Acceptable Use Policy

2361 Guidelines for Responsible Computing/Acceptable Use


The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District Board of Education believes that the use of computer networked services, email, and the Internet have become, if used appropriately, an integral part of the educational program. It is understood that all of our computer networked services are provided exclusively for educational purposes. Educational purposes are those that are related to the preparation and completion of classroom lessons, assignments and other pertinent school business. For employees, this also includes purposes related to job performance. This Board Policy is intended to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Although the Internet offers vast opportunities to access resources, the Board must also maintain an environment that promotes both responsible and ethical conduct in all computer activities by students and staff. Access to email services and the Internet also brings the possibility, even with the use of filtering software, that materials may be accessed by students and staff that is either of no educational value, or violates applicable state or Federal law. With the current state of technology, it is impossible to control access to all materials which are obscene or profane, or advocate illegal acts, violence or unlawful discrimination.

Notwithstanding blocking and/or filtering the material and visual depictions prohibited in the Children’ s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’ s Internet Protection Act, the Superintendent shall develop procedures to determine other Internet material and/or access that is inappropriate for minors or impede on our educational programs.

In accordance with the provisions of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Superintendent of Schools or designee will develop and ensure education is provided to every student regarding appropriate online behavior, including students interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and/or chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.

The Board will provide reasonable public notice and will hold one annual public hearing during a regular monthly Board meeting or during a designated special Board meeting to address and receive public community input on the Internet safety policy - Policy and Regulation 2361. Any changes in Policy and Regulation 2361 since the previous year’s annual public hearing will also be discussed at a meeting following the annual public hearing.

The District will certify on an annual basis, that the schools, including media centers/libraries in the District, are in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act and the school district enforces the requirements of these Acts and this Policy.

The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District Board of Education believes that the educational value of the access to information and the interaction enabled by email and Internet access far outweighs the potential disadvantages that may occur. The operation of the District computer network relies, in part, on the proper conduct of the users--students and staff. Therefore, it is necessary for students and staff to follow the guidelines which are set forth within this policy. If any user, whether a student or a staff member, violates this policy, his/her privileges to use district computers may be limited or suspended. In addition, the student or staff member may be subject to other applicable disciplinary measures as per District policy, District Student Disciplinary Code, or statute.

Attached to this policy is a Student Technology Acceptable Use Agreement. The agreement incorporates this policy. It also indicates that the party who has signed the agreement has read the terms and conditions carefully and understands their significance. The user agreement is an acknowledgment of the responsibilities of all users. Students will not be permitted to use the district computer system unless they have signed the agreement and their parents or guardians have signed the agreement indicating the student has his/her permission to use the district computer system. The agreement/permission form annexed to this policy is expressly made a part of the policy.

Terms and Conditions of Use

1. Acceptable Use. The purpose of providing access to our computer network, email services, and the Internet, is expressly to support research and education. It is to provide access to various resources and opportunities for collaborative work. The use of the network, email, and the Internet must be solely to support education and research which furthers the educational objectives and curriculum established by the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education. Whether accessing the District computer system from outside school or not, all users are subject to the terms and conditions of this policy. The District expects that parents will supervise their child(ren) when using District technologies from home. In addition, the use of other organizations’ networks or computer resources must comply with the rules for use of those networks in addition to those of this District.

Transmission and accessing of any material in violation of any Federal law, state law or regulation/or Board Policy is prohibited. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to the following:


a. Students are prohibited from disclosing, either through email or via the Internet, personally identifiable information about any other individual such as addresses, phone numbers, pictures, email addresses, or the name and location of the school.

b. Users will not transmit or access material that is profane, obscene, harmful to minors (as that term is defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act), or advocates illegal acts, violence or unlawful discrimination.

c. All users will be assigned unique username(s) and password(s) to access the various district computer systems and online services. This information is to remain private and is not to be shared with other users.

d. Any use of the network for commercial or for-profit purposes is prohibited.

e. Use of the network for personal and private business is prohibited.

f. Any use of the network for advertising or political purposes is prohibited.

g. Users of the network shall not disrupt or interfere with the use of the network by others.

h. The hardware or software shall not be altered, mishandled or abused in any way.

i. The District computer system shall not be used to harass, intimidate, and/or bully others.

j. Hate mail, discriminatory remarks, cyber-bullying, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited.

k. The installation of unauthorized software, whether copyrighted or shareware, for use on the district computer system is prohibited.

l. Violation of the intellectual property rights of others is prohibited.

m. Unauthorized gaming and/or gambling activities are prohibited.

n. Accessing proxy avoidance sites is prohibited.


