STUDENT ACCESS TO NETWORKED INFORMATION RESOURCES AND ACCEPTABLE USE PHILOSOPHY

Procedures

1.      Program Development

In order to match electronic resources as closely as possible to the curriculum, district personnel will review and evaluate resources in order to offer “home pages” and menus of materials which comply with Board guidelines listed in Board Policy 6161.1 governing the selection of instructional materials.  Staff will provide developmentally telecommunications and electronic information resources to conduct research and other studies related to the curriculum.  All students will be informed by staff of their rights and responsibilities as users of the district network prior to gaining access, either as individual users or as a member of a class or group.

As much as possible, access to district information resources will be designed in ways which point students to those which have been reviewed and evaluated by staff, they shall be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to the learning objectives.  Students may pursue electronic research independent of staff supervision only if they have been granted parental permission and have submitted all required forms.  Permission is not transferable and may not be shared.

2.      Internet Rules

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway.  Communications on the network are often public in nature.  General school rules for behavior apply.

The Network is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others.  Independent access to network services is provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.  Parent permission ID is required for minors.  Access is a privilege, not a right.  Access entails responsibility.

Individual users of the district computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over those networks.  It is presumed that users will comply with district standards and will honor the agreements they have signed.

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

During school, teachers of younger students will guide them toward appropriate materials.  Outside of school, families bear responsibility for such guidance as they must also exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media.

• The following are not permitted:
  
  • Sending or displaying offensive message or pictures
  • Using obscene language
  • Harassing, insulting or attacking others
  • Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks
  • Violating copyright laws
  • Using others’ passwords
  • Trespassing in others’ folders, work files
  • Intentionally wasting limited resources
  • Employing the network for commercial purposes 

3.      Technology Protection Measures

The school district has installed filtering software or other technologies on all school computers with Internet access, and will enforce the operation of same during any use of those computers, to prevent minors from accessing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) child pornography, or (3) harmful to minors.

The term “harmful to minors” is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC Section 254 [h] [7]), as meaning any picture, graphic image file, or other visual depictions. 

Filtering software is not foolproof.  It diminishes the likelihood that searchers will inadvertently retrieve text or images that they may find offensive, but does not eliminate that possibility.

Filters often block access to sites that users would consider both inoffensive and useful.

4.      Sanctions

1. Violations may result in a loss of access.
2. Additional disciplinary action may be determined at the building level in line with existing practice regarding inappropriate language or behavior.
3. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

Internet and Electronic Mail Permission Form

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District is pleased to offer students access to the district computer network for electronic mail and the Internet.  To gain access to e-mail and the Internet, all students under the age of 18 must obtain parent or guardian permission and must sign and return this form to the library media specialists.  Students 18 and over may sign their own forms.        

Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with Internet users throughout the world.  Families should be warned that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people.  While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well.  The district believes that the benefits to students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed any disadvantages.  Ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources.  To that end, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District support and respect each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

District Internet and E-Mail Rules

Students are responsible for good behavior on school networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway.  Communications on the network are often public in nature.  General school rules for behavior apply.

The network is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others.  Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.  Parent or legal guardian permission is required.  Access entails responsibility and is a privilege – not a right.

Individual users of the district computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over the networks.  It is presumed that users will comply with district standards and will honor the agreements they have signed.  Beyond the clarification of such standards, the district is not responsible for restricting, monitoring or controlling the communications of individuals utilizing the network.

Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers.  Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system responsibly.  Users should not expect that files stored on network servers will always be private.

Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored.  During school, teachers of younger students will guide them toward appropriate materials.  Outside of school, families bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media. 

• As outlined in Board policy and regulations on students’ rights and responsibilities, copies of which are available in school offices, the following are not permitted:
  
  • Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
  • Using obscene language
  • Harassing, insulting or attacking others
  • Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks
  • Violating copyright laws
  • Using others’ passwords
  • Trespassing in others’ folders, work files
  • Intentionally wasting limited resources
  • Employing the network for commercial purposes

Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action.

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption Date:  7/10/02

• AR 5139