New Lebanon Central School District

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

6/3/02

GENERAL TECHNOLOGY USE: Computers and other technologies provide opportunities for students and staff. Computer resources are available in the schools for the benefit of all learners, for the purpose of supporting the district’s educational programs (classroom activities, career exploration, and directed discovery activities) and professional development. In order for technology to be in working order and available to everyone, students must respect the hardware and software in the school's computer labs and classrooms. The following general policy statement and guidelines pertain to all technology usage:

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks, just as they are at all times throughout the school. Communications on and the use of the network are public in nature. Access to network services will be provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.

· No student shall intentionally cause damage to any school equipment including hardware and software.

· This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:

· Removing, altering, defacing, or exchanging any hardware or software component from any system.

· Deleting, renaming, moving, copying or changing any file or its properties, other than his/her personally owned files.

· Tampering with installed software and files.

· Attempting to gain access to unauthorized files.

· Attempting to change passwords.

· Damaging other student's work.

· Tampering with any hardware.

· Installing personal software on school technology.

· Violating copyright laws by unauthorized copying of software.

· Installing, copying, or knowingly infecting a computer system with
a virus.

· Downloading program files from the Internet.

· Changing the desktop setting or adding screen savers to a computer unless under teacher direction.

Individual buildings may create their own guidelines and procedures consistent with this policy. Such guidelines and procedures will be appropriate for the electronic information resources being used and the students served at the school. There will be consequences for any student who fails to follow District and building guidelines and policies. The consequences may include paying for damages, loss of usage privileges related to technology, detention, suspension, expulsion or any other appropriate consequences consistent with school discipline codes. In severe cases, the District will involve law enforcement authorities.

ACCEPTABLE USE: Because anyone in the world has access to the Internet, the system also contains material that is inappropriate for elementary and secondary students or does not possess educational value in the context of our school curriculum. One of the goals of this policy is to outline acceptable use of the Internet by students. This policy seeks to balance issues of intellectual inquiry, freedom of speech and privacy. The use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the New Lebanon Central School District. Any material accessed by students must be related to the educational program or to the approved extracurricular activities of the schools. While in school, student access to technological resources will be under the direct supervision of teaching staff and will be monitored by the staff member in the same manner as any other classroom activity.

Transmission of, the use of, or the obtaining of any material that violates any U.S. State, local, or school district law or regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, material which violates or infringes upon the rights of any other person, abusive, profane, or sexually offensive material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use of commercial activities is generally not acceptable. Use of product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

INTERNET SAFETY: In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) the District has ordered and will install filtering software on all computers in the district that can access the Internet. This software will ensure that all visual depictions are blocked if they are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors. All students using networked computers that access the Internet are required to read and sign and have a parent or guardian read and sign our Acceptable Use Policy (A.U.P.). If students are 18 years of age or older they are required to sign our A.U.P. but do not need a parent’s or guardian’s signature. A teacher or classroom aide monitors students who are accessing the Internet and using the NLCSD network.

PRIVILEGES: The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges at the sole discretion of the New Lebanon Central School District. The System Administrator and School District Administration will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the System Administrator or Computer Coordinator may close an account at any time it is required. The School District Administration, Computer Coordinator, faculty, and staff of the New Lebanon Central School District may deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts at any time without cause, hearing or appeal.

NETWORK ETIQUETTE: You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Be polite. Do not get abusive in your messages to others. No "flaming."

· Use appropriate language. Do not swear; use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.

· Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers for yourself, other students, or colleagues.

· Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to appropriate authorities.

· Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users.

· Recognize that acquiring a copy of someone else’s work, in whatever form, with or without the owner’s permission, with the intent to present it as your own is an act of plagiarism and is strictly prohibited. Similarly, providing others with your work knowing that their intent is to present it as original work is likewise strictly prohibited. Cite your source. If you are using the ideas or works of others, give them credit.

· Do not invade the privacy of others, or access the network or files of any business, person, or agency with intent to steal, subvert, destroy, or view information that is not appropriate.

· Do not access information that is considered dangerous or potentially damaging, such as instructions on the preparation of illegal or dangerous mechanisms or activities.

· If a user inadvertently goes to an inappropriate web site, they should immediately exit the site (using the back key) and then let a teacher know what happened.

PROCEDURES FOR INTERNET ACCESS: To gain access to e-mail and the Internet, students’ families and staff will be provided a copy of the district’s policy on Technology Acceptable Use. All students under the age of 18 must obtain parental permission and must sign and return the following INTERNET ACCESS PERMISSION FORM to their BUILDING PRINCIPAL. Students 18 and over may sign their own forms. District staff will sign and return the following INTERNET ACCESS AGREEMENT form to their immediate supervisor.

NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Parent Permission Letter

Internet Access Permission Form

Internet access is now available to students and teachers in the School. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers and millions of individual subscribers. We are very pleased to provide this access and believe the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and staff. Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence within our schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Staff will instruct students on the appropriate use of technology, the school network and the Internet.

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 school setting. We firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may access material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the District. Ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. To that end, the New Lebanon Central School District supports and respects each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

TO GAIN ACCESS, STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST OBTAIN PARENTAL PERMISSION AND MUST SIGN AND RETURN THIS FORM TO THEIR BUILDING PRINCIPAL. STUDENTS 18 AND OVER MAY SIGN THEIR OWN FORMS.

District Internet and E-Mail Rules

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway. Communications on the network are public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply. Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Parent permission is required. Access is a privilege - not a right. Access entails responsibility.

Individual users of the district computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over those networks. It is presumed that users will comply with district standards and will honor the agreements they have signed. Beyond the clarification of such standards, the district is not responsible for restricting, monitoring or controlling the communications of individuals utilizing the network.

During school, teachers of younger students will guide them toward appropriate materials. Outside of school, families bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media.

As outlined in Board policy and procedures on student rights and responsibilities, the following are not permitted:

· Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures

· Using obscene language

· Harassing, insulting or attacking others

· Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks

· Violating copyright laws

· Using another's password

· Trespassing in another's folders, work or files

· Intentionally wasting limited resources

· Employing the network for commercial purposes

Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action.

As a user of the New Lebanon Central School District computer network, I hereby agree to comply with the above stated rules - communicating over the network in a reliable fashion while honoring all relevant laws and restrictions. I understand that any violation of the regulations above is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

Printed Student Signature ________________________ Grade ______

Date: _________________

As the parent or legal guardian of the minor student signing above, I grant permission for my son or daughter to access networked computer services such as electronic mail and the Internet. I understand that individuals and families may be held liable for violations. I understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable, but I accept responsibility for guidance of Internet use - setting and conveying standards for my daughter or son to follow when selecting, sharing or exploring information and media.

Parent Signature _____________________
School: Walter B. Howard New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School

NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Internet Access Agreement Form

District Staff

In consideration for using the district’s computer system, I acknowledge that I have been provided with a copy of the district’s policies on staff and student use of technology resources and the regulations established in connection with those policies. I shall report any student violations of the district’s policy on student use of technology resources to the district computer coordinator and/or building principal by the close of the following school day.

I understand that failure to comply with these policies and accompanying regulations may result in the loss of my access to the district’s computer system, and may, in addition, result in the imposition of discipline under the law and/or the collective bargaining agreement.

Staff Member Signature

Date