Technology
Acceptable Use Policy...
All internet users must have a signed AUP form on file at
the school before
they are allowed to access the internet
Policy
USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
IN INSTRUCTION
Code
IJNDB Issued 3/00Purpose: To establish the board's vision and the basic structure for the use of technology resources in instruction.
ACCEPTABLE USE
The superintendent or his/her designee will implement, monitor and evaluate electronic media resources for instructional and administrative purposes.
Availability of access
The district will make access to the district’s electronic communications system, including the Internet, available to students and employees exclusively for instructional and administrative purposes and in accordance with administrative rules.
Access to the district’s electronic communications system is a privilege, not a right. All users will be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of all administrative rules governing use of the system and will agree in writing to comply with rules and guidelines. Noncompliance with applicable administrative rules will result in disciplinary action consistent with district policies and administrative rules. Violations of law may result in criminal prosecutions as well as disciplinary action by the district.
Monitored use
The district will not consider electronic mail transmissions and other use of the electronic communication system by students and employees confidential. Designated staff may monitor these actions at any time to ensure appropriate use for educational or administrative purposes.
Disclaimer of liability
The district will not be liable for the users’ inappropriate use of the district’s electronic communication resources or violations of copyright restrictions, users’ mistakes or negligence or costs incurred by users. The district will not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy or usability of any information found on the Internet.
The superintendent or his/her designee will oversee the district’s electronic communication system.
Oversight of the posting of official district, campus or division/department materials on the district’s electronic communication system will be the responsibility of the superintendent, principal or division/department supervisor or his/her designee.
The district’s system will be used only for administrative and instructional purposes consistent with the district’s mission and goals.
Training
The district will provide training for employees and students in the proper use of the system and copies of the district’s acceptable use guidelines for users. Training in the district’s system will emphasizes ethical use of the system’s resources.
Copyright
Copyrighted software or data may not be placed on any system connected to the district’s system without permission from the holder of the copyright. Only the owner or individuals the owner specifically authorizes may upload copyrighted material to the system.
System access
Access to the district’s electronic communication system will be governed as follows.
With the approval of the principal or division/departmental supervisor or his/her designee, users will be granted appropriate access to the district’s system.
Any system users identified as having violated district, campus and/or division/department system acceptable use guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action consistent with district policies and administrative rules.
System coordinator (school-level)
The system coordinator (principal or division/department supervisor or his/her designee) for the electronic communication system will do the following.
Be responsible for disseminating and enforcing applicable district policies and acceptable use guidelines for the district’s system.
Ensure that all users of the district’s system complete and sign an agreement to abide by district policies and administrative rules regarding such use. All such agreements will be kept on file by the system coordinator.
Ensure that all employees supervising students who use the district’s system provide training emphasizing the appropriate uses of these resources.
Be authorized to monitor or examine all system activities deemed appropriate to ensure proper use of the system.
Be authorized to set limits for disk utilization on the system, as needed or as directed from district level technology staff.
Individual user responsibilities
The instructional purpose of the Saluda School District One WAN, which is the backbone to the Internet, is to support student research and the educational development of the faculty. All use will be intended to facilitate the exchange and access of information, intellectual property and services to promote research, instruction and technology diffusion. Use of the Internet and/or electronic mail is a privilege and not a right.
Acceptable use
Activities in direct support of teaching and learning, such as professional development, administrative communications, grant applications, new project announcements and student product publishing, are acceptable. It is the general policy that district network facilities are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner in accordance with the instructional mission of the school district. Faculty and students must acknowledge their understanding of the general policy and guidelines as a condition of receiving access to the network.
Standards of acceptable use
Failure to adhere to this policy and the standards within may result in disciplinary action, including revocation of the offender’s network access privilege by the building administrator. Willful misuses may lead to serious disciplinary action and/or to criminal prosecution under applicable state and federal law. The standards do not attempt to articulate all permitted or prohibited behavior by users and require application of common sense in light of the purpose and general policy for network and Internet access.
