Technology Policy
GCSDNet Acceptable Use Procedures
Granite City School District Network (GCSDNet) provides resources for teaching and learning, communication services, and business data services by maintaining access to local, regional, national, and international sources of information.
The GCSDNet information resources will be used by authorized members and students of the School District with respect for the public trust through which they have been provided and in accordance with policy and regulations established by the school district. These procedures do not attempt to articulate all required or proscribed behavior by its users.
Successful operation of the network requires that all users conduct themselves in a responsible, decent, ethical, and polite manner while using the network. The user is ultimately responsible for his/her actions in accessing network services.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR
TECHNOLOGY POLICY GCSDNET ACCEPTABLE USE PROCEDURES
Access to the networks and to the information technology environment within GCSDNet is a privilege and must be treated as such by all users of the network and its associated systems.
GCSDNet will be used for the purposes of research, education, and school-related business and operations.
Any system which requires password access or for which the District requires an account, such as Internet, will only be used by the authorized user. Account owners are ultimately responsible for all activity under their account.
The resources of the GCSDNet are limited. All users must exercise prudence in the shared use of this resource.
All communications and information accessible via GCSDNet should be treated as property of Granite City School District #9.
The Superintendent or his designee will establish a process for setting-up individual and class network access, set quotas for disk usage on the system, and establish a District virus protection process and filtering hardware and/or software.
E-mail will allow authorized employees to communicate with one another and with people throughout the world. E-Mail is not private and may be accessed by or monitored by District authorized personnel.
Unacceptable Use
The Granite City School District has the right to take disciplinary action, remove computer and networking privileges, and/or take legal action, for any activity characterized as unethical and unacceptable. Unacceptable use activities constitute but are not limited to any activity through which any user:
- Violates such matters as institutional or third party copyright, license agreements or other contracts. The unauthorized use of and/or copying of software is illegal,
Interferes with or disrupts other network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include but are not limited to: distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms or viruses, distributing quantities of information that overwhelm the system ("chain letters," "network games," or "broadcasting" messages) and/or using the network to make unauthorized entry into any other resource accessible via the network.
- Seeks to gain or gains unauthorized access to information resources, obtains copies of, or modifies files or other data, or gains and communicates passwords belonging to other users.
- Uses or knowingly allows another to use any computer, computer network, computer system, program, or software to devise or execute a scheme to defraud or to obtain money, property, services, or other things of value by false pretenses, promises, or representations.
- Destroys, alters, dismantles, disfigures, prevents rightful access to or otherwise interferes with the integrity of computer-based information and/or information resources whether on stand-alone or networked computer.
- Invades the privacy of individuals or entities.
- Uses the network for commercial or political activity.
- Installs unauthorized software for use on district computers.
- Uses the network to access inappropriate materials.
- Uses GCSDNet to compromise its integrity ("hacking" software).
- Submits, publishes or displays any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, or threatening materials or messages either public or private.
- Uses GCSDNet for illegal, harassing, vandalizing, inappropriate, or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities is prohibited. Illegal activities shall be defined as a violation of local, state, and/or federal laws. Harassment is defined as slurs, comments, jokes, innuendoes, unwelcome compliments, cartoons, pranks, and/or other verbal conduct relating to an individual which (1) has the purpose or effect or creating and intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; (2) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or school performance or (3) interferes with school operations. Vandalism is defined as any attempt to harm or destroy operating system, application software or data. Inappropriate use shall be defined as a violation of the purpose and goal of the network. Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of generally accepted social standards for use of a publicly-owned and operated communication vehicle.
District Rights
Granite City School District reserves the rights to:
- Monitor all activity on GCSDNet.
- Make determinations on whether specific uses of the network are consistent with this acceptable use policy.
- Log network use and monitor storage disk space utilization by users.
- Deem what is appropriate use.
- Remove a user's access to the network at any time it is determined that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or violating this acceptable use policy.
- Cooperate fully with any investigation concerning or relating to any GCSDNet activity.
District Responsibilities
The District will:
- Respect the privacy of individual users electronic data. The District will secure the consent of users before accessing their data, unless required to do so by law or policies of the Granite City School District.
