KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION                                 File Code:         6142.10

            Kearny, New Jersey   07032

            Policy

TELECOMMUNICATIONS GUIDELINES AND CODE OF CONDUCT

                       STUDENT ACCESS TO NETWORKED INFORMATION RESOURCES

            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.

INTERNET SAFETY POLICY

            The technology and computing resources in the Kearny School District support the instructional and administrative activities of the school district.  These technology and computing resources include all computing facilities and capabilities, local and wide-area, as well as electronic mail, web services, video services and access to the Internet.

            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.

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:      February 17, 1998

Amended:   October 17, 2001

                                KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Acceptable Use Policy

            I _________________________________ have read and understand the Telecommunications Guidelines and Code of Conduct as outlined by the KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION and will abide by those rules.  I also understand that any inappropriate conduct will be dealt with as deemed appropriate by the administration

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 Kearny Board of Education is responsible for any misconduct or harm that I commit.  I am held fully responsible for all my actions.  In using the district’s network, I agree to:

1.         Follow the “Telecommunications Guidelines and Code of Conduct” approved by the KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

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 KEARNY BOARD OF EDUCATION.  I understand complete blockage of unauthorized material is not guaranteed and I will not hold the school or its representatives responsible for the student’s access of unauthorized material.  By signing here, I give my child permission to access the Internet through his/her school.

Signature of Student___________________________________ Date ___________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian ___________________________ Date ___________________