EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Series 600
Policy Title: Student Acceptable Use Code No. 605.6
Because technology is a vital part of the school district curriculum, the Internet will be made available to employees and students. Appropriate and equitable use of the Internet will allow employees and students to access resources unavailable through traditional means. Individual student accounts and email addresses will be issued to students, however, the district may limit use for particular grade levels or groups of students. These accounts are property of the school district and may be monitored regardless of the ownership of device they are used on. Technology for educational use will be provided to students. Personal devices must follow school handbook regulations and should not be used in lieu of the school issued device.
The Internet provides a vast collection of educational resources for students and employees. It is a global network which makes it impossible to control all available information. Because information appears, disappears and changes constantly, it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate. The school district makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of information received on the Internet.
Students’ Internet activities, including email, will be monitored by the school district. The school district will use technology protection measures to protect students, to the extent technically and reasonably possible, from inappropriate access, including sites that contain obscenity, child pornography, or other material harmful to minors. The technology protection measures will block access to a large percentage of inappropriate sites; however, it should not be assumed that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications. Student Internet records and access records are confidential records treated like other student records.
Even if students have not been given access, they may still be exposed to information from the district’s computers, computer network, and/or the internet in guided curricular activities at the discretion of their teachers.
The school district will educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting on social networking sites and chat rooms. Students will also be educated on cyberbullying, including awareness and response. Employees will provide age appropriate training for students who use the Internet. The training provided will be designed to promote the school district’s commitment to:
- Student safety with regard to:
- Safety on the Internet
- Data privacy and security
- Appropriate behavior while online, on social networking
- Chat rooms/messaging
- Cyberbullying awareness and response
- Compliance with the e-Rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
- The universal service Schools and Libraries Program, commonly known as “E-rate,” provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools and libraries in the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access.
It is the policy of the Oskaloosa School District to prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors.
The district takes precautions to avoid data loss, but the potential for loss always exists. No warranties, expressed or implied, are made by the school district for its computer technology and internet access and the district will not be responsible for any damages including, but not limited to, the loss of data, delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by negligence or omission. If a student has issues with delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries for assignments, they should first consult their instructor to present proof of submission. If questions/concerns still arise, the student may appeal to the building principal to put together a plan for submission.
Any risk and/or damages resulting from information obtained from the district’s computers, network, and/or internet access is assumed by and is the responsibility of the user.
When using district-supplied technology resources, individuals agree to abide by all policies and procedures adopted by the Oskaloosa Community School District as well as all current federal, state, and local laws. These include district policies and procedures against harassment, plagiarism, and unethical conduct; as well as local, state and federal laws prohibiting theft, copyright infringement, insertion of viruses into computer systems, vandalism, and other unlawful intrusions. In the event of violation of any these policies, procedures or laws, current district disciplinary policies and practices will be followed, including those regulating the provision of information to law enforcement authorities. Internet privileges may be restricted due to disciplinary policies.
Student expectations:
- Engage in productive learning activities
- Be kind, respectful and meaningful, not harmful of other people and their property.
- Use appropriate language.
- Use online resources appropriately; no offensive, illegal, obscene or pornographic resources.
- Respect all copyright and license agreements.
- Cite all quotes, references, and sources.
- Use the network for educational purposes.
- Apply the same privacy, ethical and educational considerations utilized in other forms of communication.
- Use the school issued email account. Students should adhere to the following guidelines:
- Only send emails that are not private in nature as emails may not be private and are monitored.
- Delete unwanted messages immediately unless they are harassing or bullying, then show them to your teacher, principal or guidance counselor.
- Only use “reply all” if the reply is beneficial to the entire group.
- Use email lists appropriately.
- Do not engage in spamming or chain letters.
- Only share your password with your parent/guardian or teacher. Be aware of anyone trying to see you typing your password or using your computer while you are still signed in with your account.
- Only access your own assigned accounts.
- No unauthorized bypassing of the content filter by using vpns, proxy servers and/or other means
- Students should not intentionally disrupt network traffic or crash the network and connected systems.
- Personal devices may be used on a school guest network only, unless given permission from the Technology Director.
- Students accessing Internet services that have a cost involved will be responsible for payment of those costs.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Notification Statement
Parents/guardians of school-aged children under the age of 13:
Our district utilizes several computer applications and web-based services, operated by third parties. These include Google Apps for Education, online curriculum resources, district, state and national assessments and similar educational programs. A list of possible sites and programs used in our classrooms can be found on our district website. Web-based educational programs and services may be added during the upcoming academic year as needed.
In order for our students to use these programs and services, certain personal identifying information - generally the student’s name and school email address - must be provided to the website operator. By law, the operator may only use this information for educational purposes. Under federal law entitled the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), these websites must provide parental notification and obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. The law permits district/schools such as ours to consent to the collection of personal information on behalf of all its students, thereby eliminating the need for individual parental consent given directly to the website operator.
For more information on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), please visit http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm
Approved: April 25, 2000
Reviewed: March 9, 2021
Revised: January 12, 2021
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
Cross Reference: 104 Anti-Bullying/Harassment; 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities; 506 Student Records; 605.5 School Library