Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Medford Township POLICY Medford Township Board of Education Section: Program 2361. ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTER NETWORK/COMPUTERS AND RESOURCES Date Created: September, 1999 Date Edited: June, 2002 2361- ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTER NETWORK/COMPUTERS AND RESOURCES M INTERNET POLICY 1. In support of our educational mission, the Board of Education is providing employees and students with access to the District's electronic communication system, which includes Internet access. For the purposes of this policy, the term "District system" is meant to include all computing facilities (for example, hardware, software, files, and accounts) used over a communications network in support of instructing, teaching and learning. 2. The Board also recognizes that telecommunications will allow pupils access to information sources that have not been pre-screened by educators using Board approved standards. The Board therefore adopts the following standards of conduct for the use of computer networks and declares unethical, unacceptable or illegal behavior as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking network access privileges and/or instituting legal action. 3. The term "educational purpose" includes use of the system for classroom activities, professional or career development, and teacher-approved high quality, selfdiscovery activities. 4. The District system has a specific educational purpose. The purpose of the District system is to assist in preparing students for success in life and work in the 21st century by providing them with electronic access to a wide range of information and the ability to communicate with people from throughout the world. Additionally, the system will be used to increase District intracommunication, enhance productivity, and assist District employees in up-grading their skills through greater exchange of information with their peers. The district system will also assist the District in sharing information with the local community, including parents, social service agencies, government agencies, and businesses. file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (1 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township 5. Users may not use the District system for commercial purposes, defined as offering or providing goods or services or purchasing goods or services for personal use. Accounts or facilities are not to be used for the transmission of commercial or personal advertisements, solicitations, promotions, or for personal monetary gain or other activities inconsistent with District policy or federal and/or state statutes. Users may not disclose the password of an account or otherwise make the account available to others who have not been authorized to use the account. Users are responsible for all usage of their accounts and are expected to take appropriate safeguards to assure that their account passwords are not known to others. B. District Responsibilities 1. The Superintendent will serve as the coordinator to oversee the District system and will work with other regional or state organizations as necessary. 2. The building principals and district Supervisor of Curriculum/Instruction will serve as the building-level coordinators for the District system, will approve buildinglevel activities, ensure teachers receive proper training in the use of the system and the requirements of this policy, establish a system to ensure adequate supervision of students using the system, maintain any executed user agreements, and be responsible for interpreting the District Acceptable Use Policy at the building level. 3. Teachers are responsible to know the acceptable use policy and to supervise students in the use of the system which is consistent with this policy. 4. The Superintendent or his/her appointee, will establish a process for administering their district's system which will include tasks such as the following: setting-up individual and class accounts, set quotas for disk usage on the system, establish a retention schedule, establish a District virus protection process, and other activities. System administrators or other authorized staff in the course of meeting their job responsibilities are allowed full access to files and programs during maintenance, routine backup operations, or in acting to safeguard the integrity and reliability of computing facilities. Staff who are authorized such access are expected to respect the privacy of other users. C. Access to the System 1. District System. The District's Acceptable Use Policy, set forth in Section 1, Internet Policy, will govern all use of the District system. Student use of the system will also be governed by each respective building's disciplinary code. Employee use will also be governed by District policy. 2. World Wide Web. District employees and students may have access to the Web through District-owned computers. The Student/Staff User Agreement Form will be file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (2 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township required for all users. Parents may specifically request that their child(ren) not be provided such access by indicating this on the User Agreement Form. 3. Student E-Mail. Students may be granted e-mail privileges through a classroom building, or personal account with the approval of their teacher and within stated district guidelines. E-mail may only be sent or received under the direct supervision of a teacher or administrator. 4. Employee E-Mail. District employees will be provided with an individual account for job-related purposes. All employees are subject to the approved district guidelines for employee e-mail usage. D. Technical Services Provided Through District System 1. E-mail. The District may provide e-mail to allow employees and students to communicate with people throughout the world. 2. World Wide Web. The Web provides access to a wide range of information in the form of text, graphics, photographs, video, and sound, throughout the world. The Web is a valuable research tool for students and employees. 3. File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP allows users to download large files and computer software. 