Administration
The following rules and regulations govern the use of the district’s computer network system and access to the Internet:

The Superintendent of Schools shall designate the Director of Technology to oversee the district’s computer network.  The Director of Technology shall monitor and examine all network activities, as appropriate to ensure proper use of the system.  The Director of Technology shall be responsible for disseminating and interpreting district policy and regulations governing use of the district’s network at the building level with all network users.  The Director of Technology shall provide employee training for proper use of the network and will ensure that staff supervising students using the district’s network provide similar training to their students, including providing copies of district policy and regulations governing use of the district’s network.  The Director of Technology shall ensure that all disks and software loaded onto the computer network have been scanned for viruses.  All student agreements to abide by district policy and regulations and parental consent forms shall be kept on file at the school that the student attends with a copy on file at the district office.

Student Access
The Clarkstown Central School District is pleased to offer our students access to online services for the Internet. Access to the Internet will give our students unlimited opportunities to expand their knowledge, correspond with and work cooperatively with others both within our district and around the world.  By using the Internet our students open the doors to libraries, museums, colleges and universities worldwide.  With the combination of the Internet and the software on our networks, students will be able to learn at a much higher level than would otherwise be possible.  The District’s network, E-mail, and Internet service has a very specific, limited purpose, to enhance the delivery of educational activities.  Student’s use of E-mail will be limited to completing specific, appropriate, educational projects and activities as determined by the teacher.  Students will be provided access during class time, during the school day when students are not in class, and before and after school hours.  Beginning in 3rd grade students will be provided with individual network accounts.  Students may not browse the World Wide Web.  Students may not participate in chat rooms or instant messaging programs.  Students may not read news groups except under the direct supervision of a teacher.  Students may not construct their own web pages using district computer resources except under the direct supervision of a teacher.  Students will not have individual e-mail addresses.  Students are not allowed to belong to mailing lists.  A staff member will be required to monitor all these activities.

To gain individual access to the Internet, students must obtain parental/guardian permission as verified by the signatures on the form included. Should a parent prefer that their child not have individual Internet access, use of the computers is still possible for network applications for purposes such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, multimedia, and other curriculum software, as well as group instruction by the classroom teacher that utilizes the Internet.  In utilizing Internet resources for classroom activities, teachers will select materials that are appropriate to the age of the students as well as that which is relevant to the course objectives.  Teachers will preview sites they require or recommend to students.  Teachers will assist their students in developing the skills to ascertain the truthfulness and value of information.

Access to the Internet will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other repositories of information and to exchange personal communication with other Internet users around the world.  Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive.  While the District has installed filtering software to limit access to inappropriate sites, and although the District’s purpose is the use of Internet resources for constructive educational goals, the students may still find ways to access other materials. We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration far exceed the disadvantages. The District will take steps to educate the students about acceptable uses of technology and will provide general supervision of students in classrooms and labs.  The District cannot however directly supervise every student while they are using the Internet.  Ultimately, parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources.  Therefore, we support and respect each family's right to decide whether or not to grant individual access.

District Limitation of Liability
The District makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, that the functions or the services provided by, or through, the District system will be error-free or without defect.  The District will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service.  The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system.  The District will not be responsible for the content of any advice or information received by a student from a source outside the District, or any costs incurred as a result of seeing or accepting such advice.  The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system.  The District is not responsible for the communications of individuals utilizing the network. 

Student Responsibility
Students are responsible for appropriate behavior on the District’s computer network just as they are when in a classroom or on school grounds. Communications on the network are often public in nature.  General school rules for behavior and communications apply. It is expected that students will comply with District standards and the specific rules set forth below. The use of the network is a privilege, not a right, and may be suspended or revoked if abused.  Each student is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the District's computer resources. 

Internet access is being provided to students for educational purposes.  It is considered an important part of the educational environment.  Student actions while on the Internet that are in violation of the District’s disciplinary code will be handled in accord with the code.  In cases of suspected illegal activity, the appropriate legal authorities will be contacted.  In cases that might result in denial of a student’s access to the Internet the following due process procedures will be followed:

• Students will be provided with a written notice describing any alleged violation which could lead to suspension of Internet privileges.  The notice will also offer the opportunity to meet with the principal to discuss the allegations.
• At the principal’s conference, if one is requested, the allegations will be explained and the student will be given a meaningful opportunity to ask questions and to respond.  The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) may also attend and participate.
• The principal shall have final authority to determine guilt and to set a penalty.

