Advances in telecommunications and other related technologies have fundamentally altered the ways in which information is accessed, communicated, and transferred in society.  Such changes are driving the need for educators to adapt their means and methods of instruction, and the way they approach student learning, to harness and utilize the vast, diverse, and unique resources available on the Internet.  The School Board is pleased to provide Internet services to its students.  The Corporation’s Internet system has a limited educational purpose.  The Corporation's Internet system has not been established as a public access service or a public forum.  The Corporation has the right to place restrictions on its use to assure that useof the Corporation’s Internet system is in accord with its limited educational purpose.  Student use of the Corporation’s computers, network and Internet services ("Network")will be governed by this policy and the related administrative guidelines, and the Student Code of Conduct.  The due process rights of all users will be respected in the event there is a suspicion of inappropriate use of the Network. Users have a limited privacy expectation in the content of their personal files and records of their online activity while on the Network.

The Board encourages students to utilize the Internet in order to promote educational excellence in our schools by providing them with the opportunity to develop the resource sharing, innovation, and communication skills and tools that are essential to both life and work.  The instructional use of the Internet will be guided by the Corporation's policy on instructional materials.

The Internet is a global information and communication network that provides students and staff with access to up-to-date, highly relevant information that will enhance their learning and the education process.  Further, the Internet provides students and staff with the opportunity to communicate with other people from throughout the world.  Access to such an incredible quantity of information and resources brings with it, however,certain unique challenges and responsibilities.

First, and foremost, the Corporation may not be able to technologically limit access to services through the Corporation's Internet connection to only those that have been authorized for the purpose of instruction, study and research related to the curriculum.  Unlike in the past when educators and community members had the opportunity to review and screen materials to assess their appropriateness for supporting and enriching the curriculum according to adopted guidelines and reasonable selection criteria (taking into account the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of the students who would be exposed to them), access to the Internet,because it serves as a gateway to any publicly available file server in the world, will open classrooms and students to electronic information resources which have not been screened by educators for use by students of various ages.

The Corporation has implemented the use of technology protection measures which are specific technologies that will protect against(e.g. filter or block) access to visual displays/depictions that are obscene,child pornography, and materials that are harmful to minors, as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act.  Atthe discretion of the Corporation or the Superintendent, the technology protection measures may be configured to protect against access to other material considered inappropriate for students to access.  The technology protection measures may not bedisabled at any time that students may be using the Network, if such disabling will cease to protect against access to materials that are prohibited under the Children’s Internet Protection Act.  Any student who attempts to disable the technology protection measures will be subject to discipline.

The Superintendent or Director of Technology may temporarily or permanently unblock access to sites containing appropriate material, ifaccess to such sites has been inappropriately blocked by the technology protection measures.  The determination of whether material is appropriate or inappropriate shall be based on the content of the material and the intended use of the material, not on the protection actions of the technology protection measures.

The Corporation utilizes software and/or hardware to monitor online activity of students to restrict access to child pornography and other material that is obscene, objectionable, inappropriate and/or harmful to minors.  Nevertheless, parents/guardians are advised that a determined user may be able to gain access to services onthe Internet that the Corporation has not authorized for educational purposes.  In fact, it is impossible to guarantee students will not gain access through the Internet to information and communications that they and/or their parents/guardians may find inappropriate, offensive, objectionable or controversial. Parents/Guardians assume risks by consenting to allow their child to participate in the use of the Internet. Parents/Guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using the Internet.  The Board supports and respects each family's right to decide whether to apply for independent student access to the Internet.

Pursuant to Federal law, students shall receive education about the following:

A.       safety and security while using e-mail, chat rooms, social media, and other forms of electronic communications

B.      the dangers inherent with the online disclosure of personally identifiable information and,

C.      the consequences of unauthorized access (e.g., "hacking"), cyberbullying and other unlawful or inappropriate activities by students online.

The Corporation recognizes its responsibility to educate students regarding appropriate behavior on social networking and chat rooms ties about cyberbullying.  Therefore, students shall be provided instruction about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.

The Superintendent or designee shall provide age-appropriate instruction regarding safe and appropriate behavior on social networking sites,chat rooms, and other Internet services. Such instruction shall include, but not be limited to, the dangers of posting personal information online, misrepresentation by online predators, how to report inappropriate or offensive content or threats, behaviors that constitute cyberbullying, and how to respond when subjected to cyberbullying.

Building principals are responsible for providing training so that Internet users under their supervision are knowledgeable about this policy and its accompanying guidelines. The Board expects that staff members will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of the Internet.  All Internet users (and their parents if they are minors) are required to sign a written agreement to abide by the terms and conditions of this policy and its accompanying guidelines.

Students and staff members are responsible for good behavior on the Corporation's computers/network and the Internet just as they are in classrooms, school hallways, and other school premises and school sponsored events.  Communications on the Internet are often public in nature.  Generalschool rules for behavior and communication apply.  The Corporation does not sanction any use of the Internet that is not authorized by or conducted strictly in compliance with this policy and its accompanying guidelines. 

Students shall not access social media for personal use fromthe Corporation’s network, but shall be permitted to access social media for educational use in accordance with their teacher’s approved plan for such use.

Users who disregard this policy and its accompanying guidelines may have their use privileges suspended or revoked, and disciplinary action taken against them.  Users granted access to the Internet through the Board's computers assume personal responsibility and liability, both civil and criminal, for uses of the Internet not authorized by this Board policy and its accompanying guidelines.

The Board designates the Superintendent or theSuperintendent’s designee as the administrator responsible for initiating,implementing, and enforcing this policy and its accompanying guidelines as theyapply to students' use of the Network.

 
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