Commodore Perry Computer/Internet Usage Policy

Coordinator of Computer Services – Mr. Davis

Purpose

            The purpose of computer network use, including Internet access, shall be to support education and academic research in and among the Commodore Perry School District (C.P.S.D) by providing unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work.  Network facilities shall be used to support the District’s curriculum and to support communications and research for students, teachers, administrators and support staff.

Definition

            The CPSD computer network includes all Local Area Networking and Wide Area Networking within the school community as well as all on-line, direct-wired and wireless networking such as the Internet and the current Internet Service Provider to which the school network is linked. Any personal hardware brought in that is used on the CPSD network can be procured in the event of a legal matter.

Authority and Access

            The CPSD reserves the right to log network use and to monitor file server space utilization by District users. It is often necessary to access user accounts in order to perform routine maintenance and security tasks. User accounts are the property of the School District.  The students should have no expectations of privacy or confidentiality in the content of electronic communications or other computer files sent and received on the school computer network or stored in his/her directory.  The school’s computer network system operator, or other authorized school employee, may, at any time, review the subject, content, and appropriateness of electronic communications or other computer files and remove them if warranted, reporting any violation of rules to the school administration or law enforcement official if deemed necessary.  The District reserves the right to remove a user account from the network to prevent further unauthorized or illegal activity if this activity is discovered.

Guidelines

            Users of computer networks have certain privileges, rights and responsibilities.  General guidelines for use are provided within this policy, which shall be signed by all students who use the network.  In general these require efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources.  The use of network resources, including the Internet, is a privilege, not a right for students, and inappropriate use shall result in a cancellation of those privileges.

Security

            System security is protected through the use of “passwords.”  Failure to adequately protect or update passwords could result in unauthorized access to personal or District files.  To protect the integrity of the system, the following guidelines shall be followed.

Safety and Protection of Personal Information

            When sending electronic messages, students shall not include personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers or Social Security numbers that could identify themselves or other students.  Internet ID and passwords are provided only for personal use within the District.  Students shall not use anyone else’s password, regardless of how the password was obtained.  Those who suspect that someone has discovered their password shall change it immediately.  The Head of Technology has the right to disable or disallow accounts in the event someone else has taken over their account.  Students shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users.  Any student caught violating another student’s privacy or a CPSD employee’s privacy shall have their access to the network fully revoked or denied for a period of time set by the Head of Technology.

            To the greatest extent possible, users of the network will be protected from harassment or unwanted or unsolicited communication.

·         Network users should not reveal personal addresses, telephone numbers or Social Security numbers to other users on the network or users on the Internet. If a user does this and has signed this policy, the CPSD and its employees become exempt from having legal action taken against them.

Acceptable Use

            The use of the computer network must be in support of education and research and consistent with the education objectives of the CPSD.  Use of network and computer resources must comply with rules appropriate for that network.  Network accounts are to be used only by the authorized user of the account for agreed upon usage and authorized purposes.  The determination as to whether a use is appropriate lies solely within the discretion of the Head of Technology.

            The use of the computer network for illegal, inappropriate or unethical purposes by students is prohibited.  More specifically, the following uses are prohibited:

1. Use of the network to facilitate illegal activity.
2. Use of the network for non-school or non-work related activities.
3. Use of the network for product advertisement, political lobbying, commercial or for-profit purposes.
4. Use of the network for hate mail, vulgar mail, discriminatory remarks and offensive or inflammatory communication.  This includes chat rooms, web postings, blogs, on-line journals, e-mail and other future communication technologies.
5. Use of the network to transmit material likely to be offensive or objectionable to recipients. This includes e-mail containing vulgar or colorful remarks or other inappropriate language and material.
6. Use of the network to transmit, access or obtain obscene, sexually explicit or pornographic material.
7. Use of the network facilities for fraudulent copying, communications or modification of materials in violation of copyright laws.
8. Unauthorized or illegal installation, distribution, reproduction, or use of copyrighted materials. This includes audio and video files. (MPG’s, AVI’s, MP3’s, WMA’s…etc.)
9. Quoting personal communications in a public forum without the original author’s prior consent.
10. Downloading, installing or use of unauthorized games, program files, electronic media or other non-district registered software.
11. Use of the network to intentionally obtain or modify files, passwords or data belonging to other users.
12. Impersonation of another user, anonymity and pseudonyms.
13. Destruction, modification, or abuse of network hardware and software to disrupt the work of other users.
14. Use of the Internet to access their personal e-mail during school hours for non-school work purposes.
15. Non-Teacher sanctioned or authorized game playing is strictly forbidden within the building.

Copyright Infringement

Students shall not:

1. Copy and forward, or
2. Copy and download, or
3. Install to the network or Internet server any copyrighted material without the approval by the Head of Technology, a teacher, or other school administrator.  Copyrighted material is anything written by someone else including but not limited to; games, a story, music or video files, an encyclopedia entry, or software.