4. Newsgroups. Newsgroups are discussion groups that are similar to mail lists. The District will provide access to selected newsgroups that relate to subjects that are appropriate to the educational purpose of the system. 5. Blocking software. The District employs Internet blocking software designed to block access to certain sites. 6. Other Add-Ons. The District will acquire other add-on Internet services which may support the educational mission of the district. 7. Desktop Security. Desktop security is installed on all instructional computers to prevent the installation of unauthorized software to prevent system activity against viruses, hacking, prevent access to system files, etc. E. Parental Notification and Responsibility 1. The District will notify the parents about the District's Internet access; and the policies governing its use. Parents must sign an agreement to allow their students to access the Internet. Parents may request alternative activities for their child(ren) that do not require Internet access. file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (3 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township 2. The District Acceptable Use Policy contains restrictions on accessing inappropriate material. There is a wide range of material available on the Internet, some of which may not be fitting with the particular values of the families of the students. Although every effort will be made to closely monitor students' use of the Internet and their compliance with the Student Acceptable Use Policy, it is not practically possible for the District to monitor and enforce a wide range of social values in student use of the Internet. Further, the District recognizes that parents bear primary responsibility for transmitting their particular set of family values to their children. The District will encourage parents to specify to their child(ren) what additional material is and is not acceptable for their child(ren) to access through the District system. 3. The District will provide student and parents with guidelines for student safety while using the Internet. F. District Limitation of Liability 1. The District makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, that the functions or the services provided by or through the District system will be error-free or without defect. The District will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system. G. Due Process 1. The District will cooperate fully with local, state or federal officials in any investigation concerning to or relating to any illegal activities conducted through the District system. 2. In the event there is an allegation that a student has violated District Acceptable Use Policy, the student will be provided with a written notice of the alleged violation and an opportunity to present an explanation before an administrator. 3. Disciplinary actions will be tailored to meet specific concerns related to the violation and to assist the student in gaining the self-discipline necessary to behave appropriately on an electronic network. If the alleged violation also involves a violation of other provisions of the respective building's disciplinary code, the violation will be handled in accord with the applicable provision of the respective building's disciplinary code. 4. Employee violations of the District Acceptable Use Policy will be handled in file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (4 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township accord with District policy. H. Search and Seizure 1. System users have a limited privacy expectation in the contents of their personal files on the District system. All files and information stored on the district system are the property of the district. Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system responsibly. Users should not expect that files stores on District servers will be private. 2. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the system may lead to discovery that the user has or is violating the District Acceptable Use Policy, the respective building's disciplinary code, or the law. 3. An individual search will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has violated the law or the respective building's disciplinary code. The nature of the investigation will be reasonable and in the context of the nature of the alleged violation. 4. I. District employees should be aware that their personal files may be discoverable. Copyright and Plagiarism 1. District policies on copyright will govern the use of material accessed through the District system. Because the extent of copyright protection of certain works found on the Internet is unclear, employees will make a standard practice of requesting permission from the holder of the work if their use of the material has the potential of being considered an infringement. Teachers will instruct students to respect copyright and to request permission when appropriate. 2. District policies on plagiarism will govern use of material accessed through the District system. Teachers will instruct students in appropriate research and citation practices. 3. Computer users shall not attempt or knowingly seek, provide view, use, delete, modify information in, or obtain copies of files or programs belonging to other computer users without the permission of those users. Searching through non public directories, libraries, or any other storage media to find unauthorized information is likewise prohibited. Further, computer users must not use the facilities to plagiarize or claim the intellectual or literacy property of others. Users granted access to administrative data in which individuals are identifiable must respect the confidentiality of these data. Disclosure of data pertaining to students, for example, should be in accordance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act. file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (5 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township On most facilities, security systems are in place to prevent unwanted or unauthorized access. Any defects or weakness discovered in computer security systems should be reported to the Director of Technology. Under no circumstances should computer users, other than authorized system administrators, access or attempt to access system security programs or files. J. Academic Freedom, Selection of Material, Student Rights to Free Speech 1. Board policies on Academic Freedom and Free Speech will govern the use of the Internet. 