Standard one
Acceptable uses of the network are activities which support learning and teaching. The district encourages network users to develop uses which meet their individual needs and which take advantage of the network’s functions: databases, Internet resources, conferences and publishing.
Standard two
Unacceptable uses of the network include the following.
violating the rights to privacy of any student or employee
transmitting profanity, obscenity or other language which may be offensive to the recipient or transmitting profanity, obscenity or offensive language to any web site, news group, mailing list or similar forum
transmitting graphics (including still or moving pictures) or sound files which are pornographic, obscene or offensive to another user or transmission of such files to any forum where the graphics or sound files are accessible by others
downloading, storing or printing files or messages (text, sound, still or moving graphics or any combination thereof) that are pornographic or obscene or that use language, sounds or imagery which offends or tends to degrade others (the administration invokes its discretionary rights to determine suitability in particular circumstances)
transmitting any material which is threatening to another person, group or the general welfare, whether or not such material is transmitted to that third person
copying proprietary information, including software, in violation of applicable law
using the network for personal financial gain, business activity not on behalf of the Saluda County School District or any illegal activity
knowingly or negligently transmitting computer viruses or failing to scan downloaded files for viruses
deliberately trying to degrade or disrupt system performance (such acts will also be viewed as criminal activity under applicable state or federal law)
re-posting personal communications without the author’s prior consent
transmitting product advertisement, political lobbying, chain letters or "spamming"
personal use not related to educational purposes, including the playing of games
knowingly or maliciously falsifying or corrupting data, including changing grades, attendance data, financial data, etc. for personal gain or vandalism purposes
any other use deemed not consistent with the school district policy or mission
purchasing items via a credit card number or obligating another student or the school to pay
sending or receiving messages or information with someone else’s name
participating in any electronic "chat" unless it is for specific educational purposes and directly supervised by staff
accessing offsite personal e-mail accounts
Standard three
Employees may have their own e-mail accounts with teachers acting as sponsors for students using any e-mail accounts set up for classroom use. E-mail accounts are secured for educational purposes only. No individual student account will be created for general use. The school system reserves the right to access and review all electronic messages transmitted on any network provided by the school system. Sponsors are responsible for guiding student access to appropriate sections of the network and for assuring that students understand that misuse of the network may cause them to lose their accounts and/or face disciplinary action. Where appropriate, sponsors will assume responsibility for teaching the students proper techniques and standards for participation and explaining issues of privacy, copyright infringement, tool use and network etiquette.
Standard four
All users will abide by prevailing etiquette rules for net usage, including etiquette rules specific to a web site, news group, mailing list or other forum.
Standard five
The system may not be used for illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities or for any other activity prohibited by district policy or not in keeping with the district’s mission or moral standards of the community.
Standard six
System users may not use another person’s system or e-mail ID or password or share their own with others.
Password confidentiality
Each individual is responsible for the confidentiality of his/her personal password or any password assigned to him/her for the purpose of fulfilling an assigned job task. The district will not be responsible for breech of security caused by the sharing of passwords. Also, the district does not make any warranties, whether expressed or implied, with respect to the complete security of a password. The district will, however, cooperate fully with local, state or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to any misuse of a password, such as using it to enter a program for the sole purpose of gaining confidential information, changing data or placing false information or data into the system. The district may limit, suspend or revoke a system user's access to the district’s system upon violation or misuse of any password.
Standard 7
System users will maintain electronic information in accordance with established guidelines.
Standard 8
System users may not upload programs to the district’s
system without appropriate authorization.
System users may not knowingly bring prohibited materials into the district’s electronic communication system.
Standard 10 (personal safety)
System users will not post personal contact information about themselves or other people. Personal contact information includes personal address and telephone numbers.
Students will not agree to meet with someone they have met online without their parent’s approval. A parent should accompany a student to any such meeting.
