6141.323

Instruction

Responsible Use of the Internet

Filtering

The New Hartford Board of Education provides computers, computer systems, computer networks, software, information systems, and Internet access for students and staff to carry out the mission of the Board in an environment which ensures access to up-to-date information, student management, and communication services. Responsible use of these systems and networks is expected of all students and staff.

In order to ensure that the District s Internet connection is used in the appropriate manner and that all users are protected from any inappropriate information published on the Internet, the District is implementing the following:

1. Active supervision of all students using the Internet and the computer systems by school staff is provided at all times.

2. Professional development opportunities are continuously provided to help teachers safely integrate the use of the Internet into classroom teaching.

3. Filters are utilized in all District schools to (1) block pre-selected sites, (2) block entire categories like chat and newsgroups, and (3) block additional sites found to be objectionable. The filtering system identifies and blocks Internet sites with content judged inappropriate, harmful, or unacceptable for student viewing or use. Such content includes obscenity, child pornography, or any information that could be potentially harmful to minors.

4. Any access to filtered sites by the staff will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the System Administrator and the Superintendent of Schools.

The Internet changes rapidly making it very challenging, if not impossible, to filter all potentially objectionable sites. Each individual user of the computer system has the responsibility to monitor his/her own navigation on the Internet to avoid undesirable sites and to report them to the New Hartford staff. Filtering is only one of a number of techniques used by the New Hartford Public Schools to ensure safe user access to the Internet. It should not be viewed as a foolproof approach to preventing access to material considered inappropriate or harmful.

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.

HR 4577, Fiscal 2001 Appropriations Law ( contains Children s Internet Protection Act)

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)

20 U.S.C. Section 6777 No Child Left Behind

Policy adopted: June 3, 2008

Policy revised: June 5, 2012

Instruction

Internet Safety

Criteria for Filtering of Objectionable Web Sites

Anything that falls under at least one of the categories below shall be filtered so that it blocks student access. The New Hartford Public Schools reserves the right to update and/or modify this list as required:

1. Nudity/Pornography

2. Sexuality

3. Violence

4. Crime

5. Drug Use

6. Tastelessness

7. Language/Profanity

8. Discrimination/Intolerance/Hate

9. Inappropriate Banner Ads

10. Gambling

11. Weapons

12. Other Inappropriate Material

Procedures For Suggesting Site Be Blocked Or Unblocked

If District staff members observe a site which they believe to contain inappropriate material according to the criteria provided here, they are responsible for requesting that the site (URL) be blocked from student access. Technology staff will review the site for inappropriateness. If the site meets the criteria for filtering, the site will be blocked.

Disabling Blocking/Filtering Devices

The technology protection measures used to block or filter a site may be disabled during use by a responsible adult to enable access to bona fide research or for some other lawful purpose.

There are no exceptions to the requirement that the Internet access be blocked/filtered at all times for minors. If material has been wrongly blocked, it must be unblocked by the system administrator.