Acceptable Use of Technology by Students

Cheney USD 268 is committed to providing all students with technology-based learning opportunities that facilitate resource sharing, research, cooperative learning, and communications. The use of computers, networks, the Internet, and other online services shall be in support of education and research consistent with the district's mission and goals. Access to technology in Cheney USD 268 is a privilege which brings with it responsibilities.

District Responsibilities. Cheney USD 268 will provide filtered access to the Internet and make reasonable efforts to monitor student access to the Internet and communication resources via the Internet. The district will make reasonable efforts to protect the privacy of students and student information. District administrators or their designees may review student files and student communications to prevent misuse and to ensure that students are using the system responsibly and in compliance with laws and district policies.

Student Responsibilities. Students shall be responsible for displaying appropriate behavior and maintaining a productive learning environment when using district computers, networks, the Internet, and other online services. Copyright law shall be respected for all Internet and online services. Files and communications on the network shall be considered public in nature; students should not expect that files stored on the district’s servers or the district Internet service provider’s servers will be private. Students who observe or identify a security issue should notify an administrator immediately. Students should show any messages that are suggestive, obscene or threatening to a teacher, who will contact appropriate district staff. If students encounter objectionable material on the Internet, they should minimize the browser and notify a teacher or administrator immediately so that the site may be blocked. Students should not click any other links or graphics on the objectionable page.

Permission. Students must have permission from and be supervised by district staff when using district hardware, software, folders, files, networks, the Internet, or other online services. Permission is not transferable from one student to another and may not be shared. Students shall not be allowed to use the Internet or electronic communications unless a current signed Student Access Contract is on file. Access to district technology is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in, among other disciplinary measures, the cancellation of those privileges.

Inappropriate Use. Inappropriate use of district technology, including district hardware, software, networks, the Internet, or other online services include, but are not limited to, the following:

General

• Violating any local, state (K.S.A. 21-3755), or federal statutes;
• Accessing another individual's materials, information, folders or files without permission;
• Violating copyright, plagiarizing or otherwise using the intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission;
• Failing to follow a district policy while using the district’s technology or failing to follow any other policies or guidelines established by district administrators or their designees;

Internet / Email

• Transmitting obscene, abusive, sexually explicit, or threatening language;
• Accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material;
• Harassing, defined as persistently annoying of another, interfering with another’s work, insulting, or attacking others;

· Giving out personal information online such as full name, home address, phone number or Social Security number or arranging to meet anyone via the Internet ;

• Creating mailing lists for non-school purposes with district email addresses from the district's Internet site, network, or servers;
• Downloading software that has not been approved by district staff;
• Downloading materials from the Internet for any use other than school-related activities;
• Using credit cards with any online service;
• Using a district supplied email account or chat room access for non-school related activities;
• Using the Internet not in support of education and research consistent with the purposes of Cheney USD 268;

Hardware, Software, Network

• Giving out personal passwords
• Attempting to log on or logging on with another’s' password;

· Vandalizing, defined as any unauthorized access and/or malicious attempt to damage computer hardware/software or networks or destroying the data of another user, including creating, uploading, or intentionally introducing viruses;

• Wasting storage or other technology resources intentionally;
• Using the network for commercial, advertisement or political purposes;
• Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities;
• Invading the privacy of individuals;
• Seeking to gain or gaining unauthorized access to information resources or other computing devices or attempting to bypass district security measures;

· Altering improperly the set up of computers (e.g., desktops, icons, wallpapers, screensavers, installed software);

• Copying illegally, installing or using software that has not been approved by district staff;

· Using district hardware, software, storage space or network for non-school-related activities;

Violations. District staff shall monitor for inappropriate use of district technology as defined by this policy. Three levels of punishment may be enforced by the administration. While the levels may be implemented in order, nothing prevents the administration from selecting any step depending on the facts and the severity of the violation. Students may also be assessed for the cost of damages to and repair of any district hardware, software or other technology resources.

1^st Violation: Student will lose access to computers, the network and the Internet access for one week.

2^nd Violation: Student will lose access to computers, the network and the Internet access for 9 Weeks.

3^rd Violation: Student will lose access to computers, the network and the Internet access for one semester.

Security Risk. Any student identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to district technology.

Disclaimer. The district makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the technology access provided. The district shall not be responsible for any damages suffered, including the loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or user errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet shall be at the user's risk. The district denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its system and is not liable for any commercial transactions conducted through its system.

Statements of Personal Belief. Any statement of personal belief found on computers, networks, the Internet, e-mail, other on-line services, or any other telecommunication system is the author’s individual point of view, and not that of the school district, school, or district staff. No representations to the contrary shall be published without written approval from district administrators. District administrators or their designees may review all content in any Internet or online accounts paid for, in whole or in part, by the district without notice of any kind.

Student Technology Access Contract. Prior to use of school technology, networks, the Internet, other online services, each student desiring to use such account(s) shall sign a Student Technology Access Contract. A new contract shall be signed at the beginning of each year. If a student is under the age of 18, a parent/guardian shall also sign the contract. These agreements shall be filed in the school office.

Cheney USD 268

Student Technology Access Contract

I understand that when I am using the district hardware, software, network, the Internet or any other telecommunication medium, I must adhere to all rules of courtesy, etiquette, policies, guidelines and laws regarding access and information as prescribed by federal, state, and local laws, and I must accept and abide with the attached Acceptable Use of Technology by Students.

My signature below, and that of my parent (if pupil is under the age of 18), means that I have read and agree to follow the guidelines of the attached Acceptable Use of Technology by Students while using services provided by Cheney USD 268. I understand and agree that any district issued email account or other communication medium will be used strictly for school-related educational purposes. I waive any right to privacy in my use of the Internet, electronic communications, files, folders and network use, and I consent to the access, monitoring and disclosure of my use of the Internet, electronic mail and the network by authorized Cheney USD 268 employees. Violation of these guidelines is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Violations will result in disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action. If 18, I authorize the district’s use of information and images marked below.

______________________ _____________________________ ___________

Printed Pupil name Pupil signature Date

PARENT OR GUARDIAN (If the applicant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must also read and sign this agreement.)

As the parent/guardian of _____________________, I understand that the teaching staff of Cheney USD 268 cannot monitor all of the information my child is accessing or downloading while in the classroom/library nor while the child is away from the school. The district will provide filtered Internet access within the district and will do its best to monitor student access. I agree not to hold Cheney USD 268, any of its employees, any institutions or networks providing access responsible for the performance of the system or the content, costs, or material accessed through it. I understand the technology is provided for only educational proposes.

In order to ensure smooth system operations to assure compliance with laws and policies, appropriate district administrators have the authority to monitor all accounts including my child's accounts, folders and files.

I hereby give my permission for my child to use the Internet in the classroom/library and waive any right to privacy my child may have as to his/her use of the Internet, electronic communications and the network. On behalf of my child I consent to the access, monitoring and disclosure of my child's use of the Internet, electronic communications, folders, files and use of the network to authorized Cheney USD 268 employees. I agree that my child will abide by district guidelines and conditions. Violation of these guidelines is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Violations will result in disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action.

As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the terms and conditions for technology use outlined in the Acceptable Use of Technology by Students and agree that my student will abide by these policies and guidelines.

______________________ _____________________________ ___________

Printed Parent/Guardian name Parent/Guardian signature Date