SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 8 (kOOTENAY lAKE)  

board policy

HISTORY:
Draft November/01
Adopted April 23, 2002

POLICY TITLE:
USE OF COMPUTER/INTERNET/ON-LINE RESOURCES & COMMUNICATIONS

POLICY NO.

220

POLICY:

The Board believes in providing a wide range of opportunities to access and use on-line
resources and information to enhance learning, teaching, research and communication through the use of the Internet and District e-mail services.  The Board encourages the responsible and ethical use of technology by staff and students.  The District’s technology and networks are intended for educational purposes and for the business and administrative functions that support School District operations.
 
The Board recognizes that the dynamic nature of on-line information makes total regulation and control impossible.

REGULATIONS:
The following regulations are intended to ensure the efficient, ethical and legal utilization of on-line resources and information.

1.      User Rights

1.1    User rights and responsibilities are outlined in this policy.

1.2    Users are advised that on-line activities may be monitored.

1.3    Users have the right to be free from harassment and unsolicited contact.

1.4    Users have the right to expect limited privacy in the contents of personal files on District computers.

1.5    Users have the right to access information that is free from hate propaganda, sexist, homophobic, racist, and pornographic or obscene content.

1.6   Users have the right to access on-line resources and information, in compliance with the user agreement.

1.7   Users have the right to personal use of on-line services provided that use conforms to District regulations.

2.      User Responsibilities

2.1  Technology shall only be used by the person(s) authorized to do so.  Holders of District accounts are responsible for all activity that occurs within their account.

2.2   Computer and network services are shared resources and must be used in moderation, and with consideration of others.  Excessive use and “chatting” are discouraged.

2.3   Users of District technology and services are advised that such resources and activities are subject to inspection and monitoring.

2.4   Sensitive information such as pictures of students or families, personal information, home addresses or phone numbers, must not be transmitted via or be exposed to the Internet.

2.5   Internet/e-mail usage must be able to survive public scrutiny and/or disclosure.  Therefore, users must avoid inappropriate uses that might bring the District into disrepute.

2.6   District technology and services shall not be used for illegal, obscene or inappropriate purposes, or in support of such activities.  Inappropriate use of technology includes, but is not limited to:

·                    transmission of materials in violation of Canadian Law;

·                    transmission, storage or duplication of pornographic material;

·                    transmission or posting of threatening, offensive or obscene material;

·                    transmission or duplication of material in violation of copyright law;

·                    transmission of known false or defamatory information about a person or organization:

·                    participation in pyramid or chain mail;

·                    threatening or harassment of others;

·                    attempts at unauthorized access to data, servers or external services;

·                    attempts to vandalize District or external systems, including malicious attempts to destroy data of another user, via virus, or other means;

·                    use of another user’s account;

·                    use of abusive, vulgar, profane, obscene, harassing or other inappropriate language;

·                    re-posting of personal mail without permission of the author;

·                    sharing of passwords with others;

·                    revealing of another person’s personal address, phone number, picture, or other data without personal or parental consent, as appropriate;

·                    use of the information for financial or commercial gain.

 

2.7    All student users and parents/guardians must sign a Computer/ Internet Acceptable Use Agreement.

2.8    Users under the age of 19 and their parent/guardian must sign a “Computer/Internet Acceptable Use Agreement” in order to access services.  Users 19 and over may sign their own forms.

2.9    Students will promptly disclose to their teacher, or the appropriate school or District employee, any message they receive which is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.

2.10  This Policy will be displayed on the District log-on screen and access will require on-line acknowledgement that the user agrees to District Policy.

 

 

3.        District Rights

3.1     The District has the right to routinely monitor the general use of Internet and e-services.

3.2     The District has the right to investigate any complaints of misuse and to conduct any investigations required by law or Board Policy.

3.3     The District has the right to access any files in the system where misuse is known or suspected.

3.4     The District has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material user’s access or post through the system.

3.5     In the event of a user violating the policy, the District has the right to suspend a user’s access and to invoke disciplinary and possible legal action.

