BRANDON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPUTER
ACCEPTABLE USE EXPECTATIONS
update August 2015
A. Purpose of this Document
The Brandon Valley School District
provides Information Technology services for the student body and faculty. We
are pleased to bring the following services to the district and believe that
they offer a vast, diverse, and unique set of opportunities to both students and
teachers. These services include Internet services, web-hosting, e-mail
services, and other related services provided via the computer network. The
district has made a substantial investment in human and financial resources to
create and maintain these systems. State law requires each district to have a
written policy in place concerning the proper use of Information Technology
within the classroom, which this document outlines.
With access to computers and people all
over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be
considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting.
However, it is the school district’s belief that the valuable information and
interaction on these networks far outweigh the possibility that the user may
locate material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the
district. Internet users, like traditional library users, are responsible for
their actions in accessing online resources. In addition, the smooth operation
of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users. These guidelines
are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you as an end
user are about to acquire. In general this requires efficient, ethical, and
legal utilization of the network. If a user violates any of these provisions,
he/she will be subject to the penalties listed in this document. The
signature(s) at the end of this document is (are) binding and indicates the
party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully
and understand(s) their significance.
B. Privileges
The use of computers and all the
services that are provided via them is a privilege. Improper use of these
resources will result in the temporary or permanent loss of these services
and/or other disciplinary measures, including but not limited to: being subject
to the school district discipline policy and being required to monetarily
compensate the district for any malicious damage.
Students who are at risk of failing
classes may be subject to temporary restrictions of access.
Every user in the district is expected
to follow all local, state, and federal laws when using the services provided by
the district. Failure to do so will result in prosecution.
Your use of the Internet and related
services must be acceptable and in agreement with the objectives and in
accordance with the rules of student conduct of the Brandon Valley School
District and also with state and federal regulations. Internet usage may be
monitored. No right to privacy shall be construed, nor do academic freedom
issues apply.
C. General
Guidelines
1. Students will have access to all
available forms of electronic media and communication that support the
educational goals of the Brandon Valley School District.
2. Students are responsible for their
ethical and educational use of the technology resources of the Brandon Valley
School District.
3. Access to
the Brandon Valley School District technology resources is a privilege and not a
right.
4. Any attempt to alter data, the
configuration of a computer, or the files of another user without the consent of
the individual, will be considered an act of vandalism and subject to
disciplinary action in accordance with the discipline procedures.
D. Legal
1. Student will comply with trademark
and copyright laws and all license agreements. Ignorance of the law is not
immunity. If you are unsure, ask a teacher or parent.
2. Plagiarism is a violation of the
Brandon Valley Schools District’s disciplinary procedures. Give credit to all
sources used, whether quoted or summarized. This includes all forms of media on
the Internet such as: graphics, movies, music, and text.
3. Use or possession of hacking
software is strictly prohibited and violators will be subject to disciplinary
procedures. Violation of applicable state or federal law, including the South
Dakota Penal Code, Computer Crimes will result in criminal prosecution or
disciplinary action by the Brandon Valley School District.
E. E-mail
1. Students should make sure their
K-12 e-mail account works at all times. Students should check their K-12 e-mail
accounts regularly. Brandon Valley High School office staff, teachers,
principals, counselors, coaches, etc. will be communicating upcoming
appointments, requests and announcements through e-mail or other approved forms
of communication.
2. Students should maintain high
integrity with regard to e-mail content.
-always use appropriate language
-do not transmit language or material that is profane, obscene,
abusive, bully like or offensive to others.
3. Do not send mass e-mails, chain
letters or, spam.
4. K-12 e-mail accounts are considered
property of the state. Student e-mail is subject to inspection by school
officials at any time.
F. Web Hosting
Services
1. The state data center will host
websites for students. These websites that the state hosts are to be
educational in nature.
2. All copyrights are to be respected
in relationship to these websites that the students create.
3. The content of the websites must
be school appropriate at all times.
4. Students cannot use the website
for commercial, profiting, non-school, political purposes.
G. Printing
1. All students must have approval
from a teacher before printing a document or image.
2. All materials being printed must
be school related.
3. Printing can be monitored.
H. Hacking,
Cracking, and Virus Creation
1. Going around the school firewall
is not allowed.
2. Spreading a
malicious virus or related rogue software is not allowed.
3. It is the financial
responsibility of the student involved in hacking any district and/or
state-owned systems. The student, his/her parents, or legal guardians will
reimburse the district for costs incurred by the district. This includes but is
not limited to: labor costs for tracking down the user and repairing any damage
done accidentally or otherwise, consulting and legal fees, computer forensic
fees and any fees incurred from outside sources hired by the district.
I. Network
Security
1. If a student identifies a security
problem on the network, they must notify the classroom teacher. Do not share
the problems with others. Do not exploit any security holes.
2. Students are not allowed to
download programs, files, games, or other electronic media.
3. Disrupting the network or the work
of others is not allowed.
4. Students will not modify or abuse
any software.
5. Students are not allowed to use
the network for fraudulent copying, communications, or modification of materials
in violation of copyright laws.
6. Students must not use the network
to intentionally obtain or modify files, passwords and data belong to other
users.
7. User accounts are considered
property of the Brandon Valley School District. The School District expressly
reserves the right at any time to review the subject, content and
appropriateness of electronic communications or other computer files and remove
them if warranted.
8. Any violation in the network
security will be reported to the administration and law enforcement officials if
necessary.
