FILE:  IFBGA

Cf:  EBBB, EFA

Cf:  JCDAF

COMPUTER USE AND INTERNET USE FOR STUDENTS

The Catahoula Parish School Board believes it is necessary for all persons to become aware of acceptable use of computers.  Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment and resources in a responsible, legal manner.

Age and grade appropriate classroom instruction shall be provided regarding Internet and cell phone safety.  Such instruction shall include appropriate online behavior, interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response, as well as areas of concern as authorized in state and federal law.

In addition, the School Board, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, shall develop and distribute age and grade appropriate information to each student regarding Internet and cell phone safety and online content that is a threat to school safety.  The information shall include the following:

• Instruction on how to detect potential threats to school safety exhibited online, including posting on any social media platform.
  
  

• Visual examples of possible threats.
  
  

• The process for reporting potential threats, which shall be in accordance with the procedures referenced in policy EBBB, School and Student Safety.

Such information shall be either distributed to or explained to students and school personnel at the beginning of each school year and shall be posted on an easily accessible page of the School Board’s website and the website of each school.

If information reported to a school is deemed a potential threat to school safety, the school shall present the written form and any further evidence to local law enforcement.

The School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures.

INTERNET SAFETY

The Internet is a vast global computer network that provides access to major universities around the world, governmental agencies, other school systems, and commercial providers of data banks.  The School Board shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities.  The School Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block access or exposure to any harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material.  Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited.  However, the School Board monitors authorized employees or students having unfiltered or unrestricted access to Internet or online services, including online services of newspapers with daily circulation of at least 1000 or legitimate scientific or educational purposes approved by the School Board.

In addition to filtering requirements, the School Board shall maintain regulations which:

1. Prohibit access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Intranet/Internet
   
   

2. Monitor the use of electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications, such as Instant Messaging
   
   

3. Prohibit unauthorized access, including what is now known as hacking, and other unlawful online activities by minors online
   
   

4. Prohibit authorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors
   
   

5. Institute measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors

ACCOUNTABILITY

Students’ use of school computers shall be reserved for academic purposes only.  Any student using a school computer or a computer network located on property, or any computer accessing the Internet/Intranet shall be accountable for its use.  No student shall be allowed to use school computers and/or access the Internet/Intranet unless a properly signed Student Acceptable Use Agreement is on file with the Superintendent’s designee.

Student or class files on the network are analogous to school lockers, that is, these accounts shall be treated as district property subject to control and inspection, rather than private property which cannot be searched without just cause.  Access codes or passwords shall be assigned by the teacher if and/or when it is needed.  The teacher shall keep a record of these accounts in case an inspection is warranted.  Use of school computers and/or the Internet/Intranet is considered a privilege and any inappropriate use may result in a disciplinary action and loss of privileges to use school computers and/or access the Internet/Intranet.

UNAUTHORIZED AND ILLEGAL USE

Students must be under the supervision of a teacher, monitor, principal, librarian, or supervisor while using any school computer.  Tampering with selection menus, procedures, or icons for the purpose of misleading or confusing other users shall be prohibited.  Any use by any person of any school computer that incurs expenses to the school other than the monthly user fees and rates shall be strictly prohibited.  The computer system shall not be used for commercial, political, or religious purposes.

Use of the network for any illegal activities shall also be prohibited.  Illegal activities include:  (a) tampering with computer hardware or software, (b) unauthorized entry into computers, files, programs and email accounts, (c) use of unauthorized, illegal, or pirated software, (d) knowledgeable vandalism or destruction of equipment, and (e) deletion of computer files.  Such activities are considered a crime under state and federal law.

PRIVACY AND COPYRIGHTS

All students must adhere to the Copyright Laws of the United States (P.L. 94-533) and the Congressional Guidelines that delineate it regarding software, authorship, and copying information.  The unauthorized copying or transfer of copyrighted materials may result in the loss of network privileges.  Reposting personal communications without the original author’s prior consent shall be prohibited.  To do this is a violation of the author’s privacy.  All persons who willfully violate copyright laws do so without the sanction of the School Board and at their own risk and shall assume all liability and responsibility.  However, all messages posted in a public forum such as news groups or list serves may be copied in subsequent communications, so long as proper attribution is given.

