The Benjamin School provides internet access for students, faculty, and staff. Use of these resources are intended for educational purposes and as such, are filtered and monitored while in use at school.
For the 2019 school year, The Benjamin School has partnered with a third-party company named Securly to administer content filtering on its network for all students in accordance with federal regulations including CIPA.
Securly is a tool that will help our students stay safe online by blocking access to certain sites and content, and support our Acceptable Use Policy while at school. But, no technology solution will ever be a full replacement or substitute for supervision and communication. Common Sense Media is a terrific resource to learn more.
There are a few steps required to gain Internet access while at school. Specifically, it requires that a security certificate is installed on your personal device to ensure that Securly is able to properly filter all HTTPS traffic. Please follow the instructions in the link below. It will take you to Securly's website which will detect the type of device you are currently using and guide you through installing the Securly certificate on it.
Click here to Install Securly
The Benjamin School has Technology Offices on both the Upper and Middle School campuses. Students can visit the Technology Office to receive support and have warranty repairs performed. Certified repair technicians are available to answer questions and address any concerns you may have. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 am - 3 pm.
Please note, our offices are closed on Friday during the summer.
LaptopMS@thebenjaminschool.org
Upper School:
LaptopUS@thebenjaminschool.org
List of 8 frequently asked questions.
What is new this year with internet filtering and monitoring at school?
The new program, through Securly, has filtering software that is more in line with school needs. In fact, Securly is used by more than 10,000 schools nationwide. The system also has a more robust monitoring application where certain keywords or sentences are written in student email accounts (ending in @thebenjaminschool.org) will trigger an alert to the appropriate division head who, following a formal process, can decide whether further action is needed. This process is designed to identify potential safety threats, cases of bullying/harassment, or possible self-harm.
Why did we need to download Securly onto laptops and Ipads?
This is necessary so Securly can access the internet while on either campus.
Why does the new filter feel so restrictive?
In the simplest of terms, the filter starts in a default "factory" setting. As time goes by and teachers identify certain websites that should be accessible, the School will unlock them right away.
Is my child being monitored at home by Securly?
No. Securly only works when it is communicating with the School's WiFi system on school property. Please note, student email accounts (ending in @thebenjaminschool.org) are always monitored for violence, bullying, and self-harm sentiments, no matter where you use it.
What are the additional benefits of Securly?
Securly has already helped us identify and remediate student laptops that had been previously compromised with malware that was sharing their data with unknown third party websites.
Is my computer/laptop being scanned or recorded by Securly at home or at school?
No. Securly is a digital certificate that only interacts with the school's WiFi. It does not have the ability to record or scan anything on any device.
Is the School reading my text messages on campus or at home?
No. We do not have the ability to read or monitor text messages since most iPhone or Android messaging applications are encrypted.
Can students bypass Securly and use a VPN or proxy server?
While it is possible for a student to access one of these services, the School's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) strictly forbids a bypass of the School's network while using our WiFi. Due to student safety reasons, the School will be alerted if a student is trying to access a proxy server for any reason.