File: INA-R
STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET RULES
These rules implement MSAD #11 Board Policy INA Student Computer and Internet Use Policy. The rules are intended to provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses, but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited activities by users. Failure to comply with MSAD #11 Board Policy IN-A and these rules may result in loss of computer and Internet access privileges, disciplinary action, and/or legal action.
A. Computer Use is a Privilege, Not a Right
Student use of MSAD#11’s computers, networks, and Internet services is a privilege, not a right. Compliance with the district's policies and rules concerning computer use is mandatory. Students who violate these policies and rules may have their computer privileges limited, suspended or revoked. Such violations may also result in disciplinary action, referral to law enforcement and/or legal action.
The building principal shall have the final authority to decide whether a student's privileges will be limited, suspended, or revoked based upon the circumstances of the particular case, the student's prior disciplinary record, and another pertinent factors.
All MSAD #11 policies, rules and expectations concerning student conduct and communications apply when students are using computers.
Students are also expected to comply with all specific instructions from teachers and other school staff or volunteers when using the district's computers.
B. Acceptable Use
Student access to the district’s computers, networks, equipment, and Internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the district’s educational mission, curriculum, and instructional goals.
The same rules and expectations govern students use of computers, equipment, and Internet access as apply to other student conduct and communications.
Students are further expected to comply with these rules and all specific instructions from the teacher or other supervising staff member/volunteer when accessing the school district’s computers, equipment, networks, and Internet services.
C. Prohibited Use
The user is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving district computers, equipment, networks, and Internet services, and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts. Examples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Accessing Inappropriate Materials-Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, forwarding, downloading, scanning, or displaying materials that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal;
2. Illegal Activities-Using the school district’s computers, networks, and Internet services for any illegal activity or that violates other Board policies, procedures and/or school rules;
3. Violating Copyrights-Copying or downloading copyrighted materials without the owner’s permission;
4. Plagiarism-Representing as one’s own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, etc). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and web site must be identified;
5. Copying Software-Copying or downloading software without the express authorization of the system administrator. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties;
6. Non-School-Related Uses-Using the school district’s computers, networks, equipment, and Internet services for non-school-related purposes such as private financial gain; commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes, or for any other personal use.
7. Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access-Sharing passwords, using other users’ passwords without permission and/or accessing other users’ accounts;
8. Malicious Use/Vandalism-Any malicious use, disruption, altering, or harm to the school district’s computers, software, equipment, networks, and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses;
9. Unauthorized Access to Chat Rooms/News Groups/Blogs-Accessing chat rooms or news groups without specific authorization from the supervising teacher;
D. No Expectation of Privacy
MSAD#11 retains control, custody, and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet services owned or leased by the district. MSAD#11 reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, including e-mail and stored files.
E. Compensation for Losses, Costs, and/or Damages
The student and/or the student’s parent/guardian shall be responsible for compensating the school district for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school district related to violations of policy INA, EGAD, INA-R, and/or these rules, including investigation of violations.
F. School Unit Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs, Illegal Use
The student and his/her parents are responsible for compensating the school district for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the district for violations of MSAD #11 Board policies and school rules while the student is using district computers, including the cost of investigating such violations. The district assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by a student while using district computers.
G. Student Security
A student shall not reveal his/her full name, address or telephone number on the Internet without prior permission from a supervising teacher. Students should never meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission. Students should inform their supervising teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.
H. System Security
The security of the school district’s computers, networks and Internet services is a high priority. Any user who identifies a security problem must notify the director of technology. The user shall not demonstrate the problem to others. Any user who attempts or causes a breach of system security shall have his/her privileges revoked and may be subject to additional disciplinary and/or legal action.
I. Additional Rules for Laptops Issued Loaned to Students for Home Use
1. Laptops are loaned to students as an educational tool and are only authorized for use in
completing school assignments.
2. Before a laptop is loaned to a student, the student and his/her parent must sign the
school’s acknowledgment form. Parent’s are required to attend an informational meeting
before the laptop will be loaned to their child.
3. Students are responsible for the proper care of laptops at all times, whether on or off school property, including costs associated with repairing or replacing the laptop. MSAD#11 offers an insurance program for parents to cover replacement costs and/or repair costs for damages not covered by the laptop warranty. Parents who choose not to purchase insurance should be aware that they are responsible for costs associated with loss, theft, or damage to a laptop issued to their child.
4. If a laptop is lost or stolen, this must be reported to the school principal immediately. If a laptop is stolen, a report should be made to the local police and the MSAD#11 technology director immediately.
5. The MSAD #11 Board's policy and rules concerning computer and Internet use apply to use of laptops at any time or place, on or off school property. Students are responsible for obeying any additional rules concerning care of laptops loaned by school staff.
6. Violation of policies or rules governing the use of computers, or any careless use of a laptop may result in a student's laptop being confiscated and/or a student only being allowed to use the laptop under the direct supervision of school staff. The student will also be subject to disciplinary action for any violation of MSAD #11 Board policies and rules.
7. Parents will be informed of their child's login password. Parents are responsible for supervising their child's use of the laptop and Internet access when in use at home.
8. The laptop may only be used by the student to whom it is assigned.
9. Laptops must be returned in acceptable working order at the end of the school year or whenever requested by school staff.
Cross Reference: INA-Student Computer and Internet Use Policy
INA-E/MSAD #11 Laptop Computer Sign Out Procedures
EGAD/Copyright Compliance
Adopted: January 26, 2006
Revised: May 3, 2007
MSAD #11 Student Computer and Internet; Use Acknowledgement Form
No student shall be allowed to use MSAD #11 computers, equipment, networks, or Internet until the student and parent/guardian have signed and returned this acknowledgment to the school.
Student
I have read Policy IN-A (Student Computer and Internet Use Policy) and INA-R (Student Computer and Internet Use Rules) and agree to comply with them.
___________________________________ ____________________________
Signature of Student Date
Parent/Guardian
I have read Policy IN-A (Student Computer and Internet Use Policy) and INA-R (Student Computer and Internet Use Rules) and understand that my son/daughter’s use of school computers, equipment, networks, and Internet services is subject to compliance with these rules.
_____________________________________ _____________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
Adopted: June 3, 2004
Revised: January 26, 2006; May 3, 2007