2. When using the Internet for class activities, teachers will select material that is appropriate in light of the age of the students and that is relevant to the course objectives. Teachers will preview the materials and sites they require or recommend students access to determine the appropriateness of the material contained on or accessed through the site. Teachers will provide guidelines and lists of resources to assist their students in channeling their research activities effectively and properly. Teachers will assist their students in developing the skills to ascertain the truthfulness of information, distinguish fact from opinion, and engage in discussions about controversial issues while demonstrating tolerance and respect for those who hold divergent views. 3. Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored. During school, teachers of younger pupils will guide them toward appropriate materials, Outside of school, families bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they exercise discretion with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio, and other potentially offensive media. As outlined in Board policy and procedures on pupil rights and responsibilities, copies of which are available in school offices, 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 account "Trespassing in another's folders, work, or files "Intentionally wasting limited resources "Employing the network/computers for commercial purposes Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action. Additional disciplinary action may be determined at the building level in line with existing practice regarding inappropriate language or behavior. K. District Web Site file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (6 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township 1. District Web Site. The District may establish a Web site and Web page that will present information about the District. The Superintendent, or his/her appointee will be designated the Webmaster, responsible for maintaining the District Web site. 2. School or Class Web Pages Schools and classes may establish Web pages that present information about the school or class activities. The building principal will designate an individual to be responsible for managing the school Web site. Teachers will be responsible for maintaining their class site. 3. Student Web Pages. With the approval of the building principal, students may establish personal Web pages. The principal will establish a process and criteria for the establishment and posting of material, including pointers to other sites, on these pages. Material presented in the student's Web site must be related to the student's educational and career preparation activities. Student Web pages must include the following notice: "This is a student Web page, opinions expressed on this page shall not be attributed to the District," 4. Extracurricular Organization Web Pages. With the approval of the building principal and under close supervision by teachers, extracurricular organizations may establish Web pages. The principal will establish a process and criteria for the establishment and posting of material, including pointers to other sites, on these pages. Material presented on the organization Web page must relate specifically to organization activities and will include only student produced material. Organization Web pages must include the following notice: "This is a student extracurricular organization Web page. Opinions expressed on this page shall not be attributed to the District." L. District Acceptable Use Policy Internet Safety/Protection The school district is in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act and has installed technology protection measures for all computers in the school district, including computers in media centers/libraries, that block and/or filter visual depictions that are obscene as defined in section 1460 of Title 18, United States Code; child pornography, as defined in section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code; are harmful to minors including any pictures, images, graphic image file or other visual depiction that taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; or depicts, describes, or represents in a patently offensive way, with respect to what is suitable for minors, sexual acts or conduct; or taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors. The school district will certify on an annual basis, that the schools, including media centers/ libraries, in the district are in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act and the school district enforces the requirements of this policy. file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (7 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township This Policy also establishes Internet safety policy and procedures in the district as required in the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act. Policy 2361 addresses access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; unauthorized access, including "hacking" and other unlawful activities by minors online; unauthorized disclosures, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors. Notwithstanding blocking and/or filtering the visual depictions prohibited in the Children's Internet Protection Act, the Board shall determine other Internet material that is inappropriate for minors. The Board will provide reasonable public notice annually - Policy and Regulation 2361. N.J.S.A. 2A:38A-3 Federal Communications Commission: Children's Internet Protection Act. Annual Consent Requirement No pupil shall be allowed to use the computer network and the Internet unless they have filed on an annual basis with his/her school (individual or office) a consent form signed by the pupil and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Violations Individuals violating this policy shall be subject to the consequences as indicated in Regulation No. 2361 and other appropriate discipline, which includes but are not limited to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Use of the network only under direct supervision; Suspension of network privileges; Revocation of network privileges; Suspension of computer privileges; Revocation of computer privileges; Suspension from school; Expulsion from school; and/or Legal action and prosecution by the authorities. file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (8 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township The following uses of the District system are considered sensible measures for all people to adhere to: 1. Internet Access Protocol. All internet activity must be accessed utilizing district resources (school and district accounts). 