AUP

Acceptable Use Policy for Students 5.2.0.0.0 Student Progress 5.2.9.0.0 Internet, Network, Technology, //**Electronic Mail and All Forms of Instant Messaging Acceptable Use Policy for Students**// 1.0 Purpose The purpose of school district-provided technology, //**Internet access, Electronic Mail ("E-Mail"), and All Forms of Instant Messaging**// is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. To remain eligible as users, students must restrict their activities to endeavors which are in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of the Kansas City, Kansas School District. Internet access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility. 2.0 The Internet The Kansas City, Kansas School District (herein sometimes referred to as "KCKSD") is pleased to offer its students, employees, volunteers, and authorized visitors ("Users") access to the Internet, an electronic highway connecting millions of users all over the world. This computer technology will help propel our schools through the communication age by allowing students and staff to access and use resources from distant computers, communicate and collaborate with individuals and groups around the world, publish knowledge and information to a world-wide audience, and significantly expand their available information base. The Internet is a tool for life-long learning. It is a necessary tool for Kansas City, Kansas Schools to develop students ready to live and work in the 21st Century. 3.0 Educational Objectives In making decisions regarding access to the Internet, the Kansas City, Kansas School District considers its own stated educational mission, goals, and objectives. Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees. Access to the Internet enables students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources while exchanging information with people around the world. The District expects that faculty will blend thoughtful use of the Internet throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in its use. As much as possible, access from school to Internet resources should be structured in ways which point students to those which have been evaluated prior to use. While students will be able to move beyond those resources to others that have not been previewed by staff, they shall be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to learning objectives. 4.0 Parental Permission and Student Supervision In order for a student to gain access to the Internet, he/she must have parental permission. Parents will be given the option of denying Internet access and requesting alternative assignments not requiring direct Internet access. Middle school and high school students must sign an Internet Network Access Agreement. the student and student's parent(s) must sign an Internet Network Access Agreement. Moreover, students utilizing District-provided Internet access must first have the permission of and must be supervised by the Kansas City, Kansas School District's professional staff. Students utilizing school-provided Internet access are responsible for good behavior on-line just as they are in a classroom or other area of the school. The same general rules contained in the Student Code of Conduct apply. 5.0 Privacy is not guaranteed The Superintendent, principals, and other administrators may review files and monitor all student computer and Internet activity to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are acting responsibility. Teachers and administrators may monitor ongoing student Internet activity to maintain system integrity and ensure that student users are abiding by this policy and are acting responsibly. Privacy is not guaranteed. Electronic messages and files stored on school-based computers may be treated like school lockers. 6.0 Use is a Privilege Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Students violating policies pertaining to standards of conduct or Internet use shall be subject to revocation of privileges and potential disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action. 7.0 Liability The Kansas City, Kansas School District makes no assurances of any kind, whether expressed or implied, regarding any Internet services provided. The school district will not be responsible for any damages the user suffers. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk. The school district will not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including -- but not limited to -- loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions in service. The school district will not be responsible for the accuracy, nature, or quality of information stored on school district //**flash drives**//, hard drives, or servers; nor for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered through school district provided Internet access. The school district will not be responsible for personal property used to access school district computers or network for school district-provided Internet access. The school district will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from school district-provided access to the Internet. 8.0 Modifications The Superintendent is authorized to amend or revise Internet Acceptable Use procedures as he/she deems necessary and appropriate consistent with this policy. The Superintendent is further authorized to amend or revise the Internet Network Access Agreement with the advice of the Board counsel. 9.0 Parental Advisory The global and fluid nature of the Internet network's contents make it extremely difficult for the school district to completely regulate and monitor the information received or sent by students. As such, the school district cannot assure parents that students will be denied access to undesirable materials or sending or receiving objectionable communications. Parents and guardians of students should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people. In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet which could result in unwanted financial obligations for which a student's parent or guardian would be liable. While the school district's intent is to make Internet access available in order to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. 