Standards of Network Use
Personal Safety--Teachers will instruct students about safe and unsafe interactions while on the Internet.  Students are not to give out personal information such as their address, telephone number, parent’s work address or telephone number, or the name and location of their school without their parent’s and teacher’s permission.  It is easy for someone to misrepresent himself or herself online.  Therefore, students should refrain from agreeing to meet in person with someone who they have met online.  If they do agree to meet, it should be with parental permission and at a public place with a parent or other known adult present.  Students should tell their parent or teacher whenever they come across information online that makes them uncomfortable.  Students are not permitted to participate in chat rooms while using the district network.

Privacy -- Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review communications to maintain system integrity and to insure that students are using the system responsibly.

Illegal copying / Copyright -- Teachers will instruct students in appropriate uses of material found on the Internet.  Students should never download or install any commercial software, shareware, or freeware onto network drives or disks, unless they have written permission from the Network Administrator. Nor should students copy other people's work or intrude into other people's files.  Students should assume materials they find on the Internet are copyrighted.  Hacking the district’s computers and or network is illegal.  Hackers may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Inappropriate materials or language – Students are responsible for their actions while on the Internet.  No profane, abusive or impolite language should be used to communicate nor should materials be accessed which are not in line with the rules of school behavior. A good rule to follow is never view, send, or access materials which you would not want your teachers and parents to see.  Should students encounter such material by accident, they should report it to their teacher immediately.

Commercial or political uses —The Districts network may not be used for either commercial or political purposes.  The District will not be responsible for financial obligations that result from unauthorized use of its network.

Storage capacity -- Users are expected to remain within allocated disk space and delete E-mail or other material which take excessive storage space.  Users are encouraged to make a backup copy of their data.

Student guidelines for use
These are guidelines to follow to maximize learning and to prevent the revocation or suspension of network privileges:

• Do not use a computer to harm other people or their work.
• Do not purposefully damage the computer or the network in any way.
• Do not interfere with the operation of the network by installing illegal software, shareware, or freeware.
• Do respect copyright laws.
• Do not view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures.
• Do keep your password to yourself.
• Do preserve limited resources such as disk space.
• Do respect others folders, work, or files.
• Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials, which violate the rules of appropriate use.
• Do accept that you are accountable for your actions and for the loss of privileges if the rules of appropriate use are violated.

Parent Permission and Student Agreement

As the parent /guardian of the minor student signing below, I have read and discussed with my child the included information about the appropriate use of computers at CCSD. I understand that students and families may be held liable for violations of the Acceptable Use Policy. I also understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable, but I accept responsibility for guidance of Internet use if I have granted permission for such use.

Directions: Please indicate your choice, by checking one option, then fill in the pertinent information and sign below:

□        I, (Parent’s name) _____________ grant permission for my child, (Child’s name) _____________, to use the Internet while at school according to the rules outlined.
 

□        I, (Parent’s name) _____________ grant permission for my child, (Child’s name) _____________, to have limited use of the Internet while at school, solely for the purposes of accessing (password protected) databases and other reference materials. 

□        I, (Parent’s name) _____________ do not want my child, (Child’s name) _____________, to have individual access to the Internet while at school.

Parent’s Signature_____________________________________

Parents Permission for the Publication of Student Work/Pictures/Video Image, & Voice 

I understand that from time-to-time the school may wish to publish examples of student projects, photographs of students, and other work and images on an Internet accessible World Wide Web server. 

(To ensure student safety, the District’s Elementary School Web sites will follow the following guidelines when publishing student work and or photos:

• Students whose work is published on a school web site will be identified by first name only (i.e. Painting by Joey).

• Students whose photos are published will not be identified.

• Student’s work will not be published in conjunction with photographs in which the student author of the work is included.)

I also understand that the District may take photographs, videos, tape recordings of students in connection with producing promotional material for the district, motion pictures, brochures, or the like, and will have perpetual right to use or to put the finished pictures, negatives, videos, reproductions and copies or the original prints and negatives and videos, and any sound track recordings, and recordings which may be made of students’ voice, or likeness, to any legitimate use that may deem proper for the promotion of the school district, all without notice of use, compensation, or expectation of same.  

Please check:

     □        My child's work can be published on the Internet.

□        Photographs of my child can be published on the Internet.

□        My child’s video image & voice can be used for district promotions and presentations.

□        I do not want photographs that include my child to be published on the Internet.

□        I do not want my child's work to be published on the Internet.

□        I do not want my child’s video image & voice to be used for district promotions and presentations.

Parent’s Name (please print)______________________    Date_______________________

Parent’s Signature_____________________________________