FILE:  IFBGA

Cf:  EFB

COMPUTER ACCESS AND USE

INTERNET SAFETY

The Internet is a vast, global computer network that provides access to major universities, governmental agencies, other school systems, and commercial providers of data banks.  The Board shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities. Acceptable use of these resources shall be consistent with the philosophy, goals and objectives of the East Feliciana Parish School Board.  Age and grade appropriate classroom instruction shall be provided regarding Internet and cell phone safety.  Such instruction shall include appropriate online behavior, interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response, as well as areas of concern as authorized in state and federal law.

Internet access is now available to enhance innovative education for students through access to unique resources and collaborations.  Furthermore, teachers will improve learning and teaching through research, teacher training, collaboration, and dissemination of successful educational practices, methods, and materials.

In its continued efforts to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act, the Board shall adopt and enforce a policy of Internet safety that incorporates the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block or filter Internet access for minors and adults to certain visual depictions, including without limitation those that are obscene, child pornographic, or harmful to minors, including without limitation sites that are excessively, violent, pervasively vulgar, or sexually harassing.  Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited.  Only authorized persons may disable for an adult user the blocking or filtering mechanism in order to enable Internet access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes, which shall include online services for legitimate scientific or educational purposes approved by the Board, or access to online services of a newspaper with a daily circulation of at least 1,000.

In addition to filtering requirements, the Board shall maintain regulations which:

• Prohibit access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web;
  
  

• Address the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications, such as "Instant Messaging";
  
  

• Prohibit unauthorized access, including what is now known as "hacking", and other unlawful on-line activities by minors online;
  
  

• Prohibit unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
  
  

• Institutes measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.

Guidelines are provided so that Internet users are aware of the responsibilities they are about to assume.  Responsibilities include efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of network resources.  All users, including students, employees, or any other users of School Board computers, hardware, and Board network shall abide by all policies of the School Board and any applicable administrative regulations and procedures.

The student and parent or guardians shall sign an Acceptable Use of Computers and Internet Agreement, which shall be required before any student will be allowed to use school system computers.  The student and parent/guardians signatures shall be legally binding on all parties and shall indicate they have read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their significance.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Acceptable Use - The purpose of the Internet is to support research and education in and among academic institutions in the United States by providing access to unique resources and opportunities for collaborative work.  Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S., state, local or School Board regulations shall be prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade institutions.  Use for product advertisement, political lobbying, or illegal activities shall be strictly prohibited.  Subscriptions to list servers, bulletin boards, and on‑line services must be pre­-approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
   
   

2. Privileges - The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use shall result in a cancellation of those privileges and may result in disciplinary or legal action by the administration, faculty, staff, or District Technology Committee.
   
   

3. Netiquette - Users shall be expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette.  These include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. • Be polite.  Do not send abusive messages to others.  Use appropriate language.
     
     

   • Do not reveal personal addresses or phone numbers of students or colleagues.
     
     

   • Note that Electronic Mail (E-Mail) is not guaranteed to be private.  People who operate the system do have access to all mail.  Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities must be reported to the authorities.  All users should be aware that routine monitoring of the system may lead to discovery that the user has or is violating the Acceptable Use Agreement, the Student Handbook and/or the law. Routine maintenance of the system may also purge files from individual accounts.
     
     

   • Do not use the network in a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users (e.g. downloading huge files during prime time, sending mass e‑mail messages, or annoying other users using the talk or write functions).  Hardware or software shall not be destroyed, modified, or abused in any way.
     
     

   • Malicious use of the network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage the software components of a computer or computing system shall be prohibited.
     
     

   • Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks and other antisocial behaviors shall be prohibited on the network.
     
     

   • The illegal installation of copyrighted software for use on district computers shall be prohibited.
     
     

   • Use of the network to access or process pornographic material, inappropriate text files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network (LAN) shall be prohibited.

4. Security - Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users.  Any suspected security problem on the Internet shall be reported to the building technology coordinator or the principal.  The problem shall not be demonstrated to other users.  Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems shall be denied access to the Internet.
   
   

5. Vandalism - Vandalism shall result in cancellation of privileges and or other disciplinary actions.  Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware or software data of the school system, another user, the Internet Service Provider, or other networks that are connected to Internet.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.  No software, programs, or files may be installed or downloaded by any user without the prior permission of the building technology coordinator, who must scan for appropriateness and viruses.
   
