Tightened Computer and Internet Rules Draw Response

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By Mandi Martin - Terrier Times Staff – VINTON, Va. -

Thinking about playing a game on your computer? Or maybe visiting a forbidden website?

You might want to think again.

The word around school is that people are getting caught and disciplined for just such activity. IT Technicians Aric Palazzola and Jeff Clark, and teachers have been on the lookout for such activity.

“I just think students need to understand that they are not their computers and that the computer stores where they go,” Palazzola said.  

The student conduct guidelines clearly state that students cannot download anything unless they get permission from the school, and online games are not to be played during school.

“I think the guidelines are necessary,” Palazzola said. “I believe even good people do bad things because they are alone and the door is closed.”

Students bypass the rules and end up getting their laptop taken away, being suspended, getting Saturday school, or having their laptop placed in check in check out. .

Palazzola and Clark went around to every science class for freshmen and sophomores and every social studies class for juniors and seniors showing them a presentation all about “Internet Safety,” but not everyone paid attention.  

“I think about 90-95 percent of classes we went to heard our presentation,” Palazzola said.

Some students actually enjoyed it and wanted to see it again.

“I thought that it was very interesting and I would enjoy it a second time,” said freshman Bethany McConnell.

Although some students love to listen to the rules, others are more interested in watching grass grow than listening and following the rules.

“I think that it was boring and I already knew all of the rules and I just wanted to go home and fall asleep,” said freshman Fallon Ailiff.

Although the school board came up with these rules to help the students do more work and get things done.

Clark and Palazzola warned against having revealing photos of any sort on student computers.

“If your grandmother would consider it inappropriate then we would consider it inappropriate,” Clark said.

 Some students do not agree with the rules.

“I hate that you can’t download pictures, or change the backgrounds,” said freshman Erin Sparks.

Meanwhile, there are other students who just accept the rules and move on.

“I think that the rules are okay. I mean they can be rough at times,” said sophomore Kateri Peterson.

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