STUDENT COMPUTER ACCESS AND USE
INTERNET SAFETY
The Internet is a vast, global computer network that provides access to
major
universities, governmental agencies, other school systems, and commercial
providers of data banks. The Zachary Community School Board shall establish
appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the
school district to enhance learning and teaching activities. Acceptable use
of these resources shall be consistent with the philosophy, goals and
objectives of the Zachary Community School Board.
Internet access has been made available to enhance innovative education for
students through access to unique resources and collaborations.
Furthermore,
the Board expects teachers will improve learning and teaching through
research, teacher training, collaboration, and dissemination of successful
educational practices, methods, and materials.
In its continued efforts to comply with the Children's Internet Protection
Act, the Board shall adopt and enforce a policy of Internet safety that
incorporates the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet
service provider technology designed to block or filter Internet access for
minors and adults to certain visual depictions, including without limitation
those that are obscene, child pornographic, or harmful to minors, including
without limitation sites that are excessively violent, pervasively vulgar,
or
sexually harassing. Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of
bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited. Only authorized
persons may disable for an adult user the blocking or filtering mechanism in
order to enable Internet access for bona fide research or other lawful
purposes, which shall include online services for legitimate scientific or
educational purposes approved by the Board, or access to online services of
a
newspaper with a daily circulation of at least 1,000.
In addition to filtering requirements, the Board shall maintain regulations
which:
! Prohibit access by minors to inappropriate matter on the
Internet and World Wide Web;
! Address the safety and security of minors when using
electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic
communications, such as "Instant Messaging";
! Prohibit unauthorized access, including what is now known as
Ahacking@, and other unlawful on-line activities by minors online;
! Prohibit unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of
personal information regarding minors; and
! Institutes measures designed to restrict minors' access to
materials harmful to minors.
Guidelines are provided so that Internet users are aware of the
responsibilities they are about to assume. Responsibilities include
efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of network resources. The student
and parent or guardians shall sign an Acceptable Use of Computers and
Internet Agreement, which shall be required before any student will be
allowed to use school system computers. The student and parent/guardians
signatures shall be legally binding on all parties and shall indicate they
have read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their
significance.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1) Acceptable Use The purpose of the Internet is to support research
and education by providing access to unique resources and opportunities.
Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S., state, local or
School
Board regulations shall be prohibited. This includes, but is not limited
to,
copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected
by trade institutions. Use for product advertisement, political lobbying,
or
illegal activities shall be strictly prohibited. Subscriptions to
listservers, bulletin boards, and on line services must be pre-approved by
the Superintendent or his/her designee.
2) Privileges The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right,
and
inappropriate use shall result in a cancellation of those privileges and may
result in disciplinary action by the administration, faculty or staff and/or
legal action by the Board. All users shall be advised that School Board
personnel shall have access to all messages or mail and that routine
monitoring of the system and tracking of student navigation on the Internet
shall be conducted. Routine maintenance of the system may purge files from
individual accounts.
3) Security Security on any computer system is a high priority,
especially when the system involves many users. Any suspected security
problem on the Internet shall be reported to the building technology
coordinator or the principal. The problem shall not be demonstrated to
other
users. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of
problems with other computer systems shall be denied access to the Internet.
4) Vandalism Vandalism shall result in cancellation of privileges and
or other disciplinary actions. Vandalism is defined as any malicious
attempt
to harm or destroy hardware or software data of the school system, another
user, the Internet Service Provider, or other networks that are connected to
Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation
of
computer viruses or worms. No software, programs, or files may be installed
or downloaded by any user without the prior permission of the building
technology coordinator, who must scan for appropriateness and viruses or
worms.
5) Consequences of Misuse School principals may suspend from school
any student who accesses, sends, receives, or configures electronically any
profane language or pictures, or violates any regulations for computer use,
or any rules contained herein. Consequences for violations of these
standards may range from loss of Internet privileges to expulsion from
school
depending on the nature and severity of the act.
ACCEPTABLE USE
The Internet user shall be held responsible for his/her actions and
activities. Unacceptable uses of system computers and related network shall
result in appropriate disciplinary action, including school suspension,
expulsion, or revoking of these privileges. Regulations for participation
by
anyone on the Internet shall include but not be not be limited to the
following. Students shall:
• Sign a statement as evidence that the student has read, understands,
and intends to comply with these policies, and all other related policies
before using the computers at Zachary Community Schools.
• Use World Wide Web search engines and/or other Internet tools only
under the direction and supervision of teachers.
• Not access visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or
harmful to minors.
• Not attempt to gain unauthorized access, including so-
called “hacking” or otherwise compromise any computer or network security or
engage in any illegal activities on the Internet, including willfully
introducing a computer virus, worm, or other harmful program to the network.
• Not access objectionable or inappropriate material over the Internet.
• Not post any e-mail or other messages or materials that are
derogatory, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening,
offensive, dangerous, slanderous, sexually harassing, terrorizing or
illegal.
Students shall not use any language online that is not permitted in the
classroom.
• Not post personal information about themselves (last names,
addresses, or telephone numbers) or any other person.
• Not forward personal mail without permission.
• Not abuse or waste network resources through frivolous and non-
educational use or send chain letters or annoying or unnecessary letters to
large numbers of people.
• Observe the copyright law. Students shall not plagiarize or
otherwise
use copyrighted material without permission. Students shall properly cite
the
source of information accessed over the Internet.
• Not make any purchase on the Internet while using school equipment
or
Internet service.
• Not use e-mail, chat rooms, net meeting rooms, and other form of
direct electronic communication including instant messaging systems unless
authorized.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
In addition, the following guidelines shall be observed:
Installation of software shall be permitted only by the
District's
administration, and should not be undertaken by any other user.
Users are not permitted to work in or to modify the Network
Operating
System.
Unauthorized exploration or changes to any system files are
prohibited.
The Zachary Community School Board computers shall be used
only for
educational activities and are limited to activities that have been approved
by a teacher or staff member.
The presence of food or drink in the vicinity of the
computers or
computer related equipment is forbidden.
Documents and/or mail stored on the District network should
be
deleted regularly in order to conserve file space.
The Zachary Community School Board reserves the right to
purge
accounts after proper notification of exceeding space regulations.
Students are not to download large files unless absolutely
necessary,
and then only with the approval of the teacher. If necessary, students will
download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used and
immediately remove the file from the system computer once the research
project in question is completed.
Users must remember to log off any computer before leaving
the area
as user IDs will be used as the primary method for tracking computer usage.
If a user is concerned that their password is no longer
secure, then
the user should see the system administrator for a new password.
Standard 3 ½” diskettes, CDs and portable memory drives are
acceptable for file storage. However, CDs and memory sticks are the
preferred forms of storage.
Interpretation, application and modification of the policy is
within
the sole discretion of the Zachary Community School Board.
Any questions or issues regarding this policy should be
directed to
the Zachary Community School Board Administration.
Students who may inadvertently access a site that is
pornographic,
obscene or harmful to minors shall immediately disconnect from the site and
inform the teacher.
Any activity that may be in violation of local, state, or Federal laws will
be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Any parent or guardian who has questions or concerns about their child’s
Internet access is encouraged to discuss these concerns with the school
principal. Parents or guardians are also encouraged to discuss family values
with their children to guide their activities on the Internet.
Ref: 47 U.S.C. '254(h), Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA); La.
Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:81, 17:100.7.
