TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The
Board of Education is committed to optimizing student learning and teaching.
The Board considers student access to a computer network, including the
Internet, to be a powerful and valuable educational and research tool, and
encourages the use of computers and computer‑related technology in
district classrooms solely for the purpose of advancing and promoting learning
and teaching.
The
computer network can provide a forum for learning various software applications
and through online databases, bulletin boards and electronic mail, can
significantly enhance educational experiences and provide statewide, national
and global communication opportunities for staff and students.
All
users of the district’s computer network and the Internet must understand that use is a
privilege, not a right, and that use entails responsibility.
The
Superintendent of Schools shall establish regulations governing the use and
security of the district's computer network.
All users of the district’s computer network and equipment shall comply
with this policy and those regulations. Failure to comply may result in
disciplinary action as well as suspension and/or revocation of computer access
privileges.
The
Superintendent shall be responsible for designating a computer network
coordinator to oversee the use of district computer resources. The computer
coordinator will prepare in-service programs for the training and development
of district staff in computer skills, and for the incorporation of computer use
in appropriate subject areas.
The
Superintendent, working in conjunction with the designated purchasing agent for
the district, the computer network coordinator and the instructional materials
planning committee, will be responsible for the purchase and distribution of
computer software and hardware throughout district schools. They shall prepare
and submit for the Board's approval a comprehensive multi‑year technology
plan, which shall be revised as necessary to reflect changing technology,
and/or district needs.
Cross-ref: 4319, Science and
Math Instruction
Adoption date: January 18, 2000
4526-R
TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION
The
Nyack Union Free School District is committed to the goal of having electronic
network facilities used in a responsible, efficient, and legal manner.
Procedures
All
users, students, teachers, graduate class students
and adult education students must
acknowledge their understanding of the general procedures as a condition of
receiving use of a district account or using the network facilities.
Acceptable
use of telecommunications includes activities, which support teaching and
learning. Use of district accounts should be for assignments or research for
school-related activities or courses. Users are encouraged to develop network
uses which meet their individual needs and which take advantage of the
functions of these networks; such as electronic mail, conferences, bulletin
boards, databases and access to Telnet, File Transfer Protocol and World Wide
Web. Pictures, names, video and audio may
appear on web pages or in video
conferencing sessions.
Unacceptable
uses of the network include:
* Plagiarism
* Using
profanity, obscenity or language which may be offensive to other users
* Re-posting
communications without the author’s prior consent
* Copying
software in violation of copyright law
* Using the
network for profit, commercial or illegal activity
* Developing
or spreading computer viruses
* Viewing
of pornographic websites
District
staff will teach proper techniques and standards for participation, for guiding
student access to appropriate sections of the network, and for making sure that
students understand that if they misuse the network, they may lose use of their
telecommunications privileges. The District will block inappropriate Internet sites using an Internet
filter that has been implemented by the Board of Cooperative Educational
Services.* The system administrators reserve
the right to monitor e-mail. In order for
students to obtain use of a district account, students, their parents, and
sponsoring staff members must fill out the Student Application for Use of a
Network Account on a yearly basis. The person using the account is responsible
for its proper use. Users should change passwords frequently. A user should not
tell anyone his/her password, as doing so will give that person access to the
account.
Rules
and Regulations
Each
user is expected to abide by these rules and regulations, which include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. All
use of telecommunications must be in support of education and research and be
consistent with the purposes of the Nyack Union Free School District.
2. Any
use of the network for commercial or for profit purposes, product advertisement
or political lobbying is prohibited.
3. Extensive
use of the network for personal and private business is prohibited.
4. Users
shall not intentionally seek information about, obtain copies of, or modify
files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users. Users should not misrepresent
themselves or other users on the network.
5. Communications
and information accessible over the Internet cannot be assumed to be private.
However, do not assume others will treat information
as
private. Therefore, users should not reveal personal information such as
addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers or credit cards.
6. The
network should not be used to disrupt the use of other users. Hardware or
software shall not be destroyed, modified or abused in any way.
7. Hate
mail, chain letters, harassment, discriminatory remarks and other
antisocial behaviors are prohibited.
8. Use
of the network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a
computer or computing system and/or damage the software components of a
computer or computing system is prohibited.
9. Standard
copyright restrictions must be observed.