10.0 Parental Responsibility Ultimately, parents and guardians of students are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Toward that end, the Kansas City, Kansas School District makes the District's complete Internet policies and procedures available on request for review by all parents, guardians, and other members of the community; and provides the parents and guardians the option of requesting for their minor children alternative activities not requiring Internet use. Outside of school, parents and guardians of students are encouraged to exercise the same guidance of Internet use as they exercise with information sources, such as television, telephones, radio, movies, and other possible offensive media. 11.0 Notice These guidelines and all its provisions are subordinate to local, state and federal statutes. All user's of the school district Internet access must also comply with agreements specified in the contract with the Internet Service Provider. A copy of these agreements are available on request from the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs, 625 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101. 12.0 Network Procedures The Kansas City, Kansas School District, in order to implement to the Internet Acceptable Use policy, will enforce the following policies and procedures. Although some specific examples of prohibited use are stated, these policies and procedures do not attempt to state all required or proscribed behavior. Failure to comply with these policies and procedures shall be deemed grounds for revocation of privileges, disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action. 12.1 Acceptable Use The educational value of student Internet access is the joint responsibility of students, teachers, parents and employees of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. Since access to the Internet is a valuable and limited resource, students are expected to place a premium on the quality of use. Taking up valuable bandwidth and access time to pursue frivolous ends, not consistent with the mission of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is prohibited. This statement represents a guide to the acceptable use of the Kansas City, Kansas School District Internet facilities. back to top 12.1.1 All use must be consistent with the educational mission and goals of the school district. 12.1.2 The intent of the use policy is to make clear certain cases which are consistent with the educational objectives of the school district, not to exhaustively enumerate all such possible uses. 12.1.3 The Superintendent and his designees, may at any time make determinations that particular uses are or are not consistent with the purpose of the school district. 12.1.4 Parents requesting their students not to participate in accessing the Internet, must sign a form provided by the school stating that they wish to decline such access. Middle school and high school **//students//** shall be required to sign the Internet Access Agreement form allowing their students to access the Internet. As appropriate, students shall also be required to sign a form affirming that they have read, understood understand and will abide by the policies and the procedures pertaining to Internet Acceptable Use and understand the consequences for the violation of the school district's policies and procedures. 12.2 Unacceptable Use 12.2.1 Users shall not erase, rename, or make unusable anyone else's computer files, programs or disks. 12.2.2 Accessing another person's materials, information, or files without the implied or direct permission of that person is prohibited. 12.2.3 Users shall not use or try to discover another user's password. back to top 12.2.4 Users shall not use school district computers or networks for purposes of personal profit. any non-instructional or non-administrative purpose (e.g., activities for personal profit). 12.2.5 Users shall not use a computer for unlawful purposes, such as the illegal copying or installation of software, or violation of copyright laws. 12.2.6 Users shall not copy, change or transfer any software or of documentation provided by school district, teachers, of another student without permission from the superintendent or his designee. 12.2.7 Users shall not write, produce, generate, copy, propagate, or attempt to introduce any computer code designed to self-replicate, damage, or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer's memory, file system, or software. Such software is often called a bug, virus, worm, Trojan Horse, or similar name. 12.2.8 Users shall not deliberately use the computer to annoy or harass others with language, images, or threats. Users shall not deliberately access or create any obscene or objectionable information, language or images. //**This includes all multimedia files.**// 12.2.9 Users shall not intentionally damage the system, damage information belonging to others, misuse system resources, or allow others to misuse system resources. 12.2.10 Users shall not tamper with computers, networks, printers or other associated equipment except as directed by the teacher or the superintendent or his designee. 12.2.11 Users shall not take home technology equipment (hardware or software) without permission of the supervisor. 12.2.12 Users shall not gain unauthorized access to resources or entities. 12.2.13 Except as otherwise provided in this policy, Users shall not invade the privacy of individuals. 12.2.14 Users shall not post material authorized or created by another without his/her consent. 12.2.15 Users shall not post anonymous messages. 12.2.16 Users shall not use the network for commercial or private advertising. The Internet, web pages, and other technology shall not be used for private or commercial offerings of products or services for sale, or to solicit products or services or to raise funds for non-district related activities or organizations. 12.2.17 Users shall not forge electronic mail messages or web pages. 12.2.18 Users shall not use the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked. 12.2.19 Users shall not use the network in a fashion inconsistent with directions from teachers and other staff and generally accepted network etiquette. 