On Thursday, March 5th, St. Gerald School in Oak Lawn, IL held a Cyber Safety and Privacy Day intended to raise awareness of these important topics. Dan Cerceo, CISSP, presented cyber safety lessons to all students in first through eighth grades. Younger students (1st-5th grade) learned about safe posting, privacy and cyber-bullying with a little help from Garfield and Friends. Students in 6th though 8th grades learned about important cyber safety and privacy issues guided by content from the Center for Cyber Safety and Education’s Safe and Secure Online program. All students received Garfield comics, trading cards and stickers to reinforce learning beyond the classroom and celebrate their participation in the program.
In the evening, a parents presentation brought the dialog to over twenty parents to raise awareness and aid in navigating today’s online safety and privacy issues that we all face as parents of the first digital-native generation.
Students and parents, alike, had many thoughtful questions and insights leading to good conversations in each session. The level of interest exceeded my expectations and I hope that everyone walked away with a greater awareness, learned a few things, and had fun – I certainly did.
Thank you to Mr. Al Theis, Principal, for supporting this initiative and the opportunity to bring the Safe and Secure Online program to St. Gerald School. Thank you to Mary Jane Kennedy, computer teacher, Marisa Kolar and the School Advisory board, and all of the teachers and school staff that helped to organize, promote, and support Cyber Safety and Privacy Day.
Thank you to the St. Gerald Holy Name Society for donating Garfield learning kits that delighted the students. And thank you to all of the parents who were able to attend our evening session despite chaotic schedules.
Finally, thank you to the students at St. Gerald School for participating attentively, asking great questions, and sharing your insights with me. I’m proud of each and every one of you!
Dan Cerceo, CISSP
Learn more about the Safe and Secure Online program here: https://iamcybersafe.org/
Resources for parents: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/parents
