2006                7314

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                                                                                                            Students

 

 

SUBJECT:    STUDENT USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION RESOURCES

                        (ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY)

 

            The Board of Education will provide access to various computerized information resources through the District’s computer system (“DCS” hereafter) consisting of software, hardware, computer networks and electronic communications systems.  This may include access to electronic mail, so-called “on-line services” and the “Internet.”  It may include the opportunity for some students to have independent access to the DCS from their home or other remote locations.  All use of the DCS, including independent use off school premises, shall be subject to this policy and accompanying regulations.  Further, all such use must be in support of education and/or research and consistent with the goals and purposes of the School District.

 

            One purpose of this policy is to provide notice to students and parent/guardians that, unlike most traditional instructional or library media materials, the DCS will allow student access to external computer networks not controlled by the School District where it is impossible for the District to screen or review all of the available materials.  Some of the available materials may be deemed unsuitable by parents/guardians for student use or access.  This policy is intended to establish general guidelines for acceptable student use.  However, despite the existence of such District policy and accompanying guidelines and regulations, it will not be possible to completely prevent access to computerized information that is inappropriate for students.  Furthermore, students may have the ability to access such information from their home or other locations off school premises.  Parents/guardians of students must be willing to set and convey standards for appropriate and acceptable use to their children when using the DCS or any other electronic media or communications. 

 

Standards of Acceptable Use

 

            Generally, the same standards of acceptable student conduct which apply to any school activity shall apply to use of the DCS.  This policy does not attempt to articulate all required and/or acceptable uses of the DCS; nor is it the intention of this policy to define all inappropriate usage.  Administrative regulations will further define general guidelines of appropriate student conduct and use as well as proscribed behavior.

 

            District students shall also adhere to the laws, policies and rules governing computers including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements, and student rights of privacy created by federal and state law.

 

            Students who engage in unacceptable use may lose access to the DCS in accordance with applicable due process procedures, and may be subject to further discipline under the District’s school conduct and discipline policy and the District Code of Conduct.  The District reserves the right to pursue legal action against a student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys property of the District.  Further, the District may bring suit in civil court against the parents/guardians of any student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys District property pursuant to General Obligations Law Section 3-112.

                                               

 

            Student data files and other electronic storage areas will be treated like school lockers.  This means that such areas shall be considered to be School District property subject to control and inspection.  The Director of IS or his designee may access all such files and communications to ensure system integrity and that users are complying with the requirements of this policy and accompanying regulations.  Students should NOT expect that information stored on the DCS will be private.

 

Notification/Authorization

 

            The District’s Acceptable Use Policy and accompanying Regulations will be disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of the school’s requirements, expectations, and student’s obligations when accessing the DCS.

 

Student access to the DCS will automatically be provided unless the parent has submitted written notification to the District that such access not be permitted.  Procedures will be established to define the process by which parents may submit a written request to deny or rescind student use of the DCS in accordance with law, Commissioner’s Regulations and/or District policies and procedures.

 

            Regulations will be established as necessary to implement the terms of this policy.

 

NOTE:                        Refer also to Policy #8311 – The Children’s Internet Protection Act: Internet Content

                                                                        Filtering/Safety Policy

 

 

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