Now, students in the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) face restricted access to numerous websites that play a crucial role in their learning journey. Instead of encouraging creativity and exploration, many online resources are blocked, leaving us with limited options and often bored during free study periods. This unnecessary restriction not only hinders our academic progress but also diminishes our motivation to learn and engage.

In a world driven by technology, access to the right online resources is essential. Educational websites, coding platforms, chess, and knowledge-sharing forums are vital tools that contribute to a student’s growth and understanding. Unfortunately, the blanket ban by SVVSD on such useful sites stifles our curiosity and discourages us from exploring beyond the textbook.

According to Education Week, nearly 70% of students feel that having access to various online resources could significantly improve their learning experience. By prohibiting access to these vital sites, SVVSD is creating barriers to accessing diverse forms of knowledge that are essential for us to thrive academically.

We urge SVVSD to reassess and update their web filtering policies. Instead of blocking numerous sites indiscriminately, consider implementing a system that targets “malicious” websites individually and directly.
In addition to limiting access to educational websites, SVVSD uses a monitoring system called Securly that raises serious concerns about student privacy. Securly has the ability to track students’ online activity in real time, even outside of school hours and off school grounds. This means that students’ personal browsing habits can be monitored at home, infringing on their right to digital privacy.

Even more alarming, Securly can potentially access the camera and microphone on school-issued iPads when students are at home. This level of surveillance is invasive and unacceptable in any educational environment. It creates a sense of constant monitoring, stripping students of the trust and autonomy necessary for healthy development. Furthermore, Securly can read students’ emails and view saved passwords, putting private communication and sensitive information at risk.

No student should have to choose between accessing their education and protecting their privacy. Schools should foster a safe digital space, not extend surveillance into our homes.

Let’s work together towards creating a school environment that embraces and supports our educational needs. By signing this petition, you support a more open and enriched learning environment for all SVVSD students. It’s time to prioritize our education, engage students, and remove unnecessary barriers. Encourage SVVSD to allow access to these vital resources once again. Please join us in signing this petition to restore access to educational websites in SVVSD. Lets also keep the privacy and security of our students safe and secure as they are the future of the world.