The School Board directs that:

1. Unlawful copies of copyrighted materials shall not be produced on School Board-owned equipment or within School Board-owned facilities.
   
   

2. Unlawful copies of copyrighted materials shall not be used on School Board-owned equipment, within School Board-owned facilities, or at School Board sponsored functions.
   
   

3. Information about copyright law and guidelines shall be made available.

INSTALLING PRANK SOFTWARE

Students should avoid the knowing or inadvertent spread of computer viruses.  Computer viruses are programs that have been developed as pranks, and can destroy valuable programs and data.  To reduce the risk of spreading a computer virus, students shall not import files or programs from unknown or disreputable sources.  If a student obtains software or files from remote sources, proper procedures shall followed to check for viruses before use.  Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt the system or the performance of the network or spreading of computer viruses shall be considered criminal activity under state and federal law.  No software shall be loaded except by certified personnel or designee.

OBJECTIONABLE MATERIALS

Profanity or obscenity shall not be tolerated on the network.  No sites shall be accessed that provide information on the manufacture of bombs or other incendiary devices.  All persons should use language appropriate for school situations as indicated by school codes of conduct.  Offensive or inflammatory speech should be avoided.  The rights of others must be respected both in the local network and the Internet at large.  Personal attacks are an unacceptable use of the network.  If a user is the victim of a flame, a harsh, critical or abusive statement, the user should bring the incident to the attention of the teacher or system administrator.  Furthermore, retrieving and/or viewing pornographic or obscene materials shall not be allowed.

All school computers shall be used for academic purposes only.  Conduct that is in conflict with the responsibilities outlined in School Board policy or pertinent regulations or procedures shall be subject to loss of network privileges.

Special restrictions by the school or district may be implemented in order to meet special needs provided that School Board policy is not violated.

USE OF THE INTERNET REGULATIONS

Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment and resources in a responsible, legal manner and must have a consent form on file.  All users, including students, employees, or any other users of School Board computers, hardware, and School Board network shall abide by all policies of the School Board and any applicable administrative regulations and procedures.

The School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures.  Accordingly, regulations for participation by anyone on the Internet shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Appropriate language and manners which demonstrate honesty, ethics, and respect for others shall be required.
   
   

2. Students with district email accounts shall refrain from sending objectionable content to anyone and should report objectionable content, if received, immediately.
   
   

3. No photographs, personal addresses, personal phone numbers, or last names will be permitted on the Internet.  Pseudonyms, impersonations, and anonymity are not permitted.
   
   

4. Illegal activities, including copyright or contact violations, shall not be permitted on the Internet.
   
   

5. The Internet/Intranet shall not be used for commercial, political, illegal, financial, or religious purposes.  Violations shall be reported to a teacher or administrator immediately.
   
   

6. Threatening, profane, harassing, or abusive language shall be forbidden.
   
   

7. No user is permitted to knowingly or inadvertently load or create a computer virus or load any software that destroys files and programs, confuses users, or disrupts the performance of the system.  No third party software shall be installed except by certified personnel or designee.
   
   

8. A student may not attempt to access any Internet/Intranet resources without the prior consent of the teacher.
   
   

9. Invading the privacy of another user, using another’s account, posting personal messages without the author’s consent, and sending or posting anonymous messages shall be forbidden.
   
   

10. Accessing pornographic or obscene materials or using sending profanity in messages shall be forbidden.
    
    

11. Perusing or otherwise accessing information on manufacturing bombs or other incendiary devices shall be forbidden.
    
    

12. Any subscription to list serves, bulletin boards, or online services shall be approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee prior to any such usage.

Disciplinary action for students shall be as included in the Student Code of Conduct, and may also include, but is not limited to, loss of computer use, monetary reimbursement for damages, expulsion, and/or assignment to an alternative school setting.

Ref:    20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)

47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA))

47 CFR 54.520 (Children's Internet Protection Act Certifications for Schools and Libraries)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7, 17:280, 17:410

Board minutes, 3-3-03, 9-2-08, 1-6-09, 7-10-12, 12-4-12, 12-4-18

Catahoula Parish School Board