6141.321 6141.321Instruction
Internet/Computer Networks Use
The Internet and electronic communications (e-mail, chat rooms and other forms of electronic communication) have vast potential to support curriculum and student learning. The Board of Education believes they should be used in schools as a learning resource.
Use of the Internet and electronic communications require students to think critically, analyze information, write clearly, utilize problem-solving skills, and hone computer and research skills that employers demand. Use of these tools also encourages an attitude of lifelong learning and offers an opportunity for students to participate in distance learning activities, ask questions of and consult with experts, communicate with other students and individuals, and locate material to meet the specific educational objectives assigned by district teachers.
The Board believes the educational opportunities inherent in these tools far outweigh the possibility that users may procure material not consistent with the education goals of the district. However, the Internet and electronic communications are fluid environments in which students may access materials and information from many sources, including some that may be harmful to students. The Board acknowledges that while it is impossible to predict with certainty what information students might locate or come into contact with, it shall take all reasonable steps to protect students from accessing material and information that is obscene, pornographic or otherwise harmful to minors, as defined by the Board. Students shall take responsibility for their own use of district computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources to avoid contact with material or information that may be harmful to minors.
The Superintendent or designee may establish additional administrative regulations which outline student obligations and responsibilities related to the use of district technology. He/she also may establish guidelines and limits on the use of technological resources. Inappropriate use may result in, disciplinary action, and/or legal action in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulation.
Blocking or Filtering Obscene, Pornographic and Harmful Information
Software that blocks or filters material and information that is obscene, pornographic or otherwise harmful to minors, as defined by the Board, shall be installed on all district computers having Internet or electronic communications access. Students shall report access to material and information that is obscene, pornographic, harmful to minors or otherwise in violation of this policy to the supervising staff member. If a student becomes aware of other students accessing such material or information, he or she shall report it to the supervising staff member.
No Expectation of Privacy
District devices, computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources are owned by the district and are intended for educational purposes as specifically defined as part of classroom assignments at all times. Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using the Internet or electronic communications and all school technology resources. The district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store (at any time and without prior notice) all usage of district computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources, including all Internet and electronic communications. All material and information accessed/received through district computers, computer systems, networks, user accounts and other technology resources shall remain the property of the district.
Unauthorized and Unacceptable Users
Students shall use district devices, computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner.
Because technology and ways of using technology are constantly evolving, every unacceptable use of district computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources cannot be specifically described in policy. Therefore, examples of unacceptable uses include but are not limited to, the following:
No student shall access, create, transmit, retransmit or forward material or information that:
• Promotes violence or advocates destruction of property including, but not limited to, access to information concerning the manufacturing or purchasing of destructive devices or weapons;
• Is not related to district educational objectives;
• Contains pornographic, obscene or other sexually oriented materials, either as pictures or writings that are intended to stimulate erotic feelings or appeal to prurient interests;
• Harasses, threatens, demeans, or promotes violence or hatred against another person or group of persons with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability or handicap;
• Is for personal profit, financial gain, advertising, commercial transaction or political purposes;
• Plagiarizes the work of another;
• Uses inappropriate or profane language offensive in the school community;
• Is knowingly false or could be construed as intending to purposely damage another person's reputation;
• Is in violation of any federal or state law, including but not limited to copyrighted material and material protected by trade secret;
• Contains personal information about themselves or others, including information protected by confidentiality laws;
Unauthorized and Unacceptable users
• Uses another individual's Internet or electronic communications account;
• Impersonates another or transmits through an anonymous remailer;
• Accesses fee services without specific permission from the system administrator;
• Contains audio, video, or still images recorded on school property or at school activities on or off school property including but not limited to hallways, classrooms, school buses, school field trips, athletic events, etc without prior permission from school administration.
Security
Security on district devices, computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources is a high priority. Students who identify a security problem or the misuse of district technology must immediately notify a system administrator, school administrator, or staff member in charge. Students shall not demonstrate the problem to other users. Logging on to a district assigned device, the Internet, district computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources as a system administrator or with other security rites/privileges that were not assigned by district administration is prohibited.
Students shall not:
• use another person's network account or access or any other identifier;
• gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to district computers or computer systems; and
• read, alter, delete or copy, or attempt to do so, electronic communications of other system users.
• Attempt to use any technology resources, software, or services not authorized by and specifically intended for student use by the district and school administration.
Any user identified as a security risk, or as having a history of problems with other computer systems or technology resources, may be denied access to district computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources including the Internet and electronic communications
Internet Safety
Students shall not reveal personal information, such as home address or phone number, while using the Internet or electronic communications. Without first obtaining permission of the supervising staff member, students shall not use their last name or any other information that might allow another person to locate him or her. Students shall not arrange face-to-face meetings with persons met on the Internet or through electronic communication. When students are authorized by school administration to send and receive electronic communications (e-mail, text, images, video, video conferencing, etc), it is only for educational purposes as specifically defined by their classroom teachers in specific classroom lessons or assignments. Students will report inappropriate electronic communications or any misuse of electronic communications to the staff in charge
The district will continue to promote appropriate student behavior while using district technology on social networking, chat room sites about the negative effects of cyberbullying. Therefore, students shall be provided guidance about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response.
