Policy
TELECOMMUNICATIONS GUIDELINES AND CODE OF CONDUCT
The Board recognizes that as
telecommunications and other new technologies shift the ways that information
may be accessed, communicated and transferred by members of the society, those
changes may also alter instruction and student learning.
The Board generally supports access by students to rich information
resources along with the development by staff of appropriate skills to analyze
and evaluate such resources. In a
free and democratic society, access to information is a fundamental right of
citizenship.
Telecommunications,
electronic information sources and networked services significantly alter the
information landscape for schools by opening classrooms to a broader array of
resources. Telecommunications,
because they may lead to any publicly available fileserver in the world, will
open classrooms to electronic information resources which have not been
screened by educators for use by students of various ages.
Electronic information
research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future
employees during an Age of Information. The
Board expects that staff will blend thoughtful use of such information
throughout the curriculum and that the staff will provide guidance and
instruction to students in the appropriate use of such resources.
Staff will consult the Guidelines for Instructional Materials contained
in Board Policy 6161.1 and will honor the goals for selection of instructional
materials contained therein.
Independent student use of
telecommunications and electronic information resources will be permitted upon
submission of permission forms and agreement forms by parents and by students
themselves. Regional networks
require agreement by users to acceptable use policies outlining standards for
behavior and communication.
Access to telecommunications
will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and
bulletin boards while exchanging messages with people throughout the world.
The Board believes that the benefits to students from access in the
form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed the
disadvantages. But ultimately,
parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the
standards that their children should follow when using media and information
sources. To that end, the Kearny
Schools support and respect each family’s right to decide whether or not to
apply for independent access.
Telecommunications Guidelines and Code of
Conduct
-2-
File
Code: 6142.10
INTERNET SAFETY POLICY
The technology and computing
resources in the
It is appropriate for all
users of these resources to behave in a responsible, ethical and legal manner.
In addition to the Acceptable Use Policy and the guidelines and
rules in Policy 6142.10 titled, Telecommunications Guidelines and Code
of Conduct, appropriate use implies respecting the rights of others
and the integrity of the physical facilities.
Appropriate use additionally includes honoring and maintaining the
intent and integrity of passwords and other security measures.
Unauthorized installation, modification or removal of software is not
permitted. Games, videos and music
not integral to the educational process are not permitted.
Unauthorized access or attempting to access another’s files or data
is not permitted. Unauthorized
access or use or unauthorized attempted access or use of any computing or
technology equipment or any attempt to “hack” is prohibited.
All computer workstations accessing the Internet shall have
filtering technology. This is
accomplished through the use of a filtering firewall designed to block obscene
images and sites, pornographic sites, inappropriate sites and other sites
harmful to minors. The types of
sites blocked by the filtering firewall include violence, profanity, nudity,
sexual acts, gross depictions, gambling and sites promoting illegal
activities. As needed, additional
sites are added to the filter list to supplement the list of sites filtered by
the firewall. It should be noted
that when the firewall has blocked a site determined to be appropriate, it can
be removed from the firewall’s list of blocked sites.
Filtering technology depends upon constant updates and revisions.
Therefore, in addition to manual supplements to the filter list, the
entire firewall filter list is updated on a regular basis.
The use of electronic mail
throughout the district is subject to the Acceptable Use Policy and the
guidelines and rules in Policy 6142.10 titled Telecommunications
Guidelines and Code of Conduct. The
following guideline should be followed for all users of electronic mail in
this district.
Do not respond via e-mail to an
inappropriate or confrontational e-mail message.
If the message is from a student or a student’s parent/guardian,
contact the student’s guidance counselor or the building principal and
suggest a conference with the parent/guardian.
The issues presented in the e-mail message will then be handled in a
traditional manner. If the e-mail
message is not from a student or parent/guardian, you should notify your
supervisor who will help determine the appropriate next step.
Telecommunications Guidelines and Code of
Conduct
-3-
File
Code: 6142.10
GUIDELINES AND CODE OF CONDUCT
Students are
responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in
a classroom or a school hallway. Communications
on the network are often public in nature.
General school rules for behavior and communications apply.
The network
is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others.
Access to network services is provided to students who agree to act in
a considerate and responsible manner. Parent
permission is required. Access is
a privilege, not a right. Access
entails responsibility.
Individual
users of the district computer networks are responsible for their behavior and
communications over those networks. It
is presumed that users will comply with district standards and will honor the
agreements they have signed. Network
storage areas may be treated like school lockers.
Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain
system integrity and ensure that users are using the system responsibly.
Users should not expect that files stored on district servers will
always be private.
During
school, teachers will supervise and guide students toward appropriate
materials based on the age of the child and the task.
Outside of school, families bear responsibility for such guidance as
they must also exercise with information sources such as television,
telephones, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media.
The following
are not permitted:
•
Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
•
Using obscene language
•
Harassing, insulting or attacking others
•
Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks
•
Violating copyright laws
•
Using others’ passwords
•
Trespassing in others’ folders, work or files
•
Intentionally wasting limited resources
•
Employing the network for commercial or political purposes
SANCTIONS
1.
Violations may result in a loss of access.
2.
Additional disciplinary action may be determined at the building level
in line with
existing practice regarding inappropriate language or behavior.
3.
When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.
The Board
authorizes the Superintendent to prepare appropriate procedures for
implementing this policy and for reviewing and evaluating its effect on
instruction and student achievement.
Adopted:
Amended:
Acceptable Use Policy
I
_________________________________ have read and understand the
Telecommunications Guidelines and Code of Conduct as outlined by the
and this may include, but is not
restricted to, immediate revocation of Internet access rights, detention,
suspension, or legal prosecution. Neither
the administrators of the network, nor the
1.
Follow the “Telecommunications Guidelines and Code of Conduct”
approved by the
2.
Be respectful of the rights, the ideas, the information, and the privacy
of others.
3.
Neither send nor solicit information that can be hurtful or harmful to
others. This includes discrimination
by race, religion, ethnic origin, sex and sexual orientation.
(I understand that this includes the intentional sending or receiving of
sexually explicit material).
4.
Neither solicit nor distribute unauthorized copies of copyrighted
software.
5.
If I am aware of a security problem on the system, I will promptly notify
a teacher or system administrator. I
will not demonstrate the problem to other users.
I
__________________________________ being the parent/guardian of the above
student have read and understand all the policies outlined in the attached
Internet Policy adopted by the
Signature of
Student___________________________________ Date ___________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian ___________________________ Date ___________________