Students will promptly disclose to their teacher or other school employee any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
Users who violate these standards may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with district policy and/or legal actions.
Vandalism prohibited
Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy district equipment or materials, data of another user of the district’s system or any of the agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet is prohibited. Deliberate attempts to compromise, degrade or disrupt system performance may be viewed as violations of district policies and administrative rules and, possibly, as criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses.
Forgery prohibited
The district prohibits forgery or attempted forgery of electronic mail messages. Attempts to read, delete, copy or modify the electronic mail of other system users or deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail is prohibited. This does not, however, limit or modify in any way the district’s right to monitor use through specifically designated staff.
Limitation/termination/and/or revocation of system user access
The district may limit, suspend or revoke a system user’s
access to the district’s system upon violation of any of the district policy
or administrative rules regarding acceptable use.
System users and parents of students with access to the
district’s electronic communication system should be aware that use of the
system may provide access to other electronic communication systems in the
global electronic network that may contain inaccurate or objectionable material.
The district’s system is provided on an "as is, as available" basis. The district does not make any warranties whether express or implied with respect to any services provided by the system and any information or software contained therein. The district does not warrant that the functions or services performed by, or that the information or software contained on, the system will meet the system user’s requirements or that the system will be uninterrupted or error-free or that defects will be corrected.
Opinions, advice, services and all other information
expressed by system users, information providers, service providers or other
third party individuals in the system are those of the providers and not the
district.
The district will cooperate fully with local, state or federal officials in any
investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the district’s electronic
communication system.
Adopted 3/00
USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
IN INSTRUCTION
Code IJNDB -R Issued 3/00I. Internet Access
Because technology is a vital part of the educational process and the curriculum of the District, students and staff will be provided access to the Internet when appropriate. By providing this access, the District intends to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, communication and learning and by allowing access to resources unavailable through traditional means. Through the Internet, students and staff will have access to the following:
1. locally networked reference and research sources;
2. worldwide and local electronic mail services;
3. global information and news;
4. public domain and shareware computer software of all types;
5. discussion groups on a vast range of topics; and
6. local, regional, public, state, and national library catalogs.
The availability of Internet access provides a unique educational opportunity for students and staff to contribute to the District’s presence on the World Wide Web. This medium of communication provides an opportunity to share accurate information with the community, state, and world about the District’s curriculum and instruction. This resource serves as an educational tool for staff and students, and its use will be governed by the Internet Acceptable Use policy. The failure to follow these policies or responsibilities may result in the loss of privileges or other disciplinary measures.
With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability
of materials; however, on a global network it is impossible to control access to all materials, and the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the District.
Saluda County School District One
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OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES IN INSTRUCTIONThe smooth operation of the Internet network relies on the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided so that students and staff are aware of their responsibilities when using the Internet. Any violations of these guidelines will subject the user to appropriate disciplinary action and possible denial of access to the Internet. In general, this requires efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the network resources.
Because access to the network provides connections to other computer systems located all over the work, users (and parents of students who are users) must understand that neither the District nor any District employee controls the content of the information available on the system. Every effort will be made by the District to monitor and restrict ready access to known objectionable sites. The District does not condone the use of controversial or offensive materials and cannot be held responsible for such use.
Prior to accessing the Internet, students and staff will receive instruction on the appropriate use of the Internet. In addition, parents will be required annually to sign a permission form before students will be allowed access.
II. Terms and Condition of Use
A. Acceptable Use
The purpose of the District’s education network is to support research and education in and among academic institutions by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. All use of the Internet and network must be in support of education and research and be consistent with the educational objectives of the District. Use of other networks or computing resources must comply with the rules governing those networks. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state laws or regulations and FERPA rules are prohibited; this includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by the District policies and local, state, and federal laws.
Acceptable use is always ethical, reflects honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of information, system security mechanisms, and the individual’s rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and unwarranted annoyance.
