Christopher Columbus Charter School

Acceptable Use Policy for Computer, Internet, and Technology Resources

Christopher Columbus Charter School (CCCS) provides computer technology and internet access to promote educational excellence through resource sharing, innovation, and communication. All technology must be used in an ethical and legal manner. Access is provided in a responsible manner consistent with the educational mission of the school.

CCCS believes that technology and internet access enhances the quality and delivery of education and is an important part of preparing children for life in the 21st century. Technology includes but is not limited to networked computers, laptops and chrome books, cameras, tablets and e-readers, projectors, video camcorders, mp3 players, usb flash drives, printers.

CCCS Students receive technology training and education regarding appropriate online behavior in their classes. This includes digital literacy, etiquette, law, health and wellness, security, and communication (including interaction with other individuals on social networking websites and cyber bullying awareness).

All technology users must understand that the Internet is a global, fluid community, which remains largely unregulated. While it is an extremely valuable educational tool, there are sections that are not compatible with our school, community, or family standards. CCCS believes that the Internet’s advantages far outweigh its disadvantages and will provide an Internet filtering device which blocks access to a large percentage of inappropriate sites. It should not be assumed that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications. Teachers and students must be careful and diligent that content is school appropriate.

Additionally, CCCS considers access to the Internet and computer resources a privilege, not a right. Therefore, students violating this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) may be subject to revocation of these privileges and potential disciplinary action. CCCS also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities. Ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources and upholding the published standards of CCCS. All students must have a current, signed AUP on file with their school of attendance or they will not be permitted to access the CCCS Network or the Internet.

CCCS employs a number of strategies in order to maximize learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with utilizing the Network and Internet. These strategies are as follows:

General :

Computer/Internet sessions will be supervised by a teacher.
Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to minimize the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
The school district may regularly monitor students’ Internet usage.
Students and teachers will be provided with training in the area of Internet safety.
Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
The use of personal memory sticks, flash drives, CD-ROMs, or other digital storage media in school requires teacher approval and permission.
Students will treat others with respect at all times

Network:

Students will access the Network and Internet with specific teacher permission and supervision and further understand that activities on any school computer may be observed directly or remotely.
Students will not access or use files, utilities or applications capable of altering intended computer or Network performance, settings or access.
Students will not use or attempt to gain unauthorized access to student, faculty or administrative passwords; folders, work, files, or accounts; Network administrative programs or equipment; and will protect the secrecy of home/school accounts and passwords.
Students will refrain from using the Network for financial gain, political gain, and commercial activity or for any illegal activity, or for any activity that is not school appropriate.

Internet and Web Access:

Students will not intentionally visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
Students will report accidental accessing of inappropriate materials in accordance with school procedures.
Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
Students will not copy information into assignments and fail to acknowledge the source (plagiarism and copyright infringement).
Students will never disclose or publicize personal information.
Students will only download materials or images relevant to their studies.
Students will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or Network management reasons.

Email:

Students will use approved class email accounts or personal accounts only under supervision by or permission from a teacher.
Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, and defamatory or that is intended to annoy, intimidate, or harass another person.
Students will not intentionally reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.

Social Networking:

Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums, Weblogs, messaging or other electronic forms of communication that have been approved by CCCS and supervised by a teacher.
Chat rooms, discussion forums, Weblogs and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes.

School Web Site:

Students may be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web in accordance with clear policies and approval processes regarding the content that can be loaded to the school’s Web site.
The Web site will be checked regularly to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of students or staff.
The publication of student work will be coordinated by a teacher.
Students’ work may appear in an educational context on Web pages.
Personal student information including home address and contact details will be omitted or redacted from school Web pages.
Students will continue to own the copyright on any of their own work published.

Personal Cell Phones and Devices

Personal Cell Phones and Devices
Students using their own cellular technology in school, such as leaving a mobile phone turned on during school hours, using it in class without teacher permission, or the unauthorized taking of images with a mobile phone camera (still or moving) is in direct violation of this Acceptable Use Policy as well as the CCCS Student Code of Conduct.
Students may use cellular technology in class for educational purposes with teacher permission.

Ethical Use:

● Users may not cause malicious or intentional damage to school technology.

● Users may not tamper with default or teacher-created settings on any school owned computers.

● Users may not plagiarize or violate copyright law in any way from any source.

● Users may not send, display or receive messages, pictures, or other media which are abusive, obscene, sexually inappropriate, threatening, and racially offensive, considered harassment or offensive.

● Users must comply with laws regarding cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is willful and repeated harm and/or harassment inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. The policies regarding these situations will follow applicable state and federal law.

● Users may not intentionally waste valuable limited resources (paper, ink, toner, CDs, DVDs, etc.).

● Inadvertent access to any inappropriate content using school technology needs to be reported to a teacher or administrator immediately.

Sanctions:

Misuse of the Network or Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

General Provisions:

Students and parents should familiarize themselves with information about legislation relating to Internet use, including the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000 (CIPA).

Chromebooks:

CCCS is supplying all students in Grade 7-8 a Chromebook device. This device is property of CCCS. The function will be to provide student access to required educational materials needed for each student to be successful. The Chromebook allows student access to Google Apps for Education, educational webbased tools, as well as many other useful sites. It is an educational tool not intended for gaming, social networking or recreational computing. The mission of the 1to1 Chromebook program at CCCS is to create a collaborative learning environment for all students in Grades 7-8. This environment will enable and support students and teachers to implement transformative uses of technology while enhancing students’ engagement with content and promoting the development of self-directed, responsible lifelong learners and users. Students will transition from consumers of information to creative producers and owners of knowledge.

Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook that was issued to them by the District. Chromebooks that are broken or fail to work properly must be reported immediately to their teacher or technology specialist.
Chromebooks are intended for use at school each day. Students are responsible for bringing their Chromebooks to all of their classes, unless specifically instructed not to do so by their teacher.
Close the Chromebook screen before moving it, unless directed to do so by a teacher.
Do not lean on the top of the Chromebook when it is closed.
Do not place anything near the Chromebook that could put pressure on the screen.
Do not place anything in the carrying case that will press against the cover.
Do not poke or write on the screen.
Do not place anything on the keyboard before closing the lid (e.g. pens, pencils, or disks).
Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth or anti-static cloth.
Do not bump the Chromebook against lockers, walls, doors, floors, etc.
No food or drink is allowed next to your Chromebook while it is in use.
To conserve battery life Chromebooks should be shut down before moving them.
Chromebooks must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or personal decorative labels.
Chromebooks must never be left in an unlocked car or any unsupervised area.
Students are responsible for charging their Chromebook’s battery before the start of each school day.
Students may be selected at random by teachers or administrators to provide their Chromebook for inspection for damages or misuse.