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:
- The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set for in district policy;
- 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;
- Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA);
- Unauthorized access including hacking and other unlawful activities by minors online; and
- 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