Internet, WebPublishing, Computer Use & Technology
September 15, 2005
USD 256 provides Internet access on most of the computers at school. The district has in place a filtering device to minimize access to inappropriate sites. District Policies follow.
Guidelines for Publishing to the District Website
USD 256 Marmaton Valley
Approved Jan 10, 2005
The availability of Internet access in USD #256 provides an opportunity for students and staff to contribute to the School District's presence on the World Wide Web. The district's web site provides information to the world about school curriculum, instruction, school-authorized activities, meal menus, our organization and other general information relating to our school district and our district's mission. The manager, editors and correspondents of the web pages need to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the following policies and responsibilities. Failure to follow these policies or responsibilities may result in loss of publishing or managing privileges or other disciplinary measures.
Terms of District Website Publishing:
All subject matter on web pages should relate to curriculum, instruction, school-authorized activities, meal menus and general information that is appropriate and of interest to others. Staff or student work may be published only as it relates to a class project, course, or other school-related activity.
All web work is expected to be grammatically correct and properly spelled.
Material will not be published that is defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, or illegal. The site will not violate any federal, state or local laws.
There will no reference to using controlled substances or encouraging their use.
Information may not contain objectionable material or point (link) to objectionable material. Objectionable material is defined as material that does not meet the standards for instructional resources specified by the District.
Web pages will not contain any student's e-mail address, post office mailing address, or phone numbers.
A picture of a student may be published, but no name shall be used with the picture or reference in the article as to whom the person in the picture is unless permission is given.
A student picture may be published and identified with written & dated permission of the parent/guardian.
School district employees may use the web site for only school related purposes.
Materials published on the Web will follow the appropriate copyright regulations.
School district employees are discouraged from publishing information on web pages that could make them subject to harassment from other Internet users. Employee phone numbers and home addresses will not be published. A school district employee may have their photo and school district e-mail posted on the website.
Published articles should normally have the published date and author's name associated with the article published.
Only organizations officially affiliated with USD #256 may publish on the school website. In-district alumni groups may publish to the web page and information that may be of interest to school and community may be approved by the website manager for publication.
The school website may not include advertisements for a commercial entity.
Links to other web pages will be placed in the school's website with approval of the website manager.
Any school related individual with a question about the appropriateness of information content on the site should contact the website manager.
Additional website standards will be developed by the district as the need arises.
The school district web page will be updated and kept current.
USD 256 Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use Policy
The use of computer services at USD 256 is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to make responsible, ethical and appropriate use of computers and information services, such as the Internet, at all times. Network and computer services include use of school computers and all equipment that is needed to make the use of the computer a positive educational experience.
With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered of educational value in the context of the school setting. On a global network it is impossible to totally control access to offensive material and a user may discover controversial information. USD 256 believes 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 the district. Let it be known that USD 256 has installed a web filtering device that will assist in blocking inappropriate sites.
Terms of District Technology Use - Student users are:
Expected to conduct themselves in a responsible, ethical, legal and polite manner while using district technology.
Not permitted to use another user's name and password. Logging on as anyone other than you, and/or accessing another user's folder, is not permitted.
Not to reconfigure or tamper with the USD 256 network system in any way, nor attempt to access or alter files without proper authority. Tampering includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
Not to vandalize, defined as any unauthorized access and/or malicioius attempt to damage computer hardware/software or networks or destroying the data of another user.
Not to use the district computer for advertising or political lobbying.
Not to use the network for any activity, or transmission of material that violates United States, state or local laws. This includes, but is not limited to, illegal activities such as threatening the safety of another person.
Not to harass, insult, or attack another person when using technology equipment.
To properly cite all information that is required from electronic sources used in assignments. This would involve securing permission for using any intellectual property of another individual or organization.
Not to check personal electronic mail in a classroom during the school day unless used for educational purposes with teacher approval.
Not allowed to transmit, publish, submit, or willfully receive any slanderous, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, offensive or illegal material.
Not to reveal personal address or phone numbers, nor those of fellow students, teachers or administrators including electronic images of the person.
Not to enter or participate in any 'Chat Rooms'.
Not to download files to the hard drive unless permission is given, downloading refers to installing files from the Internet, floppy drives, flash drives (USB drives, key spans, thumb drives, etc.) to the hard drive or computer.
Responsible for damages to the District's or service provider's equipment, systems and software resulting from deliberate or willful acts.
Not to use e-mail lists from the district's Internet site, network, or servers to create mailing list for non-school purposes.
Not to intentionally store idle information on the server which wastes limited resources.
Not to use software that has not been assigned or approved by staff.
Not to improperly alter the set up of computers (e.g., desktops, icons, screensavers, installed software) as determined by the network administrator. (Permission required)
Users should not expect that files stored on school-based computers will always be private. Electronic messages and files stored on school-based computers may be treated like school lockers. Administrators and faculty may review files and messages to maintain system integrity and insure that users are acting responsibility.
Published Student Work on the Web
All web pages created by students and student organizations on the district computer system will be subject to treatments as a district sponsored publication.
Security
Security on our computers and networks is always a priority but especially with the link to the Internet. Anyone identifying a security problem should notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another individual's account. Do not seek information on, obtain copies, or modify files, or other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network. Unauthorized attempts to login, as a system administrator will result in 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 the Internet.
This acceptable use policy will be periodically reviewed by USD 256 and may be modified or added to as new situations arise or as the technology changes. Determinations may also be made on whether specific uses of the network are consistent with policy.
This form is to be signed and returned to the school
USD 256 School District Authorization Form
Network and Internet Acceptable Use Policy
By signing this document I have read and agree to the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy and agree to allow my child access to the USD 256 network, and through it, the Internet, using the DistrictÕs Network, computers and facilities.
I understand the district has in place a filtration device to help protect students from inappropriate material while using the Internet. I understand that my student may be exposed to materials and communications that I may find offensive, but agree that this is an acceptable risk given the positive educational benefits expected of the District Network and Internet access program. I also understand that this form will be kept on file at the school. I give my child permission to access the network through the use of a school-generated name and password (not possible on all of our computers) to use for educational purposes. I recognize that I accept full responsibility for supervision of my student using the Internet when he/she is not in a school setting.
It is also my understanding that my child's pictures and work (writing, drawings, etc.) may occasionally be published on the school web page to be accessed on the World Wide Web server, commonly referred to as the Internet. Any disclosure of personally identifiable information must be done in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Students are to follow district policy while using the district computers. Failing to follow any other policies or guidelines established by district administration, teachers, or other appropriate district staff will be dealt with as needed. Failure to follow policies or guidelines could result in disciplinary action - suspension from school or suspension from use of the equipment.
