435 Acceptable Use and Internet Safety  

Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Internet/Network Safety Regulation for Students  and Staff  

Statement of Purpose  

The purpose of providing Internet and network access in schools is to the Focus mission.  

Terms of Agreement  

In order for students and staff to be allowed access to a school computer system, computer  network, and the Internet, parents and students or staff must sign and return the consent form.  

Rules for Internet/Network Usage  

Focus is providing access to their computer systems, computer networks, and the Internet for  educational and work-related purposes to foster 21st-century thinking skills and encourage  responsible digital citizenship. Focus utilizes safety measures regarding access to the Internet  through District computers. These safety measures include the use of a software-filtering  program that restricts students’ and staff’s access to material harmful to minors, as defined in 47  C.F.R.  

54.520(a)(4).  

The use of the computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right. Internet access is  monitored by eSchool Consultants, Inc Technology Department. A user who violates this  agreement shall, at a minimum, have his or her access to the network and Internet terminated and  is subject to further disciplinary action by the Executive Director or eSchool Consultants, Inc.  

  • The Focus network has not been established as a public access service or a public forum.  Focus has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material accessed or posted  through the system. Students and staff are expected to follow such restrictions and the  law in the use of the network.  
  • Students and staff may not use the Focus network for financial or commercial gain or any  illegal activity.  
  • The Focus network may not be used for political lobbying, partisan political activity or  other political activity prohibited by law. For purposes of this policy, “political lobbying”  does not include (a) communication with other users of the Focus network concerning  matters related to the operation of the District or (b) legislative or administrative advocacy on behalf of Focus by those authorized by the Board of Education or Executive  Director.  
  • Respecting Resource Limits: Focus network will be used only for work-related purposes.  However, brief limited personal use that does not interfere with the use of system  resources or an employee’s performance of his or her job duties may be permitted.  
  • Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for education. Focus reserves the right  to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store at any time and without prior notice any and  all usage of the computer network and Internet access and any and all information  transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such information files shall be  and remain the property of Focus, and no user shall have any expectation of privacy  regarding such materials.  

Accordingly, regulations for participation by anyone on the Internet and network shall  include but not be limited to the following:  

Internet Safety  

  • The use of any devices to circumvent Focus implemented content filtering is strictly  prohibited.  
  • 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 will be installed without written approval from the Director of  Information Technology at eSchool Consultants, Inc.  
  • DO NOT SHARE YOUR USER IDENTIFICATION OR PASSWORD AND DO NOT POST THEM IN A VISIBLE LOCATION. 
  • Do not use another person’s accounts or passwords or provide your User Identification or  Password to another person.  
  • Technology protection measures may be disabled only by Information Technology  Management (ITM) during adult computer usage to enable internet access for research or  other lawful purposes.  
  • Do not participate in hacking/cracking activities or any form of unauthorized access to  other computers, networks, or information systems. 

Cyberbullying  

Cyberbullying, an electronic act of bullying is defined as a situation when a person is tormented,  threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted using text messaging, email,  instant messaging, or posting text or images by means of an electronic act. Any cyberbullying,  harassment, or intimidation is strictly prohibited. If a student or staff member is found to have  engaged in cyberbullying, disciplinary action will be taken, including possible student  suspension. If anyone believes he/she is the victim of cyberbullying, it is important to not  respond. Instead, the situation should be reported to a staff member, such as a teacher, academic  advisor, director, or other person of authority. Additionally, students are encouraged to notify  school staff if they suspect another student is being victimized.  

Student Instruction  

Focus will provide developmentally appropriate instruction to students regarding Internet safety  and cyberbullying as part of the District’s curriculum.  

Basic Internet and Network Etiquette & Safety Rules  

  • Be polite and respectful. Use appropriate language and graphics.  
  • Do not use the network or Internet access to make, distribute, or redistribute jokes,  stories, or other material, which is based on slurs or stereotypes relating to race, gender,  ethnicity, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or disability.  
  • All students and Focus employees must adhere to copyright laws of the United States  (P.L. 94-553) and the Congressional Guidelines that delineate it regarding software,  authorship and copying information. Do not download copyrighted material or software  without the permission of the owner.  
  • Focus policies on “Plagiarism/Cheating” and “Harassment/Intimidation” apply to Internet  and network conduct.  
  • Students may not sell or buy anything over the Internet. Staff purchases must be for  educational purposes only.  
  • Do not transmit or access obscene, pornographic or other inappropriate material; notify  your teacher or administrator if you receive such material.  
  • The use of the Internet and network for any illegal activity is prohibited. Illegal activities  include: (a) tampering with computer hardware, software or data, (b) unauthorized entry  into computers and files (hacking), (c) knowledgeable vandalism or destruction of equipment, and (d) deletion of computer files. Such activity is considered a crime under  state and federal law. Do not use the network or Internet to send messages relating to or  in any way supporting illegal activities such as the sale or use of drugs or alcohol;  support of criminal or gang activity; threats, intimidation or harassment of any other  person.  

Social Networks/Chat Rooms/E-Mail  

For personal safety:  

  • Never post personal information, such as full name, social security number, address,  telephone number, bank or credit card number, or photographs, or post such information  about any other person.  
  • Assume that anything posted on the Internet is permanent and cannot be removed upon  request.  
  • Never agree to meet in person, someone met on a social networking site or chat room.  
  • Violating the conditions of State and Federal law dealing with students and employees’  rights to privacy, including unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal  information can result in discipline up to and including expulsion for students and  termination for staff.  
  • Never use profanity, obscenity or other language, which may be offensive to another user  or intended to harass, intimidate or bully other users.  
  • Never use Focus computers to access personal social networking websites for non educational purposes.  
  • Never repost/forward personal communication without the author’s prior consent.
    ● Never send or forward chain letters or “spam” to a large group of users.  
  • Storage of “unauthorized personal files” including pictures, jokes, videos, games and  other recreational software on district technology is prohibited. 

Warranties and Liabilities  

Focus makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the Focus  network will be error-free or without defect. Focus will not be responsible for any damage  suffered, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. Focus is not  responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the  system. Focus will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the authorized or  unauthorized use of the Focus network.  

Due Process  

  • Focus will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation  related to any illegal activities conducted through the Focus network.  
  • In the event there is a claim that indicates a violation of the eSchool Consultants,  Inc./Focus Learning Academy and Focus North High School’s Technology Acceptable  Use Policy has occurred in using the Focus network, the accused will be provided with an  opportunity to be heard in the manner set forth in the laws, school policies, regulations,  rules and/or applicable collective bargaining agreements.  
  • Any violation of the Technology Acceptable Use Policy can result in discipline up to and  including expulsion for students and termination for staff.