- Take prudent steps to develop, implement and maintain security procedures to insure the integrity of individual and District files. However, information on any computer system cannot be guaranteed to be inaccessible by other users.
- Attempt to provide error free and dependable access to technology resources associated with GCSDNet. However, the District can not be held liable for any information that may lost, damaged, or unavailable due to technical or other difficulties.
- Determine which users and sites accessible as part of the District's system are most applicable to the curricular needs of the District and may restrict user access, accordingly.
- Provide electronic access filtering or security hardware and or software to help prevent inappropriate use of the District's system.
- Provide electronic access filtering or security hardware and or software to help prevent access into individual computers and hard drives.
- Install and use desktop and server virus detection and removal software.
- Not deny or remove a user's right to use GCSDNet resources without just cause.
Disciplinary Action
These acceptable use procedures are applicable to any member of the GCSDNet community and refers to all information resources whether individually controlled, shared, stand alone or networked. Disciplinary action, if any, for students, staff and other users shall be consistent with the district's standard policies and practices. Where use of external networks is involved, policies governing such use also are applicable and must be adhered to. Violations can constitute cause for revocation of access privileges, suspension of access to District computers, other school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action. Exact disciplinary measures will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Granite City School District
Internet Code of Conduct
Use of the Internet by students and staff of Granite City School District shall be in support of education and research that is consistent with the mission of the District. Internet use is limited to those persons who have been issued District approval. Use will be in accordance with the District's Acceptable Use Procedures and this Code of Conduct.
Code of Conduct
- Protect your Internet logon information from others.
- Respect the privacy of other users. Do not use other users' passwords.
- Be ethical and courteous. Do not send hate, harassing or obscene mail, discriminatory remarks, or demonstrate other antisocial behaviors.
- Maintain the integrity of files and data. Do not modify or copy files/data of other users without their consent.
- Treat information created by others as the private property of the creator. Respect copyrights.
- Use the network in a way that does not disrupt its use by others.
- Do not destroy, modify or abuse the hardware or software in any way.
- Do not develop or pass on programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage the software components of a computer or computing system, such as viruses, worms, "chain" messages, global mailings, ResEdit, etc.
- Do not "hack" the system.
- Do not use the Internet to access or process pornographic or otherwise inappropriate material.
- Do not use the Internet for commercial or political purposes.
The District reserves the right to remove a user from access to GCSDNet if it is determined that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or is violating this code of conduct.
Internet Implementation Procedures
Principal's Responsibilities
- Maintain a building Internet Use Team.
- Assure that every user has a District-approved user access.
- Assure that Internet use is monitored/supervised by staff in accordance with the procedures outlined below.
- Assure student users will display their personal Internet identification while accessing Internet.
- Internet rules should be referenced in the student handbook.
Internet Use Team Responsibilities
- Develop a plan for authorizing use
- Parents and students review Internet policies.
- Parents and students sign and return the AUTHORIZATION FOR ELECTRONIC NETWORK Form.
- AUTHORIZATION FOR ELECTRONIC NETWORK Form is signed, returned to the student's assigned building, and filed appropriately.
- Applicant attends introductory training.
- Applicant provided initial logon password and Internet user identification.
- Develop building introductory training program, which must include:
- Acceptable Use Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Procedure for displaying Internet user identification
- Purpose of the Internet use (education, research, and communication)
- Develop a plan for monitoring/supervising student Internet use:
- Identification - Users will be issued a personal Internet card. It must be displayed at all times when the student is using the Internet.
- Supervision/monitoring for appropriate use
- Maintain filter hardware and or software
Web sites will be limited and student use will be monitored.
WEBSITE GUIDELINES
- The Granite City School District shall permit photographs, videos, or films of an individual student or groups of students to appear on the Granite City School District website. Parents wishing to exclude their child/children must have a current MEDIA EXCLUSION FORM on file at their school. (see policy IIBE-E)
- All school or system level web pages shall contain the following disclaimer: We have made every reasonable attempt to ensure that our school system web site is educationally sound and does not contain links to any questionable material or anything that can be deemed in violation of District #9 policies.
