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North Bellmore UFSD
Acceptable Use Policy |
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Definition of terms: North Bellmore Public Schools computer network
refers to the interconnection of computers, servers and other electronic
devices within a classroom, school, or district which facilitates file
sharing, resource sharing, communication, collaboration, management,
and access to remote resources. The Internet is a decentralized network
of computer networks that provides connectivity to commercial, educational,
organization and government resources and facilitates local and global
communication. Internet filtering is a method by which information
that is available on the Internet but is deemed inappropriate for children
is made unavailable for general viewing.
Philosophy: North Bellmore Union Free School District recognizes that
students and staff must have access to technological resources to meet
the information needs of their work and assignments. As a result, the
district will provide teachers and students with access to the Internet
that will enable users to explore thousands of libraries, databases,
and web sites as part of the instructional process. Internet access
from school computers will be supervised and reserved solely for educational
purposes. It is our philosophy that by having students identify, synthesize,
and use the vast, rapidly expanding electronic resources, students
will build appropriate responsibility and techniques for sustainable
lifelong learning.
Responsibilities: It is the District’s responsibility to provide
guidance to students as they utilize Internet resources to conduct
research and other studies related to the District’s curriculum.
This includes instruction concerning Internet safety and the code of
ethics involved with this new global community. However, with access
to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability
of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in
the context of the school setting. Although electronic materials are
selected for their educational value and Internet resources are filtered
for inappropriate content, the security, accuracy and quality of information
that is available through our network cannot be guaranteed. At the
same time, there is an inherent responsibility on the part of the users
to conduct themselves in an appropriate and considerate manner when
using this medium. Therefore, all users are expected to abide by the
generally accepted rules of network etiquette described in this document.
Parent/Guardian Authorization: In
the absence of any regulations, guidelines are needed to instruct
and inform students, teachers and
parents/guardians about the expectations that are associated with the
responsible use of our computer network and the Internet. Therefore,
users must acknowledge in writing (see attached forms) their understanding
of the District’s general policy and guidelines set forth in
this Acceptable Use Policy. With this in mind, parents/guardians should
discuss this Acceptable Use Policy with their children and return the
authorization form to school.
The authorization form signed by the parent/guardian and child will
be kept on file by the classroom teacher for the entire school year.
Teacher’s statements will be kept in the staff member’s
personnel file.
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Acceptable Use: The following guidelines
have been established for acceptable use of North Bellmore School District’s
computer network and Internet access. Users should be aware that the
District reserves the right to
ensure compliance through electronic monitoring of network and Internet
usage. Every effort will be made to maintain privacy and security in
this process.
- The use of our network is a privilege to be used responsively, fairly
and appropriately. The same behavioral expectations of students in
school and the community apply to online behavior.
- The rights of
others to use our network without disruption should
be respected at all times.
- District-owned hardware and software should
be treated with care to ensure its availability to others and should
not be vandalized, damaged,
stolen, or abused in any way.
- Users should be polite and courteous
while online and may not use insulting, vulgar, demeaning or threatening
language or create or post
inappropriate visual material. While users have a right to express
their ideas, they are also responsible for the content they create,
transmit
or publish, including e-mail, posted messages, files and web pages.
- Users
may not publish new web pages or modify existing web pages without
the written authorization of a designated staff member.
- Users may
not access private accounts or subscribe to mailing lists, bulletin
boards, chat groups or commercial services without the written
authorization of a designated staff member.
- Users may not download
or upload files without authorization of a designated staff member.
- The
use of the system to purchase items or services is prohibited.
- Attempts
should not be made to gain access to unauthorized areas or breach
security passwords.
- Attempts should not be made to circumvent our
filter to access inappropriate Internet content.
- Attempts should
not be made to run or install programs that are not authorized by
a designated staff member.
- Attempts should not be made to intentionally
degrade or disrupt the computer network, including the deliberate
spreading of computer
viruses.
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Ethical and Legal Considerations: The use of the computer
network must conform to District policies and local, state and federal
laws.
- Use of the network to access, store, distribute or promote illegal
activities such as bomb-making, drugs, gambling or pornography.
- Use
of our network to promote racism, sexism, or other forms of discrimination.
- Use of our network to install, use, store, duplicate or distribute
copyrighted materials, including software, files, video clips,
photographs,
graphics, text, music, or speech.
- Use of our network for non-school related promotion
of political candidates or causes.
- Refrain from activities
that may result in the District incurring any charges or damages.
Top Personal Security Issues: Users, particularly students, should follow
these guidelines to maintain ongoing access to our network and to ensure
their personal security.
- Information that is sent or received over our network is subject
to district review.
- Users should exercise common sense and discretion
when sending or receiving electronic information (e.g., e-mail) over
our network
since
it is public in nature and has no guarantee of privacy.
- Users are responsible
for their own accounts and should not share them. Passwords are private
and users should not attempt to
ascertain
the passwords of other users.
- Students should never transmit personal
information such as addresses, telephone numbers, credit card numbers,
bank account numbers,
PIN numbers
or photographs. Nor should students invade the privacy of others by
entering personal data about another individual. This applies to all
forms of
personal information such as text, graphics, video clips, animations
and sound files.
- Students should never make appointments to meet people
in person whom they have contacted online without written authorization
from a
designated staff member and a parent/guardian.
- Students should notify
a designated staff member whenever they come across information or
messages that are inappropriate or make
them feel
uncomfortable, dangerous, illegal and obscene.
Top Staff Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of staff members to
help implement this policy by taking the following steps:
- Inform all students through postings, orientations and reminders
about the guidelines and behavioral expectations of students who have
permission from a parent/guardian, including the consequences for misuse.
- Take reasonable measures to prevent students without parent/guardian
permission from using our computer network.
- Take appropriate disciplinary
actions when students violate any aspect of this policy.
- Report
serious policy violations to an administrator.
- Respond immediately
to student notification of dangerous, illegal, obscene, or inappropriate
information transmitted over our computer
network
and report it to an administrator.
- Making sure that all computer monitors
be clearly visible to the supervising teacher.
- Monitor and supervise
content that users reproduce, exchange, or transmit through electronic
means.
- Prohibit the use of any personal information electronically.
This includes full name, home telephone numbers and addresses as well
as information
regarding the specific location of any student at any given time.
- Individuals
in pictures, movies or sound recordings may be identified only by student’s
first name only. Absolutely no last names may appear in reference to
individuals.
Top Consequences of Violations: The
consequences for violating this policy may include anyone of the following
that would be determined by the Superintendent
or the Superintendent’s designee.:
- Restricted network access. (i.e, Temporary suspension of access to
the computer network and the Internet.)
- Notification of school authorities.
- Notification of parent/guardian.
- Permanent suspension of access
to the computer network and the Internet.
- Financial restitution.
- Legal action including, but not limited to,
criminal prosecution under appropriate state and federal laws.
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