Code Number: 581.12
Sioux City Community School District Policy on District-Provided Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks.
General
The Sioux City Community School District provides electronic network communications for educational use by students. The purpose of such access is to assist the District in meeting its educational mission, goals, and objectives. Network communications may include, but are not limited to, e-mail and the Internet. The Network shall be used for curriculum support purposes only. It is the policy of the District that all computer services shall be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner in compliance with all other District policies.
No person shall access the District network with non-District hardware without the approval of the Technology Department. Non-District hardware includes, but is not limited to, personal computers (laptop or desktop), wireless access devices, and handheld devices.
The use of the network is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked with or without notice and with or without cause at the discretion of the District. Failure to follow processes and procedures or abuse of resources may result in loss of privileges and possible disciplinary action.
The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service, it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages the user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays or other service interruptions caused by either the district or users own negligence, errors, or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the District network is at the users own risk.
Users should not expect that files stored on the Network or school-based computers will be private. Electronic messages, network activities, and files may be reviewed to maintain system performance, integrity, to insure that users are acting responsibly, and for any other purpose at the discretion of the District.
Access to the District’s network is provided via an assigned user and ID and password for students in certain grades. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain the privacy of their password. Use of District information technology systems implies consent to monitoring for such purposes.
Internet Safety
The Board believes that the Internet can be a valuable educational and productive tool that enables students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources. However, families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain information that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive.
State and Federal mandates require schools to restrict access to certain information on the Internet. The District will use technology protection measures to protect students from inappropriate access, including sites that include obscenity, child pornography or are harmful to minors. Parents, however, should be aware that in spite of District safeguards, a student may still find ways, intentionally or unintentionally, to access inappropriate material. The school district will monitor the online activities of students and will educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting on social networking sites and chat rooms. Students will also be educated on cyberbullying, including awareness and response. Employees will provide age-appropriate training for students who use the Internet. The training provided is designed to promote the school district’s commitment to:
- The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in this policy
- Student safety with regard to:
- Safety on the Internet and security when using email;
- Appropriate behavior while online in social networking web sites and/or chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications; and
- Cyberbullying awareness and response.
- Limiting unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities.
- Compliance with the E-Rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act
The Board believes that all network services (e.g., computers, E-mail, and Internet access) are a valuable part of the total program in that they promote educational excellence. At the same time, the Board believes that access to these services entails responsibility and that all computer services shall be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. General school rules for behavior apply.
The following uses of school-provided Network access are prohibited (collectively “Prohibited Uses”):
- To access, upload, download, or distribute pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material;
- To transmit obscene, abusive, sexually explicit, or threatening language;
- To violate any local, state, or federal statute;
- To vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;
- To access another individual’s materials, information, or files without permission;
- To access non-approved internet gaming sites;
- To access non-approved social media sites;
- To use instant messaging not approved by the District;
- To access non-approved streaming audio or video sites;
- To use non-District hardware or devices on the District network;
- To install any unauthorized software;
- To install or remove any computer hardware components from District computers (e.g. memory, optical drives, etc.);
- To violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission;
- To engage any other inappropriate uses as determined by the District;
- To use proxy software to bypass District filters; and
- To connect to wireless access points not supported by the District.
Students at certain grade levels will be issued a District-provided email account. District-provided student email will be used solely for school-related work, activities, and functions; any other use is strictly prohibited. All Prohibited Uses outlined for the Internet above apply to the use of District-provided student email accounts. Additionally, the following guidelines apply to students’ use of a District-provided email account:
- Students are responsible for keeping passwords private. Passwords must not be shared with anyone other than the student’s parent, a teacher, or the District’s technology department. Passwords must never be sent to anyone via email.
- Students shall not disclose personal information such as their social security number or other sensitive or confidential information about themselves or others.
- If a student receives any email that contains inappropriate content or that the student believes violates the Prohibited Uses policy, the student must notify a teacher, principal, or parent immediately.
- Any form of cyberbullying or harassment will not be tolerated. If a student believes they (or another student) are the victim of cyberbullying or harassment it should be immediately reported to a teacher or principal. All reports of cyberbullying or harassment will be investigated by the District.
- Students must not use District-provided student email to forward jokes, chain letters, pictures, or other inappropriate material as outlined in the previous section.
File Storage on District Network
Students in certain grades will be granted access to District file servers to store coursework and related educational content in a central site that is secure and periodically backed up. The following types of files will not be backed up by the District:
- Audio files such as mp3s, AAC, or others
- Video files such as .mp4, .swf or others
- EXE files for non-education related software
- Games, game emulators, game-related files
- Any program related to a Prohibited Use such as proxy software
- Personal or confidential information
The above programs will be deleted from student folders without warning. Audio files that may be necessary for curriculum purposes should be kept in personal storage or handled by a teacher. Continued abuses of file storage may result in loss of network privileges and other appropriate discipline.
Student Procedure for the Non-Directed Use of the Internet
Subject to this policy and monitoring by the District, all students will be granted independent use of the District’s link to the Internet unless the District is notified by a parent or guardian in accordance with the District’s Opt-Out procedure. Annually, if a parent or guardian of a student wants to opt-out of the independent use of the Internet for the forthcoming school year, they must submit a Parent Opt Out Form signed by the parent/guardian notifying building administrators that the parent/guardian does not want his or her child to independently use the Internet. These forms will be kept in the office with the Student Permanent Record, and building staff will be notified. The “opt-out” election does not apply to classroom instruction where teachers will suggest appropriate sites and supervise the use of the Internet as a direct part of the curriculum.
Internet-Based Social Media Use Within the District
The District notifies all parents of current students in the current and official student handbook that students may have their photographs or video images displayed on the official District website (www.siouxcityschools.org) or in the media in furtherance of the District’s educational mission. Student photographs or video images may also be posted on the District’s Facebook or other social media sites.
The District reserves the right to remove fans/followers from its social media sites for any lawful reason
including, without limitation, content that violates District policy. The District may amend this social media policy at any time and it is the fans’/followers’ responsibility to review changes to this policy. By participating in the District’s social media sites, depending on your personal account and privacy settings, you may be subject to having your profile picture, name, and comments visible to the public. The District does not take responsibility for such actions.
COPPA/CIPA
Because we care about the safety and privacy of children online, we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). COPPA and CIPA and the accompanying FTC and FCC regulations establish federal law that protects the privacy of children using the Internet. In compliance with federal law, this policy will be maintained at least five years beyond the termination of funding under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) or E-rate. The District website is not intended to solicit information of any kind from children under 13. It is possible that by fraud or deception the District may receive information pertaining to children under 13. If the District is notified of this, as soon as the information is verified, the District will immediately obtain parental consent or otherwise delete the information from District servers. Please contact the Director of Communications to obtain a receipt of information if applicable at (712) 224-7471.
Disciplinary Actions
Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from school. To ensure that the use of the District’s information system and other electronic communications systems or equipment is consistent with the District’s educational and legitimate business interests, authorized representatives of the District may monitor the use of such equipment.
- First Adoption:
- 1998-01-27
- Revision Adoption:
- March 13, 2006/ February 23, 2009/ August 9, 2010/ June 25, 2012/ March 13, 2017
- Legal Reference:
-
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 6501-6506;
Children’s Internet Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. 254(h) and (l); Iowa Code Chapter 279.8
Cross Reference: Board Policies, 603.10, and 603.11 (AR603.11).