2. Jeopardizing Personal Safety (Restrictions are for all users) a. Users will not post personal contact information about themselves or other people. Personal contact information includes address, telephone, school address, work address, etc. b. Users will not agree to meet with someone they have met online without their parent's approval and participation. c. Users will promptly disclose to their teacher or other school employee any electronic communication they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable. 3. Illegal Activities a. Using the computer network(s)/computers for illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities are defined as activities that violate federal, state, local laws and regulations. Inappropriate activities are defined as those that violate the intended use of the network. Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of generally accepted social standards for use of publicly owned and operated communication vehicles. b. Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any other computer system or network through the District system, or go beyond their authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person's account or access another person's files. These actions are illegal, even if only for the purposes of "browsing". c. Users will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system performance or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. These actions are illegal. d. Users will not use the District system to engage in any other illegal act such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of a person, etc. e. f. Possesses any data which is a violation of this policy; and/or Engages in other activities that do not advance the educational purposes for file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (9 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township which computer networks/computers are provided. 4. Compromising System Security a. Users are responsible for the use of any individual accounts and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use an account. b. Users will avoid the inadvertent spread of computer viruses by following recommended virus protection procedures if they download software, 5. Inappropriate Language a. Restrictions against Inappropriate Language apply to public messages, private messages, and material posted on Web pages. b. Users will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language. c. Users will not post information that, if acted upon, could cause damage or a danger of disruption. d. Users will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks, e. Users will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If a user is told by a person to stop sending them messages, they must stop. f. Users will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization. 6. Disregarding Respect for Privacy a. Users will not re post a message that was sent to them privately without permission of the person who sent them the message. b. 7. Users will not post private information about another person. Disregarding Respect for Resource Limits a. Users will use the system only for educational and professional or career development activities, and limited, teacher approved, high-quality, self discovery activities. file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (10 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township b. Users will not download large files unless it is approved by a teacher or administrator and it is absolutely necessary. If necessary, users will download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used. c. Users will not post chain letters or engage in "spamming". Spamming is sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people. d. Users with access to e mail will check their e mail frequently and delete unwanted messages promptly. 8. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement a. Users will not plagiarize works that they find on the Internet, Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were original to the user. b. Users will respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement occurs when an individual inappropriately reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright. If a work contains language that specifies acceptable use of that work, the user should follow the expressed requirements. If the user is unsure whether or not they can use a work, they should request permission from the copyright owner, 9. Inappropriate Access to Material a. Users will not use the District system to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). For students, a special exception may be made for hate literature if the purpose of such access to conduct research and access is approved by both the teacher and the parent. District employees may access the above material only in the context of legitimate research. b. If a user inadvertently accesses such information, they should immediately disclose the inadvertent access in a manner specified by their school. This will protect users against an allegation that they have intentionally violated the Acceptable Use Policy. Adopted: 27 September 1999 Revised: 09 April 2001 Revised: 10 June 2002 file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (11 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM Medford Township Copyright 2007 Strauss Esmay Associates, LLP 36 Washington Street, Suite 1A, Toms River, NJ 08753 ph:(732)349-0777 fax:(732)349-9330 file:///H|/strauss/internet.htm (12 of 12)10/18/2007 12:22:07 PM