Commercial Use.

            Students shall not use the District’s computer network to solicit sales or conduct business (e.g., by posting an advertisement to a news group or by setting up web pages to advertise or sell a service unless specifically required by a teacher for a class project).

Consequences for Inappropriate Use

1. The network user shall be responsible for damages to the equipment, systems and software resulting from deliberate or willful acts.
2. Failure to follow the procedures and prohibited uses previously listed in this policy will result in the loss of network/computer access.  Other appropriate disciplinary action may also follow.
3. Illegal use of the network; intentional deletion or damage to files of data belonging to others; copyright violations or theft of services will be reported to the appropriate legal authorities for possible prosecution.

All Commodore Perry School students (grades 6-12) have been granted access to our computers and network via a username and password.  Tied into these accounts is access to the Internet. This policy is not only used to help protect the CPSD, but also to protect the child(ren). Their policy will be kept on file until either a new policy is distributed or the parent deems a change in their son/daughter(s) Computer/Internet access status. If this form is not returned, it will be assumed that your son/daughter(s) are to have NO access to the CPSD Computers and Internet with all its offerings.

All new students will be given a copy of this form to read, fill out and return before they can use any computers within the district. This Computer Internet Permission form is on a 2-year review cycle.

A copy of this form can be found on-line at: http://www.cppanthers.org/cip.htm

Please detach this portion and return it to Mrs. Emhoff or Mrs. Baer.

___________________________      _______________________________          ________________

             Student’s name                              Parent/Guardian Signature                                   Date

Computer Access:                                                       __ Yes             __ No

Internet Access (Requires Computer Access):           __ Yes             __ No

Only one child per form is permitted.

What is the responsibility of The Commodore Perry School District regarding Internet access and the students?

            In the summer of 2001, the nation has passed a bill that all school districts must provide some sort of web filtering software by 2006. While many of the schools have recently fell into compliance with this national mandate, Commodore Perry has had an internet filter in place since 1998. The Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) has also been recently applied to public library systems throughout the country. The main focus of the CIPA is to bar anyone access on a public computer system to pornographic or explicit materials. Colleges, Universities and higher academic intuitions are not required at this time to conform to the CIPA.

            Without the CPSD meeting this compliance, the district would not be eligible for many state funds nor would it be permitted to retain it’s internet connection. Also, this CIP form that the students and their legal parent/guardian must sign is a national mandate that falls under the Neighborhood Act of 1999.

Compliance

            The CPSD must report to the state annually, or upon implementation, that an internet filter is in place and functional. Also, the district has ten days to apply this filter to any new computers installed within the district. With the manner the CPSD computer network is set up, it is in compliance the moment the computer is switched on. All student and faculty accounts are run through the internet filter which not only blocks out pornography, it also keeps a log of where, when and for how long a user was on a specific site.

Filtering

            While the CPSD does have an Internet filter in place, it is unfortunately not able to block out every vulgar or inappropriate site on the web. There are more then 9 billion web sites on-line currently. Even the best web filters at this time can only block about 40% of the inappropriate sites. There will be rare occasions where a student will find themselves on an inappropriate site. The CPSD hopes that in such a rare occasion, the student will not remain on that site. If they report this “accidental browsing” to the Head of Technology, that site can be added to the blocked list.

Blocked sites are added on a frequent basis, content is the key if a site is to be blocked or not.

            The filter is in effect 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Due to the nature of the filter, in the event it ever fails, it is programmed to disable internet access within the district. This is a safeguard.

Miscellaneous Information regarding Personal Technology

            While technology rapidly advances, new items that can be used in the Education system are quickly becoming available. Items such as USB Drives (thumb drives, jump drives, etc.), MP3 & WMA music and video players, picture cell phones, digital cameras, calculators, BlueTooth and other wireless items.

            Please note: The moment any of those or other personal technological devices are connected to the CPSD’s network, they can, legally be considered part of the CPSD’s property.  Be aware of the content on those forms of technology, those items can procured and/or confiscated by the School District if the material on them is illegal or improper.

Questions & Comments

            If you have any questions or comments regarding this Computer Internet Policy, please contact Mr. Stahlman at the school.  724-253-3255

Possible Penalties for Abuse or Misuse of the Computer Systems

In the event the denial of service will greatly affect a student’s grade in class, arrangements can be made between the Teacher and Head of Technology. Arrangements include, but are not limited to:

The penalties are typically at the discretion of the Head of Technology in agreement with the student’s respective High School or Elementary Principal. In no fashion are these penalties meant to intentionally hinder the academic performance of a student or group of students.

None of these penalties, exclusions, permissions, exceptions are based on

color, creed, nationality or any other ethnical or physical bias.