Saluda County School District One
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B. Procedures For Use
1. Administrators and teachers may access the Internet for educational or work- related purposes at any time which is not disruptive and does not interfere with the performance of other responsibilities by the employee or other staff members.
2. Students will be allowed to access the Internet only through their teachers and provided they have returned the signed permission form for use. No students may access the Internet without permission. Student use must be supervised at all times by a staff member.
3. At designated computers, users must sign in on a log-in sheet before each use and sign-out upon logging out. Log-in sheets will be available for each terminal.
B. Rules Governing Use
The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of Internet privileges. All staff and students must abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Be polite. Do not be abusive in messages to others. Always use appropriate language. Profanity, vulgarities, or other inappropriate language is prohibited. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
2. Documents may not include a student’s social security number or any other personally identifiable information that may lead to the identity of one’s self or others. For example, do not reveal personal home addresses or phone numbers to others.
3. No student pictures (video or still) or audio clips will be published. Posting of student photos and other personally identifiable information may violate District policy.
4. No original student work will be published without written permission from the student’s parent or guardian.
5. Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal or inappropriate activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
6. Do not disrupt, harass, annoy, or discriminate against other users.
Saluda County School District One
(see next page) PAGE 4 - IJNDB -R -USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES IN INSTRUCTION7. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property. Always cite all quotes, references, and sources.
8. Never access inappropriate or restricted information, such as pornography or other obscene materials, or other information not directly related to the educational purposes for which access is being provided. Restricted information includes obscene, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane, or lewd materials; advertisements for products or services not permitted to minors by law; insulting, fighting, and harassing words; and other materials which may cause a substantial disruption of the academic environment.
9. All subject matter on District Web pages shall relate to curriculum, instruction, school-authorized activities, or to the District.
10. Neither students nor staff may publish personal home pages as part of a District Web site or home pages for other individuals or organizations not directly affiliated with the District.
11. Vandalism is prohibited and will result, at a minimum, in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism includes any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or other networks that are connected to any of the Internet infrastructures. Vandalism also includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses, deletion or alteration of other user files or application, removing protection from restricted areas, or the unauthorized blocking of access to information, application, or areas of the network.
12. All users should remain on the system only as long as necessary to complete their work, so that other individuals will have equal opportunities to access the Internet.
13. All users should use the Internet only for research and academic reasons. Users may not use the system for financial or commercial gain.
14. All work should be proofread so as to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.
15. All pages on the District’s server(s) are property of the District.
16. Always follow the instructions of the supervising staff members.
Saluda County School District One
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OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES IN INSTRUCTION17. Do not share passwords. The only person who should ever use an account is the
person to whom it belongs.18. Adhere to "public performance," not just "fair use" copyright laws on school web pages.
The following list represents some of the inappropriate uses, which are not permitted by the District but no means is this list intended to be exhaustive:
1. Commercial advertising, fund-raising, or unethical/illegal solicitation.
2. Accessing a file or Web site that contains pornographic or obscene pictures, videos, stories, or other material, making copies of such material, or distributing or exposing others to such material.
3. Using copyrighted material without permission.
4. Sending messages or materials that are obscene, profane, racist, sexist, inflammatory, threatening, or slanderous toward others.
5. Creating and/or placing a computer virus/worm on the network or any workstation.
6. Sending messages or information with someone else’s name on it or misrepresenting the source of information, which could then be used to make inappropriate calls or contacts.
7. Sending or receiving messages or information that is inconsistent with the school’s conduct code or assisting others to violate that code.
8. Requesting or distributing addresses, home phone numbers, or other personal information, which could then be used to make inappropriate calls or contacts.
9. Sending chain letters or engaging in "spamming" (sending annoying or unnecessary message to large numbers of people.)
10. Purchasing something which requires a credit card number or obligates a student or school to provide payment to another party.