2. Privileges


a. The use of the District’s network, email, and Internet services through the District’s computer system is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use may result in the suspension, or partial suspension of those privileges as well as other possible discipline as outlined in the District Student Discipline/ Code of Conduct and District policy, and even possible prosecution for illegal activity.

b. Each student, in order to obtain access to the District computer system will be required to complete the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District Student Technology Acceptable Use Agreement. The Superintendent or his/her designee will have the authority to, at least temporarily, suspend use of the system at any time.

c. Each student, in order to receive a District-owned laptop, will be required to complete the District’s Student Technology Acceptable Use Agreement and the Parent/Student Laptop Agreement form. The Superintendent or his/her designee will have the authority to, at least temporarily, suspend use of the District-owned laptop at any time.


3. Network Etiquette. Users of the District computer system are expected to:

a. Be polite.

b. Only use appropriate language.

c. Be prepared for a search of student or staff files and other electronic storage areas. The Superintendent or his/her designee may access these files from time to time not only to insure system integrity, but also to determine if users are complying with this policy. Users should not expect that information they store on the system will be private.

d. Comply with all intellectual property laws, such as copyrights.

e. Disclose to an administrator, teacher or parent any information or electronic messages that make them uncomfortable.

4. Guidelines on Usage of District Computer System / Resources


a. The District will make various resources available to students for educational purposes. These resources may include but are not limited to District-issued laptops, network access, servers, file storage, software programs, custom applications and on-line/cloud-based resources. All District-provided resources are to be used for educational purposes and school related activities.

b. Students are required to use their District-assigned email accounts for all school-related activities and whenever they correspond with district faculty and staff members.

Miscellaneous

The District computer system may be equipped with a built-in camera, global positioning system, or other features capable of recording or collecting information on the student’s activity or use of the device. The District will not use any of these capabilities in a manner that would violate the privacy rights of the student or any individual residing with the student in compliance with The Anti-Big Brother Act. In the event of an official reported theft/loss, however, the District may use such capabilities to assist local authorities to recover its lost asset.

The District reserves the right to maintain and support its assets and resources. This includes the ability to remotely access the District-owned computers/laptops. The remote access process may include, but is not limited to, updating the laptop’s operating system, updating software versions, activating permissions or deactivating accounts. This process, when necessary, will only occur while the District-owned laptops are on the district network and in compliance with The Anti-Big Brother Act.

Security of the system is a high priority. If a user has reason to believe that he/she can identify a security problem in the District computer system, he/she must notify the Director of Technology or a Building administrator.

Vandalism will result in the automatic suspension of use, and violators will be subject to discipline, other forms of legal action, or perhaps even criminal prosecution. Vandalism is defined as any attempt to harm, steal or destroy data, software or hardware, even if belonging to another network. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation of a virus, intentional propagation of a virus, or dissemination of contaminated disks, CDs and the like.

Users will be personally charged and held responsible for any costs related to damages to District technologies caused by intentional misuse, lack of care and/or reasonable precautions.

The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages users suffer. This includes loss of data, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by the District’s own negligence or the user’s errors or omissions. The District cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

Violations

Violations of the Acceptable Use of Computer Network/Computers and Resources may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action. Disciplinary action shall be taken as indicated in Policy and Regulation Nos. 2361, Acceptable Use of Computer Network/Computers and Resources, No. 5600, Student Discipline, No. 5610, Suspension and No. 5620, Expulsion as well as possible legal action and reports to the legal authorities and entities. Other appropriate discipline which could include, but which is not limited to:


1. Use of computer networks/computers only under direct supervision;

2. Suspension of network privileges;

3. Revocation of network privileges;

4. Suspension of computer privileges;

5. Revocation of computer privileges;

6. Suspension from school;

7. Expulsion from school; and/or

8. Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.


N.J.S.A. 2A:38A-3

Federal Communications Commission: Children’s Internet Protection Act.

S2057

The Anti-Big Brother Act.

This form is to be completed by students after reviewing the District Acceptable Use Policy, Regulation 2361, and all documents incorporated by reference. The completion of this form indicates that you have read the policy and understand the same. It also indicates that you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the policy. Regardless of your age, this form must be signed both by you and a parent/guardian before you will be permitted to have access to the District computer system.

I understand and agree to accept and abide by the Student Technology Acceptable Use Policy. I also understand that if I fail to follow the policy, my access to the computer network, email services and the Internet, may be suspended. I may be subject to other discipline, and there may even be criminal consequences to my behavior depending upon the severity of my actions.


Student Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ___/___/___

Name (please print): __________________________

School: _________________________ Grade: _

As a parent/guardian of the student, above, I hereby give my permission for my child to access the district computer system, which includes access to the Internet and email. I have read the District Acceptable Use Policy, and I understand that my child is expected to abide by the same. I understand that the District will make every effort to use filtering software that is CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) compliant. I also understand that when my child is accessing the District computer system from outside of school, I am expected to provide appropriate supervision.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________ Date: ___/___/___

Name (please print): ________________________________________

Adopted: 11 March 2013

Revised: 04 November 2013