Computer Resources
As ResponsiveEd understands that technology is a critical tool in the pursuit of a student’s education, the school has made a substantial investment in computer technology for instructional purposes. Use of those resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s supervision and for approved purposes only. Students with access to school computers and their parents agree to follow the following user agreement regarding use of these resources. Violations of this agreement may result in withdrawal of computer privileges and other disciplinary action. Electronic communications such as e-mail using school computers or school-issued e-mail accounts are not private and may be monitored by school staff.
Technology Mission Statement
The school is committed to utilizing the maximum potential of technology to enhance student learning and increase teacher effectiveness by providing students with technology-related experiences. Recognizing the ever- changing influences of technology on all aspects of our lives, the school is dedicated to providing an integrated technological curriculum for all students and staff. Students will have access to the technology necessary to produce, manage, communicate, and retrieve information in an efficient manner for educational use. In the attainment of both present and future goals, the school will provide a continually evolving staff development program oriented toward the integration of technology in areas of curriculum.
Instructional Resource
The school is proud to bring network and internet access to school staff and students. The school believes the internet offers many diverse and unique resources to both students and staff. The school’s goal in providing this service to staff and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovative teaching, and communication skills.
The internet is a global electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Services available to our school internet users include:
- educational opportunities and electronic field trips,
- public domain software and shareware,
- access to university libraries and various museums,
- online encyclopedias,
- access to research databases,
- access to hundreds of reference sources,
- online subscriptions to educational journals,
- virtual classrooms and laboratory simulations, and
- information and news from NASA and other research institutions.
Through the school, students and staff have access to numerous research-oriented and instructional resources via the internet. Online encyclopedias, professional journals, and databases filled with timely information on thousands of topics are just a few of the resources provided. Computers at the school have the technology necessary to support student research and to promote academic achievement.
Student Safety
The school is aware that resources which are inappropriate or not designed for use in the educational setting may be accessed on the internet. To protect students and staff from such inappropriate material, the school’s internet access is filtered with one of the highest rated internet filtering systems available. However, users must recognize that it is impossible for the school to restrict access to all controversial material and individuals must be responsible for their own actions in navigating the network.
Consent to Use Technology Resources
Parent consent is required before your child can use technology resources, such as websites, e-mail, and other internet-based services required to provide instruction. Please be advised that some educational software tools may collect personal information about your child, consisting of items similar to, or inclusive of: (i) first name; (ii) last name; (iii) school assigned e-mail address; (iv) unique student identifier; and; (v) date of birth. Under the federal law entitled, “Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA),” some websites must provide parental notification and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children. However, the law permits the school to obtain this consent, thereby eliminating the need for each website operator to request parental consent.
In addition, while every reasonable effort is made by the school to prevent student exposure to inappropriate online content when using technology resources, it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of such exposure. By signing the “Acknowledgment Form and Agreement to Abide by the Parent/Student Handbook,” you acknowledge the requirements to use, and the associated risks of, these technology resources and are providing parental consent for your child to access and utilize all necessary technology resources.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure school-level compliance with all procedures and regulations regarding the local area network and internet usage. All students, parents, teachers, administrators, and school staff who obtain their internet access through the school are expected to use these services appropriately.
User Responsibilities
- The school is providing internet resources for educational purposes only. Student/staff use of internet resources must be related to an expressed educational and/or administrative goal or objective.
- The use of the school internet and computer network must be in support of educational goals, research, and class assignments and be consistent with the educational objectives of the school.
- Users must have a valid, authorized account to access the network, and use only those computer resources that are authorized. Accounts may be used only in accordance with authorized purposes.
- Individual accounts may be used only by the owner of the account except where specifically authorized by school administrators. In the case of class accounts, all use must be under the supervision of the sponsoring teacher/supervisor.
- The user is responsible for safeguarding the computer account. Users are expected to protect access to accounts by periodically changing the password and keeping it confidential. They must respect the privacy of others by not tampering with their files, passwords, or accounts.
- The care of electronic devices provided by ResponsiveEd is the responsibility of the student.
An electronic device needs to remain in the same working and physical condition as it was when provided to the student. Devices that are damaged, lost, or stolen should be reported to the school immediately. The parent/student will be responsible for charges associated with repairing or replacing the device.
Policy Terms and Conditions
Acceptable Use
Users are to properly use school network resources for educational and/or administrative purposes. Respectful and responsible network etiquette and behavior should be in keeping with the school’s mission statement. Students and staff are expressly prohibited from accessing obscene, profane, vulgar, or pornographic sites or materials.
Privileges
The use of the internet is a privilege. Abusive conduct will lead to the privilege being revoked.
Warranty
The school makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The school will not be responsible for loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries, viruses, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or user errors or omissions. Opinions, advice, services, and all other information expressed by system users, information providers, service providers, or other third party individuals in the system are those of the providers and not the school. The school specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the school network services.
Disclaimer of Liability
The school shall not be liable for users’ inappropriate use of electronic communication resources or violations of copyright restrictions, users’ mistakes or negligence, or costs incurred by users. The school shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, age appropriateness, or usability of any information available on the internet.
Monitored Use
Electronic mail transmissions and other use of the electronic communications system by students and staff shall not be considered confidential and may be monitored at any time by designated school staff to ensure appropriate use for educational or administrative purposes. Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic mail messages is prohibited. Only authorized school personnel designated by the Vice President, Information Services, may read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other system users. Deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail, or the use of another person’s user ID and/or password is prohibited. Forgery or attempted forgery will result in the cancellation of system privileges, as well as other appropriate consequences.
Vandalism
Vandalism is prohibited and will result in cancellation of privileges. It is subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct. “Vandalism” is defined as any malicious attempt to harm, disrupt, or destroy data of another user of the school’s network, or any of the agencies or other networks that are connected to the internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses. Any of these actions may be viewed as violations of school policy, administrative regulations and, possibly, as criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. Users must respect the privacy of other users. Users will not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or represent themselves as another user unless explicitly authorized to do so by that user. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance and/or degrade, disrupt, or bypass system security are violations of school policy and administrative regulations and may constitute criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws.
The school will, in accordance with school policy, cooperate with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the school’s network.
Network Etiquette
The user is expected to exhibit the following behavior:
- Be polite (e.g., an all caps message implies shouting);
- Use appropriate language;
- Maintain confidentiality of the user, colleagues, and students;
- Respect copyright laws; and
- Be respectful in all aspects of network use.
Consequences
Students found to have violated school policies and procedures concerning use of school computers or networks shall be subject to disciplinary penalties in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Vandalism Prohibited
Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy school equipment or data or data of another user of the school’s system, or any of the agencies or other networks that are connected to the internet is prohibited. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance are violations of school policy and administrative regulations and may constitute criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. Such prohibited activity includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses. Vandalism as defined above will result in the suspension of system use privileges and will require restitution for costs associated with system restoration, as well as other appropriate consequences as allowed by school policy and state and federal law.
Violations of law may result in criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary action by the school.