11. Accessing, attempting to access, and /or altering information in restricted areas of any network.
12. Downloading or loading any software applications without permission from the building network administrator or system administrator.
13. Violating the confidentiality rights of other users on any network.
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14. Failing to report abuses or other conditions that may interfere with the appropriate and efficient use of school resources.
15. Using school technology resources in order to create electronic forgery.
16. Using scanners for any purpose other than educational.
17. May not access chat rooms unless participating in an educational chat room while under a teacher’s supervision
18. Prohibiting the usage of video/digital cameras for any purpose other than supporting the District’s mission
Users are required to report any of the following to his/her teacher, supervisor of the building network administrator as soon as the following are discovered:
1. Any messages, files, Web sites, or user activities that contain materials that are in violation of this policy.
2. Any messages, files, Web sites, or user activities that solicit personal information, such as an address, phone number, about the user or someone else, or request a personal contact with the user or another user.
3. Attempts by any user to abuse or damage the system or violate the security of the network and its sources.
4. Any illegal activity or violation of school policy.
5. Any error messages or problems that indicate that the system is not working properly.
III. Penalties for Improper Use
An employee who violates the terms of this administrative rule or otherwise misuses the Internet to access or send inappropriate material will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. In addition, the privilege of accessing the Internet also will be subject to cancellation over a period of time as determined by the Administration. Students who violate the terms of this administrative rule or who otherwise misuse their access to the Internet also will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the District’s student
Saluda County School District One
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behavior code. Internet access privileges also may be canceled over a period of time as determined by the administration. Violations of the laws of the United States or the State of South Carolina also may subject the user to criminal prosecution. If a user incurs unauthorized costs, the user, as will as the user’s parents if the user is a student, will be responsible for all such costs.
IV. Warranty
The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages suffered by any user. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdirected deliveries, or service interruptions caused by the system’s negligence, user errors, or omissions. 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.
V. Security
Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you believe you have identified a security problem on the system, you must notify a staff member, Network System Administrator, Network System Analyst or Director of Technology. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Attempts to log on to any network as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be subject to severe restriction or cancellation of privileges. Abusers agree to accept repair assessment charges for damage or intentional misuse of the network.
VI. User Privacy
The District reserves the right to examine, restrict, or remove any material that is on or passes through its network, just as it does any other work or material generated or brought to school by staff or students. Access to electronic information related to any student or staff member will be governed by the same policies that would apply to that information if it were not in electronic form.
VII. School Board Policies
All documents on the District’s server(s) must conform to School Board policies and regulations, as well as established school offices. Persons developing or maintaining Web documents are responsible for complying with these and other policies. Some of the relevant issues and related board policies include the following:
Saluda County School District One (see next page)
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1. Electronic transmission of materials is a form of copying. As specified
in District policy, no unlawful copies of copyrighted materials may be
knowingly produced or transmitted via the District’s equipment, including
its Web server(s).
2. Documents created for the Web and linked to District Web pages will meet
the criteria for use as an instructional resource.
3. Any links to District Web pages that are not specifically curriculum related will meet the criteria established in the District Internet Authorized Use Policy. Any other non-curricular materials should be limited to information about other youth activities, agencies, or organizations which are known to be non-sectarian, exclusively devoted to community interests or child welfare, non profit, and non- discriminatory. Web page links may not include entities whose primary purpose is commercial or political advertising.
4. All communications via District Web pages will comply with the District Internet Authorized Use policy and the District Code of Conduct policy. Offensive behavior that is expressly prohibited by this policy includes any religious, racial, and sexual harassment and/or violence.
5. Any student information communicated via District Web pages will comply with District policies on Data Privacy and Public Use of School Records.
VIII. OTHER
1. Given the rapid change in technology, some of the technical standards outlined in this policy may require change throughout the year. Such changes will be made by the District network specialist with approval of the Superintendent. This Web page policy may be updated on an annual basis, or more frequently if required.
Saluda County School District One
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