INSTRUCTION
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Section 1. Purpose of Technology Use
Through technology, the District provides access for students and staff to resources from around the world. Expanding technologies take students and staff beyond the confines of the classroom, provide tremendous opportunities for enhancing, extending, and rethinking the learning process and assist in preparing students to become productive citizens. This new capability requires guidance for students and staff.
Section 2. The Opportunities and Risks of Technology Use
The Board believes that the value of information and interaction that technology offers outweighs the hazards of its misuse. Making network access available, however, carries with it the potential that some network users will encounter sources that some consider controversial or inappropriate. Because information on networks is transitory and so diverse, the District cannot completely predict or control what users may or may not locate. Technology provides a conduit to information; the users must be wary of the sources and content and be responsible in choosing information to be accessed.
No technology is guaranteed to be error-free or totally dependable. Among other matters, the District is not liable or responsible for: 1) any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable due to technical, or other, difficulties; 2) the accuracy or suitability of any information that is retrieved through technology; 3) breaches of confidentiality; 4) defamatory material; or 5) offensive material.
Section 3. Curriculum
The use of the Internet shall be consistent with the curriculum adopted
by the District as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles,
abilities, and developmental levels of the students. The Internet shall
comply with the selection criteria for instructional materials and library-media
center materials. Teachers may, consistent with the Superintendent’s implementation
plan, use the Internet throughout the curriculum.
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Batavia Public School District #101 646.01
INSTRUCTION
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Section 3. Curriculum
The Internet is a resource that supports the curriculum.
Section 4. Privileges and Responsibility
Users may access technology only for educational purposes. Exercising
this privilege requires that users accept the responsibility for all material
viewed, downloaded, and/or produced. Users will need to evaluate the validity
of materials accessed through technology and cite their sources when appropriate.
The actions of users accessing networks through the District reflect on the School District; therefore, users must conduct themselves accordingly by exercising good judgment and complying with this policy and any accompanying administrative regulations and guidelines.
Users will:
• Adhere to the rules of copyright and assume that any software that they did not create is copyrighted (unless it is labeled "freeware" or "public domain")
• Adhere to the licensing agreements governing the use of shareware
• Electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
• Demonstrate proficiency on the use of network including on-line and
internet services
• Be responsible at all times for the proper use of their access privileges
and for avoiding impersonations, anonymity, or unauthorized sharing of
security measures
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Batavia Public School District #101 646.01
INSTRUCTION
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Section 4. Privileges and Responsibility
Users will: (Cont’d.)
• Take responsibility for any activities using technology that is borrowed by them or under their account or password
• Maintain the integrity of technological resources from potentially damaging messages, physical abuse, or viruses
• Respect the right of others to use equipment and therefore not use it for non-school activities
• Abide by the policies and procedures of networks and systems linked by technology
• Protect the privacy of other users and the integrity of the system by avoiding misuse of passwords, others' files, equipment, and programs
Users will not:
• Use offensive, obscene, inflammatory or defamatory speech
• Harass other users
• Use of the account of another user
• Misrepresent themselves or others
• Violate the rights of others, including their privacy
• Access, download, and/or create pornographic or obscene material
• Use the network for personal business or financial gain
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Batavia Public School District #101 646.01
INSTRUCTION
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Section 4. Privileges and Responsibility
Users will not: (Cont’d.)
• Vandalize data, programs, and/or networks
• Degrade or disrupt systems and/or equipment
• Damage technology hardware and/or software
• Knowingly spreads computer viruses
• Gain unauthorized access to resources or entities
• Violate copyright laws
• Use technology for illegal activities
• Reveal their personal address or phone number, or those of other users
Section 5. Authorization for Internet Access
Each student or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign the form at each school building indicating receipt of the Student/Parent Handbook before being granted unsupervised use of the District’s Internet connection.
The failure of any student to follow the terms of the Internet Use section of the Student/Parent Handbook or this policy, will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.
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Batavia Public School District #101 646.01
INSTRUCTION
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Section 6. Disciplinary Actions
Failure to comply with this policy and any administrative regulations and guidelines governing the use of technology will result in disciplinary action by staff, administration and/or the Board of Education.
