Acceptable Use Policy

Caro Community Schools
POLICY STATEMENTS REGARDING
ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTER AND ON-LINE SERVICES

Preamble

The District provides access to technology resources including access to the Internet. These resources allow interaction internally within the district and externally to systems located all over the world. These resources have a limited educational purpose. This purpose is to provide access to electronic resources to promote and enhance student, staff and board member learning consistent with district educational goals and objectives. This acceptable use policy ensures that use of the network by students, staff and board members is done in an appropriate manner. Network use is a privilege and not a right. Users are obligated to respect and protect the rights of every other user and act in a responsible, ethical and legal manner. Failure to abide by this policy may result in loss of privileges, disciplinary action and/or legal action.

District Resources

Educational technology resources consist of any two-way interactive communication devices and voice/ video, data, such as, but not limited to, telephones, computer hardware, computer software, communication lines and devices, graphing calculators, terminals, printers, CD-ROM devices, scanners, digital cameras, LCD projectors and any other technology devices.

Internet Safety Measures

The Superintendent shall be responsible for directing appropriate District technology staff, or technology consultant staff, to bring all computers used by children and adults into full compliance with all federal requirements regarding Internet filtering software to assure that District discounts for Internet access and internal connections under the federal E-rate program are not jeopardized.

Student Internet activities will be monitored by the District as much as possible to ensure that students are not accessing inappropriate sites. Each District computer with Internet access shall have a filtering device or software that is designed to block access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, inappropriate for students, or harmful to minors.

Acceptable Uses/Net Etiquette  (This list is not intended to be all-inclusive):

Classroom activities as assigned and sanctioned by the school/teacher. Research activities for classroom assignments.

Peer review of assigned work.

The exchange of school project-related ideas, opinions and questions via e-mail, message boards and other means.

  1. Accessing information via the Internet for limited educational purposes such as:
    Local, state, national and worldwide information and news; correspondence with scientists and scholars; collaboration with peers on projects and problem-solving strategies.
  2. Accessing,  via  the  Internet,  the  Science  Learning  Network  (SLN),  Library  of  Congress,  Educational  Resource  and Information Center (ERIC), Smithsonian Museums, university library catalogs, and other like sources in the pursuit of legitimate curricular goals.
  3. Proper e-mail and Internet etiquette is acceptable and expected, and should include:
  • Being polite and courteous in all communications and language.
  • Assisting others in the use of the system, and helping others who are looking for ideas or information.
  • Posting and sharing information that is interesting and helpful to other users.
  • Always using the network as a resource to further one’s own education and that of others.
  • Being mindful of network security, and immediately reporting any bugs, errors, or security problems to the  system administrator.

Unacceptable Uses  (This list is not intended to be all-inclusive):
 

  1. Transmitting or downloading any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, material that is copyrighted, threatening, harmful, sexist, racist, sexually explicit, obscene or protected by trade secrets or representing the work of others as your own.
  2. Accessing non-educational multi-user (chat rooms) talk sessions or a “recreational” game.
  3. Engaging in any unauthorized commercial activity, product advertisement or political lobbying.
  4. Use of the school’s equipment by for-profit business or non-school sponsored community activities is generally not acceptable. Applications for such use should be submitted by request and shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the system administrators or advisory committee.
  5. Use of technology to distort the truth, to lie, or to misrepresent someone else.
  6. Use of any technology intentionally to harm or harass anyone.
  7. Vandalism – defined as any attempt to harm, destroy, or disrupt the operation of the network, hardware, software, or the data of any other user on the system or any other system. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading, creation, or knowing transmission of computer viruses.

Waiver of Warranty/Disclaimer

The school district makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the services it provides. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries or service interruptions caused by unforeseen network problems or a user’s errors or omission. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s own risk. The district specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services. The district does not guarantee that materials stored on the system will be private. Network administrators may review the information stored on the system to determine whether it is being used properly.

Safety Warning

Staff:  As a school, we want to celebrate our students and their work.  Therefore, there is a possibility that you may want to publish a students picture on an individual classroom or sports related website.  The names of students may appear in articles on said websites; however, DO NOT use names in captions of pictures.

Parents:  If you would prefer that your child(s) name and picture ARE NOT used on an individual classroom or sports related website, please contact your child’s Principal’s Office in writing with your request.

Students & Staff:  As a school district participant, it is expected that you will be respectful of the rights and privacy of others. When engaging in activities on web pages, e-mail, and two-way communications, the following guidelines should be strictly adhered to:

  • Never give your login id and password to anyone for any reason.
  • Never leave a computer that you have been using unattended without logging off.
  • Never use, or accept, abusive language, threats, or harassment.
  • Never get involved with discussions on violence, hate issues, race or ethnic issues.
  • Never violate ethical issues.
  • Never send or receive copyrighted software or software that you have not created.

Students:

  • Never ask for or give information about (you, friends, teachers, locations).
  • Students shall not reveal your identity in any way. This includes your name, personal address, phone number, location, city, school name, team name or any other information that may give others information to identify you in any way.
  • Students shall not reveal the identity of others. This includes their name, personal address, phone number, location, city, school name, team name or any other information that may give anyone information to identify others (friends, teachers) in any way.
  • Tell your parents, teacher or other adult immediately if you come across information or individuals that make you feel uncomfortable in any way.
  • Immediately tell an adult if you receive anything that is inappropriate, threatening or uncomfortable.
  • Never agree to get together or meet with anyone you meet online without permission of an adult.
  • Never send photographs or anything else without permission of an adult.

Consequences for Violation of Policy/Rules

Any user violating or demonstrating the intent to violate any of the guidelines set forth in the acceptable use policy may face disciplinary action. Depending on the nature and severity of the policy violation or number of past violations, the district may take one or more of the following disciplinary actions (Possible Consequences may be, but are not limited to, the following):

  1. Restitution
    • Replacement cost
    • Reimbursement of cost for repair
    • Reimbursement of technician time
  2. Restriction or loss of use of technology resources
    • If technology is an essential component of education or job function it should be revoked only as a final option.
  3. Legal action
     
  4. Law enforcement notification
    • Responsibility for unauthorized charges, expenses and fees
    • Mandatory training / in-service before further use is allowed

Approved: January 11, 1999
Amended: August 12, 2002
Amended: April 10, 2006