These procedures are written to support the Electronic Recources Policy of the Ipswich Public School District 22-6 school board and to promote postitive and effective digital citizenship among students and staff.  Digital citizenship represents more than technology literacy: successful, technologically fluent digital citizens live safely and civilly in an increasingly digital world.  They recognize that information posted on the Internet is public and permanent and can have long-term impact on an individual's life and career.  Expectations for students and staff behavior online are no different than face-to-face interactions.

NETWORK

The district network includes wired and wireless computers and peripheral equipment, files and storage, e-mail and Internet content (blogs, websites, webmail, groups, wiki, etc.).  The district reserves the right to prioritize the use of, and access to, the network.

All use of the network must support education and research and be consistent with the mission of the district.

Acceptable network use by district students and staff include:

• Creation of files, projects, videos, web pages, and podcasts using network resources in support of educational research;
• Participation in blogs, wikis, bulletin boards, social networking sites and groups and the creation of content for podcasts, e-mail, and web pages that support educational research;
• With parental permission, the online publication of original educational material, curriculum related materials and student work.  Sources outside the classroom or school must be cited appropriately;
• Staff use of the network for incidental personal use in accordance with all district policies and guidelines;

Unacceptable network use by district students and staff includes but is not limited to:

• Personal gain, commercial solicitation and compensation of any kind;
• Liablity or cost incurred by the district;
• Downloading, installation and use of games, audio files, video files or other applications (including shareware or freeware) without permission or approval;
• Support or opposition for ballot measures, candidates and any other political activity;
• Hacking, cracking, vandalizing, the introduction of viruses, worms, Trojan horses, time bombs and changes to hardware, software, and monitoring tools:
• Unauthorized access to other district computers, networks and information systems;
• Cyberbulling, hate mail, defamation, harassment of any kind, discriminatory jokes and remarks;
• Information posted, sent or stored online that could endanger others (e.g., bomb construction, drug manufacture);
• Accessing, uploading, downloading, storage and distribution of obscene, pornographic or sexually equipment to the district network.  Any such equipment will be confiscated and destroyed.

The district will not be responsible for any damages suffered by any user, including but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or any other errors or omissions.  The district will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from the use of, or access to, the district's computer network or the internet.

Internet Safety

Personal Information and Inappropriate Content

Students and staff should not reveal personal information, including a home address and phone number, on websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, wikis, email or as content on any other electronic medium.

No student pictures or names can be published on any class, school or district website unless the appropriate permission has been verified according to district policy.

If students encounter dangerous or inappropriate information or messages, they should notify the appropriate school authority.

Filtering and Monitoring

Filtering software is used to block or filter access to visual depictions that are obscene and all child pornography in accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).  Other objectionable material could be filtered.  The determination of what constitutes "other objectionable" material is local decision.

• Filtering software is not 100% effective.  While filters make it more difficult for objectionable material to be received or accessed; filters are not a solution in themselves.  Every user must take responsibility for his or her use of the network and Internet and avoid objectionable sites;
• Any attempts to defeat or bypass the district's Internet filter or conceal Internet activity are prohibited: proxies, https, special ports, modifications to district browser settings and any other techniques designed to evade filtering or enable the publications of inappropriate content;
• Email inconsistent with the educational and research mission of the district will be considered SPAM and blocked from entering district email boxed;
• The district will provide appropriate adult supervision of Internet use. The first line of defense in controlling access by minors to inappropriate material on the Internet if deliberate and consistent monitoring of student access to district computers;
• Staff members who supervise students, control electronic equipment or have occasion to observe student use of said equipment online, must make a reasonable effor to monitor the use of this equipment to assure that student use conforms to the mission and goals of the district; and
• Staff must make a reasonable effort to become familiar with the Internet and monitor, instruct and assist effectively.

Copyright

Downloading, copying, duplicating and distributing software, music and sound files, movies, images or other copyrighted materials without specific written permission of the copyright owner is generally prohibited.  However, the duplication and distribution of material for educational purposes are permitted when such duplication and distribution fall within in the Fair Use Doctrine of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, USC) and content is cited appropriately.

All student work is copyrighted.  Permission to publish any student work requires permission from the parent and guardian.

Network Security and Privacy

Network Security

Passwords are the first level of security for a user account. System logins and accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account, for authorized district purposes.  Students and staff are responsible for all acitvity on their account and must not share their account password.

These procedures are designed to safeguard network user accounts:

• Change password according to district policy;
• Do not use another user's account;
• Do not insert passwords into email or other communications;
• If you write down your account password, keep it out of sight
• Do not store passwords in a file without encryption;
• Do not use the "remember password" feature of Internet browsers; and
• Lock the screen, or log off, if leaving the computer

Student Data is Confidential

District staff must maintain the confidentialitly of student data in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (PERPA).

No Expectation of Privacy

The district provides the network system, email and Internet access as a tool for education and research in support of the district's mission.  The district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store, without prior notice, information about the content and usage of:

• The network;
• User files and disk space utilization;
• User applications and bandwidth utilization;
• User document files, folders and electronic communications;
• Email;
• Internet access; and
• Any and all information transmitted or received in connection with network and email use.

No student or staff user should have any expectation of privacy when using the district's network.  The district reserves the right to disclose any electronic message to law enforcement officials or third parties as appropriate. All documents are subject to the public records disclosure laws of the State of South Dakota.

Archive and Backup

Backup is made of all district e-mail correspondence for purposes of public disclosure and disaster recovery.  Barring power outage or intermittent technical issues, staff and student files are backed up on district servers' nightly-Monday through Friday.  Refer to the district retention policy for specific records retention requirements.

Disciplinary Action

All users of the district's electronic resources are required to comply with the district's policy and procedures and agree to abide by the provisions set forth in the district's acceptable use policy.  Violation of any of the conditions of use explained in the district acceptable use policy of Electronic Resources Policy or could be cause for displinary action, including suspension or expulsion from school and suspension of revocation of network and computer access privileges.

Personal Information

In addition to the above student agreement, as a parent or guardian I also recognize that it is impossible for the district to control access to all information or materials and I will not hold the school responsible for materials acquired, or contact made, on the internet.  I also accept full responsibility for supervision of my child of the school setting.  With the understanding, I hereby give permission for my child to utilize the school internet services listed below.  (Please initial those for which your permission is granted). Middle School and High School students need an email address as they can communicate with teachers, and receive and submit homework assignments to teachers.  This access can be limited-per parent request-to in district only communication.

(Note: Under no circumstances will a child's home address or phone number be published on the internet)