This document outlines several options for families to filter the Internet connection available to their students. Be aware that no filtering option is perfect – all services will block some useful sites and let through some problematic ones. No technological solution is a substitute for regular conversations and mentoring with your student(s) about their online activity. Also know that schools may ask you to un-block certain sites or settings for student access as they will be needed for school activities.
Network-Based Options
These options won’t filter the device itself, but rather your home network and Internet traffic.
Open DNS is a tool that provides three options for home Internet filtering. Each option takes advantage of the DNS (Domain Name System) and requires that you point your home router or modem to a particular set of servers for checking domain names and IP addresses. All services are available via their website. Most are free.
Option 1 – OpenDNS Home is a free and customizable home filtering solution. You can choose what categories of sites to block on your home network, and OpenDNS will not allow that content through your modem or router.
Option 2 – OpenDNS Home VIP costs $19.95/year and allows for more customization as well as access to live customer support.
Option 3 – OpenDNS Family Shield is a free service that blocks only the sites they have determined are adult.
Device-Based Options for Internet Filtering and Restrictions
iOS Restrictions
Apple offers several parental controls in iOS. You can learn more about how to use them on their website.
If you do implement any Internet restrictions, please be sure to allow-list (add to the Always Allow listing) the following sites. This list may not be exhaustive and is subject to change as the curriculum providers edit their content.
All Curriculum
adfs.stvrain.k12.co.us
accounts.google.com
blogs.svvsd.org
ceran.svvsd.org
clever.com
destiny.svvsd.org
docs.google.com
drive.google.com
frontrange.lib.overdrive.com
soraapp.com
sites.google.com
svvsd.org
tech.svvsd.org
<your school’s website>
Achieve 3000
portal.achieve3000.com
Colorado Story
http://s3.amazonaws.com/pvt-esh-mg127.staticmbx.com/product_repository/
http://s3.amazonaws.com/stcn-esh-mg127.staticmbx.com/static/
digital.experiencestatehistory.com
CommonLit
www.commonlit.org
Discovery Education
discovery.com
discoveryeducation.com
docreader.readspeaker.com
app.discoveryeducation.com
dsn.discoveryeducation.com
svvsd.discoveryeducation.com
Edmentum
f2.app.edmentum.com
login.edmentum.com
Everfi
platform.everfi.net
Florida Virtual School Curriculum (for LaunchED students)
Click here for a list of URLs needed, listed by course name.
HMH Collections & A-G-A
edfusion.com
my.hrw.com
stvrainco.libraryreserve.com
i-Ready
cainc.i-ready.com
i-ready.com
login.i-ready.com
Kendall Hunt/Flourish
www.flourishkh.com
aha5.kendallhunt.com
Lab-Aids
portals.lab-aids.com
Lexia Core5 and Strategies
lexiacore5.com
lexiastrategies.com
McGraw Hill ConnectED
cerego.com
cricketmedia.com
glencoe.com
mheducation.com
mcgraw-hill.com
mhedu.com
www.mhlearnsmart.com
myON
myon.com
Naviance
student.naviance.com
Reading Plus
readingplus.com
Savvas (formerly Pearson)
amazonaws.com
classviewappstore.com
Google-analytics.com
k12integrations.pearsoncmg.com
mathxlforschool.com
mysavvastraining.com
pearson.com
pearsoncmg.com
pearsoned.com
pearsonhighered.com
pearsonrealize.com
pels.pk12ls.com
savvas.com
savvasrealize.com
savvaseasybridge.com
savvassuccessnet.com
savvastexas.com
superlibrary.com
virtualnerd.com
www.interactmath.com
Schoology
app.schoology.com
schoology.svvsd.org
Sphero
edu.sphero.com
SpringBoard
stvrainvalleyco.springboardonline.org
TCI Social Studies
box.com
subscriptions.teachtci.com
onstreammedia.com
s3amazonaws.com
teachtci.com
texthelp.com
vimeo.com
Vista Higher Learning
vhlcentral.com
assets.vhlcentral.com
Check-in with your students from time to time to ensure that your family choices are not interfering with students’ ability to complete their school work.
- If you choose to restrict app installation, be aware that your school or your student may occasionally ask you to install apps on your student’s iPad for school use. A link to apps that are required and recommended as well as directions for downloading apps provided by the district can be found on the school LTP website or on the Parent Information page linked on your student’s iPad
- Third-Party Browser Apps – There are several third-party browsers available in the Apple App Store that may offer a filtered Web experience. These cannot be installed on district iPads provided to students, but you might wish to explore them for home use on other devices.
