Staff Acceptable Use Policy
Staff Acceptable Use Policy Printable PDF
Introduction
Adelanto Elementary School District (“District”) recognizes that access to technology at school gives students greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping our students develop 21st-century technology and communication skills. To facilitate this we provide access to various technologies for student and staff use.
This Acceptable Use Policy (“Policy”) outlines the guidelines and behaviors that all users are expected to follow when using District technology resources.
- The Adelanto School District network is intended solely for educational purposes.
- All activity over the network or using District resources may be monitored and retained.
- Access to online content via the network will be restricted in accordance with our policies and applicable federal regulations, such as the Children’s Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”).
- Users are expected to follow the same rules for good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline.
- Misuse of technology resources may result in disciplinary action.
- Adelanto School District makes a reasonable effort to ensure our users’ safety and security online but will not be held accountable for any harm or damages that result from the use of District technologies.
- Users of the District network or other technologies are expected to alert Technology Department staff immediately of any concerns for safety or security.
Technologies Covered
The District may provide technological resources for student and employee use including, but not limited to, Internet access, desktop computers, mobile computers or devices, videoconferencing capabilities, online collaboration capabilities, message boards, and e-mail. The policies outlined in this document are intended to cover all available technologies, not just those specifically listed.
Usage Policies
As a condition of maintaining the privilege of using District computer resources, each user will be held responsible for his or her own actions which affect such resources. By signing the Acceptable Use Contract, each user acknowledges and agrees to abide by the terms of the Policy. A user who violates the terms of the Agreement will be subject to revocation or suspension of the privilege of using the computer resources and may be subject to appropriate discipline.
District technology resources are to be used for District-related business, instruction, learning, and administrative activities. Use of District technology resources to engage in personal communications is not permitted, except in an emergency.
Internet Access
The District provides its users with access to the Internet, including web sites, resources, content, and online tools. This access will be restricted in compliance with CIPA regulations and District policies. Web browsing may be monitored and web activity records may be retained indefinitely.
Users shall comply with the access and security procedures and systems established to ensure the security, integrity and operational functionality of District computer resources.
Users shall not attempt to modify any system or network or attempt to “crash” or “hack” into District systems. Users shall not tamper with any software protections or restrictions placed on computer applications or files. Unless properly authorized, users shall not attempt to access restricted portions of any operating system or security software. Users shall not attempt to remove existing software or add their own personal software to District computers and systems unless authorized.
The District may provide users with e-mail accounts for the purpose of school-related communication. Availability and use may be restricted based on District policies.
If users are provided with e-mail accounts they should be used with care. E-mail is not a secure transmission protocol; messages are sent in clear text and may be intercepted. Users should never send personal information or attempt to open files or follow links from unknown or untrusted origin. Users shall refrain from profanity and vulgarity. Only communicate with other people as allowed by District policies or the teacher.
Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. E-mail usage may be monitored and archived.
Accounts
Accounts issued to users for the use of District technology resources are for the intended user’s sole use only. Users are expected to keep login information private at all times and are responsible for any misuse that occurs under the accounts issued to them. They shall use the system only under their own accounts and shall maintain the privacy of personal information and passwords.
Social/Web 2.0 / Collaborative Content
Recognizing the benefits collaboration brings to education, the District may provide users with access to web sites or tools that allow communication, collaboration, sharing, and messaging among users.
Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Posts, chats, sharing, and messaging may be monitored. Users should never share personally identifying information online.
Mobile Devices Policy
The District may provide users with mobile computers or other devices to promote learning outside of the classroom. Users are expected to abide by the same acceptable use policies when using devices off the District network as on the District network. Use of these devices while off the District network may be monitored.
Users are expected to treat these devices with extreme care and caution; these are expensive devices that the District is entrusting to your care. Users should report any loss, damage, or malfunction to Technology Department staff immediately. Users may be financially accountable for any damage resulting from negligence or misuse.
Personal Equipment Policy
The District recognizes that the use of certain technology devices, such as memory sticks, which are not owned by the District may be beneficial to both District employees and students.
Memory sticks and similar storage devices may be used with District computer resources if the user has current security software installed on all non-District equipment on which the memory stick or other storage device is used. Other than memory sticks and similar storage devices, District employees and students may not connect laptops, PDAs, internet tablets, or other personal computing or mobile communication devices which are not owned or leased by the District to the District data network and/or internet service, absent express permission by the system administrator.
District employees may only use personal communication devices during non-duty times of the workday or for brief conversations. Instructional time may not be interrupted by a personal cellular telephone or mobile communication device, except in an emergency. Such activities shall not interfere with the work efficiency or performance of the employee and shall not interfere with the rights or work efficiency or performance of others.
Security
Security on any computer system is of the highest priority. Users who identify a security problem must immediately notify a representative from the Technology Department or an administrator.
Users must never use another user’s account and should never share passwords with anyone or leave it where it may be discovered. Under no circumstances may students be allowed to use teacher or staff computers. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the system.
Downloads
Users shall not download or attempt to download or run executable programs over the District network or onto District resources without express permission from Technology Department staff.
You may be able to download other file types, such as images or videos. To ensure the security of the network download such files only from reputable sites, and only for educational purposes. Transmission, receiving, or downloading of any material in violation of any U.S. or State regulations is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, pornography, threatening or obscene material or images inappropriate to an instructional environment.