10. Use
of the network to access or process pornographic material, inappropriate text
files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network (LAN) is
prohibited.
11. From
time to time, the district will review and update network procedures and
practices.
Adoption date: January 18, 2000
* Revision Date : January 18, 2002
4526-E.1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ETIQUETTE FOR ELECTRONIC
MAIL
1. Always
include a salutation before your message:
“Dear John. . . . .”
2. Make
your “Subject
Line” as
descriptive as possible.
3. Neatness
does count, and spelling and correct grammar are important. Even though on-line
messages are informal, sloppy messages that are full of errors really stick
out.
4. Do
not type in all CAPITAL LETTERS. In the e-mail world, this is akin to shouting.
5. Restate
or describe the question that your are answering or the issue on which your are
commenting.
6. Consider
the message that may come across to others. Often sarcasm and joking may be
misinterpreted.
7. Be
brief in your message, and don’t include a long signature file at the end. Signature files are appended at the end of
the notes providing information such as your name, organization, etc.
8. Sign
your name at the end of your note.
9. Check
your e-mail as frequently as possible for messages. Be sure to delete all of
your mail after you have read it.
10. Always
acknowledge that you have received a document or file that someone has sent
you.
11. Don’t publicly
criticize or defame other network users.
12. Respect
other users’ privacy.
Adoption date: January 18, 2000
4526-E.2
TELECOMMUNICATIONS LETTER TO PARENTS
Dear Parent or Guardian:
The
Nyack Union Free School District has the ability to enhance your child’s education
through the use of computers. Your child will be able to communicate through
electronic mail (e-mail) and the Internet via a network. E-mail is the sending
and receiving of messages over the Internet through the use of a computer
account and password. The Internet is an international network of information
available through the use of a computer and is the communication and
information highway of tomorrow. The Internet consists of over 10,000 computer
networks in over 50 countries. Your child will have access to hundreds of
databases, libraries and computer services from all over the world. Your child
may also be given use of an Internet address allowing him/her to correspond
with any of an estimated 10 million users on the Internet. Please note that the
Internet is an association of diverse communication and information networks.
Your child may be communicating with other students or adults from other parts
of the world.
The
Nyack Union Free School District has taken precautions to restrict access to
controversial materials however, on a global network it is impossible to
control all materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial
information. The district believes that the valuable information and
interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility
that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational
goals of the district. Nevertheless, we want you to be aware of this
possibility.
With
this educational opportunity also comes responsibility. It is important that
you sit down with your child to read and discuss the district regulation
regarding the use of this technology.
Sincerely,
Superintendent of Schools
Adoption date: January 18, 2000
4526-E.3
STUDENT’S APPLICATION FOR USE OF A
NETWORK ACCOUNT
Student applications must be renewed each
academic year.
I. STUDENT SECTION
Student
Name______________________________________ Grade ___________
School ____________________________________________________________
v
I have read the Board of Education policy on
the acceptable use of telecommunications.
v
I have discussed the regulations with my
parent or guardian and my sponsoring teacher/staff member.
v
I understand these regulations.
v
I agree to abide by these provisions. If I do
not, I may lose network access and related privileges and may receive school
disciplinary action.
Student Signature
__________________________________ Date ____________
* * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * *
* * * *
II. SPONSORING
TEACHER/STAFF MEMBER
After discussion with the above student, I agree
to sponsor and to supervise his/her responsible use of the network as defined
by the district regulations while he/she is in school.
Teacher’s/Staff Member’s Signature
_________________Date ____________
* * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* *
III. PARENT
OR GUARDIAN
v
I have read the Board of Education policy
telecommunications regulations.
v
I will monitor my child’s use of the
network and his/her potential access to
the worldwide Internet, and will accept responsibility for
supervising him/her
when he/she is not in a school setting.
v
I understand that my child may be subject
to certain disciplinary consequences if he/she violates these
regulations.
v
I also agree to be legally and financially
responsible for any misuse of the
Internet by my child as stated in the district regulations.
v
I will not hold the Nyack Union Free
School District responsible for controversial materials acquired while on-line.
v
I understand these regulations.
v
I give my permission for my child to be
allowed to use a district account and certify that the information on this form
is correct.
Print Name
Date
Signature
Home Address
Adoption date: January
18, 2000