Hi all - Below you will find information that may be of interest to many educators and technology folks..... it's about a poster contest sponsored by VITA-Learn and the Vermont InfraGard chapter to address Internet security. The awards will be presented at VITA-Learn's VermontFest at the Killingotn Grand on November 14-15. This is a nice effort and appropriate given the increased level of online activity in our schools. Hope the new school year is gearing up successfully for you. Bill Romond Educational Technology Coordinator Vermont Department of Education 120 State Street Montpelier, VT 05620-2501 (802) 828-0064 (V) (802) 828-3140 (F) http://www.state.vt.us/educ [log in to unmask] ************************************************************************ K.I.S. (KIDS IMPROVING SECURITY) POSTER CONTEST We all know that information, computer, and network security is a major concern for all users of the Internet and other networks. This is particularly true for young people and even more so in the aftermath of last September 11. VITA-Learn and the Vermont InfraGard chapter are pleased to announce this year's K.I.S. (Kids Improving Security) Poster Contest, part of a national initiative sponsord by the National Security Cyber Alliance, The SANS Institute, the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC), and InfraGard. The poster contest is based on the premise that many kids know a lot about using computers and the Internet -- sometimes more than their parents and some teachers! Many kids are leaders in ensuring safe computing for themselves and their friends. This is a chance for them to share that knowledge and help make cyberspace safer. The contest is open to all K-12 students and winners will be selected at five levels (K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12) and two categories (best message, most creative). Posters submitted by Vermont students will be judged in Vermont at VITA-Learn's Vermont Fest conference on November 14-15. Vermont's 10 winning posters will be submitted to the national committee for the national context. The contest will run in Vermont from September 15 to October 31. Contest rules and guidelines are available online at http://www.sans.org/kis/. Additional Vermont-specific information can be found at http://www.vtinfragard.org/. For any additional information, contact Tom Aldrich ([log in to unmask]), Gary Kessler ([log in to unmask]), or Tamera Pariseau ([log in to unmask]) ***************************************************************