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The Sunshine School District recognizes and understands the importance of computers and other electronic resources in benefiting student learning and improving operations of the schools. With the evolving growth of technology and the importance of 21st century skills our district is determine to integrate technology into all aspects of the curriculum. Sunshine School District encourages proper use of technology resources in support of the schools mission statement. The technology resources include, but are not limited to, computers, printers, software, televisions and cameras, VCR/DVDs, online catalogs and databases, data files, network file servers, e-mail system, internet access. Sunshine School District hopes to provide learners with the necessary technological skills to be successful members of society.
 * The Acceptable Use Policy of The Sunshine School District **
 * Introduction: **** (J.B.) **

The purpose of this policy is to outline the acceptable use of computers and other electronic resources at Sunshine School District. The technology resources are provided to support the educational mission statement and allow students, faculty, and staff the ability to communicate and share information with each other. This policy is intended to inform authorized users about the expected guidelines and regulations that apply to Sunshine School District technology resources. This policy applies to all authorized users who access the school's network, such as faculty, students, and administrators, using school owned or personally owned equipment. Authorized users who violate this policy will be subject to the outlined disciplinary actions. By following the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) it is the districts responsibility to educate the students on how to use technology and access information responsibly, and protect them from inappropriate content. This acceptable use policy serves to protect the interests of the school district and the users of the technology resources. Access to technology equipment may be limited, supervised, suspended, or denied to users who choose not to follow the signed agreement. Continued failure to abide by the agreement will lead users to further disciplinary actions as listed in district policies as well as federal and state laws. Students, staff, and administrators of the Sunshine School District are expected to be responsible users of the technology resources that are available for their use. All users of technology equipment, such as, but not limited to, computers, internet, software, televisions, VCR/DVDs, cameras, videos, blogs, wikis, cellular phones, and pagers, must adhere to the rules set out in this policy. By signing consent to follow this policy, users will have the privilege to access the district’s technology equipment. Individual users will have access to the internet which entails liability and responsibility and therefore a need for users to act appropriately. Users are responsible for their own actions and communications made over the Internet. The district is not responsible for those individuals who do not adhere to the guidelines as outlined by the Sunshine School District. Access to technology equipment may be limited, supervised, suspended, or denied to users who choose not to follow the signed agreement. Continued failure to abide by the agreement will lead users to further disciplinary actions as listed in district policies as well as federal and state laws.
 * Purpose: **** (J.B.) **
 * Types of Users: **** (C.M.) **
 * User Responsibilities: **** (J.B. and C.M.) **

__Technology Use:__ Users will only use technology for school-related purposes in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner. Provisions in the student code of conduct will apply to all student interaction with and use of technology resources. Users should not access, modify, or destroy other user’s data without appropriate authorization. Users should not knowingly spread a computer virus, impersonate another user, violate copyright laws, install or use unauthorized software, damage or destroy resources, or intentionally offend, harass, or intimidate others. Staff members may not abuse their access to technology resources. Abuse may consist of excessive or unacceptable use is unacceptable if it conflicts with the school division’s or individual school/department’s purpose, goal, or mission or with a staff member’s authorized job duties or responsibilities. (Charlottesville City School)

__Internet Guidelines:__ In Sunshine School District all teachers will supervise and model appropriate use of the Internet. Access to the internet is password driven. Users will only access the Internet under appropriate supervision. Users will view sites that directly relate to a school-related assignment, activity, or responsibility. Users should not use school technology resources to create, distribute, download, or view obscene, threatening, illegal, or inappropriate content. Users should immediately inform a staff member if they encounter material that is obscene, illegal, inappropriate, offensive, or otherwise makes them feel uncomfortable. Users should not use technology resources to engage in any commercial activity including the purchase of goods and services; staff members may use technology resources to purchase school supplies and resources provided they follow established school division purchasing guidelines. (Charlottesville City School)

