File:  JS - Student Use of the Internet and Electronic Communications

The Board of Education is committed to providing appropriate access to technology resources including applications for education and social media to support the district strategic plan. The Board believes that technology should be leveraged to improve instruction through increased innovation and creation, facilitation of collaborative communications, promotion of global connections, encouragement of critical thinking and problem solving and in preparation of students being responsible digital citizens.  The internet and electronic communications (email, chat rooms and other forms of electronic communication) have vast potential to support curriculum and student learning. The Board of Education believes they should be used in schools as a learning resource to educate and to inform.  The Board of Education believes innovative technologies should be used in schools as a learning resource to educate, inform, motivate, and extend opportunities for students.

Use of the internet and electronic communications require students to think critically, analyze information, write clearly, use problem-solving skills, and hone computer and research skills that employers demand. Use of these tools also encourages an attitude of lifelong learning and offers an opportunity for students to participate in distance learning activities, ask questions of and consult with experts, communicate with other students and individuals and locate material to meet educational and personal information needs.

An inherent risk of making global network resources available is that some users might encounter content that could be considered controversial or inappropriate. Because global information resources The internet and electronic communications are fluid, environments in which students may access materials and information from many sources, including some that may be harmful to students, cannot be predicted or totally controlled. While it is impossible to predict with certainty what information students might locate or come into contact with, the district shall take a "best effort" approach to provide reasonable steps to protect students from accessing material and information that is obscene, child pornography or otherwise harmful to minors, as defined by the Board. Students shall take responsibility for their own use of district technology devices and information made available through the devices to avoid contact with material or information that may be inappropriate or harmful to minors. For purposes of this policy, "district technology device" means any district-owned computer, hardware, software, or other technology that is used for learning purposes and has access to the internet.

Blocking or filtering obscene, pornographic and harmful information

Technology that blocks or filters material and information that is obscene, child pornography or otherwise harmful to minors, as defined by the Board, shall be installed on for all district computers having district provided internet or electronic communications access. Additionally, or the district has taken technology protection measures such as requiring parents' signed acknowledgment of the limitations of the technology and assurance that the parent will supervise the student when the student takes the device home and in cases where filtering devices cannot be provided, through the student registration process. Students shall report access to material and information that is inappropriate, offensive or otherwise in violation of this policy to the supervising staff member. If a student becomes aware of other students accessing such material or information, he or she shall report it to the supervising staff member.

No expectation of privacy

District technology devices are owned by the district and are intended for educational purposes at all times. Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district technology devices. The district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store (at any time and without prior notice) all usage of district technology devices, including all internet and electronic communications access and transmission/receipt of materials and information. All material and information accessed, received, created, stored, or sent through district technology devices or network shall remain the property of the school district and are subject to review at any time. Additionally, the district may provide students access to educational resources including student e-mail account, applications for education, online textbook or other course materials. The district may review all files that are accessed, received, created, stored or sent through district provided resources. Evidence of illegal activity may be reported or turned over to appropriate authorities. The district reserves the right to monitor, track and maintain logs of the use of its technology and computer network including utilization by individual users within the bounds of student privacy law.

Unauthorized and unacceptable uses

Students shall use district technology devices in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner. A student who commits an act of misconduct may be subject to disciplinary action consistent with school and district policies.

Because technology and ways of using technology are constantly evolving, every unacceptable use of district technology devices cannot be specifically described in policy.

Therefore, examples of unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

No student shall access, create, transmit, retransmit or forward material or information:

  that Promotes violence or advocates destruction of property including, but not limited to, access to information concerning the manufacturing or purchasing of destructive devices or weapons.

  that contains using pornographic, obscene or other sexually oriented materials, either as pictures or writings.

  that actions that may be reasonably interpreted as harassing, threatening, demeaning, or promoting violence or hatred against another person or group of persons  in violation of the district's nondiscrimination policies.

  personally profiting including financial gain, advertising, commercial transaction or political purposes.

  plagiarize the work of another without express consent.

  use of inappropriate or profane language likely to be offensive to others in the school community.

  that is producing knowingly false materials, information or publications that or could be construed as intending to purposely damage another person's reputation.

  in any violation of any federal or state law or district policy, including but not limited to copyrighted material and material protected by trade secret.

  use of another individual's internet or electronic communications account without written permission from that individual.

  accessing District blocked websites, via codes, or other improper routes.

  degrading or disrupting systems or equipment including intentional internet service disruptions.