12.2.20 Users shall not subscribe or use fee based on-line services without the prior written approval of the superintendent or his designee. 12.2.21 Users shall not use the network to disseminate material or information on the behalf of or with regard to professional unions, collective bargaining, private businesses or associations, or political campaigns or organizations without the express written consent of the Superintendent. back to top 12.2.22 Users shall report illegal or unauthorized use of the network to the supervising teacher or the authorized technical and information services administrator. 12.3 Staff Responsibility Staff members should become familiar with these procedures and should enforce the rules concerning acceptable and unacceptable use when their duties include supervising of students or staff using the Internet. When in the course of their duties staff members become aware of violations of the Internet Acceptable Use policies and procedures, they should correct the user and address the matter in accordance with this procedure, the Student Code of Conduct and other policies governing employee conduct. 12.4 Questions Any questions or issues regarding the Internet Acceptance Use policies and procedures should be directed to Kansas City Kansas Public School District Administration. Violation of any conditions of use described herein may be cause for disciplinary action, denial of access or termination of employment. When or where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved. 13.0 //**Electronic Mail (E-Mail) and All Forms of Instant Messaging**// The following policies and procedures apply to use of the //**Electronic Mail (E-Mail) system and all forms of Instant Messaging**// offered by the Kansas City, Kansas School District. //**E-Mail and All Forms of Instant Messaging**// policies and procedures are supplemental to the Internet policies and procedures set forth above. 13.1 Purpose back to top Electronic Mail and All Forms of Instant Messaging (herein "E-Mail"/"IM") are provided to qualified students and staff of the Kansas City, Kansas School District (herein "Users") solely for the purpose of exchanging information consistent with the educational mission of the Kansas City, Kansas School District. Users of the E-Mail/IM system must comply with this policy. Any other use of E-Mail/IM is strictly prohibited. 13.2 Property The E-Mail/IM system and all computer systems are the property of KCKSD. Unauthorized use of the E-Mail/IM system is prohibited. Access to E-Mail/IM and other on-line systems of KCKSD is a privilege granted to Users by KCKSD and may be revoked or withheld at the discretion of the superintendent, authorized Technical and Information Services administrator, or the designee of the superintendent. 13.3 Privacy Users do not have a personal privacy right in any matter created, received, stored in or sent from the E-Mail system. KCKSD may at times and without prior notice, monitor and review E-Mail/IM messages and web site retrieval by Users to insure proper use. 13.4 Accounts and Passwords Users must obtain an authorized account and password from the authorized Technical and Information Services administrator in order to access E-Mail/IM. The User should consider the account and password confidential and shall not share the account or password with any other person or leave the account open or unattended at any computer system. Accounts and passwords may be terminated at any time for any reason by the superintendent or his designee or the authorized Technical and Information services administrator. 13.5 Use of E-Mail/IM System The following provisions apply to all student Users of the E-Mail/IM system: back to top 13.5.1 Users may not use the E-Mail/IM system for any illegal activity, including but not limited to violation of copyright laws. 13.5.2 Personal information about students including, but not limited to student names, addresses and phone numbers shall not be transmitted outside the district network, without written permission from the student or his/her parents. 13.5.3 E-Mail/IM may not be used for private or commercial offerings of products or services for sale, or to solicit products or services. 13.5.4 Users of the E-Mail/IM system shall not use E-Mail/IM in any way that would be considered: (a) damaging to another's reputation; (b) abusive; (c) obscene; (d) sexually orientated; (e) offensive; (f) threatening; (g) harassing; (h) illegal; or (i) contrary to school policy. 13.5.5 Users shall not attempt to read, delete, copy or modify the E-Mail of any other User. 13.5.6 Users shall not deliberately interfere with the ability of other Users to send/receive E-Mail/IM. 13.5.7 Users shall not use the E-Mail/IM system in a fashion that is inconsistent with directions from teachers, other staff, the authorized technical and information services administrator, and generally accepted network etiquette. back to top 13.5.8 Users shall not use the E-Mail/IM system to disseminate material or information on the behalf of or with regard to professional unions, collective bargaining, private businesses or associations, or political campaigns or organizations without the express written consent of the Superintendent. 13.5.9 Users shall report illegal or unauthorized use of the E-Mail/IM or on line systems to the supervising teacher or the authorized technical and information services administrator. 13.5.10 Users shall not respond to unsolicited E-Mail/IM messages from any source without the permission of their supervising teacher. 13.5.11 Users shall not respond to E-Mail/IM or on-line information which consists of obscene, suggestive, illegal, offensive, pornographic or objectionable content. 13.6 Disciplinary Action Use of the E-Mail/IM system contrary to this policy or in an illegal manner shall be subject to revocation of privileges and potential disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action. 13.7 System Use and Maintenance Users should periodically remove or erase their E-Mail or file from the district file server. E-Mail or other files stored on a district file server are not considered private property or communications and may be removed by the authorized Technical and Information Services administrator without prior notice to the User.