Student User:
• Administration and/or Board of Education action including suspension or expulsion
• Confiscation of inappropriate items
• Restoration or restitution for all damage
• Loss of access privileges temporarily or permanently
Staff User:
• Administration and/or Board of Education action including reprimand,
“Notice To Remedy”, suspension or dismissal
• Confiscation of inappropriate items
• Restoration or restitution for all damage
Citizen User:
• Conference with administration
• Confiscation of inappropriate items
• Restoration or restitution for all damage
• Revocation of access privileges and use of technology and equipment
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Batavia Public School District #101 646.01
INSTRUCTION
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Section 7. Confidentiality
Users must recognize that there is no assurance of confidentiality with respect to access to transmissions and files by persons outside, or from persons inside, the District. Also, the District reserves the right to log technology use, to monitor fileserver space utilization by users, and to examine users' files and materials as needed; therefore, users cannot expect absolute privacy from District personnel as to their use of technology.
Section 8. Additional Rules/Actions
The Superintendent may establish regulations and guidelines, and shall take appropriate action, to implement this Policy.
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ADOPTED: August 27, 1996
REVISED: May 25, 1999
Batavia Public School District #101
INTERNET ACCOUNT, TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE.
Please read the following carefully.
Internet access is now available to students and teachers in the Batavia Public Schools. The BPSNet (Batavia Public Schools Net) offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence in the Batavia Public Schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
The BPSNet is an electronic network which accesses the Internet. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Students and teachers have access to electronic communication with people all over the world; information and news from a variety of sources as well as the opportunity to correspond with scientists and other research institutions; public domain and shareware software of all types; discussion groups on a plethora of topics ranging from Chinese culture to the environment to music to politics; and access to many University Library Catalogs, the Library of Congress, CARL and ERIC.
With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of materials that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. On a global network it is impossible to control all materials and an industrious user may discover controversial information. We (BPS) firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of this Project.
Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you accept by becoming a user of the BPSNet. In general, this requires efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the network resources.
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If a BPS user violates any of these provisions, disciplinary actions may be taken which might include but would not be limited to access possibly being denied.
A parent or student signature showing receipt of the School Parent/Student Handbook indicates agreement that the student and parent will carefully read the Parent/Student Handbook including the BPSNet terms and conditions and understand their significance. A parent/guardian or student signature showing receipt of the School/Student Handbook also signifies agreement that the student will abide by the stated Terms and Conditions for BPSNet. Parents/guardians and students further understand that violation of the regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should a student commit any violation the student’s access privileges may be revoked and/or appropriate discipline and legal action taken. The student and parents/guardians hereby release the School district and its Board members, employees, and agents from any claims and damages arising from the student’s use, or inability to use the BPSNet.
If, after reading this section of the Parent/Student Handbook, parents or guardians do not wish their child to participate in school activities involving the BPSNet, parents must write a note to that effect to the School Principal. Only after receiving this note (or through disciplinary action) will school personnel restrict access to the BPSNet and Internet by a student.
BPSNet - Terms and Conditions
1) Acceptable Use - The purpose of our connection to the Internet is to support research and education by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Batavia Public Schools. Use of other organizations’ networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state law or regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities by for-profit institutions is generally not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited. Illegal activities are strictly prohibited.
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BPS Net – Terms and Conditions (Cont’d.)
2) Privileges - The use of BPSNet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. (Each student who receives access will be part of a discussion with a BPS faculty member pertaining to the proper use of the network.) Based upon the acceptable use guidelines outlined in this document, the system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. The administration, faculty, and staff of BPS may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.
3) Netiquette - You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules
of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following
• Be polite. Do not write or send abusive messages to others.
• Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other
inappropriate language.
• Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers of students or
colleagues.
• Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.
People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating
to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
• Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use
of the network by other users (e.g., downloading huge files during prime
time; sending mass e-mail messages; annoying other users using the talk
or write functions).
• All communications and information accessible via the network should
be assumed to be private property.
4) Reliability - BPS make no warranties of any kind, whether expressed
or implied, for the service it is providing. BPS will not be responsible
for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from
delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused
by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information
obtained via BPSNET is at your own risk. BPSNet specifically denies any
responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through
its services.
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BPSNet – Terms and Conditions (Cont’d.)
5) Security - Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you identify a security problem on BPSNet, you must notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another individual’s account without written permission from that individual. Do not give your password to any other individual. Attempts to logon to the system as any other user will result in disciplinary actions including, but not limited to the cancellation of user privileges. Attempts to logon to BPSNet as a system administrator will result in disciplinary actions including, but not limited to cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to BPSNet.
6) Vandalism - Vandalism will result in disciplinary actions including, but not limited to cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, BPSNet, agencies or other networks that are connected, or the Internet backbone. This includes but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
7) Exception of Terms and Condition - All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to the Batavia Public School District.
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