FILE:  IFBGA

TECHNOLOGY/INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

INTRODUCTION

Technology/Internet access is available to all students and employees in the Cameron Parish School System.  The Board believes that the Technology/Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique educational resources to all participants.

Our goal in providing this service to students is to enhance innovative education for all students through access to unique resources and collaborations.  Furthermore, stakeholders will improve learning and teaching through research, teacher training, communication, collaboration, and dissemination of successful educational practices, methods, and materials.

The Internet is a vast global computer network that provides access to major universities around the world, governmental agencies, other school systems, and commercial providers of data banks.  The School Board shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities.  The School Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block access or exposure to any harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material.  Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited.  However, the School Board does not prohibit authorized employees or students from having unfiltered or unrestricted access to Internet or online services, including online services of newspapers with daily circulation of at least 1,000, for legitimate scientific or authorized educational purposes approved by the School Board.

Age and grade appropriate classroom instruction shall be provided regarding Internet and cell phone safety.  Such instruction shall be integrated into an existing course of study and shall include appropriate online behavior, interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response, as well as areas of concern outlined in State and federal law.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms and Conditions are provided so that Technology/Internet users are aware of the responsibilities they are about to assume.  Responsibilities include efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the network resources.  All users, including students, employees, or any other users of School Board computers, hardware, and School Board network shall abide by all policies of the School Board and any applicable administrative regulations and procedures.

Personal Safety and Privacy

• Users will not post personal contact information (e.g. address, phone number) about themselves or any other person on the Internet.
  
  

• Users will not agree to meet someone they have met on-line without appropriate approval.  Inappropriate contacts should be reported to school authorities immediately.
  
  

• A PARENTAL RELEASE FORM MUST BE SIGNED AND ON FILE FOR ANY STUDENT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.
  
  

• User photographs and work can be published if a signed Parental District Release Form is on file.

Illegal Activities

• Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any computer system or another person's account or files.
  
  

• Users will not intentionally attempt to disrupt or intentionally disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or any other means.
  
  

• Users will not engage in any illegal acts, such as drug sales, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of a person or persons, etc.
  
  

• Users will not intentionally destroy the computer or its components, or any networking/filtering system associated with the computer.
  
  

• Users are forbidden to send or post anonymous messages.
  
  

• Users are forbidden to pursue or otherwise access information on weapons or weapon purchasing, manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices for illegal activities.
  
  

• Users are forbidden to access or send unauthorized personal e-mail.

Security

• Users are responsible for their individual account and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their account.  Under no condition should users give their password to another person. (System accounts will be limited to employees.)
  
  

• Users will immediately notify school authorities if they identified a possible security problem.  Looking for security problems may be considered as an illegal attempt to gain access.
  
  

• Users will avoid the spread of computer viruses by following the district guidelines for file transfers and downloading of software.
  
  

• Students are not allowed to download files without teacher supervision.
  
  

• Users will only use disks that have been scanned and found to be free of viruses.

Inappropriate Use

• Users will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language. This includes personal attacks or harassment of another person.
  
  

• Users will be forbidden to peruse or otherwise access obscene or pornographic materials, or use profanity in messages.
  
  

• Users will be forbidden to peruse or otherwise access information on weapons, or weapon purchasing, manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices for illegal activities.
  
  

• Users are forbidden to access the Technology/Internet for financial or personal gain.
  
  

• Users are forbidden to access the Technology/Internet for personal acquisitions (shopping, trading stocks, ordering, etc.).
  
  

• Users are forbidden to access or send unauthorized personal e-mail.

Resource Limits

• Users will use the system only for educational and career development activities.
  
  

• Users will only install instructional software that has been approved by the school principal.
  
  

• Users will not download large files unless absolutely necessary.
  
  

• Users will not post chain letters or send annoying or unnecessary messages to others.
  
  

• Users will download/remove their e-mail frequently.
  
  

• Users will subscribe only to high-quality discussion group mail lists that are relevant to educational or career development activities and will not subscribe others without their consent.

Access and Use of Materials

• Users will not take the ideas or writing of others and present them as if they were their own.
  
  

• Users will respect copyrighted materials.
  
  

• Users will immediately report to school authorities any site they access with inappropriate information.
  
  

• Teachers will document the Technology/Internet usage and purpose in their weekly lesson plans.

Consequences of Misuse

• The use of the Technology/Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of privileges by administration, faculty, and staff.
  
  

• Users should expect no privacy of the contents of personal files and e-mail on the district system.  Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities must be reported to the authorities.
  
  

• The Cameron Parish School Board allows for suspension/ expulsion of any student for unauthorized/ inappropriate/illegal use of the Internet/Technology or personal e-mail use. (See Technology/Internet Misuse; CPSB Policy JCDA, Student Code of Conduct)
  
  

• Any student making changes or modifications, without approval, to any Cameron Parish School Board computer/ technology equipment will be suspended and may be recommended for expulsion.  Restitution to restore or replace computer/technology equipment to original condition will be the responsibility of the student. (See Technology/Internet Misuse; CPSB Policy JCDA, Student Code of Conduct)
  
  

• The Cameron Parish School Board allows for suspension/ termination of an employee for inappropriate or illegal use of the Technology/Internet/Technology (as defined by the Employee Technology Contract).

Ref:    20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)

47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA))

47 CFR 54.520 (Children's Internet Protection Act Certifications for Schools and Libraries)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7, 17:280

Board minutes, 9-11-96, 7-14-03, 7-14-08, 10-12-09, 2-18-13

Cameron Parish School Board