  Spreading computer viruses or other disruptive attacks to technology, systems, services or resources.

Unacceptable use of technology or the district network will result in the suspension or revocation of technology, network, and/or software access privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.

Security

Security on district technology devices is a high priority. Students who identify a security problem while using district technology devices must immediately notify a system administrator. Students should not demonstrate the problem to other users. Logging on to the internet or electronic communications as a system administrator is prohibited.

Students shall not:

  use another person's password or any other identifier

  gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to district technology devices, systems or services

  read, alter, delete or copy, or attempt to do so, electronic communications of other system users

Any user identified as a security risk, or as having a history of problems with technology, may be denied access to the internet, electronic communications and/or district technology devices or may be restricted to supervised use of devices, systems and services only. Additionally, access to district provided accounts may be suspended and/or confiscation of inappropriate item(s) may occur.

Safety

In the interest of student safety and security, the district shall educate students [Optional language:  and parents] about digital citizenship including appropriate online behavior, including cyber bullying awareness and response; and interacting on social networking sites, in chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

Students shall not reveal personal information, such as home address or phone number, while using the internet or electronic communications. Without first obtaining permission of the supervising staff member, students shall not use their last name or any other information that might allow another person to locate him or her. Students shall not arrange face-to-face meetings with persons met on the internet or through electronic communications.

Vandalism, Theft, Loss or Damage

Students are responsible for the care and maintenance of technology devices issued to the individual and must take reasonable precautions to protect against damage, theft and/or loss. Students are responsible for theft, loss and/or damages sustained to a device in his or her care and may be assessed for replacement or repair of a device.

Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and may result in legal action and/or disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with Board policy concerning suspension, expulsion and other disciplinary interventions. Vandalism is defined as any malicious or intentional attempt to harm, destroy, modify, abuse or disrupt operation of any network within the school district or any network connected to the internet, operation of any form of electronic communications, the data contained on any network or electronic communications, the data of another user, usage by another user, or district technology device. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer or network viruses attacks and the use of encryption software.

Unauthorized content

Students are prohibited from using or possessing any software applications, mobile apps or other content that has been downloaded or is otherwise in the user's possession without appropriate registration and payment of any fees.

Assigning student projects and monitoring student use

The district will make reasonable efforts to see that the internet and electronic communications are used responsibly by students. Administrators, teachers and staff have a professional responsibility to work together to monitor students' use of the internet and electronic communications, help students develop the intellectual skills needed to discriminate among information sources, to identify information appropriate to their age and developmental levels, and to evaluate and use information to meet their educational goals.

Student use is a privilege

Use of the internet and electronic communications demands personal responsibility and an understanding of the acceptable and unacceptable uses of such tools. Student use of the internet, electronic communications and district technology devices is a privilege, not a right. Failure to follow the use procedures contained in this policy shall result in the loss of the privilege to use these tools and restitution for costs associated with damages, and may result in legal action and/or disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with Board policy concerning suspension, expulsion and other disciplinary interventions. The school district may deny, revoke or suspend access to district technology or close accounts at any time.

Students and parents/guardians shall be required to sign the district's Acceptable Use Agreement annually before internet or electronic communications accounts shall be issued or access shall be allowed.

Additionally, the use of personal devices on the district network is a privilege and is subject to the acceptable use policies outlined herein, while in use. The district may, at any time, restrict, revoke or terminate an individual's ability to access the network with a non-district issued device without cause, reason or notice.

School district makes no warranties

The school district makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, related to the use of district technology devices, including access to the internet and electronic communications services. Providing access to these services does not imply endorsement by the district of the content, nor does the district make any guarantee as to the accuracy or quality of information received. The district shall not be responsible for any damages, losses or costs a student suffers in using the internet and electronic communications. This includes loss of data and service interruptions. Use of any information obtained via the internet and electronic communications is at the student's own risk.

Adopted: July 25, 2001

Revised June 25, 2003

Revised May 22, 2012

Revised October 8, 2013

Revised June 14, 2016

LEGAL REFS.:  20 U.S.C. 6751et seq. (Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001)

47 U.S.C. 254(h) (Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000)

47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart F (Universal Support for Schools and Libraries)

C.R.S. 22-87-101 et seq. (Children's Internet Protection Act)

CROSS REFS.:  AC, Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity

EGAEA, Electronic Communication

JB, Equal Educational Opportunities

JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students