Political Activities
Users shall not use District technology resources for political purposes including, but not limited to, urging the support or defeat of any ballot measure or candidate, including, but not limited to, any candidate for election to the governing board of the district.
Netiquette
Users are expected to always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful manner.
Users are expected to recognize that among the vast array of valuable content online there also exists unverified, incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should use trusted sources when conducting research via the Internet.
Users should also remember not to post anything online that they wouldn’t want parents, teachers, future colleges or potential employers to see. Once something is online, it is out there— and can sometimes be shared and spread in ways you never envisioned or intended.
Plagiarism
Users shall not plagiarize (or use as their own, without citing the original creator) content,
including words or images, from the Internet. Users should not take credit for things they didn’t create themselves, or misrepresent themselves as an author or creator of something found online. Research conducted via the Internet must be appropriately cited, giving credit to the original author.
Personal Safety
Users should never share personal information including phone numbers, addresses, social security numbers, birthdates, or financial information over the Internet or via e-mail.
Communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and associated risks and users should always carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others. Students should never agree to meet someone they have communicated with online in real life without parental permission.
If you see a message, comment, image, video or anything else online that makes you concerned for your personal safety, bring it to the attention of an adult (teacher or staff if you’re at school; parent if you’re using the device at home) immediately.
No Expectation of Privacy
District technology resources and all user accounts are the property of District. There is no right to privacy in the use of the technology resources or user accounts.
In addition, users are hereby put on notice as to the lack of privacy afforded by electronic data storage and electronic mail in general, and must apply appropriate security to protect private and confidential information from unintended disclosure. Electronic data, including e-mail, which is transmitted through District technology resources is more analogous to an open postcard than to a letter in a sealed envelope. Under such conditions, the transfer of information which is intended to be confidential should not be sent through District technology resources.
District reserves the right to monitor and access information contained on its computer resources under various circumstances including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:
Under the California Public Records Act (“CPRA”), electronic files are treated in the same way as paper files. Public documents are subject to inspection through CPRA. In responding to a request for information under the CPRA, District may access and provide such data without the knowledge or consent of the user.
District will cooperate with any local, state, or federal officials investigating an alleged crime committed by any person who accesses District computer resources, and may release information to such officials without the knowledge or consent of the user.
The contents of electronic messages, including any e-mail communication sent using District technological resources, may be viewed by a system administrator in the course of routine maintenance, or by the system administrator, or designee(s) as needed for District administrative purposes, including but not limited to, investigation of possible violations of the Policy or other District policies, and monitoring of on-line activities of minor students. Electronic mail systems store messages in files. These files are copied to back-up tapes in the course of system backups. The contents of these files and the copies on system backup tapes are subject to disclosure as stated in the preceding paragraphs.
Receipt of Offensive Material: Due to the open and decentralized design of the Internet and networked computer systems, users are warned that they may occasionally receive materials which may be offensive to them. Users should report all such occurrences to the system administrator.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, dissing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyber-stalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Don’t send e- mails, text messages, or post comments with the intent of scaring, hurting, or intimidating someone else.
Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to cause harm (physically or emotionally) to another person will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. Cyberbullying can be a crime. Remember that your activities are monitored and retained.
Examples of Acceptable Use
I will:
- Use District technologies for instructional activities.
- Follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that I am expected to follow offline.
- Treat District resources and equipment carefully, and alert staff if there is any problem with their operation.
- Encourage positive, constructive discussion if allowed to use communicative or collaborative technologies.
- Alert a staff member if I see threatening, inappropriate, or harmful content (images, messages, posts or videos) online.
- Use District technologies at appropriate times, in approved places, and only for educational pursuits.
- Cite sources when using online sites and resources for research.
- Recognize that the use of District technologies is a privilege and treat it as such.
- Be cautious to protect the safety of others and myself.
- Help to protect the security of District resources.
Examples of Unacceptable Use
I will not:
- Use District technologies in a way that could be harmful.
- Attempt to find inappropriate images or content, or attempt to circumvent the District’s filtering tools.
- Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others.
- Use District technologies to send mass mailings, “spam,” or “mail bombs.” Mass mailings directed to “All District Employees” or to any large subgroup of District employees shall be approved by the sender’s immediate supervisor.
- Plagiarize content I find online.
- Share personally identifying information, about others or myself.
- Use District technologies for personal gain, product advertisement, political lobbying, or partisan political activities.
- Use language online that would be unacceptable in the classroom.
- Use District technologies for illegal activities or to pursue information on such activities.
- Attempt to hack or access sites, servers, or content that is not intended for my use.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using District technologies.
Limitation of Liability
The District will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data, or hardware. While the District employs, and makes reasonable efforts to ensure the proper functioning of filtering and other safety and security mechanisms, it makes no guarantees as to their effectiveness.
The District will not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for unauthorized transactions conducted over the District network.
Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy
Users shall report any suspected violation of the Agreement by a District employee to the
employee’s supervisor who shall immediately refer the matter to the system administrator and the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources for review. The Director of ITS and/or the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources shall then determine whether a violation of the Agreement has occurred. If the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources determines that a violation has occurred, he or she may take immediate action to restrict, suspend, or revoke the user’s privileges. The user may also be subject to appropriate discipline.
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