Vandalism
Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and may result in school disciplinary action and/or legal action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious or intentional attempt to harm, destroy, modify, abuse or disrupt operation of any network within the district or any network connected to the Internet, operation of any form of electronic communications, the data contained on any network or electronic communications, the data of another user, usage by another user, or district-owned software or hardware. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading/downloading or creation of computer viruses, the use of encryption software, and the use of software designed to bypass school security and filtering software.
Use of Equipment Hardware and Software
• The device is to be used for educational purposes only.
• The use of the device must not violate the parent/guardian/student signed "District Assigned Device Student User Agreement"
• Student may not destroy, deface, or alter device or accessories, identifying labeling or files not belonging to the student
• Student may not remove district installed software from the device.
• Only school appropriate software and data should be installed or stored on the device. No inappropriate media including but not limited to weapons, pornography, drug/alcohol related content, gang related content or any content that would be disruptive or dangerous to the learning environment.
• This District reserves the right to install or remove software or data including media from devices or online services associated with a district assigned account at any time.
Assigning Student Projects and Monitoring Student Use
The district will make every effort to see that the Internet and electronic communications are used responsibly by students. Administrators, teachers, and staff have a professional responsibility to work together to monitor students' use of the Internet and electronic communications, help students develop the intellectual skills needed to discriminate among information sources, and to identify information appropriate to their age and developmental levels, and evaluate and use information to meet their educational goals. Students shall have specifically defined objectives and search strategies prior to accessing material and information on the Internet and through electronic communications.
Student Use is a Privilege
Use of the Internet and electronic communications demands personal responsibility and an understanding of the acceptable and unacceptable uses of such tools. Student use of the Internet and electronic communications is a privilege, not a right. Failure to follow the use procedures contained in this policy will result in school disciplinary action and/or legal action. The school district may deny, revoke or suspend access to district technology or close accounts at any time.
School District Makes No Warranties
The district makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, related to the use of district devices, computers, computer systems, networks and other technology resources, including access to the Internet and electronic communications services. Providing access to these services does not imply endorsement by the district of the content, nor does the district make any guarantee as to the accuracy or quality of information received. The school district shall not be responsible for any damages, losses or costs a student suffers in using the Internet and electronic communications. This includes loss of data and service interruptions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet and electronic communications is at students' own risk.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
53a-182b. Harassment in the first degree: Class D felony. (as amended by PA 95-143)
20 U.S.C. Section 6777, No Child Left Behind Act
20 U.S.C. 254 Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000
47 U.S.C. Children's Online Protection Act of 1998
Adopted: Seymour Board of Education August 3, 2020
6141.321
Instruction
Computers: Acceptable Use of the Internet, Other Computer Networks and Internet Safety
Acceptable Uses
1. Educational Purposes Only. The school district is providing access to its computer networks and the Internet for only educational purposes. If you have any doubt about whether a contemplated activity is educational, you may consult with the person(s) designated by the school to help you decide if a use is appropriate.
2. Unacceptable Uses of Network. Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this policy are the following:
A. Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate the law. Don't transmit offensive or harassing messages; offer for sale or use any substance the possession or use of which is prohibited by the school district's student discipline policy; view, transmit or download pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law; intrude into the networks or computers of others; and download or transmit confidential, trade secret information, or copyrighted materials. Even if materials on the networks are not marked with the copyright symbol, you should assume that all materials are protected unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.
B. Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property. For example, don't engage in defamation (harming another's reputation by lies); employ another's password or some other user identifier that misleads message recipients into believing that someone other than you is communicating or otherwise using his/her access to the network or the Internet; upload a worm, virus, "trojan horse," "time bomb," or other harmful form of programming or vandalism; participate in "hacking" activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.
C. Uses that jeopardize the security of student access and of the computer network or other networks on the Internet. For example, don't disclose or share your password with others; don't impersonate another user.
D. Uses that are commercial transactions. Students and other users may not sell or buy anything over the Internet. You should not give others private information about you or others, including credit card numbers and social security numbers.
3. Netiquette. All users must abide by rules of network etiquette, which include the following:
A. Be polite. Use appropriate language. No swearing, vulgarities, suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or threatening language.
B. Avoid language and uses which may be offensive to other users. Don't use access to make, distribute, or redistribute jokes, stories, or other material which is based upon slurs or stereotypes relating to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.
C. Don't assume that a sender of e mail is giving his or her permission for you to forward or redistribute the message to third parties or to give his/her e mail address to third parties. This should only be done with permission or when you know that the individual would have no objection.
D. Be considerate when sending attachments with e mail (where this is permitted). Be sure that the file is not too large to be accommodated by the recipient's system and is in a format which the recipient can open.
Internet Safety
1. General Warning; Individual Responsibility of Parents and Users. All users and their parents/guardians are advised that access to the electronic network may include the potential for access to materials inappropriate for school aged students. Every user must take responsibility for his or her use of the computer network and Internet and stay away from these sites. Parents of minors are the best guides of materials to shun. If a student finds that other users are visiting offensive or harmful sites, he or she should report such use to the person designated by the school.
