|
POLICY LOWER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION |
6142.10 Guidelines |
|
Acceptable Use
Policy and Implementation Guidelines A.
Policy
and Purpose Statement The Lower Township Board of Education
believes that the use of computers and the Internet have become, if used
appropriately, an integral part of the educational program. The Board has
decided to make Internet access available to the students and staff only for
the express purpose of supporting the educational program. It is being made available to enable
students and staff to conduct research and to communicate with others also in
furtherance of educational objectives which relate to student curriculum. This Board Policy is intended to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act/ Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (whichever is applicable). The District’s System Administrator shall be responsible for ensuring that the blocking software is installed and functioning. Although the Internet offers vast
opportunities to access resources, the Board must also maintain an
environment which promotes both responsible and ethical conduct in all
computer activities by students and staff.
With access to the Internet also comes the possibility, even with the
use of blocking software, that materials may be accessed by students and
staff that is either of no educational value, or violates applicable state or
Federal law. This is so because with
the current state of the technology, it is impossible to control access to
all materials which are obscene or profane, or advocate illegal acts,
violence or unlawful discrimination. It is the belief of the Board of
Education of the The operation of the district computer
network relies, in part, on the proper conduct of users -–students and
staff. Therefore, it is necessary for
students and staff to follow the guidelines which are set forth within this
policy. If any user, whether a student
or a staff member, violates this policy, his/her privileges to use district
computers may be limited or suspended.
In addition, the student or staff member may be subject to other
applicable disciplinary measures.
Students will be subject to all possible discipline as described in
the District Student Code of Conduct and District policy. Page 1 of 4 |
|
|
Acceptable Use
Policy (Continued)
File Code: 6142.10 Guidelines Attached to this policy is
a user agreement. The agreement
incorporates this policy. It also
indicates that the party who has signed the agreement has read the terms and
conditions carefully and understands their significance. The user agreement is an acknowledgement of
the responsibilities of all users.
Students will not be permitted to use Internet/e-mail through the
district computer system unless they have signed the agreement and their
parents or guardians have signed the agreement indicating the student has
his/her permission to use Internet/e-mail through the district computer
system. The agreement/permission form
annexed to this policy is expressly made a part of the policy. B.
Terms
and Conditions of Use 1.
Acceptable Use. The purpose of providing access to the
Internet is expressly to support research and education. It is to provide access to various
resources and opportunities for collaborative work The use of the Internet must be solely to
support education and research which furthers the educational objectives and
curriculum established by the Lower Township Board of Education. In addition, the use of other
organizations’ networks or computer resources must comply with the rules for
use of those networks in addition to those of this
school district. Transmission and accessing of any material
in violation of any Federal law (including either the Children’s Internet
Protection Act or the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act), state
law or regulation/or Board Policy is prohibited. Prohibited activities include, but are not
limited to the following: (a) Users will not transmit or access
material which is profane, obscene, harmful to minors (as that term is
defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act), or advocates illegal
acts, violence or unlawful discrimination. (b) Students/or staff members are
responsible to maintain a log of all contacts made on the district computer
system, including the complete Internet site address of any locations
accessed. A history log on each PC
must be maintained for a minimum of 30 days. (c) If a password is assigned, that
password is to remain private and is not to be shared with other users. (d) Any use of the network for commercial
or for-profit purposes is prohibited. (e) Use of the network for personal and
private business is prohibited. (f)
Any
use of the network for advertising or political purposes is prohibited. (g) Users of the network shall not disrupt
or interfere with the use of the network by others. Page 2 of 4 |
|
Acceptable Use Policy
(Continued)
File Code: 6142.10 Guidelines (h) The hardware or software shall not be
altered, mishandled or abused in any way. (i)
The
district computer system shall not be used to harass others. (j)
Hate
mail, discriminatory remarks and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited. (k) The unauthorized installation of
copyrighted software for use on the district computer system is prohibited. 2.
Privileges.
The use of the Internet through the district’s computer system is a
privilege, not a right. Inappropriate
use may result in the suspension, or partial suspension of those privileges
as well as other possible discipline, as outlined in the District Student
Code of Conduct, which is incorporated by reference herein, and even possible
prosecution for illegal activity. Staff members shall also be subject to
appropriate discipline, dismissal and/or prosecution for illegal or
prohibited activity. Each student or
staff member, in order to obtain access to Internet/e-mail through the
district computer system will be required to complete the Lower Township District
Acceptable Use Agreement. The system
administrator will have the authority to, at least temporarily,
suspend use of the system at any time. 3.
Network Etiquette.
Users of the district computer system are expected to: (a)
Be
polite. (b)
Only
use appropriate language. (c)
Never
reveal personally identifiable information such as your name, address,
telephone number or those of other students. (d)
Be
prepared for a search of student data files and other electronic storage
areas. The system administrator may
access these files from time to time not only to insure system integrity, but
also to determine if users are complying with this policy. Students should not expect that information
they store on the system will be private. (e)
Comply
with all intellectual property laws, such as copyrights. C.
Miscellaneous 1.
Security
of the system is a high priority. If
you have reason to believe that you can identify a security problem in the
district computer system, you must notify the system administrator. Page 3 of 4 |
|
Acceptable Use Policy
(Continued) File Code: 6142.10 Guidelines 2.
Vandalism
will result in the automatic suspension of use and will be subject to
discipline, other
forms of legal action or perhaps
even criminal prosecution. Vandalism is defined as any
attempt to harm or destroy data, software or hardware, even if belonging to
another network. This includes, but is
not limited to, the creation of a virus, intentional propagation of a virus,
or dissemination of contaminated disks, CD’s and the like. 3.
Student
work files may be accessed by teaching staff members upon the same basis as
student written work. 4.
The
Authority: N.J.S.A.
2A:38A-1 et seq., 2C:20-25; 18A 7A-11 N.J.A.C.
6A:24-1.1 et seq., particularly 6A:24-1.4, 2.2, 4.1, 6.1;
6A:30-1.1 et seq. 17 U.S.C. 101 47 U.S.C. 254(h) N.J. v. T.L.O.
469 O’Connor v. Ortega 480 Manual for the
Evaluation of Local School Districts
(August 2000)
Adopted: Page 4 of 4 |
Internet Acceptable Use Agreement - StudentThis form is to be
completed after reviewing the district’s Acceptable Use Policy (6142.10
revised Student Name
___________________________________________
Date ______________ School _________________________________________________ Grade
____________ As a parent/guardian of
the student, above, I hereby give my permission for my child to access the
Internet/e-mail through the district computer system. I have read the District Acceptable Use
Policy, and I understand that my child is expected to abide by the same. I also understand that in some
circumstances I may be held accountable for my child’s actions. I understand that the district is employing
blocking software, but that it is not always completely effective. Parent/Guardian
Signature
_________________________________
Date ______________ Name (please print)
__________________________________________________________ Complete and
return to your child’s teacher. |
Internet Acceptable Use Agreement - StaffThis form is to be
completed after reviewing the district’s Acceptable Use Policy (6142.10
revised I understand and agree to
accept and abide by the Acceptable Use Policy. I also understand that if I fail to follow
the policy, my access to the district computer system may be suspended, I may
be subject to other discipline, and there may even be criminal consequences
to my behavior depending upon the severity of my actions. Staff Signature ___________________________________________ Date ______________ Name/Title (please
print)
_____________________________________________________ School
_________________________________________________ Grade
____________ Complete and return to
your building contact. |