Rockland Public Schools


ROCKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ STUDENT

TECHNOLOGY & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE POLICY

  

The Rockland Public Schools believe technology offers valuable, diverse, and unique resources to teachers and students that promote educational excellence. Rockland is committed to helping students use educational technology as an effective educational tool and to meet state and national educational standards.

 

Technology and electronic communication device (ECD) users are responsible for appropriate behavior and acceptable use when accessing technology in the schools.  General school rules for conduct and communication apply to Internet use and the use of any ECD.  This includes, but is not limited to computers, scanners, still and video cameras, cell phones, GPS units, ProScopes, SmartBoards, LCD projectors, PDAs, and all electronic devices. Use of technology shall be considered a privilege, not a right of each individual. Failure of a user to follow acceptable use standards may result in termination of technology privileges, appropriate disciplinary action as stated in school policies, and possible notification to law enforcement. The Rockland Public School District will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to illegal activities conducted within or through the school system.

 

Use of technology and ECDs within the district should be used solely for educational purposes. It is important to recognize that traditional instructional resources and library materials can be screened with reasonable selection criteria. Technology that links to any public file server provides access to material that may not be considered educationally sound in the context of the school setting. Rockland Public Schools has taken precautions to restrict access to unacceptable information. However, it is important to understand that no solution is 100% perfect, and at times educational sites may be inadvertently blocked. Conversely, inappropriate sites may be unblocked.  Students will be provided with guidance and instruction in the appropriate use of technology resources including the Internet.

 

Students must obtain permission from a staff member each and every time they use technology equipment.  Student use of technology will be permitted upon verification of the signing of the school’s student handbook. The principal or designee will maintain signature records, and will be responsible for enforcing the Technology/Electronic Communication Device Policy.

 

 

Technology Terms and Conditions

 

  1. User Personal Safety includes, but is not limited to:
    • Users will not post personal information about themselves or others. Personal information includes, but is not limited to the following: name, address, profiles, telephone, date of birth, pictures, etc.
    • Users will never arrange for meetings with anyone they have met online without the knowledge of the school and permission of a parent/guardian.
    • Users will promptly disclose to their teacher or administrator any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
    • Users will not harass another person or engage in personal attacks, including those prejudicial or discriminatory in nature.

 

 

  1. Respecting Technology Equipment:
    • Users will exercise caution when handling technology devices.
    • Users will follow guidelines for proper usage of equipment.
    • Users will not use another person’s computer resources without authorization.

 

 

  1. RPS System Security:
    • Users should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from gaining access to their account(s). (Example: private passwords)  All users are responsible for their individual account(s).
    • If an individual suspects a possible security breech, the user will immediately contact the building principal.
    • Users will not disseminate passwords, codes, telephone numbers, account numbers, grades, or other individuals’ documents to unauthorized persons.
    • The Rockland Public Schools’ network and related technologies are the property of the school department and its storage systems, subject to inspection by administration at any time.  Users should not have a privacy expectation in the contents of their personal files on the district network including all ECDs.
    • Rockland Public Schools reserves the right to monitor any Internet or ECD activities occurring on school equipment or accounts.

 

 

  1. Illegal Activities:
    • Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the RPS system(s), or to go beyond their authorized access.
    • Users will not deliberately attempt to disrupt the performance of any computer system or destroy data via a virus or any other means.
    • Users will not use the RPS system to engage in any illegal act.

 

 

  1. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement:
    • Users will respect the rights of all copyright owners, recognizing that infringement occurs when a person reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright. Students should check with teachers and support staff regarding laws.
    • Users will not plagiarize; therefore, they should cite all quotes, references, and sources. Acknowledging the source of a copyrighted material does not substitute for obtaining reproduction rights.
    • Users may reproduce copyrighted works within the limits of fair use, and using proper citation.  Fair use is explained at: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

 

 

  1. Technology Etiquette:
    • Technology Etiquette includes, but is not limited to the following:

                                                                .      Be polite! Do not get abusive in your messages to others.

                                                                .      Exercise caution when using sarcasm and humor.  Without face-to-face communications, a joke or statement may be misunderstood.

                                                                .      Show consideration and respect for others at all times.

                                                                .      Be respectful of the rights of other network users and do not violate their privacy.

                                                                .      Be aware of the intent and function of an individual or group before sending a message.

    • Inappropriate Language includes, but is not limited to:

                                                                .      Posting of public and private messages on web pages, PDAs, cell phones, and other devices.

                                                                .      Users will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, offensive, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language.

                                                                .      Users will not participate in hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other harmful or inappropriate behaviors.

    • Respect for Privacy includes, but is not limited to:

                                                                .      Users will not forward or post a message that was sent to them privately without the consent of the person who sent it.

                                                                .      Users will not post private information about another person.

                                                                .      Users will not interfere with other users ECD work or files.

 

 

  1. Inappropriate Access to Material includes, but is not limited to:
    • User will not use district technology to access material that is

                                                                .      profane or obscene (pornography),

                                                                .      advocates illegal or violent activities, or

                                                                .      advocates discrimination towards other individuals or groups.

    • If a user inadvertently accesses inappropriate material, he/she should immediately notify his/her teacher or administrator, thereby avoiding an allegation of intentional violation of the Technology/Electronic Communication Device Policy.

 

 

  1. Respecting Resource Limits:
    • Users will use technology specifically for educational or career development activities.
    • Users will not download large files or software programs without the authorization of the systems administrator.  Software, particularly if it is offered as “free”, comes with undetectable spyware and advertising that can disable a computer or an entire system. 
    • Users will not post chain letters or engage in “spamming” (sending unnecessary messages to a large number of people).
    • Users will not create a website using district technology.  Exception: A website created under the direct supervision of a teacher as part of a school-related project.
    • Users may not use the network for personal and commercial purposes, such as, but not limited to, offering or purchasing goods and/or services for personal use.
    • Users will not alter in any way the configuration of a computer or network without permission of authorized staff.
    • Users will not intentionally waste resources, such as paper, ink cartridges, ribbons, storage space, diskettes, batteries, etc.

 

 

  1. Appropriate / Inappropriate Use of Educational Technology:
    • Users will not use any district technology to play games that have been downloaded onto a technology device, or that are played on the Internet. Assigned, teacher approved interactive tools, which are directly related to the curriculum, are permitted.
    • Users will not use the Internet or other technology media to access chat rooms or any type of instant messaging.
    • Users will not access personal accounts including, but not limited to email, music, banking, shopping and other personal accounts.
    • Users will not access the Internet or other technology media for financial or commercial gain.  Ex.  Gambling, E-Bay
    • Users’ activities, projects, or materials developed with technology and ECDs of the Rockland Public Schools must reflect our educational standards and policies.  This includes, but is not limited to web page designs, PowerPoint presentations, radio broadcasts, etc.
    • Users will not impersonate other individuals real or fictional.

 

 

  1. District Limitation of Liability:

·         The Rockland Public Schools makes no expressed or implied guarantees that the activities or services provided by district technology or ECDs will be error-free or without defect.  The RPS district will not be responsible for any damages to users including, but not limited to loss of data, interruptions of service, personal or psychological damages, or financial losses.  The district is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of content obtained through our network or stored on our systems.  Finally, the district will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations incurred from use of our ECDs or any components of our technology system.

 

Approved by Rockland School Committee: April 10, 2006