STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE
POLICY
York School Department provides computers, networks and Internet access to
support the educational mission of the schools and to enhance the curriculum
and learning opportunities for students and school staff. The Board believes
that the resources available through the Internet are of significant value
in the learning process and preparing students for future success. At the
same time, the unregulated availability of information and communication
on the Internet requires that schools establish reasonable controls for lawful,
efficient and appropriate use of this technology.
Student use of school computers, networks and Internet services is a privilege
not a right. Students are required to comply with this policy and the accompanying
rules. Students who violate the policy and/or rules may have their computer
privileges revoked and may also be subject to further disciplinary and/or
legal action.
All York School Department computers remain under the control, custody and
supervision of the school unit. The school unit reserves the right to monitor
all computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectation
of privacy in their use of school computers.
Student Internet use will be subject to an electronic filtering
system administered by the School Department.
While reasonable precautions will be taken to supervise student use of the
Internet, York School Department cannot reasonably prevent all inappropriate
uses, including access to objectionable materials and communication with
persons outside of the school, in violation of Board policies/procedures
and school rules. The school unit is not responsible for the accuracy or
quality of information that students obtain through the Internet.
Before a student is allowed to use school computers and Internet services,
the student and the student's parent/guardian must sign and return the Computer/Internet
Access Acknowledgment. The signed acknowledgment will be retained by the school.
In addition, students and parents shall be informed of this policy/procedure
on an annual basis through handbooks and/or other means selected by the Superintendent.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation
of this policy and the accompanying rules and for advising the Board of the
need for any future amendments or revisions to the policy/rules. The Superintendent
may develop additional administrative procedures/rules governing the day-to-day
management and operations of the school unit's computer system as long as
they are consistent with the Board's policy/rules. The Superintendent may
delegate specific responsibilities to building principals and others as he/she
deems appropriate.
STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE
RULES
These rules implement Board policy. The rules are intended to provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited activities by students. Failure to comply with Board policy and these rules may result in loss of computer and Internet access privileges, disciplinary action and/or legal action.
A. Computer Use is a Privilege,
Not a Right
Student use of the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services
is a privilege, not a right. Unacceptable use/activity may result in suspension
or cancellation of privileges as well as additional disciplinary and/or legal
action.
The building principal shall have final authority to decide whether a student's privileges will be denied or revoked.
B. Acceptable Use
Student access to the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the school unit's educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.
The same rules and expectations govern student use of computers as apply to other student conduct and communications.
Students are further expected to comply with these rules and all specific instructions from the teacher or other supervising staff member/volunteer when accessing the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services.
C. Prohibited Use
The student is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving school unit computers, networks and Internet services and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts. Examples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include but are not limited to the following:
1. Accessing Inappropriate Materials - Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing,
forwarding, downloading, scanning or displaying materials that are defamatory,
abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening,
discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal;
2. Illegal Activities - Using the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services for any illegal activity or activity that violates other Board policies, procedures and/or school rules;
3. Violating Copyrights - Copying or downloading copyrighted materials without the owner's permission;
4. Plagiarism - Representing as one's own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, etc.). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and Web site must be identified;
5. Copying Software - Copying or downloading software without the express authorization of the school Technology Coordinator;
6. Non-School-Related Uses - Using the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services for non-school-related purposes such as private financial gain, commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes, or for any other personal use;
7. Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access - Sharing passwords, using other
students' or other users’ passwords without permission and/or accessing other
students' or users’ accounts;
8. Malicious Use/Vandalism - Any malicious use, disruption or harm to the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses; and
9. Unauthorized Access to Chat Rooms/News Groups – Accessing chat rooms or news groups without specific authorization from the supervising teacher.
D. No Expectation of Privacy
The school unit retains control, custody and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet services owned or leased by the school unit. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectations of privacy in their use of school computers, including e-mail and stored files.
E. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages
The student and/or the student's parent/guardian shall be responsible for compensating the school unit for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school unit related to violations of policy and/or these rules, including investigation of violations.
F. School Unit Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs
or Illegal Use
The school unit assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by students including but not limited to credit card charges, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers such as copyright violations.
G. Student Security
A student shall not reveal his/her full name, address or telephone number on the Internet. Students should inform their supervising teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.
H. System Security
The security of the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services is a high priority. Any student who identifies a security problem must notify the building computer lab manager. The student shall not demonstrate the problem to others. Any student who attempts or causes a breach of system security shall have his/her privileges revoked and may be subject to additional disciplinary and/or legal action.
I. Parental Permission Required
Students and their parent/guardian are required to sign and return the Computer/Internet Access Acknowledgment Form before being allowed to use school computers.
STUDENT COMPUTER INTERNET USE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
No student shall be allowed to use school computers or the Internet until the student and a parent/guardian have signed and returned this acknowledgement to the school.
Student:
I have read the policy - Student Computer/Internet Use
and Student Computer/Internet Use Rules,
and I agree to comply with them.
Signature of Student ____________________________________________________Date
_____________________________
Parent/Guardian:
My child may
use the school’s computers and the Internet.
I have read the policy - Student Computer/Internet Use and Student ___________
Computer/Internet Use Rules and understand that my child’s
use of__________
school computers is subject to compliance with these rules.
My child may
not
use the school’s computers.
My child may
not
use the Internet.
Sch
School ___________________________ Grade______________________ Teacher
_________________________
STUDENT RELEASE FORM
To All Parents and Guardians:
The York School Department would like to videotape, photograph and/or display student work/activities on school web pages, newsletters, closed-circuit broadcasts and occasionally on the local cable access station. Whenever student work is displayed on our web site, first names are used only. Whenever a photograph is used, no names, first or last, are ever displayed.
The York School Department does NOT
authorize the use of:
Ø
the last name of any student
Ø
personal student e-mail addresses
Ø
pictures of students without a signed release form
Ø
student intellectual property such as art work, poetry, essays, performances,
etc., without a signed release form.
Please complete and sign the following release form and return it to school with your child.
Yes, my child’s work, photograph, and image maybe used in the manner state
above for school web pages, newsletters, closed-circuit broadcasts
and occasionally the local cable access station.
No, my child’s work, photograph, and image may not be
used.
Student’s Name __________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________________________ Date
_________________________
Adopted: 6/20/01
