NETWORK ACCESS

In order to implement board policy IJNDBC, the following guidelines have been developed:

1.  Parkway School District provides employees and students with access to the district computer network that includes Internet access for educational purposes. The term “educational purposes” include use of the network for classroom activities, professional or career development, and individual research activities.

2.  Network access is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others. Such resources will prepare students to enter into the increasingly complex environment in their lives after high school and as they eventually enter the workforce. It will also ensure that students, teachers, and other staff members have access to the latest research materials and information.

3.  Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or school hallway. General school rules for behavior and communications apply. Network access will be provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner, who use good judgment, who show respect for people and property and demonstrate ethical decision-making.

4.  The district will notify the parents/guardians and students about the district network and the policies governing its use. Parents/guardians or students must sign an agreement to allow access to the Internet. Students eighteen and older may sign their own form. Families should be warned that some material accessible might contain items that are offensive to some people. Parkway School District supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to sign for access. Permission forms will be required for all students new to Parkway and current students in transition to 6th and 9th grade.

5.  Network storage areas are treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system in a responsible manner. Users should not expect that files stored on district servers would always be private.

6.  In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the school district has implemented internet filtering. This will not replace the interaction between students, teachers, and librarians in the use of the Internet. Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored. During school, teachers, librarians, and computer resource specialists will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of the Internet .  Students will be instructed on safety and security issues, including instruction on the dangers of sharing personal information about themselves or others when using email, social media, chat rooms or other forms of direct electronic communication.  Instruction will also address cyber bullying awareness and response and appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms.  Ethical behaviors regarding plagiarism and copyright will be encouraged and reinforced.

7.  The Network Access policy contains restrictions on access of inappropriate material. There is a wide range of material available on the Internet, some of which may not fit with the particular values of the families of the students. It is not possible for the district to monitor and enforce a wide range of social values in student use of the Internet.

8.  When using the Internet for class activities, teachers will make every effort to select material that is appropriate for the age of the students and relevant to the course objectives. Teachers will preview sites and materials they require or recommend students to access in order to determine appropriateness of the material contained on or accessed through the site.

9.  Teachers will make every effort to provide guidelines and lists of resources to assist students in channeling their research activities effectively and properly.

10.  Teachers will assist students in developing skills to ascertain the truthfulness of information, distinguish fact from opinion, and engage in discussions about controversial issues while demonstrating tolerance and respect for those who hold divergent views.

11.  District policies pertaining to staff on moral turpitude and appropriate behavior apply to staff use of network resources.  To adhere to the Network Access policy the following are not permitted:

• Hacking and other unlawful activities
• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
• Using obscene language
• Harassing, insulting, or attacking others
• Accessing material that advocates illegal acts or violence
• Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks
• Violating copyright laws
• Using another person’s folders, work, or files
• Intentionally wasting limited resources
• Employing the network for commercial purposes
• Unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors
• Violating other policies of the district that may apply.
• Releasing invasive software/spyware for the purpose of gathering personal information of other users.

Disciplinary actions will be tailored to meet specific concerns related to the violation and to assist the student in gaining self-discipline necessary to behave appropriately on the network. Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action as referenced in Policy JK, Student Discipline.

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Reviewed:             July 2, 2012