IJNDB-R/STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES
File: IJNDB-R
MSAD #11 STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES
All students are responsible for their actions and activities involving MSAD #11 computers networks, Internet services, computer files, passwords and accounts.
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. Students, parents and school staff who have questions about whether a particular activity is prohibited are encouraged to contact a building administrator or the Director of Technology. These rules apply to all school computers an all school-provided laptops wherever used, and all uses of school servers, Internet access, and networks regardless of how they are accessed.
A. Acceptable Use
1. Student access to MSAD #11’s computers, networks and Internet services are provided for educational purposes; research consistent with MSAD #11’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.
2. Board policies, school rules and expectations concerning student conduct and/or communications apply to students using school computers, on or off school property.
3. Students are also expected to comply with specific instructions from the teacher or other
supervisory staff member/volunteer when accessing MSAD #11’s computers, networks
and Internet services.
B. Prohibited Uses
Unacceptable use of school computers includes, but is not limited to the following:
1. Accessing or Communicating Inappropriate Materials –Students may not access, submit, post, publish, forward, download, scan or display materials or messages that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, bullying and/or illegal materials or messages.
2. Illegal Activities –Students may not use MSAD #11’s computers, networks and Internet services for any illegal activity or in violation of any other Board policies, procedures and/or school rules. The District assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of students while using school computers.
3. Violating Copyrights or Software Licenses – Students may not copy, download, or share any type of copyrighted materials (including music, images, or films) without the owner’s
permission (see Board policy/procedure EGAD – Copyright Compliance); or copy, download software without the express authorization of the Director of Technology. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties. The school district assumes no responsibility for copyright violations by students.
4. Plagiarism- Students are prohibited from representing as one's own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, music, images, etc.). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and website must be identified.
5. Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access –Students may not share passwords; use other users' accounts; or attempt to circumvent network security systems.
6. Malicious Use/Vandalism –Students may not engage in any malicious use, disruption or harm to MSAD #11’s computers, networks and Internet services, including, but not limited to, physically marking, damaging, or altering computers, hacking activities, creation/uploading of computer viruses.
7. Use for Non-School-Related Purposes – Students may not use MSAD #11 computers, network, and Internet services for any personal reasons not connected with the educational program or school assignments.
8. Unauthorized Access to Blogs/Social Networking Sites, Etc. – Students may not access blogs, social networking sites, etc. to which student access is prohibited.
C. Compensation for Losses, Costs, and/or Damages
The student and his/her parents are responsible for compensating MSAD #11 for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the school unit for violations of Board policies/procedures and school rules while the student is using MSAD #11 computers, including the cost of investigating such violations. The school district assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by the student while using school computers.
D. Student Security
A student is not allowed to reveal his/her full name, address or telephone number, social security number or other personal information on the Internet while using a school computer without prior permission from a teacher. Students should never agree to meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission. Students should inform their supervising teacher or parent if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.
E. System Security
The security of MSAD #11’s computers, networks and Internet services is a high priority. Any user who identifies a security problem must notify her/her teacher, supervisor, or building administrator. The student shall not demonstrate the problem to others or access unauthorized material.
F. No Expectation of Privacy
MSAD #11 retains control and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet services owned or leased by MSAD #11 at all times. MSAD #11 reserves the right to monitor all equipment/computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectations of privacy in their use of school computers, including e-mail, stored files and Internet access logs.
G. Additional Rules For Equipment/Laptops Issued To Students
1. Laptops are loaned to students as an educational tool and may be used for purposes specifically authorized by school staff and/or the MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative) program.
2. Parents are required to attend an informational meeting before a laptop will be issued to their child. Both the student and his/her parent must sign the school’s acknowledgement form.
3. Students and their families are responsible for proper care of laptops, cases, and chargers at all times, whether on or off school property, including costs associated with repairing or replacing the laptop. MSAD #11 offers an optional Laptop Protection program for parents to cover replacement costs and/or repair costs for damages not covered by the laptop warranty. The Laptop Protection program does not cover damage to laptops caused by malicious behavior. Parents who choose not to participate in the Laptop Protection plan should be aware that they are responsible for any costs associated with the loss, theft, or damage to a laptop issued to their child.
4. If the laptop is lost or stolen, it must be reported to the teacher and building administrator immediately. Additionally, if a laptop is stolen, a report should be made to the Gardiner police and the Director of Technology immediately.
5. The MSAD #11 School Board’s policy and rules concerning computer and Internet use apply to all users of school laptops at any time or any place, on or off school property. Students are responsible for obeying any additional rules concerning care of laptops issued by school staff.
6. Violation of policies or rules governing the use of computers, or 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 violations of Board policies or school rules.
7. Parents may have access to 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 and to the family members, to the extent permitted by the MLTI program.
9. All use of school-loaned laptops by all persons must comply with the school’s Student Computer use Policy and Rules.
10. Laptops must be returned in acceptable working order at the end of the school year or whenever requested by school staff.
H. MLTI Laptop Sign Out Procedures
In order to take a MLTI computer home, parents and students must attend a Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Family Orientation meeting offered by the District. Parents and students must sign and return the MSAD #11 Take Home form.
1. The student must check out his/her laptop, carrying case, and power adapter from supervising teacher. If this teacher is not available to check out the laptop, arrangements can be made with another classroom teacher. Substitutes and support staff cannot sign out laptops to students.
2. In advance, the student must request to take their laptop home, to ensure the teacher’s availability after school.
3. Sign out times for the computer will be immediately after school, unless alternative arrangements have been made with the assigned teacher. Special arrangements, such as a parent picking up a laptop, must be made in advance for those students who are involved in an extra curricular activity. Laptops are not permitted in locker rooms, on playing fields, courts, etc.
4. The laptop, carrying case, and power adapter will be signed back in before or during the homeroom on the first school day following the day it was signed out. If the laptop is not returned to school with the student, an immediate call to the parent/guardian will be made in order to have the laptop brought to school immediately. Failure to bring the computer back on time will result in the school revoking the privilege of signing out the laptop for home use.
5. Students are responsible for bringing their laptops to school fully charged.
I. Additional Rules for Use of Privately Owned Computers by Students
1. A student who wishes to use a privately owned computer in school must complete a Student Request to Use Privately-Owned Computer form. The form must be signed by the following: student, parent/guardian, building administrator, and technology department personnel. There must be an educational basis for any request.
2. The technology department staff will determine whether a student’s privately owned computer meets the MSAD #11 network requirements.
3. Requests may be denied if it is determined that there is not a suitable educational basis for the request and/or the demands on the school’s network or staff would be unreasonable.
4. The student is responsible for proper care of her/her privately owned computer, including any costs of repair, replacement, or modifications needed to use the computer at school.
5. MSAD #11 is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any privately owned computer.
6. Students are required to comply with all Board policies, administrative procedures, and school rules while using privately owned computers at school. This applies whether the computer is used on or off of the school network and/or Internet.
7. Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of privately owned computer while at school. MSAD #11 reserves the right to search a student’s privately owned computer if there is a reasonable suspicion that the student has violated Board policies, administrative procedures or school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using the computer.
8. Violation of any Board policies, administrative procedures or school rules involving a student’s privately owned computer may result in the revocation of the privilege of the computer at school and/or disciplinary action.
9. MSAD #11 may confiscate any privately owned computer used by a student in school without authorization as required by these rules. The contents of the computer may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
Cross Reference: IJNDB – Student Computer and Internet Use
Adopted: June 3, 2004
Revised: May 3, 2007; June 2, 2011