Administrative
Rule
INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE AND SAFETY
Code IFBGA-R
Issued
11/06
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. By
providing this access, the District intends to promote educational excellence
in schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, communication and
learning, by allowing access to resources unavailable through traditional
means. Through the Internet, students
and staff will have access to the following:
●
locally networked reference and research sources;
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global information and news;
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discussion groups on a vast range of topics;
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local, regional, public, state and national library catalogs; and
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world wide web.
Additionally, staff only shall have full
access to local electronic mail services.
High school and middle school students shall have limited access to
local electronic mail services giving them the ability to only send or receive
electronic mail messages to and/or from
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, the state, and the world about the District's curriculum
and instruction, school-authorized activities, and other related information.
The District provides this instructional resource 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 material
that may not be of educational value in the context of the school setting. The District has taken precautions to
restrict access to controversial or inappropriate materials; however, on a
global network it is impossible to control access to all materials and an
industrious user may discover controversial information. The District firmly believes that 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.
The
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 world, 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 systems.
Every effort will be made by the District to monitor and restrict ready
access to known objectionable sites.
However, the District does not condone the use of controversial or
offensive materials and cannot be held responsible for such use.
Technology Protection Measures.
In compliance with the Children's Internet
Protection Act ("CIPA"), 47 U.S.C. . § 254(h), the district uses
technological devices designed to filter and block the use of any of the
district's computers with Internet access to retrieve or transmit any visual
depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to
minors" as defined in the CIPA.
Adult users of a district computer with Internet access may request that
the "technology protection measures" be temporarily disabled by the
chief building administrator of the building in which the computer is located,
for bona fide research purposes or other lawful purposes not otherwise
inconsistent with this Acceptable Use Policy.
Internet Safety Policy
For purposes of the Children's Internet Protection
Act ("CIPA"), 47 U.S.C. § 254(l), this Administrative Rule is the district's
"Internet safety policy." This
Rule includes provisions to address access by minors to inappropriate matter on
the Internet and World Wide Web; the safety and security of minors when using
electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic
communications; unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking"
and other unlawful activities by minors online; unauthorized disclosure, use,
and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.
Prior to
accessing the Internet, students and staff must 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 to the Internet. Student also must sign a form
annually acknowledging that they have read and understand this Administrative
Rule, that they will comply with the guidelines set forth herein, and that they
understand the consequences for violating these guidelines. Employees must sign a similar acknowledgement
form.
Terms and Condition of Use
Acceptable Use
The purpose of
the District's educational 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 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 is 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 imposes certain responsibilities and obligations on users and is
subject to 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, and unwarranted annoyance.
Procedures for Use
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. Occasional employee personal use is permitted.
High school and
middle school students
will be allowed to access the Internet and
receive limited electronic mail services only through their teachers and provided they have
returned the signed Internet permission form for use. Elementary
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.
All student 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.
Rules Governing Use
The use of the
Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in
cancellation of Internet privileges and will be subject to disciplinary
consequences described in this policy.
All staff and students must abide by the generally accepted rules of
network etiquette, including the following:
●
Vandalism is prohibited and will result in disciplinary and/or legal
action. 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 applications, removing protection from restricted areas, or
the unauthorized blocking of access to information, applications, or areas of
the network.
●
Never access or attempt to 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. Violations of this policy
will result in disciplinary and/or legal action.
●
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.
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Documents, electronic mail, chat room messages, and any other form of
direct communications 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.
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No student pictures (video or still) or audio clips will be published
without permission from the student's parent or guardian.
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Documents may include "directory information," including a
student's name, address, or telephone number, provided the parent/guardian has
been informed about the release of "directory information" and has
not notified the district in writing that he/she objects to the release of
information.
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No original student work will be published without permission from the
student's parent or guardian.
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Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system have access to
all electronic mail. Messages relating
to or in support of illegal or inappropriate activities will be reported to the
appropriate authorities.
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Do not disrupt, harass, or annoy other users.