9. Students using the Brandon Valley
School District’s network shall have no expectation of privacy or
confidentiality on the content of electronic communications or other computer
files sent and received on the District network.
J. Privacy and
Safety
1. Do not access, use, or change
computer files that do not belong to you.
2. Do not reveal your full name,
phone number, home address, social security number, credit card number,
passwords or passwords of other people.
3. Remember that storage is not
guaranteed to be private or confidential; the district may access anything on
your computer at any time.
4. If a student inadvertently
accesses a website that contains obscene, pornographic or offensive material,
notify a teacher or principal immediately so that such websites can be blocked
from further and future access. This is not merely a request; it is a
responsibility.
K. Social Media
1. Social media websites such as
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. are blocked at school.
2. The Brandon Valley School District
is not responsible for material hosted on these types of websites.
3. Brandon Valley School District
will assist authorities in every way possible should there be materials on these
types of websites that threaten the well-being of members in the district.
L. Using the District Network
1. At log-in
all users will be required to acknowledge understanding of the Brandon Valley
School District’s Acceptable Use Agreement before being allowed to log on and
use the school district network.
2. Parents or
guardians of minors will provide confirmation of their understanding of the
Acceptable Use Agreement and give permission for use on the annual registration
card.
3.
Students will only log on to the network using the username given to them by the
school district.
M. Disclaimer
1. The
Brandon Valley School District will not be responsible for loss of information
nor the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the Internet.
2. The Brandon
Valley School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or
implied, for the service it is providing.
3.
The Brandon Valley School District will not be responsible for any damages a
user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays in Internet
service, non-deliveries or mis-deliveries of e-mail, or service interruptions of
any kind.
4.
The school district policy regarding use of the Internet and related services
will be posted in all computer labs and is available in each school library.
N. Violating the Acceptable Use Expectations may result in:
1. Loss of
network access.
2. Disciplinary or legal action,
including, but not limited to, criminal prosecution under appropriate state and
federal laws.
O. Staff Responsibilities
1. Staff members who supervise
students, control electronic equipment, or otherwise have occasion to observe
student use of said equipment online, shall make reasonable efforts to monitor
the use of this equipment to assure that it conforms to the mission and goals of
the Brandon Valley School District.
2. Staff should make reasonable
efforts to become familiar with the Internet and its use so that effective
monitoring, instruction, and assistance may be achieved.
Rules include but are not limited to those listed above. The
Brandon Valley School District reserves the right to add to or make changes to
this document upon approval of the district School Board. Any changes will be
made public through the School Board minutes.
Computer Acceptable Use Expectations
Summary (August 2015)
1. Using the network for illegal
activities, including copyright, license violations, downloading inappropriate
materials, viruses, and/or software such as (but not limited to) hacking and
host file sharing software.
2. Using the network for financial or
commercial gain, advertising, or political lobbying.
3. Accessing or exploring online
locations or materials that do not support the curriculum and/or are
inappropriate for school assignments such as (but not limited to) pornographic
sites.
4. Vandalizing and/or tampering with
equipment, programs, files, software, system performance or other components of
the network. Use or possession of hacking software is strictly prohibited.
5. Causing congestion on the network
or interfering with the work of others such as chain letters or broadcast
messages to lists or individuals.
6. Intentionally wasting finite
resources such as online time, real-time music.
7. Gaining unauthorized access
anywhere on the network.
8. Revealing the home address or
phone number of one’s self or another person.
9. Invading the privacy of other
individuals.
10. Using another user’s account,
password, or allowing another user to access your account or password.
11. Coaching, helping, observing, or
joining any unauthorized activity on the network.
12. Forwarding/distributing e-mail
messages without permission from the author.
13. Posting anonymous messages or
unlawful information on the system.
14. Engaging in sexual harassment or
using objectionable language in public or private messages.
15. Using comments that are racist,
terroristic, abusive, sexually explicit, threatening, stalking, demeaning,
slanderous, bullying, or sexist.
16. Falsifying permission,
authorization, or identification documents.
17. Obtain copies or modify files,
data, or passwords belonging to other users on the network.
18. Knowingly placing a computer virus
on a computer or network.
Cell Phone / Electronic Devices (different than printed handbook, which is wrong)
Students driving and texting in the parking lot will forfeit their spot for the entire year, and no refund will be given.
Cell phones/electronic devices may be used in the high school building before and after the school day, between class periods in the hallways, and in the commons during lunch periods and free periods. Cell phones may only be used in the classroom for academic purposes at the direction of the teacher. Digital images or taking inappropriate photographs of any kind are prohibited to ensure the privacy of others. When a device is confiscated, the electronic device must be turned over unaltered to the staff member. Any misuse of any electronic device will result in the following disciplinary actions (per semester):
i. First Offense -- returned only directly to parent or guardian.
ii. Second Offense -- returned only to parent or guardian Saturday School points (3 points) for student.
iii. Third Offense -- returned only to parent or guardian and one half-day Saturday School (5 points)
iv. Fourth Offense -- returned only to parent or guardian and in-school suspension (1 day)
v. Fifth Offense -- returned only to parent or guardian and out-of-school suspension (1 day)
vi. Each additional offense will incur an increase by one day to the number of out-of-school suspension days a student will receive (Ex: Sixth Offense -- 3 days…)
*If a parent or guardian is not physically able to pick the cell phone up in the high school office, the device will be mailed home.