Here is a sample permission letter that explains the project and explains the goals.  Feel free to download and edit, adding your own program's objectives and contact information.

MinecraftinSchool_generic.doc   - This is the parent letter used with Pender County Schools' project for elementary-aged learners.

Articles and Resources:

About Those Little Gamers - by Anne Collier of NetFamilyNews - http://www.netfamilynews.org/?p=31705

Tips for Smart Video Gaming - by Connect Safely -  http://www.connectsafely.org/Safety-Tips/smart-tips-for-videogaming.html

Guide to Parental Controls on the XBox 360 - http://www.getgamesmart.com/tools/setcontrols/

Sony's Guide for Parents (PlayStation 3) - http://us.playstation.com/support/parents/index.htm

Plugged-in Game Reviews - http://www.pluggedin.com/games.aspx

Common Sense Media Game Reviews - http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews

Powerful Play:  A Mom & Son in World of Warcraft - by Anne Collier of NetFamilyNews- http://www.netfamilynews.org/?p=31128

Why Kids Love Video Games and What Parents Can Do About It - by Anne Collier of NetFamilyNews - http://www.netfamilynews.org/?p=31146

The Serious Need for Play - Scientific American - http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-serious-need-for-play

The Video Game Revolution - PBS Series - http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/index.html

8 Myths About Video Games Debunked - by Henry Jenkins, MIT - http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

Books:

Don't Bother Me Mom -- I'm Learning by Marc Prensky

What Video Games Have To Teach Us About Learning and Literacy by James Paul Gee

Reality is Broken:  Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change The World by Jane McGonigal

Videos:

James Paul Gee - Video Games, Learning, and Literacy

Constance Steinkuhler on Interest-Driven Learning Using Video Games

Kurt Squire - How Video Games Can Encourage Civic Engagement

John Seely Brown on New Ways of Learning in a Rapidly Changing World

Jane McGonigal Discusses Skills Students Are Learning From Games

Immersive Learning:  It's Game On!

James Paul Gee on Grading With Games

Image Source:  http://www.futurelooks.com/video-games-are-a-family-affair/