Scope of rules and regulations and School District Authority
All Community Consolidated School District 15 students and staff are responsible for their actions and activities involving the school district’s computers, electronic devices, network and Internet services, and for their computer files, passwords and accounts. These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of school computers and other electronic devices and provide examples of prohibited uses.
The network use agreement details acceptable use of electronic information resources under which students, staff, and all members of the CCSD15 community will be held accountable. The rules do not attempt to describe every possible prohibited activity. Students, parents and school staff who have questions about whether a particular activity is prohibited are encouraged to contact a building administrator. These rules apply to all school computers, all school-provided electronic devices wherever used, all uses of school servers, network and Internet access regardless of how they are accessed.
Philosophy of Network Use
The goal of the District 15 Board is to provide students and staff with computers and other technology, network and Internet services, and electronic resources for educational purposes consistent with District 15 educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals. This network access is used to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
Students must obtain a network username and password prior to accessing the network. In order to obtain a network username and password, a student must submit a copy of the CCSD 15 Network Use Guidelines Letter of Agreement signed by the student and his or her parent or guardian. All students who submit this authorization will be provided with a network username and password and storage space on the school server.
Any violation of the terms of this Authorization, of the Policy, other terms and conditions of network access provided by the District will result in the suspension or revocation of network privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. If a student’s network privileges are suspended or revoked, a newly-signed copy of the student and parental authorizations must be submitted before the student’s access privileges are restored. A newly-signed Letter of Agreement also must be submitted each time the student enters into a new District school.
Student Use of the Network
Students shall follow the rules and procedures as instructed by the teacher when using the network at school. Students are only allowed to use the Internet under the direct supervision of a teacher, and with specific educational purpose assigned by the teacher. As the District provides Internet access, student safety and security are the main concerns. Students are expected to follow the following safety rules which should be discussed by teachers and parents with their students:
- Students should not give out such personal information as their name, age, address, telephone number, parents’ work address or telephone number, or the name and location of the school over the Internet or through e-mail. Students should not give out such personal information about other individuals over the Internet or through e-mail.
- Students should tell their parents or teacher immediately if they come across any information on the Internet or in an e-mail that makes them feel uncomfortable. Students should not respond to any e-mail or other message that makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Students should never agree to get together or meet someone whom they have “met” online without first checking with their parents.
- Students should never agree to send or receive any item to or from anyone whom they have “met” online without first checking with their parents.
All students on the network have the privilege to privacy in their electronic communications. However, if any user is believed to be in violation of the guidelines stated in this policy, a system administrator or teacher may need to gain access to private correspondence or files. There will also be times when the system administrator may need to access private files as part of regular system maintenance. An attempt will be made to notify the user of this in advance whenever possible.
Unacceptable Use
Any use which disrupts learning for students; violates the rights of others; is socially inappropriate or inappropriate for a student’s age or maturity level; is for illegal purposes of any kind is an unacceptable use. Use of the District network for any unacceptable use may result in loss of network privileges and may result in additional disciplinary actions consistent with the District’s student discipline policy.
Unacceptable uses of the District’s network specifically include, but are not limited to the following:
- Revealing personal addresses, telephone numbers, or other personal identifying information of anyone, including other students or teacher;
- Using any material which would violate copyright, including plagiarism or using media without getting permission from the original artist or author;
- Deliberately accessing or posting material which contains obscenity, or sexually explicit or inappropriate language, text, sounds, or images;
- Accessing information of other student, teacher, or district files or records without permission or by using network login other than your own;
- Posting anonymous messages and/or falsifying one’s identity to others;
- Disrupting any anti-virus, filtering, or any other securing measure;
- Deliberately damaging or vandalizing computer equipment;
- Downloading or installing any software to the network without permission;
Technology Protection Measures
The district has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials through the use of electronic filters; it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial information. The District shall monitor the use of the network by students and in order to ensure compliance with the policy, these rules and regulations.
Student Work
From time to time, the District may publish student-related information or material created by students and/or District staff consistent with the following guidelines:
- A student’s home address, telephone number, e-mail address, or other information which would allow a visitor to personally contact the student shall not be published.
- Work prepared by a student shall not be published unless the student has submitted a signed authorization consenting to such publication (Attachment).
- Any material which is proposed to be published on the Internet must be sponsored by a District employee.
- Any reply to, or message concerning, a student’s work that has been published shall be directed to the sponsoring staff member.
All material published on the District’s website must be appropriate for the District’s educational mission. All student and staff works submitted for publication on the District’s website are subject to treatment as District-sponsored publications.
Internet-based Digital Tools
Students at all grade-levels may have the opportunity to use Internet-based digital tools in the classroom. Such tools allow students to communicate and collaborate in powerful, educationally relevant ways. Your child’s safety and security are a priority. Your permission is required for participation and to post student-created content. Student last names will not be used. Unless otherwise notified by the teacher, the content posted by students will not be available to anyone without a password supplied by the teacher. While using these tools, students are expected to follow all Internet usage policies, including:
- Students are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. Students agree not to post or give out any information that could help someone locate or contact them in person.
- Students agree not to share their password(s) with anyone besides their teachers and parents. Students agree to never log in as another student.
- Students are expected to treat Internet spaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for use on the Internet.
- Many Internet-based digital tools can be used for student expression and creativity. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and students must follow the requirements and rules of classroom teachers.
- Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in any further activities using the network.