4.      District Responsibilities

4.1        The District will endeavor to provide equitable access to technology resources and on-line services in schools and District work sites to enhance education.

4.2        Effective June 30, 2002 the District will provide on-line services only to schools and District work sites.

4.3        The District will endeavor to screen objectionable and illegal information and access but cannot guarantee that such activity will not take place.

4.4        Misuse of District technology resources may lead to the suspension of the user’s privileges and access to technology, to disciplinary action, and to possible legal action.

4.5        The District will ensure that all student users have reviewed the policy and regulations and have a current “Computer/ Internet Acceptable Use Agreement” on file in the District.

4.6        The District will ensure that all students have received age appropriate instruction in on-line services and have a current “Computer/ Internet Acceptable Use Agreement” on file with the school.

4.7        The District will ensure that all other users of District technology and on-line services have reviewed this policy and regulations and have agreed to abide by said policy and regulations prior to logging on to the District Internet or e-mail services, as described in 2.10 of these Regulations.

4.8        The District will ensure that parental information packages are made available to parents as part of the mandatory consent for the “Computer/Internet Use Agreement.”

4.9        The District will not be responsible for financial obligations of users.

4.10       The District will only intentionally inspect the contents of a user’s e-mail or files or disclose the contents of the sender or intended recipient, where required to do so by law or this policy.

4.11       District staff or supervisors will monitor the general use of the Internet and e-mail in schools and District work sites.

4.12       The District will ensure that a process for the investigation of allegations of misuse is developed and communicated to all users.

4.13       Site-based and/or District administrators are responsible for initiating disciplinary action when this policy is contravened.

4.14       If and when a parent or community group questions the appropriateness of any particular on-line resource, a challenge may be issued in accordance with Board Policy 401, Learning Resources: Challenge.

4.15       The Board recognizes its responsibility to make a reasonable attempt to inform users of potential risks and benefits and to impose due diligence and governance over the use of technology.  The Board will endeavor to ensure that all users are aware of and abide by the District guidelines.


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I, _______________________ pledge to follow these rules while using the Computer/ Internet at _______________________

I will never send a person my picture or any other personal information such as my home address, telephone number or the name and location of my school without my teacher’s permission.

I will tell my teacher right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.  I will not attempt to use Internet resources in any improper or unethical way.  Any controversial material containing sexual content or hate literature will not be tolerated.

I will always treat people online with respect and treat them as I would like to be treated.  I will not reply to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable.  It is not my fault if I get a message like that.  If I do, I will tell my teacher right away.

I understand that transmission of any material in violation of any Federal or Provincial regulation is prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening, racist, or other obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.

I understand that security on any computer system is a high priority.  If I feel I can identify a security problem on the Internet, I must notify an administrator or teacher.  Do not demonstrate the problem to other users.  Do not use another individual’s user name or password.  Attempts to log on as a system administrator or any other user will result in cancellation of user privileges.

I understand that vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges.  Vandalism is not confined to physical damage, but also includes any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

I will not hold the School District responsible for any losses or financial obligations incurred by me through the use of District’s facilities, internet access or software.

I understand and will abide by the Computer/ Internet Use Agreement.  I further understand that any violation of the regulations above is unethical and may constitute a criminal offence.  I also understand that if I allow any other person to use my user name and password, my account will be suspended.  Should I commit any other violation, my account privileges may be revoked and other disciplinary and/or appropriate action may be taken.

 

Student User: __________________________________              


Student ID #____________

 

Student’s Signature ______________________________

Parent or Guardian.

As the parent or guardian of the student who has signed this agreement, I have also read the Computer/ Internet Use Agreement.  I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes, but I also recognize it is impossible for School District 8 staff to prevent access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network.  I hereby give permission to issue an account to my child and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

 

Parent/Guardian’s Name (please print): ____________________________________

 

Signature: ___________________________ Date: __________________________

 

Address: _________________________________Home Phone: _______________