Internet Policy

Fieldcrest C.U.S.D. 6
Student Internet/Technology Use Policy
Internet Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

The Fieldcrest 6 Board of Education's goal to include the Internet in the District's instructional program in order to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.   The Internet electronically connects thousands of computers throughout the world and millions of individual subscribers.  Students and teachers may have access to limited electronic mail communications with people all over the world; information from government sources, research institutions, and other sources; discussion groups; and many libraries, including the catalogue to the Library of Congress, and the Educational Resources Information Clearing House (ERIC).  Internet includes but is not limited to all information accessed by Internet sites, e-mail, on-line services, and bulletin board systems.
The District is not responsible for any information, which may be lost, damaged, or unavailable when using the network, or for any information that is retrieved via the Internet.  Furthermore, the District will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the Internet.
The use of the Internet shall be consistent with the curriculum adopted by the District as the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of the students.   The Internet shall comply with selection criteria for instructional materials and library-media center materials (Sections 6.26, 6.27, 6.28.1, 6.29, 6.31, 6.34, 6.34.1).  Teachers may use the Internet throughout the curriculum.   However, the Internet is part of the curriculum and is not a public forum for general use, i.e. school authorities may reasonably regulate student use and expression relative to use of the Internet.
The following procedures do not attempt to state all required or prescribed behaviors by users.  However, some specific examples are required.  The failure of any user to follow these procedures will result in the loss of privilege, disciplinary, and/or appropriate legal action.

1 .Acceptable Use.  Use of the District's Internet and devices must be for the purpose of education or research, and be consistent with the educational objectives of the District.

2. Privileges.  The use of the District's Internet and devices is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges.  Building and District Administrators will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time; his/her decision is final.

3.Unacceptable Use. The user is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving the network and devices.  Some examples of unacceptable uses are:
  • Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any U.S. or Illinois state regulation.
  • Unauthorized downloading of software, file transfers, whether or not the material in question is copyrighted or virus free. All removable media used outside district networks must be scanned for viruses.
  • Downloading copyrighted materials for other than educational use.
  • Accessing or exploring on-line locations, materials or on-line games that do not support the curriculum and/or are inappropriate for school-related work. 
  • Using the network for private financial or commercial gain and advertising.
  • Downloading, installing, or executing unlicensed or unauthorized software. 
  • Sending or receiving materials that are pornographic, obscene, or x-rated. 
  • Wastefully using resources such as file space and bandwidth. Streaming radio is not allowed.
  • Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities.
  • Invading the privacy of individuals.
  • Using another user's account or password or allowing another user access to your account or password.
  • Posting material authorized or created by another without his/her consent.
  • Posting anonymous messages.
  • For grades K-4: using e-mail, except under the direct supervision of a teacher or appropriate designee.
  • For grades 5-12: all correspondence must be completed through Schoology and not personal e-mail accounts.
  • Posting anonymous messages or unlawful or libelous information on the system.
  • Encrypting files or restricting files through unauthorized password protection. 
  • Participating in social networking (ie. no Facebook, MySpace, twitter, blogs etc.) except for educational purposes.
  • Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually-oriented, threatening, racial offensive, harassing, or illegal material.
  • Using the network while access privileges are suspended.  
  • Falsifying permission, authorization or identification documents.
  • Copying or accessing the files of another user for the purpose of copying the contents and representing it as his or her own work. (This is interpreted as plagiarism.)
  • Loading software on a computer without permission from a teacher.
  • Tampering with terminals or any other associated equipment. (e.g. removing mouse balls and switching keyboard and mouse connections.)
  • Modifying or attempting to modify computer systems or facilities.
  • Participating in “hacking” activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.
 
4. Network Etiquette. The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette.  These include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Be polite and use appropriate language. No swearing, vulgarities, suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or threatening language.
  • Do not reveal the personal address or telephone numbers of students or colleagues.
  • Recognize that electronic mail (e-mail) is not private.  People who operate this 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.
 
5. 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 the user suffers.   This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries, or service interruptions caused by intelligence or users' errors of omissions.  Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk.  The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

6. Indemnification.  The user agrees to indemnify the District for any losses, costs, or damages, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the District relating to, or arising out of, any violation of these procedures.

7. Security.  Network security is a high priority.  If the user can identify a security problem on the Internet, the user must notify a Building Principal.  Do not demonstrate the problem to other users.  Keep the user's account and password confidential.  Do not use another individual's account without written permission from that individual.  Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network.

8. 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 any other network.  This includes, but is not limited to, uploading or creation of computer viruses.

  • A signed Internet user policy must be filed with the district in order for students to use the Internet. High school students must complete a signed policy every year.