community. Both teachers and students alike understand that
there would be a degree of hypocrisy in celebrating “upstanding behavior” based on this recent issue
along with other issues that students either were part of or were aware of and did not step up to the
plate. The consensus within the HCS community is that May Jam will not be celebrated this year. This
day is not a guarantee – it must be earned. Hopefully, the student community will understand, more
clearly, the behaviors that award a day like May Jam. We anticipate May Jam will return next year.
We thank you for your ongoing support throughout this situation. The support of many parents
and students will help to bring this event to a positive conclusion.
Diana Bowers Dana Chapman
Superintendent of Schools Secondary Principal
Posted 2008.5.6
Source: HCS
May 2, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians:
At this point, I am sure you are aware of the technology related issue we have been dealing with at
HCS. A few weeks ago, we became aware that students were using a confidential password to bypass
our Internet filtering system.
Throughout the last three weeks, we researched the degree to which our system was breached,
held informational meetings for our parents, students and faculty, and determined the steps our school
would take to set boundaries for our students. Our intent through all of this was to seize the teachable
moment and make this overall experience one that would ultimately strengthen our school.
Mr. Chapman, Mr. Roy and I spent countless hours assessing the situation and the factors that
allowed this situation to occur. The findings of our investigation were complicated and sometimes
surprising. They are as follows:
* The use of our confidential password to bypass our filtering system is something that has been going
on for years. HCS graduates tell us that they also bypassed the system when they were students here.
* There is an erroneous understanding that students were allowed to bypass our system in all HCS
classrooms. There were some mixed messages given to our students, in limited cases, regarding the
“degree of wrong” that was involved in bypassing our filter. A minimal number of teachers gave their
approval or did not “act” on a breach of our filtering system. Please note, however, that the majority
of teachers at HCS did not allow students to bypass our filtering system. Students understood which
classes they could get onto blocked sites and which classes they couldn’t. Most of our teachers upheld
our Internet policy. Appropriate conversations were held with those who did not.
* There was a degree of confusion, expressed by many of our students with the informal rules
regarding our Internal Filtering System. Students understood the formal rules in our Acceptable Use
Policy but thought at times, some teachers would allow students to bypass the system.
* For the cited reasons, many students did not follow the “Acceptable Use Policy” as it was written in
all classrooms. Many of our students made the wrong choice, in select classrooms, because they felt
they could. Students were able to articulate this when we spoke to them. Students did understand that
they should not bypass the filtering system and now understand that there are consequences for their
actions. Many of our students came forward on their own and admitted to their mistakes. Other
students did not choose to do so.
After our investigation began, we became aware that additional problems existed on our computer
network. Key stroking software and password hacking software had been downloaded and resided on
our system. There was no evidence that lead us to believe that this software had ever been used or
that our records had been infiltrated.
From our investigation, we understand the need to set clear guidelines, be explicit in our teaching
and continually monitor our system. The “password” will be limited in use and teachers will only have
access to a filter bypass through our technology department. We also need to stress to our students
the need to make “appropriate, principled choices” when facing a situation.
The week of May 12 through the 16th, HCS will offer a week-long discussion on making the right
choice when it’s presented to you – “even when no one is watching.” We will also be reintroducing our
HCS Touchstone and remind our school community that students helped to craft the thoughts and
guidelines that we all hope to live by. Our “Making the Right Choice Week” will include topics of Cyber
Safety, Drugs and Alcohol use, Madison County’s TAP (Survey) and Brain Research on the “teenage
brain.” The final day of the week will include discussions on the relationships between these factors,
decisions at school and beyond the school day.
Throughout our discussions, May Jam has been an integral part of all of our conversations because
of its meaning and the reason for its inception. Many years ago, May Jam was created as a thank you for
positive behavior and a celebration of community. Both teachers and students alike understand that
there would be a degree of hypocrisy in celebrating “upstanding behavior” based on this recent issue
along with other issues that students either were part of or were aware of and did not step up to the
plate. The consensus within the HCS community is that May Jam will not be celebrated this year. This
day is not a guarantee – it must be earned. Hopefully, the student community will understand, more
clearly, the behaviors that award a day like May Jam. We anticipate May Jam will return next year.
We thank you for your ongoing support throughout this situation. The support of many parents
and students will help to bring this event to a positive conclusion.
Diana Bowers Dana Chapman
Superintendent of Schools Secondary Principal
Posted 2008.5.6
Source: HCS