6141.321

Instruction

Acceptable Use of Technology

The Board endorses student use of technology and the Internet for learning and research which enhances information available through other mediums. This includes participation in distance learning activities, asking questions of and consulting experts, communicating with other students and individuals, and locating material to meet the educational needs of the students of the Manchester Public Schools. The Internet, a global electronic information infrastructure, is a network of networks used by educators, businesses, the government, and numerous organizations. The Board of Education believes that the Internet is a valuable tool that should be used in schools to educate and inform students, much like books, magazines, video, CD-ROM and other informational sources.

While the Internet can provide students with a vast array of educational and informational resources, it can also be a window through which students could access information which is neither pertinent to nor appropriate for an educational setting. The availability of such electronic information does not imply endorsement by the Board of Education of its content nor of the use of such information by students and staff. It is important to give students assistance and guidance in accessing information which is beneficial to their education and equally important to recognize that total monitoring of students' access to the Internet would be impossible. Therefore, individual users of the Manchester Public School Network are responsible for their use of the network and are expected to use it responsibly.

To ensure appropriate usage of technology, the administration will establish guidelines for student exploration and use of electronic information resources. Such guidelines shall address issues of privacy, ethical use of information with respect to intellectual property, illegal uses of the network, and conditions of usage. The guidelines shall strive to preserve students' rights to examine and use information to meet the educational goals and objectives of the district. In addition, the district shall take steps, such as using filtering programs to block access to objectionable material, using access controls and supervision by staff to monitor and/or restrict access to the electronic informational resources.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes, Section 53a-182b
Harassment in the first degree: Class D felony

Adopted: August 26, 1996 (as Policy 5145.3)
Revised: June 24, 2002 (as Policy 6141.321)

Administrative Guidelines

In recognition of the potential for improper use of the Internet in the educational setting, the Manchester Board of Education requires that students who use the Internet comply with the following policies, and any other usage guidelines promulgated by the administration:

1. The use of the Internet is a privilege. As the owner of both the available hardware and software, the Manchester Public Schools may withhold this privilege. Failure to adhere to the established guidelines may result in the loss of Internet access, disciplinary action and/or referral to legal authorities.
2. Use of the Internet must be in support of education and research consistent with the educational goals and objective of the Manchester Public Schools.
3. E mail may be used for educational or administrative purposes. E-mail is not private. Those who operate the system have access to all e-mail which may be monitored at any time by designated staff to ensure appropriate use for instructional and administrative purposes.
4. Users must not reveal personal information about themselves or others, including, but not limited to, the following: home address, telephone numbers, password, social security number or credit card number.
5. Users will comply with all state, federal and local laws, including, but not limited to, copyright laws and laws prohibiting harassment by computer.
6. Users must not interfere with others' work or with the performance of the computers, both hardware and software. Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to, the following: attempting to illicitly obtain or use passwords or screen names, entering closed areas of the network, introducing computer viruses or committing acts of vandalism, and/or any attempt to harm or destroy data of another user.
7. Users may not establish any official representation of the school or school district (e.g., Internet home page) without obtaining prior approval of school administration.
8. Each user will abide by the generally accepted rules of etiquette and applicable school policies, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Use appropriate language. Do not write or send abusive/offensive messages or those which contain vulgarities
• Chain letters and pyramid schemes (chain letters with money) are illegal.
• Deliberate overload of the system (e.g., "spamming") is prohibited.
  
  To ensure that only authorized students who understand the bounds of permitted use will have access to the Internet, Manchester Public Schools must obtain the written permission of a student's parent or legal guardian before the student may access the Internet, unless the student is 18 or older.
  
  
  Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes, Section 53a-182b
  Harassment in the first degree: Class D felony.
  
  Reference: Cheshire Public Schools
  
  Adopted: August 26, 1996 (as Policy 5145.3)
  Revised: June 24, 2002 (as Policy 6141.321)
  
  

Rules and Codes of Ethics for School Computer Users

Internet access is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others in relation to school work. Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Students will use computer resources for educational purposes and in compliance with instructional activities. Parent permission is required unless a students is 18 years of age. Access is a privilege, not a right. Individual users are responsible for their use of the network. Therefore, based upon the acceptable use guidelines outlined in this document, the system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use. Decisions are final. The system administrators may deny, revoke, or suspend specific user access at any time.

District guidelines are as follows:

The use of the computer and the Internet must be in support of education and research and must be consistent with the academic expectations of the Manchester Public School System. Transmission of any material in violation of U.S. or State regulations including copyrighted, threatening, or obscene material is prohibited. Use for commercial activities by for profit organizations, product promotion, political lobbying, or illegal activities is strictly prohibited.