   

6. Consequences of Misuse - School principals may suspend from school any student who accesses, sends, receives, or configures electronically any profane or language or pictures or violates the Code of Conduct for computer use, or any rules contained in the Acceptable Use Agreement.

CODE OF CONDUCT

EFNET Code of Conduct applies to all users of the Internet.  Honesty, integrity, and respect for the rights of others should be evident at all times.  E-mail shall be limited to teachers and whole classes.  Individuals shall not have accounts unless specifically authorized by the parent.  In no case shall photographs be permitted.  Students shall only be identified by first names.

The use of the Internet, including the World Wide Web, in any East Feliciana Parish school must be in support of education and academic research and consistent with the educational objectives of the East Feliciana Parish School System.  Neither East Feliciana Parish School Board nor any of the schools shall be responsible for any financial obligations incurred by users of the Internet.

Internet Activities that are permitted and encouraged:

• Investigation of topics being studied in school;
  
  

• Investigation of opportunities outside of school related to community service, employment or further education.

The Internet user shall be held responsible for his/her actions and activities.  Unacceptable uses of the network shall result in appropriate disciplinary action, including school suspension or revoking of these privileges.  Regulations for participation by anyone on the Internet shall include but not be not be limited to the following:

1. Users must demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respect for others at all times.  Appropriate manners and language shall be required.
   
   

2. Illegal activities, including copyright or contract violations shall not be permitted. The Internet may not be used for financial or commercial gain.
   
   

3. Degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance shall not be permitted.
   
   

4. Any attempt to alter, harm or destroy the data of another user of the Internet, or any network on the Internet shall be forbidden.
   
   

5. Wastefully using finite resources shall not be permitted.
   
   

6. Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities shall not be permitted.
   
   

7. Invading the privacy of individuals shall be prohibited.
   
   

8. Using an account owned by another user shall be prohibited.
   
   

9. Posting personal communications without the author's consent shall be prohibited.
   
   

10. Posting anonymous messages shall not be permitted.
    
    

11. Accessing or transmitting obscene, pornographic, threatening or abusive material shall be forbidden.
    
    

12. Perusing or otherwise accessing information on manufacturing bombs or other incendiary devices shall be forbidden.
    
    

13. No user shall be permitted to upload or create a computer virus on the Internet or any network system.
    
    

14. Downloading information without permission of Technology Coordinator.
    
    

15. Accessing or creating exposure in any way to pictures, graphics, or other visual depictions that taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion.
    
    

16. Accessing or creating exposure in any way to pictures, graphics, or other visual depictions that describe or represent in an offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals.
    
    

17. Accessing or creating exposure in any way to pictures, graphics, or other visual depictions that taken as a whole lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

If a student has questions about whether a specific activity is permitted, he or she should ask a teacher or administrator.  If a student accidentally accesses inappropriate material, she or he should back out of that information at once and notify the teacher.

The East Feliciana Parish School Board makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied for the service it is providing.  The East Feliciana Parish School Board shall not be responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data.  The East Feliciana Parish School Board shall not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information, obtained through any school system Internet connection.

All regulations are applicable to all users of the network. Each computer user in the East Feliciana Parish School System shall be required to sign an Acceptable Use of Computers and Internet Agreement, which shall acknowledge that the user understands and agrees to abide by all provisions governing the use of computers and access to the Internet in the East Feliciana Parish School System.  These provisions reflect an agreement of the parties and shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana and the United States of America.

The School Board may suspend or terminate any student's privilege to use the Internet at any time solely at the School Board's discretion.  The policy of the School Board defining use of the Internet serves as guidelines but does not warrant or guarantee access to or use of the Internet. Consequently, the School Board may, at any time and in its sole discretion, end the privilege of any individual student or of all students to use the Internet without notice, cause or reason.

Ref:    20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)

47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA))

47 CFR 54.520 (Children's Internet Protection Act Certifications for Schools and Libraries)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7, 17:280

Board minutes, 11-4-97,1-2-99, 12-04-01, 7-6-04, 3-3-09, 1-8-13

East Feliciana Parish School Board