2. Personal Safety. Be safe. In using the computer network and Internet, do not reveal personal information such as your home address or telephone number. Do not use your real last name or any other information which might allow a person to locate you without first obtaining the permission of a supervising teacher. Do not arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you "meet" on the computer network of Internet without your parent's permission (if you are under 18). Regardless of your age, you should never agree to meet a person you have only communicated with on the Internet in a secluded place or in a private setting.
3. "Hacking" and Other Illegal Activities. It is a violation of this policy to use the school's computer network or the Internet to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems, or to attempt to gain such unauthorized access. Any use which violates state or federal law relating to copyright, trade secrets, the distribution of obscene or pornographic materials, or which violates any other applicable law or municipal ordinance, is strictly prohibited.
4. Confidentiality of Student Information. Personally identifiable information concerning students may not be disclosed or used in any way on the Internet without the permission of a parent or guardian or, if the student is 18 or over, the permission of the student himself/herself. Users should never give out private or confidential information about themselves or others on the Internet, particularly credit card numbers and Social Security numbers. A supervising teacher or administrator may authorize the release of directory information, as defined by law, for internal administrative purposes or approved educational projects and activities.
5. Active Restriction Measures. The school, either by itself or in combination with the Data Acquisition Site providing Internet access, will utilize filtering software or other technologies to prevent students from accessing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) child pornography, or (3) harmful to minors. The school will also monitor the online activities of students, through direct observation and/or technological means, to ensure that students are not accessing such depictions or any other material which is inappropriate for minors.
Internet filtering software or other technology based protection systems may be disabled by a supervising teacher or school administrator, as necessary, for purposes of bona fide research or other educational projects being conducted by students age 18 and older.
The term "harmful to minors" is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC Section 254 [h][7]), as meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;
taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
Privacy
Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for your education. The school district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store at any time and without prior notice any and all usage of the computer network and Internet access and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such information files shall be and remain the property of the school district and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding such materials.
Failure To Follow Policy
The user's use of the computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right. A user who violates this policy, shall at a minimum, have his or her access to the computer network and Internet terminated, which the school district may refuse to reinstate for the remainder of the student's enrollment in the school district. A user violates this policy by his or her own action or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user. Further, a user violates this policy if he or she permits another to use his or her account or password to access the computer network and Internet, including any user whose access has been denied or terminated. The school district may also take other disciplinary action in such circumstances.
Warranties/Indemnification
The school district makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, in connection with its provision of access to and use of its computer networks and the Internet provided under this policy. It shall not be responsible for any claims, losses, damages, or costs (including attorney's fees) of any kind suffered, directly or indirectly, by any user or his or her parent(s) or guardian(s) arising out of the user's use of its computer networks or the Internet under this policy. By signing this policy, users are taking full responsibility for his or her use, and the user who is 18 or older or, in the case of a user under 18, the parent(s) or guardian(s) are agreeing to indemnify and hold the school, the school district, the Data Acquisition Site that provides the computer and Internet access opportunity to the school district and all of their administrators, teachers, and staff harmless from any and all loss, costs, claims, or damages resulting from the user's access to its computer network and the Internet, including but not limited to any fees or charges incurred through purchases of goods or services by the user. The user or, if the user is a minor, the user's parent(s) or guardian(s) agree to cooperate with the school in the event of the school's initiating an investigation of a user's use of his or her access to its computer network and the Internet, whether that use is on a school computer or on another computer outside the school district's network.
Updates
Users, and if appropriate, the user's parents/guardians, may be asked from time to time to provide new or additional registration and account information or to sign a new policy, for example, to reflect developments in the law or technology. Such information must be provided by the user (or his/her parents or guardian) or such new policy must be signed if the user wishes to continue to receive service. If after you have provided your account information, some or all of the information changes, you must notify the person designated by the school to receive such information.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
1 19(b)(11) Access to public records. Exempt records.
10 15b Access of parent or guardians to student's records.
10 209 Records not to be public.
11-8a Retention, destruction and transfer of documents
11-8b Transfer or disposal of public records. State Library Board to adopt regulations.
46b 56 (e) Access to Records of Minors.
Connecticut Public Records Administration Schedule V Disposition of Education Records (Revised 1983).
Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act, as amended, added by section 513 of PL 93 568, codified at 20 U.S.C. 1232g.).
Dept. of Education. 34 CFR. Part 99 (May 9, 1980 45 FR 30802) regs. implementing FERPA enacted as part of 438 of General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) parent and student privacy and other rights with respect to educational records, as amended 11/21/96.
Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000 (HR 4577, P.L.106 554)
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. 254[h],[I])
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 6801 et seq., Part F)
Public Law 94-553, The Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. 101 et. seq.
Reno v. ACLU, 521 U.S. 844 (1997)
Ginsberg v. New York, 390 U.S. 629, at 642, n.10 (1968)
Board of Education v. Pico, 457 U.S. 868 (1988)
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 620, 267 (1988)
Regulation approved: February 2, 2004