Complete Internet Use Policy School Board Policy 524 (PDF doc)
Virginia Public Schools’ Student Internet Use Policy Statement
Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or school hallway. Communications on the network are to be considered public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply.
Network resources are provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others in relation to school work. Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a responsible manner. Parent/guardian permission is required. Access is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, based upon the acceptable use guidelines outlined in this document, the administration and staff will deem what is inappropriate use and their decisions are final. Upon identification of inappropriate use of network services by the administration, faculty, and staff, access may be denied, revoked, or suspended at any time.
Technology Resources and Internet – Acceptable Use and Safety Policy
The purpose of this policy is to set forth policies and guidelines for access to the school district computer system and acceptable and safe use of technology resources and the Internet.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
In making decisions regarding student and employee access to the school district’s technology resources and the Internet, the school district considers its own stated educational mission, goals, and objectives. Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees. Access to the school district computer system and to the Internet enables students and employees to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources while exchanging messages with people around the world. The school district expects that faculty will blend thoughtful use of the school district computer system and the Internet throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in their use.
III. DEFINITION OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
The District’s computer systems and networks are any configuration of hardware and software. The systems and networks include all of the computer hardware, operating system software, application software, stored text, and data files. This includes electronic mail, local databases, externally accessed databases (such as the Internet), CD-ROM, optical media, clip art, digital images, digitized information, communications technologies, and new technologies as they become available. The District reserves the right to monitor all technology resource activity.
IV. LIMITED EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE
The school district is providing students and employees with access to the school district computer system, which includes Internet access. The purpose of the system is more specific than providing students and employees with general access to the Internet. The school district system has an educational purpose, which includes use of the system for classroom activities, educational research, and professional or career development activities. Users are expected to use Internet access through the district system to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission of the school district and school policies. Uses which might be acceptable on a user’s private personal account on another system may not be acceptable on this limited-purpose network.
V. ACCEPTABLE USES
The District’s technology resources will be used only for learning, teaching, and administrative purpose consistent with the District’s mission and goals. Software or external data may not be placed on any computer, whether stand alone or networked to the District’s system, without following the guidelines outlined by the District’s Technology Team.
VI. USE OF SYSTEM IS A PRIVILEGE
The use of the school district computer system and access to use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Depending on the nature and degree of the violation and the number of previous violations, unacceptable use of the school district system or the Internet may result in one or more of the following consequences: suspension or cancellation of use or access privileges; payments for damages and repairs; discipline under other appropriate school district policies, including suspension, expulsion, exclusion or termination of employment; or civil or criminal liability under other applicable laws.
VII. UNACCEPTABLE USES
A. The following uses of the school district computer system and Internet are considered unacceptable for students and staff but are not limited to the following:
e. materials that use language or images that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination.
4. Users will not use the school district system to vandalize, damage or disable the property of another person or organization, will not make deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt equipment, software or system performance by spreading computer viruses or by any other means, will not tamper with, modify or change the school district system software, hardware or wiring or take any action to violate the school districts security system, and will not use the school district system in such a way as to disrupt the use of the system by other users.
5. Users will not use the school district system to gain unauthorized access to information resources or to access another persons materials, information or files without the implied or direct permission of that person.
6. Users will not use the school district system to post private information about another person or to post, transmit or distribute personal contact information about themselves or other persons, or other personally identifiable information, including, but not limited to, addresses, telephone numbers, school addresses, work addresses, identification numbers, account numbers, access codes or passwords, labeled photographs or other information that would make the individual’s identity easily traceable, and will not repost a message that was sent to the user privately without permission of the person who sent the message.
8. Users will not use the school district system to violate copyright laws or usage licensing agreements, or otherwise to use another persons property without the persons prior approval or proper citation, including the downloading or exchanging of pirated software or copying software to or from any school computer, and will not plagiarize works they find on the Internet.
9. Users will not use the school district system for conducting business, for unauthorized commercial purposes or for financial gain unrelated to the mission of the school district. Users will not use the school district system to offer or provide goods or services or for product advertisement. Users will not use the school district system to purchase goods or services for personal use.
B. If a user inadvertently accesses unacceptable materials or an unacceptable Internet site, the user shall immediately disclose the inadvertent access to an appropriate school district official. In the case of a school district employee, the immediate disclosure shall be to the employees immediate supervisor and/or the building administrator. This disclosure may serve as a defense against an allegation that the user has intentionally violated this policy.
