Code No. 604.3
INTERNET
Telecommunications, electronic information sources, networked services, and social media significantly alter the information landscape for schools by opening classrooms to a broader array of resources and by enabling students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with people throughout the world. The Board of Directors recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the ways that information may be accessed, communicated, and transferred by members of society, those changes will also alter instruction and student learning.
While instructional and library media materials can usually be screened based on selection criteria prior to use, the new sources of information are not always capable of being screened in advance. Because the global network leads to any publicly available fileserver in the world, telecommunications may open classrooms to electronic information resources which have not been screened by educators for use by students of various ages. Further, students may find ways to access other materials as well. The Board of Directors believes, however, that the benefits to students and staff from access to information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed the possible disadvantages. The Board of Directors supports access by students and staff members to a variety of information resources.
The instructional staff shall use such information resources throughout the curriculum and provide guidance and instruction in order for the students to analyze and evaluate such resources. The staff should honor, as much as possible, guidelines for instructional material selection while working with students in the new technologies.
Because technology is a vital part of the District curriculum, the Internet will be made available to employees and students. Appropriate and equitable use of the Internet will allow employees and students to access resources unavailable through traditional means. Employees and students will be instructed on the appropriate use of the Internet.
Students and employees will be able to access Internet through individual accounts, and electronic mail addresses may be issued to students and employees. Additionally, teachers may utilize social media platforms as part of the classroom communication. Independent use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will only be permitted upon the signing of the District’s Acceptable Use Policy. Failure to conform with the terms and conditions of the District’s Acceptable Use Policy or other applicable school policy or law may lead to disciplinary action of the employee or student and may also lead to the withdrawal of the privilege to have independent access to the Internet. Ultimately, parents and guardians of students are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when independently using telecommunications resources, social media and information sources. To that end, the Decorah Community School District supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for independent access to the Internet.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision: April 9, 2018 |
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Legal References:
256.11, 279.8, 280.3, 280.14, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.5(4), 12.5(10)
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Code 604.3
Exhibit A
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT COMPUTER/INTERNET USAGE ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
All of the District’s automated systems, including electronic mail, internet access and electronic storage systems, are District property, and are not confidential. The District has the right to access, review, copy, modify, and delete any information transmitted through or stored in the system, including e-mail messages, web postings, and other online communications. Files containing personal information of a student are treated no differently than the District’s other files, and the student has no expectation of privacy in such materials.
Internet access is available to students in the Decorah Community School District. The internet is an electronic highway connecting millions of computers and individual subscribers all over the world. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. On a global network, it is impossible to control all materials, and a user may discover controversial information. The District believes that the valuable information and interaction available on the internet far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational objectives of the District.
Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end user who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided so that students are aware of the responsibilities they must undertake when accessing the District’s network resources. In general, students are required to make efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. If a District user violates any of these provisions, his or her account may be terminated and further discipline may be imposed.
1) Acceptable Use. The purpose of the Decorah Community School District’s internet access is to support research and education consistent with District goals and objectives by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of a student account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the District. Use of other organizations’ networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network; however, students remain subject to the District’s general rules governing legal and ethical behavior when using such resources on District property or at District activities. The creation, access, or transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state law, regulation or District policy is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: material protected by copyright, trademark or other trade secret laws, and items which are or may be reasonably considered to be defamatory, obscene, pornographic, lewd, profane, offensive, discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise disturbing or harmful to minors. Use of network resources for commercial activities, product advertisement, political lobbying and/or other activities in violation of federal or state ethics and campaign disclosure laws is also prohibited. Only properly licensed software authorized by the District may be loaded onto the District’s system, and no programs or files shall be downloaded from the internet without prior permission of the District.
2) Privilege. The use of the internet and network resources is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a suspension or cancellation of those privileges or other disciplinary action. The principal will deem what is inappropriate use in accordance with these guidelines and will take appropriate action. The principal or a system administrator may suspend or close an account at any time. Notification of any suspension or cancellation of an account will be given in writing to the user within two weeks of the action. Students whose accounts are denied, suspended, or revoked may appeal such action using the student complaint procedure.
3) Network Etiquette (Netiquette). Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) Be polite. Do not use abusive or offensive language in messages sent to others.
b) Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, profanity, lewd remarks, or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
c) Do not release personal information. Do not reveal personal addresses or phone numbers or other personal information, or that of other students or colleagues.
d) Note that email, web postings (including blogs, Facebook pages Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.), and other online communications are not private. People who operate the system and other school personnel do have access to all information transmitted through or stored in the District’s system. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities or activities in violation of District policies may be reported to the proper authorities or used against students in school disciplinary proceedings.
e) Respect other users. Do not use the District’s network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users, or would waste system resources. Do not send unsolicited e-mail messages (including spam) and do not use the District’s network as a way to harass, bully or intimidate others. Such behavior will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action.
f) Compliance with Laws. Under no circumstances may any user engage in any activity that is illegal under local, state, federal, or international laws, or that is prohibited by District policies or rules.
4) Reliability. The Decorah Community School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages that students or other persons may suffer. This includes damages due to loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions, whether caused by the District’s own negligence or students’ errors or omissions. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
5) Security. Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If students identify a security problem with the District’s internet or network resources, students must notify a teacher, principal or the system administrator. Students should not demonstrate the problem to other users. In addition, students should take all necessary steps to prevent unauthorized access to their accounts, and may not use another individual’s account. Any attempt to log on to the internet as a system administrator is prohibited. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the District’s internet and network resources.
6) Vandalism. Vandalism by a student will result in cancellation of a student’s network privileges and may be grounds for other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious act or attempt to harm, modify, or destroy the computer property or data of the District or another user, the internet or network resources of the District, or any other technologies used in the District.
This includes, but is not limited to, participation in hacking or the uploading or creation of computer viruses and other malicious programs.
7) Restricted Material. Users shall not create, access, download, or disseminate any text file, picture, or other material that includes material which is defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, pornographic, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane, lewd, disturbing and harmful to minors, or which advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law, or which is otherwise prohibited by this policy. If a user encounters such restricted material, the user should immediately terminate contact with the material and notify District personnel.
8) Unauthorized Costs. Users shall not access any service or site via the internet which has a cost involved without prior consent of the District. Users accessing such a service without prior consent will have access suspended and will be responsible for all costs.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018 Form Revised: April 9, 2018