Hazelwood Elementary

Electronic Communications Network

Acceptable Use Policy

This brochure explains our school’s networking policy addressing acceptable use standards for students.

Computer networks have been established for the enrichment of learning in the school. These networks provide students with theopportunity to prepare for the technological world in which we live, and provide access to online resources enabling integration in all areas of learning. Hazelwood Elementary is pleased to offer this access to our students and teachers. We believe the online materials, which are accessed through the Internet, offer a vast, diverse, and unique set of resources. It is our belief that this service will promote educational excellence by facilitating the sharing of resources as well as innovation and communication in the teaching/learning process.

In addition to the vast educational resource base that may be accessed through the Internet, there exists  material that may not be considered of educational value in the context of the school setting. Some of this material may be pornographic, racist, or in other ways offensive. We (Hazelwood Elementary School) firmly believe that the value of the information and the interactions available on this world-wide network far outweighs the possibility that users may access material that is not consistent with the educational goals of our school.

 Access to the Internet is co-ordinated through a complex association  of government, educational, and private agencies as well as regional and provincial networks. The smooth operation of this network relies upon the proper conduct of the various users who must adhere to strict guidelines. The policy described below will address acceptable use standards for students, and responsibilities of the School and Individual teachers to prevent misuse of these networks. These  guidelines are provided so you and your child are aware of the responsibilities when using the computer networks of Hazelwood Elementary  to access the Internet.  The signatures required for the User Agreements are  legally binding and indicate thatthe parties who have signed have read the terms and conditions, understand their significance, and agree to abide by these terms and conditions as outlined herein. It is also understood that if a user violates any of the provisions of this policy, his/her access to the network and/or Internet will be terminated.

 The issue of hacking is one that is covered in the Criminal Code of Canada, and thus for the student's own safety they should be made aware of these laws and consequences for failing to comply with them.

Regulations and Procedures

Regulation 1:

Prior to issuing access to students, Hazelwood Elementary School staff will clearly communicate with students and parents the purposes, benefits, and risks associated with the use of Internet resources.

Procedures:

1A   The Principal shall designate staff to manage the Local Area

          Network and Internet account granting (Network Administrator).

1B    Before a student is issued an Internet access account, the

          sponsoring teacher will ensure they have read and understood the

          responsibilities and requirements as delineated in this policy as

well as the dangers associated with providing personal information to other Internet users.

1C    The Principal and/or Network Administrator shall ensure all staff

          are provided with information relating to the benefits and risks

          associated with using the Internet for educational purposes.

          Teachers shall provide this information to their students as part of

          their orientation process.

1D   The Principal shall facilitate staff development related to Internet

          access and curriculum use.

1E    The Principal or Network Administrator shall ensure all User

          Agreements are signed by the student’s parents or guardians and

          kept on file at the school.

1F    Student names and pictures will not be used in school web pages without written permission from the student’s parent or guardian.

Regulation 2:

Hazelwood Elementary has the right, but not the obligation, to monitor all computer use to ensure compliance with the regulations and expectations set forth in this policy.

Procedures:

2A All computer and Internet accounts may be examined without

notice to the account holder to ensure compliance with this policy.

2B All electronic mail (e-mail), both outgoing and incoming, may be examined at any time by the School/Network Administrator to ensure compliance with this policy.

2C No student shall have access to the Internet unless supervised by a teacher or other designated adult.

2D  Students in Primary and Elementary School shall not be permitted to conduct Internet searches unless a teacher or other designated adult is monitoring directly. Primary and Elementary students shall only access the Internet through “book marked” sites that have been examined and approved by their teachers.

Regulation 3:

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of this privilege.

Procedures:

3A  The School Administration and Network Administrator will determine what is inappropriate use and their decision is final.   3B. The Network Administrator may close an account at any time.   This will result in  termination of the user’s account and access to      the network and Internet.   

3C The school administration, faculty, and staff may request the Network Administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts for reasons deemed necessary

Regulation 4:

The use of all Internet access accounts must be in support of education and research and be consistent with the educational objectives of Hazelwood Elementary.  Any unacceptable use will result in termination of the user’s account.

Procedures:

4A Unacceptable use includes, but is not limited to access to sites which contain information that is pornographic, racist, sexist, malicious, vulgar, or which is prohibited by the School / Network Administrator;

4B    Any student who accidentally accesses a prohibited site shall immediately exit the site and notify their teacher or the Network Administrator.

egulation 5:

Transmission or use of any material that is in violation of Canadian or Provincial laws, or of School, or School District Policy is prohibited and will be reported to the appropriate school or law enforcement authorities.

Procedures:

5A    Use or transmission of inappropriate material constitutes grounds for termination of all computer and Internet accounts.

5B    Inappropriate transmissions include, but are not limited to, transmission of information protected by copyright, threatening or obscene materials, materials associated with commercial activities or advertisements, materials relating to or in support of illegal activities and materials used for political lobbying.

5C    Language in email is to be of the same standard as other forms of communication within the school setting. Therefore, use of profane, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate language is forbidden.

5D    Use of anonymous email sites or any other method of disguising source of electronic communication is forbidden.

5E    Students shall not post or transmit information that would reveal personal information about themselves or others (for example addresses, telephone numbers, or pictures

Regulation 6:

All students shall make security of the network a priority.

Procedures:

6A    The individual student in whose name a system account is

        issued is responsible at all times for its proper use and will be held

        accountable for any misuse.

6B    If a student’s  password is known to anyone else, or if

        there is reason to suspect that someone has access to their

        password, the student should inform the Network Administrator

        and change their current password.

6C    Use of accounts by anyone other than the registered account owner is prohibited. If someone other than the registered user is using an account, both the unauthorized user and the registered owner will have computer privileges suspended or revoked.

6D    Students shall ensure they have logged off before leaving a computer.

6E    Attempting  to access any computer, network, or resource files or data for which the account holder does not have authorization is strictly prohibited and will lead to immediate and permanent revocation of computer privileges.

6F    Students are not permitted to use discs or software from home on the school’s computer network.

6G   No student is permitted to download any software programs

        without the express permission of the supervising teacher or

        Network Administrator.

6H    No student is permitted to install any downloaded programs

        without the express permission of the supervising teacher and

        Network Administrator.