FILE:  EFA

Cf:  EBBB, EFA-E

Cf:  JCDAF

 

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)

 

 

The Washington Parish School Board believes it is necessary for all persons to become aware of acceptable use of computers.  Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment and resources in a responsible, legal manner.  The School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures.

 

Age and grade appropriate classroom instruction shall be provided regarding Internet and cell phone safety.  Such instruction shall include appropriate online behavior, interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response, as well as areas of concern as authorized in state and federal law.

 

In addition, the School Board, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, shall develop and distribute age and grade appropriate information to each student regarding Internet and cell phone safety and online content that is a threat to school safety.  The information shall include the following:

 

 

Such information shall be either distributed to or explained to students and school personnel at the beginning of each school year and shall be posted on an easily accessible page of the School Board’s website and the website of each school.

 

If information reported to a school is deemed a potential threat to school safety, the school shall present the written form and any further evidence to local law enforcement.

 

Technology, particularly Internet access, is available to students and employees in the Washington Parish School System.  The School Board is very pleased to bring access to these resources to the school system.  Technology offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to students, teachers, and administrators.

 

The goal in providing these resources to students is to enhance innovative education for students through access to unique resources and collaborations.  Furthermore, 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 School 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 School Board, or access to online services of a newspaper with a daily circulation of at least 1,000.

 

In addition to filtering requirements, the School Board shall maintain regulations which:

 

 

Guidelines are provided so that the technology users are aware of the responsibilities they are about to assume.  Responsibilities include appropriate, efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of network resources.  All users, including students, employees, or any other users of School Board computers, hardware, and School Board network shall abide by all policies of the School Board and any applicable administrative regulations and procedures.

 

The student’s and parent or guardian’s signatures on the attached contract is binding and indicates that he/she has read the terms and conditions carefully and understands their significance.  In addition, ALL employees must sign and adhere to the provisions of this acceptable use policy.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

  1. Acceptable Use - Technology resources in the Washington Parish School System shall ONLY be used to support teaching and learning.  By providing access to unique resources and opportunities for collaborative work, technology should enhance student performance.

  2. Privileges - The use of technology is a privilege, not a right, and therefore inappropriate use may result in the cancellation of those privileges by the administrator in each school.

  3. Network Etiquette - Users are expected to abide by the Washington Parish School Board rules of network etiquette.  These include, but are not limited to the following:

 

  1. ALL hardware and software purchases and installations should be approved by the Technology Department.

  2. All technology hardware and software resources purchased by the School Board are the property of the Washington Parish School Board and are loaned to students and faculty for their use.

  3. Users shall be polite; abusive or threatening messages shall not be sent to others.

  4. Appropriate language shall be used.

  5. No user shall reveal personal addresses or phone numbers of students or colleagues.

  6. Electronic Mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.  People who operate the system have access to all mail.  Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities must be reported to authorities.  The School Board provides email accounts for its employees and does not warrant access to other email services or messaging services.  Webmail is not permitted on any computers located in classrooms or used by students except for the School Board provided student accounts.

  7. Hardware or software shall not be destroyed, modified, or abused in any way.

  8. The network shall not be used in a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users (e.g. downloading huge files during prime time, sending mass E-mail messages, installation of unapproved software, or annoying other users using chat, talk, or write functions).  The network should be used only for research, information gathering, and academic practice directly related to school assignments and extracurricular projects supervised by school faculty.

  9. The network is NOT designed to be used as a radio or television for the classroom.  Any such use should be DIRECTLY related to instruction.  All streaming media not directly related to instruction is prohibited.

  10. Malicious use of the network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer, computing system, or network is prohibited.  Use of the network to damage the software components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.

  11. E-mail, chat, and instant messaging of any form should be used for legitimate and responsible communication only under the supervision of a teacher.

  12. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, cursing, and other anti-social behaviors including cyber bullying are prohibited on the network.

  13. The illegal installation of copyrighted software for use on district computers is prohibited.

  14. Use of the network to access or process pornographic materials, inappropriate text files, and files dangerous to any individual or group is prohibited.

  15. Any software or actions that impact the integrity of the local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or other networks are forbidden.

  16. Chat rooms may be used only with approval from building level administrator and the guidance of the teacher for instructional activities.  A letter requesting the authorization to chat should be sent to the Washington Parish School Board Technology Coordinator.

  17. Transmission of any materials in violations of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited.  This includes - but is not limited to - copyrighted software, music, videos, and other materials protected by trade institutions and ALL threatening or obscene material.

  18. Use for product advertisement, political lobbying, or illegal activities is strictly prohibited.

  19. Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities is prohibited.  Students should access only those files that belong to them or which they have been granted permission to use by faculty.

  20. Files stored on district computers and servers should be limited to those relating to formal school courses or activities.

  21. Invading the privacy of individuals is prohibited.

  22. Using the account or password of another user is prohibited.  Distribution of passwords by other than designated staff is forbidden.

  23. Posting communications without the author’s consent is prohibited.

  24. Posting or sending anonymous messages is prohibited.

 

  1. Security – Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users.  If the user can identify a security problem on the Internet or Wide Area Network (WAN), he/she must notify the school administrator who will notify the District Coordinator as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer users may be denied access to technology resources.

  2. Vandalism – Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and/or other disciplinary actions.  Vandalism related to technology is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy the equipment or data of another user, LAN, WAN, or other networks that are connected to the School Board network.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

  3. Consequences of Misuse – According to the Washington Parish School Board Policy Manual, school principals shall discipline any user who accesses, sends, receives, or configures electronically any profane, pornographic and/or obscene language or pictures.  Any individual failing to follow the above “Terms and Conditions” is subject to appropriate disciplinary measures as determined by school administrators and the Washington Parish School Board Technology Department.  Students may receive any consequences appropriate to students of the Washington Parish School System.

  4. Bypassing Filters or Security Systems - Attempts to remove, modify, or bypass software, hardware, and configurations installed to prevent Internet or other access to obscene or pornographic material, other objectionable materials, or prohibited resources is forbidden.  Such violations shall result in cancellation of computer use privileges and mandatory suspension from school.

  5. Monitoring – Teachers shall instruct the students on acceptable technology use and monitor all student technology use to ensure student compliance with these rules. Students acknowledge that teachers and administrators have the right to monitor ALL student activity using the network and other technology resources.  Employees also acknowledge that School Board coordinators and network administrators have the right to monitor ALL employee activity using the network and other technology resources.

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

 

This Code of Conduct applies to all users of these technology resources.  Honesty, integrity, and respect for the rights of others should be evident at all times.  Photographs may only be permitted with current, signed Washington Parish photo release on file.  Students will not be identified by name in conjunction with a recognizable picture.  Students will only be identified by first names.

 

The technology user is held responsible for his/her actions and activities.  Unacceptable uses of the network will result in school suspension and/or revocation of these privileges.

 

Revised:  August, 1999 Revised:  February 12, 2009
Revised:  September, 2002 Revised:  May 7, 2009
Revised:  August, 2005 Revised:  December 6, 2012
Revised and Recoded from IFBGA:  March, 2007 Revised:  October 11, 2018
Revised:  May, 2007  

 

 

Ref:    20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)

47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA))

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7, 17:280, 17:410

Board minutes, 5-15-97, 8-8-02, 8-4-05, 2-15-07, 5-24-07, 7-17-08, 2-12-09, 5-7-09, 12-6-12, 10-11-18

 

Washington Parish School Board