ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The Board of Education is committed to optimizing student learning and teaching. The Board considers student access to a computer network, including the Internet, to be a powerful and valuable educational and research tool, and encourages the use of computers and computer-related technology in district classrooms solely for the purpose of advancing and promoting learning and teaching.
The computer network can provide a forum for learning various software applications and through online databases, bulletin boards and electronic mail, can significantly enhance educational experiences and provide statewide, national and global communication opportunities for staff and students.
All users of the district's computer network and the Internet must understand that use is a privilege, not a right, and that use entails responsibility.
The Superintendent of Schools shall establish regulations governing the use and security of the district's computer network. All users of the district's computer network and equipment shall comply with this policy and those regulations. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action as well as suspension and/or revocation of computer access privileges.
1) Access to electronic telecommunications is available to students and staff at Stamford Central School District. Access is through a variety of providers and includes e-mail, telephone, fax, television, radio, distance learning, internet and other on-line computer services, as well as electronic interlibrary loan. The goal in providing these services to students and staff is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
2) Electronic telecommunications is a general term referring to many systems of communication that are handled through electronic devices. The internet, for example, is an "electronic highway" providing communications with millions of people all over the planet. Distance learning, as currently configured, provides audio and video interactivity for students in up to four locations.
3) In the past, access to instructional materials was limited because instructors and supervisors could subject such materials to reasonable selection criteria. Through electronic telecommunications, material becomes available that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. Available precautions are taken by the Stamford Central School District to restrict access to controversial materials, as defined in regulation 9045.1. In addition, the appropriate utilization of electronic telecommunications relies on the proper conduct of the students and staff in adhering to guidelines. The guidelines are provided so that students and staff are aware of their responsibilities in appropriately utilizing electronic telecommunications.
4) The use of electronic telecommunications is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. Based upon the acceptable use guidelines, the staff may request the superintendent to deny or revoke the privilege of an individual to utilize specific modes of electronic telecommunications at the Stamford Central School District.
5) Communication on electronic telecommunications is subject to a need for responsible behavior and is governed, in addition to this policy, by the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the district’s student discipline policy, code of ethics, and copyright law.
6) The Stamford Central School District will enter into agreements with regional networks and providers of connections to electronic telecommunications, and adhere to government regulations on the use of electronic telecommunications. Students and staff are expected to adhere to the stipulation of these agreements and regulations.
7. The superintendent will prepare appropriate procedures with guidelines for implementing this policy.
Access to Electronic Communications Policy
1. The purpose of acceptable use procedures for electronic telecommunications is to provide guidelines to students and staff of the Stamford Central School District.
2. The purpose for providing access to electronic Telecommunications is to support research and education in and among academic institutions, business, government, other organizations, and individuals by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work.
3. The Stamford Central School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, on the service it is providing in making electronic telecommunications available to students and staff. The Stamford Central School District will not be responsible for any damages suffered by individuals. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence or user errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via electronic telecommunications is at risk of the user. The Stamford Central School District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its provision of electronic telecommunications.
4. The following guidelines will govern an individual's privilege to utilize electronic telecommunications. Any violation will jeopardize that individual's privilege and may result in other consequences.
A. Vandalism is not permitted. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy technological devices or programs belonging to the school, as well as attempts to compromise the data of another user on the Stamford Central School network or any other network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses and tampering with filters and access controls.
B. Accounts for utilization of electronic telecommunications are established and paid for by the Stamford Central School District. Permission to utilize these accounts is given to specific individuals. Individuals may utilize only those accounts for which they have been authorized.
C. Electronic telecommunications may not be used for any illegal activity, including the violation of copyright or other contracts.
D. Electronic telecommunications may not be used for financial or commercial gain.
E. Electronic telecommunications will not be used to gain unauthorized access to resources of entities.
F. Users of electronic telecommunications will abide by the generally accepted rules or etiquette:
1. Be polite and respectful of others.
2. Use appropriate language and gestures.
3. Respect the privacy and intellectual property of others.
4. Be responsible by identifying yourself in messages, transmissions, or broadcasts, but do not reveal personal home addresses or telephone numbers of anyone.
5. Use electronic telecommunications with consideration and respect so that others can also make use of the service.
6. Understand that electronic telecommunications are not guaranteed to be private. People who operate systems do have access to messages and transmission over certain media such as e-mail, internet, distance learning and electronic interlibrary loan.
7. Electronic telecommunications may be monitored and records may be maintained of communications.
G. Specifically forbidden is the transmission or solicitation of communications in any format which are pornographic, profane, obscene, violent, or that depict explicit sexual content.
H. Any person wishing to use Stamford Central School District technology must first sign a copy of this Acceptable Use Policy, which shall be a contract agreement between the user and the Stamford Central School.
I. Circumventing Security: Users are prohibited from attempting to circumvent or subvert any system's security measures. Users are prohibited from using any computer program or device to intercept or decode passwords or similar access control information.
The violations listed above are to be reported to Administration immediately. Although it is the duty of the faculty and staff to supervise students at all times, all users have a responsibility to govern themselves and report any known violations to a faculty or staff member, who in-turn must report the violation to an Administrator.
Stamford Central School District
Adopted: July 9, 1998
Revision Adopted: July 8, 2010
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