Technology is a vital part of the district’s curriculum and 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.

The district provides an electronic mail address to students for academic purposes. The students are required to follow the guidelines for appropriate use (Refer to Policy 603.12-R2).

The Internet can provide a vast collection of educational resources for students and employees. It is a global network which makes it impossible to access all available information. Because information appears, disappears, and changes constantly it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate. The district makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of information received on the Internet. Although students will be under teacher supervision while utilizing the district’s network, it is not possible to constantly monitor individual students and what they are accessing on the Internet. Some students might encounter information that may not be of educational value. Student Internet records and access records are confidential records treated like other student records. Student Internet activities will be monitored by the district to ensure they are not accessing inappropriate sites that have visual depictions that include obscenity, child pornography, or are harmful to minors. Also included, but not limited to, prohibited behaviors such as cyber bullying, cheating, and misappropriation of financial instruments and like resources will also be monitored and terminated with appropriate disciplinary procedures enacted. The district uses technology protection measures to protect students from inappropriate access and from inappropriate behavior.

The district will monitor the online activities of students and 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 district’s commitment to:

1. The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set for in district policy;
2. Student safety with regard to:
   
   • Safety on the internet,
   • Appropriate behavior while online, social networking websites, and in chat rooms, and
   • Cyberbullying awareness and response;
3. Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA);
4. Unauthorized access including hacking and other unlawful activities by minors online; and
5. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.

Employees and students will be instructed on the appropriate use of the Internet. Parents will be required to give permission to allow their students to access the Internet via the PowerSchool eRegistration process.

In compliance with federal law, this policy will be maintained at least five years beyond the termination of funding under the Children’s Internet Protection Act or E-rate.

Adopted: 7/03
Reviewed: 12/09; 7/11; 4/18; 2/24
Revised: 11/7; 9/12; 10/13; 2/15; 6/21
Related Policy: 603.12; 603.12-R2; 603.12-E1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 279.8; 47 CFR 54.520
IASB Reference: 605.06
Mandatory Policy

RESPONSIBILTY FOR INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE:

1. The authority for appropriate use of electronic internet resources is delegated to licensed employees. For the purpose of this policy, internet is defined as: A collection of thousands of inter-connected computer networks involving millions of computers and users around the world. It is a collaboration of private, public, educational, governmental, and industrial sponsored networks whose operators cooperate to maintain the network infrastructure.
2. Instruction in the proper use of the internet will be available to employees who will then provide similar instruction to their students.
3. Employees are expected to practice appropriate use of the internet and violations may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

INTERNET ACCESS:

1. Access to the internet is available to employees and students as a source of information and a vehicle of communication.
2. Students will be able to access the internet with the permission of their teachers.
   
   1. Making internet access available to students carries with it the potential that some students might encounter information that may not be appropriate for students. On a global network it is impossible to control all materials because information on the internet appears, disappears, and changes so it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate.
   2. It is a goal to allow teachers and students access to rich opportunities on the internet while protecting the rights of students and parents who choose not to risk exposure to questionable materials.
   3. The smooth operation of the network relies on the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines which require efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of network resources.
   4. To reduce unnecessary system traffic, users may use real-time conference features such as video/chat/internet relay chat only as approved by the supervising teacher.
   5. Transmission of material, information, or software in violation of any school board policy or regulation is prohibited.
   6. The district makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of information received on the internet.

PERMISSION TO USE THE INTERNET:
Parents/guardians will grant annual permission for their student to use the internet.

STUDENT/STAFF USE OF THE INTERNET:

1. Equal Opportunity: The internet is available to all students/staff within the district.
    
2. Online Etiquette:
   
   1. The use of the network is a privilege and may be taken away for violation of board policy or regulations. As a user of the internet, students/staff may be allowed access to other networks. Each network may have its own set of policies and procedures. It is the user’s responsibility to abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks.
   2. Student access for electronic mail (email) will be through their student account supervised by their teacher. Students should adhere to the following guidelines:
      • Respect all copyright and license agreements;
      • Cite all quotes, references, and sources;
      • Remain on the system only long enough to get needed information; and
      • Apply the same privacy, ethical, and educational considerations utilized in other forms of communication.
   3. Students/staff should adhere to the following guidelines:
      • Others may be able to read or access emails so private messages should not be sent;
      • Delete unwanted messages immediately;
      • Use of objectionable language is prohibited;
      • Always sign messages; and
      • Always acknowledge receipt of a document or file.
         
3. Restricted Materials: Students/staff will not intentionally access or download any text files or pictures or engage in any conference that includes materials which are:
   
   1. Obscene, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd;
   2. Advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law;
   3. Constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses others;
   4. Presents a clear and present likelihood that either because of its content or the manner of distribution it will cause a material and/or substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school, district, or school activities; and
   5. Will cause the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school regulations.
4. Unauthorized Costs/Damages: If a student or district employee gains access to any services via the internet which have a cost involved or if a they incur any other type of cost due to physical damage, the student or district employee incurring such services or necessary repairs will be responsible for the cost.
    
5. Students/staff should never download or install any unauthorized software including Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass content filters, browser extensions, games, etc.

Adopted: 7/03
Reviewed: 7/11; 4/18; 2/24
Revised: 9/12; 10/13; 2/15; 8/17; 6/21
Related Policy: 603.12; 603.12-R1; 603.12-E1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 279.8; 47 CFR 54.520
IASB Reference: 605.06-R(1)

Your student has access to electronic communication known as the Internet. The vast domain of information contained within Internet libraries can provide unlimited opportunities to students.

Students may be permitted to use a school electronic mail (email) address to send and receive email at school under teacher supervision. Students will be expected to abide by the following network etiquette:

1. The use of the network is a privilege and may be taken away for violation of board policy or regulations. As a user of the Internet, students may be allowed access to other networks. Each network may have its own set of policies and procedures. Students will abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks.
2. Students will respect all copyright and license agreements.
3. Students will cite all quotes, references, and sources.
4. Students will only remain on the system long enough to get needed information.
5. Students will apply the same privacy, ethical, and educational considerations utilized in other forms of communication.
6. Whenever accessing electronic mail, students should adhere to the following guidelines:
   • Others may be able to read or access the email, so private messages should not be sent;
   • Delete unwanted messages immediately;
   • Use of objectionable language is prohibited, including explicit or inferred harassing or bullying language;
   • Always sign messages; and
   • Always acknowledge receipt of a document or file.
7. Students accessing data services that have a cost involved will be responsible for payment of the cost.
8. Students will use district-provided computer equipment appropriately and for its intended use.

Parent/guardian permission are submitted annually via the PowerSchool eRegistration process. For questions or issues with accessing PowerSchool, please contact your student’s attendance center.

Adopted: 7/03
Reviewed: 11/09; 7/11; 4/18; 2/24
Revised: 11/07; 9/12; 10/13; 2/15; 6/21
Related Policy: 603.12; 603.12-R1-R2
IASB Reference: 605.06-E(1)