The user is also expected to abide by the following rules of etiquette:

• Be polite. Do not write or send abusive messages.
• Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language.
• Transmission of obscene material is prohibited. Deliberately sending or receiving offensive messages or pictures from any source will result in immediate suspension of privileges.
• Do not reveal your or other students' personal addresses or telephone numbers.
• Do not communicate any credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or any other financial information.
• Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Inappropriate messages can result in suspension of privileges.
• Do not use the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by others.
• Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user will not be tolerated. Any questionable action will result in the suspension of privileges.

Very truly yours,


Principal

NOTE: Violation of any of the above mentioned rules and regulations will result in a loss of access and may result in other disciplinary or legal actions.

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement
Grades 6-12

Student Agreement

I, _________________as a user of the Manchester School District's
(student name)
electronic information resources and computer networks, accept and agree to abide by the Acceptable Use of Technology Policy of the Manchester Board of Education and with the following pre conditions of my use:

1. I will use electronic information resources only for educational and research purposes and only as those purposes are consistent with the educational objectives of the Manchester Board of Education;
2. I will use electronic information resources in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner at all times;
3. I will be considerate of other electronic information users and their privacy, and I will use polite and appropriate language at all times while accessing and using these resources;
4. I will not give out any personal information about myself or anyone else while using these resources, other than my first name and school e mail address;
5. I will make responsible decisions while accessing and using these resources;
6. I will not knowingly degrade or disrupt electronic information resources, services, or equipment, and I understand that such activity may be considered to be a crime and includes, for example, tampering with computer hardware and software, vandalizing or modifying data without permission, invoking computer viruses, attempting to gain access to restricted or unauthorized networks or network services, or violating copyright laws;
7. I will immediately report any problems or breaches of these responsibilities, or any inappropriate messages received, to my teacher or to the school personnel who are supervising my use of these resources;
8. I will act responsibly at all times and will avoid all other activities that are considered to be inappropriate in the non electronic school environment;
9. If I do not follow these rules, I know that I may lose my privilege to use the computers at school, that I may be disciplined for not following the rules, and that I may have to pay for any damage I cause by my misuse of these resources;
10. I am aware that the inappropriate use of these resources can be a violation of local, state, and federal laws and that I may be prosecuted for violating those laws.

Student Signature________________________ Date _____________

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement

Parental Consent

I give the Manchester School District my permission to allow my child to access and use electronic information resources for educational and research purposes.

I have read this Acceptable Use Agreement and have explained and discussed its importance with my child. I understand that prior to my child's use of these resources, he/she will be instructed by school staff in the use of these resources and will also be instructed to follow the Board's Policy 6141.321, Acceptable Use of Technology.

I understand, and I explained to my child, that he/she may lose his/her privilege to use these resources at school and may face disciplinary action if he/she does not follow this Agreement and the Board's Policy. I understand that I may be held liable for costs incurred by my child's deliberate misuse of electronic information resources or of the District's electronic equipment or software programs.

I understand that the district will employ filtering programs, access controls, and active supervision by staff to protect students from any misuses and abuses as a result of their use of the district's electronic information services. I also understand that these controls, filters, and monitors are not foolproof and that my child may access material which I might consider controversial and offensive. I understand that the Manchester School District has no control over the content of the information available on the Internet. I will not hold the Board liable for materials my child obtains from these electronic information resources.

Date: _______________________

Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement
Grades K-5

Student Agreement

I,___________________________, as a user of the Manchester School District's computers and computer equipment, agree to follow the policy of the Manchester Board of Education and the following rules:

1. I will only use the computer for assignments given by my teacher.
2. I will not try to access online information that is not related to my school assignment.
3. I will use the computer in a responsible manner at all times, following all rules.
4. I will be considerate of other computer users and their privacy.
5. I will use polite and appropriate language at all times while using the computer.
6. I will not give out any personal information about myself or anyone else while using the computer.
7. I will make responsible decisions while accessing and using computer equipment.
8. I will treat computer equipment carefully. I understand that misusing equipment may be considered a crime. Examples of misusing computers are breaking copyright laws, vandalizing equipment, tampering with hardware, software, and
   other users' files.
9. I will report any problems or improper messages to my teacher or to school personnel who are supervising me.
10. If I do not follow these rules, I know that I may lose my privilege to use the computers at school. I may be disciplined for not following the rules. I may have to pay for any damages that I cause by misusing computers or computer equipment.
11. If I do not use computers and computer equipment properly, my actions may be reported to those responsible for enforcing the local, state and/or federal laws.

Student Signature________________________Date:____________Grade:_________