- The Superintendent or his designee will be responsible for maintaining the web site. All building principals will be required to supply the Director with current information to be posted on the website. Only non-profit, Board approved school organizations may list activities and schedules on the website.
- The web site www.granitecityschools.org is the only web site recognized by the Granite City School District.
- The Granite City School District website will not contain any outside links.
Authorization for Electronic Network Access
Each staff member must sign this Authorization as a condition for using the District's Electronic Network. Each student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign the Authorization before being granted access. School Board members are treated like staff members for purposes of this Authorization. Please read this document carefully before signing.
All use of the District's Electronic Network, including the Internet, shall be consistent with the District's goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. This Authorization does not attempt to state all required or proscribed behavior by users. However, some specific examples are provided. The failure of any user to follow the terms of the Authorization for Access to Electronic Network will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. The signature(s) at the end of this document is legally binding and indicates the party who signed has read the terms and conditions carefully and understands their significance.
Terms and Conditions
- Acceptable Use - Access to the District's electronic network must be for the purpose of education or research, and be consistent with the educational objectives of the Granite City School District No. 9. Transmission of any material in violation of any United States (U.S.) or state regulations is prohibited.
- Privileges - The use of the District's electronic network is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The system administrators will have access to accounts and will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated this Authorization and limit, deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time and for any reason.
- District Ownership - The District reserves all rights to any material stored in files, which are generally accessible to others and will remove any material which the District, at its sole discretion, believes may be unlawful, obscene, pornographic, abusive, or otherwise objectionable. Students will not use their District-approved computer account access to obtain, view, download, or otherwise gain access to such materials.
- Unacceptable Use - You are responsible for your actions and activities involving the electronic network. The registered user is responsible for their account/password and/or access privileges. Any problems that arise from the use of a registered account are the responsibility of the account holder. Unacceptable use of the electronic network shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Using the network for any illegal activity, including other contracts or transmitting any material in violation of any U.S. or State regulation, or the Granite City School District Code of Conduct or media exclusion policy;
- Intentionally seeking information on, obtaining copies of, or modifying files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users;
- Unauthorized downloading of software, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or devirused;
- Illegal installation of copyrighted software;
- Downloading copyrighted material for other than personal use;
- Using the network for private financial or commercial gain;
- Wastefully using resources, such as file space, or extensive use for non-curriculum related communication;
- Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities;
- Invading the privacy of individuals;
- Posting material authored or created by another without his/her consent;
- Posting anonymous messages or misrepresenting other users on the Network;
- Using the network for commercial or private advertising or political lobbying;
- Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually-oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing, or illegal material;
- Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked;
- Allowing anyone to use an account other than the account holder;
- Creating a computer virus and placing it on the network; and
- Accessing accounts by students without adult supervision.
- Network Etiquette - You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. They include, but are not limited to the following:
- Be polite. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, other inappropriate language, or become abusive in your messages to others.
- Do not reveal the personal addresses, telephone numbers, or passwords of students or colleagues, including yourself.
- Recognize that electronic mail (E-mail) is not private. People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
- Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt its use by other users.
- Consider all communications and information accessible via the network to be private property.
- Student subscriptions to electronic mailing lists are not allowed on Granite City School District No. 9 accounts.
- No Warranties - 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 you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at our own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
- Indemnification - The user agrees to indemnify the School District for any losses, costs, or damages, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the District relating to, or arising out of, any breach of this Authorization.
- Security - Network security is a high priority. If you can identify a security problem on the Internet, you must notify the system administrator or building principal. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Keep your account and password confidential. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users of the electronic network. Attempts to log-on to the electronic network as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the electronic network.
- Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or other network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
- Telephone Charges - The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees, including telephone charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs.
- Definition: Supervised use means one-on-one supervision by a teacher.
Definition: Unsupervised use is use in a setting where a teacher is present but not working one-on-one with the student. Unsupervised in no way means a teacher is not present in the classroom.
Students, parent(s)/guardian(s), and teachers need only sign this Authorization for Electronic Network Access once while enrolled or employed by the District.
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