__Software:__ The Sunshine School District provides students with access to various software programs that are to be used in appropriate ways. Students should obey software license agreements on all school software programs in accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act. __ Other Technology Equipment: __ The technology equipment available to Sunshine School District users are, but not limited to, televisions, streaming videos, VCR/DVD, iPods, cell phones, cameras and digital cameras. __Communication Tools:__ The following are rules for using cell phones, pagers, video-conferencing, blogs, wikis, and email. Email: The electronic mail system and all of its constituent software, hardware, and data files (the “System”) is owned and controlled by the school system and is its property. In order to protect the interests of the school system, its employees and students, the school system reserves the right to access and disclose, without prior notice or permission from the user, the contents of any account on its System. Any message received from an unknown sender via the Internet should either be immediately deleted or forwarded to the Network Systems Administrator. In no event should any user ever download any file attached to any Internet-based message unless the user is certain of that message’s authenticity and the nature of the files so transmitted. (Charlottesville City School) Internet Safety and The Children's Internet Protection Act: ** (J. M.) The Sunshine School District has developed procedures which provide for compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act and Regulation 2361. All schools in the district, including media center/libraries, will be in compliance and the requirements will be enforced. All computers which are installed in the district will block and filter internet material which is inappropriate or harmful for minors. The Sunshine School District will adhere to internet safety policy and procedures that address the following issues specified in Regulation 2361, CIPA, and The Internet Safety Policy: · Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet · The safety and security of minors when using electronic email, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communications · Unauthorized access and other unlawful activities by minors online · Unauthorized disclosures on personal identification regarding minors · Measures designed to restrict minor's access to harmful materials · Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors prohibited on the network (Cyberbullying)*
 * Any video or DVD shown to a large audience must be in compliant with the Motion Picture Licensing Agreement as stated in the U.S. Copyright Act.
 * Videos and DVDs shown to students must be age and content appropriate with teacher discretion
 * Pictures taken with cameras, digital cameras, or cell phones must be only for school use. Images should be appropriate to view in school.
 * iPods should not contain any music that requires a parental advisory or explicit content.
 * Should not be used in school unless they are for school related purposes.
 * When permitted to use this equipment or resources, users should not create, distribute, or forward chain letters, offensive or harassing messages, or messages that contain false information.


 * Cyber bullying is being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material or engaging in other forms of social cruelty using the Internet or other digital technologies. It has various forms, including direct harassment and indirect activities that are intended to damage the reputation or interfere with the relationships of the student who is targeted, such as posting harmful material, impersonating the person, disseminating personal information or images, or activities that result in exclusion. Cyberbullying/bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, the Sunshine School District prohibits Cyberbullying/bullying by district students.

The Sunshine School District will adhere to the provisions for Internet content filtering for computers in their network detailed in the following federal programs: · E-rate, the Universal Service Administration Company's (USAC) program administered by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) · The Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program under the No Child Left Behind Act · The Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

Internet safety instruction will be provided to students through Instructional Technology Resource Teachers. Internet safety/computer ethics will be taught as a unit in eighth grade computer class. The Sunshine School District will notify parent/guardians about the network safety policy. The district will encourage parents to specify to their children what material is and is not acceptable for their children to access through the district network.

Security will be maintained utilizing passwords. The responsibility to update and secure passwords and log off the computer will be that of the user. A user should never provide their password to another user. Passwords should be a combination of letters and numbers. Access which is beyond the authorization of the user is a violation. Attempting to log into another person's file, folders, or accounts is considered illegal. Disruption of electronic network performance, spreading of viruses, or engaging in any illegal act is a violation. Each school has a firewall that protects the students from seeing inappropriate materials and prevents unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the network. The firewall is regularly updated to block new sites that are offensive and objectionable.
 * Security/Firewalls:** ** (J. M.) **

Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy property of the user, another user or of any other agencies or networks that are connected to the Network or the Internet system. Vandalism also includes, but is not limited to: abusive overloading of data on the server, or the uploading, downloading or creation of computer viruses. Any engagement in network vandalism constitutes unacceptable use and will subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action.
 * Vandalism: **** (J.B. and C.M.) **

All users of the Sunshine School District‘s computer network and Internet must comply with this policy. This includes all faculty, students, and administrators. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, as well as suspension, restriction, and/or revocation of access privileges. For purposes of this policy, the term "Computer Network" shall refer to all of the Sunshine School District’s computers, software, network capabilities, email, Internet access, and other technological supports.
 * Consequences: (J. M.) **

