IJNDB-R - Student Computer and Internet Use Rules
STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES
All students are responsible for their actions and activities involving school unit computers, network and Internet services, and for their computer files, passwords and accounts. These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of the school unit’s computers and examples of prohibited uses. The rules do not attempt to describe every possible prohibited activity by students. Students, parents and school staff who have questions about whether a particular activity is prohibited are encouraged to contact the Technology Director or building principal. These rules apply to all school computers and all school provided laptops or mobile devices wherever used, and all uses of school servers, Internet access and networks regardless of how they are accessed.
A. Acceptable Use
The school unit’s computers, network and Internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the school unit’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.
Students must comply with all Committee policies, school rules and expectations concerning student conduct and communications when using school computers, whether on or off school property.
Students must also comply with all specific instructions from school staff and volunteers when using the school unit’s computers.
B. Prohibited Uses
Unacceptable uses of school unit computers include, but are not limited to, the following:
Accessing or Communicating Inappropriate Materials - Students may not access, submit, post, publish, forward, download, scan or display defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, bullying/cyberbullying and/or illegal materials or messages.
Illegal Activities - Students may not use the school unit’s computers, network and Internet services for any illegal activity or in violation of any School Committee policy/procedure or school rules. The school unit assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of students while using school computers.
Violating Copyrights or Software Licenses - Students may not copy, download or share any type of copyrighted materials (including music or films) without the owner’s permission; or copy or download software without the express authorization of the Technology Director. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties. The school unit assumes no responsibility for copyright or licensing violations by students. See School Committee policy/procedure EGAD/EGAD-R - Copyright Compliance.
Plagiarism - Students may not represent as their own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, music, etc). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and web site must be identiļ¬ed.
Use for Non-School-Related Purposes - Students may not use the school unit’s computers, network and Internet services for any personal reasons not connected with the educational program or school assignments.
Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access - Students may not share passwords; use other users’ passwords; access or use other users’ accounts; or attempt to circumvent network security systems.
Malicious Use/Vandalism - Students may not engage in any malicious use, disruption or harm to the school unit’s computers, network and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses.
Avoiding School Filters - Students may not attempt to or use any software, utilities or other means to access Internet sites or content blocked by the school filters. If a student believes filtering should be less restrictive on a temporary basis for specific bona fide research purposes, he/she should discuss the matter with his/her teacher.
Unauthorized Access to Blogs/Social Networking Sites, Etc. Students may not access blogs, social networking; sites, etc. to which student access is prohibited.
Any sending of email messages to groups of students or staff using school email or other email (except for educational purposes) without permission from a teacher or supervising adult. Prohibited uses of the email system also include but are not necessarily limited to:
Solicitation of membership in any non-school sponsored organization;
Advocacy or expression by or on behalf of individuals or non-school-sponsored organizations or associations;
Political or religious purposes;
Raising funds for non-school-sponsored purposes, whether profit-making or not-for profit;
Selling articles or services of any kind, advertising or promoting any kind of business; or
Any communications that represent a student’s views as those of the school unit or that could be misinterpreted as such.
C. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages
The student and his/her parents are responsible for compensating the school unit for any losses, costs or damages incurred for violations of School Committee policies/procedures and school rules while the student is using school unit computers, including the cost of investigating such violations. The school unit assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by a student while using school unit computers. Fees will be assessed on a case by case basis.
D. Student Security
A student is not allowed to reveal his/her full name, address, telephone number, social security number, photograph or other personal information on the Internet while using a school computer without prior permission from a teacher. Students should never agree to meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission. Students should inform their teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.
E. System Security
The security of the school unit’s computers, network and Internet services is a high priority. Any student who identifies a security problem must notify his/her teacher or building administrator immediately. The student shall not demonstrate the problem to others or access unauthorized material.
F. Additional Rules for Laptops and Mobile Devices Issued to Students
Laptops or mobile devices are loaned to students as an educational tool and may be used for purposes specifically authorized by school staff and the MLTI program.
Parents are required to attend an informational meeting before a laptop or mobile device will be allowed to go home with their child. Both the student and his/her parents must sign the school’s acknowledgement form.
Students and their families are responsible for the proper care of the laptops or mobile devices at all times, whether on or off school property.
If a laptop or mobile device is lost or stolen, this must be reported to a teacher or administrative faculty member immediately.
Violation of policies or rules governing the use of computers, or any careless use of a laptop or mobile device, may result in a student’s laptop or mobile device being confiscated and/or a student only being allowed to use the laptop or mobile device under the direct supervision of school staff. The student will also be subject to disciplinary action for any violations of School Committee policies/procedures or school rules.
The laptop may only be used by the student to whom it is assigned.
Parents will be informed of their child’s login password. Parents are responsible for supervising their child’s use of the laptop and Internet access when in use at home.
Devices will always be used in common family locations under the supervision of an adult.
Devices will be kept in a protective case and stored in a safe and dry location when not being used.
Devices may not be brought to sport fields, placed in bags, backpacks, near liquids, or anywhere possible accidental damage could accrue.
Students must sign out their device with their homeroom teacher if it’s to go home.
While on the bus, devices are to stay in their protective cases and are not to be used.
The device must be returned to the school before 8:30am the following school day.
It is the student’s responsibility to maintain an adequate charge of the device upon arrival to school.
Devices must be returned in acceptable working order at the end of the school year or whenever requested by school staff.
Failure to comply with the rules aligned in IJNDB - Student Computer and Internet Use Policy, IJNDB-R - Student Computer and Internet Use Rules, EGAD - Copyright Compliance Policy, EGAD-R - Copyright Compliance Administrative, JICIA - Weapons, Violence, Bullying and School Safety may result in disciplinary and/or legal actions.
G. Additional Rules for Use of Privately-Owned Computers by Students
A student who wishes to use a privately-owned computer in school must complete a Student Request to Use Privately-Owned Computer form. The form must be signed by the student, his/her parents, a sponsoring teacher, the building administrator and the Technology Director. There must be an educational basis for any request.
The Technology Director will determine whether a student’s privately-owned computer meets the school unit’s network requirements.
Requests may be denied if it is determined that there is not a suitable educational basis for the request and/or if the demands on the school unit’s network or staff would be unreasonable.
The student is responsible for proper care of his/her privately-owned computer, including any costs of repair, replacement or any modifications needed to use the computer at school.
The school unit is not responsible for damage, loss or theft of any privately-owned computer.
Students are required to comply with all School Committee policies, administrative procedures and school rules while using privately-owned computers at school.
Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of a privately-owned computer while at school. The school unit reserves the right to search a student’s privately-owned computer if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated School Committee policies, administrative procedures or school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using the computer.
Violation of any School Committee policies, administrative procedures or school rules involving a student’s privately-owned computer may result in the revocation of the privilege of using the computer at school and/or disciplinary action.
The school unit may confiscate any privately-owned computer used by a student in school without authorization as required by these rules. The contents of the computer may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
H. School Provided Student Email Accounts
Any sending of email messages through a school provided email account must be in compliance with the school unit's policies and rules.
Cross Reference:
EGAD - Copyright Compliance
IJNDB - Student Computer and Internet Use
Student Handbook
Adopted: 05/14/2013
Revised: 12/12/2023