School districts which receive certain federal funding, such as e-rate discounts, for purposes of Internet access and connection services and/or receive funds to purchase Internet accessible computers are subject to the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act, effective in 2001. This law requires school districts to adopt an Internet safety policy which contains the provisions set forth below. Also, the Act requires such school districts to provide reasonable notice and hold at least one public meeting to address the proposed Internet safety policy prior to its implementation. School districts that do not seek such federal financial assistance need not adopt the alternative language set forth below nor meet the requirements with respect to a public meeting to review the policy. The following alternative language for school districts that seek such federal financial assistance satisfies both state and federal law requirements.
A. With respect to any of its computers with Internet access, the School District will monitor the online activities of minors and staff and employ technology protection measures during any use of such computers by minors and adults. The technology protection measures utilized will block or filter Internet access to any visual depictions that are:
2. Child pornography; or
3. Harmful to minors.
B. The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
2. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; or
3. taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
IX. CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER SCHOOL POLICIES
Use of the school district computer system and use of the Internet shall be consistent with school district policies and the mission of the school district.
X. LIMITED EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY
A. By authorizing use of the school district system, the school district does not relinquish control over materials on the system or contained in files on the system. Users should expect only limited privacy in the contents of personal files on the school district system.
B. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the school district system may lead to a discovery that a user has violated this policy, another school district policy, or the law.
C. An individual investigation or search will be conducted if school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover a violation of law or school district policy.
D. School district employees should be aware that the school district retains the right at any time to investigate or review the contents of their files and e-mail files. In addition, school district employees should be aware that data and other materials in files maintained on the school district system may be subject to review, disclosure or discovery under Minnesota Statues, Chapter 13 ( the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act).
E. The school district will cooperate fully with local, state and federal authorities in any investigation concerning or related to any illegal activities or activities not in compliance with school district policies conducted through the school district system.
XI. INTERNET USE AGREEMENT
A. The proper use of the Internet, and the educational value to be gained from proper Internet use, is the joint responsibility of students, parents and employees of the school district.
B. This policy requires the permission of and supervision by the schools designated professional staff before a student may access the Internet.
C. The Internet Use Agreement form for students must be read and signed by the user, the parent or guardian, and the supervising teacher. As supervising teachers change, the agreement signed by the new teacher shall be attached to the original agreement. The Internet Use Agreement form for employees must be signed by the employee. The forms must then be filed at the school office.
XII. LIMITATION ON SCHOOL DISTRICT LIABILITY
Use of the school district system is at the user’s own risk. The system is provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The school district will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on school district diskettes, tapes, hard drives or servers, or for delays or changes in or interruptions of service or mis-deliveries or non-deliveries of information or materials, regardless of the cause. The school district is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of any advice or information obtained through or stored on the school district system. The school district will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through unauthorized use of the school district system or the Internet.
XIII. USER NOTIFICATION
A. All users shall be notified of the school district policies relating to Internet use.
B. This notification shall include the following:
2. Disclaimers limiting the school districts liability relative to:
b. Information retrieved through school district computers, networks or online resources.
c. Personal property used to access school district computers, networks or online resources.
4. Notification that, even though the school district may use technical means to limit student Internet access, these limits do not provide a foolproof means for enforcing the provisions of this acceptable use policy.
5. Notification that goods and services can be purchased over the Internet that could potentially result in unwanted financial obligations and that any financial obligation incurred by a student through the Internet is the sole responsibility of the student and/or the students’ parents.
6. Notification that the collection, creation, reception, maintenance and dissemination of data via the Internet, including electronic communications, is governed by Policy 405, Public and Private Personnel Data, and Policy 514, Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records.
7. Notification that, should the user violate the school districts acceptable use policy, the users access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.
8. Notification that all provisions of the acceptable use policy are subordinate to local, state and federal laws.
XIV IMPLEMENTATION; POLICY REVIEW
A. The school district administration may develop appropriate user notification forms, guidelines and procedures necessary to implement this policy for submission to the school board for approval. Upon approval by the school board, such guidelines, forms and procedures shall be an addendum to this policy.
B. The administration shall revise the user notifications, including student and parent notifications, if necessary, to reflect the adoption of these guidelines and procedures.
C. The school district Internet policies and procedures are available for review by all parents, guardians, staff and members of the community.
D. Because of the rapid changes in the development of the Internet, the school board shall conduct an annual review of this policy.