It is the goal of Sunshine School District to follow the requirements of the U.S. Copyright Act and the license agreements for software or other electronically resources used by the school district. Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of materials that is covered by copyright law. All employees and students of Sunshine School District will respect the copyright of any materials accessed through or with Sunshine School District technological equipment. No member of the school district should copy information from book, Internet resources, or electronic media without consent. When considering using information found using any school district resources all Sunshine School District members must follow the guidelines of the Fair Use Policy before copying it. The improper use of copyrighted material and/or not obliging to follow the Fair Use Policy is in violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary actions or criminal prosecution.
 * Violations to this policy will result in one or more of the following disciplinary actions based on the committed offense: **
 * Limited, supervised, or suspended use of technology resources
 * Loss of student privileges to use the school's information technology resources
 * Civil or criminal action under Pennsylvania or federal law
 * Revocation of internet access
 * Violator shall be responsible for unauthorized charges or fees resulting from internet access
 * Any infractions will be dealt with using the discipline code in place at the school
 * Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges
 * Users will be responsible for damages to the equipment, systems, and software which results from deliberate acts
 * Appropriate legal authorities will be notified for possible prosecution for illegal use of resources, damage to files, copyright violations, or theft
 * Definitions of technologies and devices: **** (J. M.) **
 * Access - to intercept, instruct, communicate with, store data in, retrieve data from or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, computer system, and computer network or data base.
 * AUP - acceptable use policy
 * Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA)- a federal law to address concerns to offensive content over the internet on school and library computers that schools must adhere to
 * Computer - data processing device which performs logic, arithmetic, & memory functions, includes input, output, processing, storage, software or communication facilities which are connected in a system or network
 * Computer network - internet, voicemail, email, hardware, software, digital equipment, handheld electronic equipment, individual computer workstations
 * Computer program - set of statements and related data that perform specified functions in a computer system
 * Copyright infringement -is the unauthorized use of materials that is covered by copyright law
 * Cyber bullying- when one child targets another child using interactive technologies
 * Electronic messaging: chat, email, text messaging
 * Email - transmission of messages over communications networks
 * Fair Use- the conditions under which you can use material that is copyrighted by someone else without paying royalties
 * Firewall - a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communication
 * Internet filter - software program or blocker that controls what is shown while a computer user is viewing pages on internet
 * Property - computer software and programs in either machine or readable form, anything of value(this may be tangible or intangible)
 * Services - computer time, data processing and storage functions
 * User - any student or staff member with an account or anyone provided access to resources associated with the network
 * Vandalism - any malicious attempt to harm or destroy district technology resources, data of another user, internet, or other networks.
 * Copyright and Fair Use Measures: **** (J.B.) **

The administration and staff of Sunshine School District monitor the use of the computers, network, and all other technological resources provided to the users. This is to ensure that all procedures within this policy are being followed. Monitoring of all the devices will maintain a secure and safe technological environment for the administration, staff, and students at each school. Sunshine School District reserves the right to monitor, examine, and use any data found on the network that may put threat or harm to any other student, staff, administrator, or property of the school. Sunshine School District has the right to review usage of computers, internet, and networks without prior notice and any information and/or materials found will remain the property of the district.
 * District Disclaimer: **** (C.M.) **

Each section of this document must be adhered to at all times or disciplinary actions will occur to the individual or individuals who are not following the policy regulations.

I understand the rules and responsibilities for using and handling technology equipment at Sunshine School District. I acknowledge that if I choose to not follow the rules that I will face consequences. These rules provide a safe framework for my usage on a computer.
 * Please read and review these rules and then sign your name on the line. **


 * Please sign your name and date on the line. **

Student Signature Date

Parent/Guardian Signature Date


 * Parents: Please review the above procedures and consequences for handling technological equipment at the ** **Sunshine** **School District**** with your child. **

** References ** (J.B. and C.M. and J.M.) Charlottesville City School. (2004). //Acceptable Use Policy for Technology//. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from Charlottesville City School’s Official Website:http://www.ccs.k12.va.us/sitesearch.html?cx=0057904327824983 86976%3Ayww_o6kltjm&q=aup&cof=FORID%3A11#1055 Davis School District. (2002). //Acceptable Use Policy for Technology//. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from Davis School District’s Official Website: [] EducationWorld-Curriculum; Getting Started on the Internet Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Official Website [] Federal Communications Commission. (2008). //Children’s Internet Protection Act//. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from Federal Communications Commission Official website: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html Greenville Area School District Acceptable Use Policy Retrieved July 6, 2009 from Greenville Area School District Official Website [] Peter's Township School District Technology Department Retrieved July 18, 2009 from Peter's Township School District Official Website [] Sharon School District (2009) Acceptable Use Policy Retrieved July 6, 2009 from SharonK12.ma.usInternetnetwork Official website: [] South Park School District. (2009). //My Agreement for Using the Internet.// Retrieved July 14, 2009, from South Park School District’s Official Website: https://www.edline.net/pages/South_Park_School_District/ District_Information Tiene, D & and Ingram, A (2001). //Exploring Current Issues in Educational// // Technology. // McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc U.S. Copyright Office. (2009). //Copyright Law of the United States//. Retrieved July 15, 2009, from the U.S. Copyright Office’s Official Website: http://www.copyright.gov/title17/ Change 0 of 0 [|<< First] [|< Previous] [|Next >] [|Last >>]