Internet Use Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to govern all electronic activity of users using and accessing the SANY’s Internet systems, including SANY e-mail and SANY-provided access to the Internet, and applies to the use of the SANY Internet Systems both on and off SANY property.

Accountability

Under the direction of the District Superintendent or his/her designee shall ensure compliance with this policy. The Operations Managers, Deans, and other members of management will implement this policy in their respective areas.

Applicability

This policy applies to all members of the SANY who access and use the SANY's Internet Systems both on and off SANY property. 

By using the SANY’s Internet Systems, a user agrees to follow this policy and all applicable SANY regulations, policies and guidelines. All users must report any misuse of the network or Internet or receipt of any communication that violates this policy to a teacher, supervisor or other appropriate SANY personnel.

Definitions

Refer to the Technology Terms and Definitions for terms and definitions that are used in this policy.

Policy

General

Internet access and e-mail provided by the SANY are intended for educational use, instruction, research and the facilitation of communication, collaboration, and other SANY related purposes. Users are subject to the same standards expected in a classroom and/or professional workplace.

Monitoring and Privacy

Users have no right to privacy while using the SANY’s Internet Systems. The SANY monitors users’ online activities and reserves the right to access, review, copy, store, or delete any electronic communications or files. This includes any items stored on SANY-provided devices, such as files, e-mails, cookies, and Internet history.

The SANY reserves the right to disclose any electronic activity, including electronic communications, to law enforcement officials or third parties, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law. The SANY will fully cooperate with local, state, or federal officials in any lawful investigation concerning or relating to any illegal activities conducted through the SANY ’s Internet Systems.

Prohibited Uses of the SANY’s Internet Systems

Users may not engage in any of the activities prohibited by this policy when using or accessing the SANY ’s Internet Systems.

If users are uncertain whether behavior is prohibited, they should contact a teacher, supervisor or other appropriate SANY. personnel. The SANY reserves the right to take immediate action regarding activities that (1) create security and/or safety issues for the SANY, students, employees, schools, network or computer resources, or (2) expend SANY resources on content the SANY determines lacks legitimate educational or SANY content or purpose, or (3) the SANY determines are inappropriate.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of examples of prohibited behavior:

1. Causing harm to others, damage to their property or SANY property, such as:
   1. Using, posting or distributing profane, lewd, vulgar, threatening, or abusive language in e-mail messages, material posted on SANY web pages, or professional social media sites;
   2. Accessing, using, posting, or distributing information or materials that are pornographic or otherwise obscene, advocate illegal or dangerous acts, or advocate violence or discrimination. If users inadvertently access such information, they should immediately disclose the inadvertent access in a manner specified by their school or district office;
   3. Accessing, posting or distributing harassing, discriminatory, inflammatory, or hateful material, or making damaging or false statements about others;
   4. Sending, posting, or otherwise distributing chain letters or engaging in spamming;
   5. Damaging computer equipment, files, data or the SANY's Internet System in any way, including spreading computer viruses, vandalizing data, software or equipment, damaging or disabling others’ electronic property, or engaging in conduct that could interfere or cause a danger of disruption to the SANY’s educational or business environment;
   6. Using the SANY’s Internet System in a manner that interferes with the education of the user or others or the job duties of the user or others;
   7. Downloading, posting, reproducing or distributing music, photographs, video or other works in violation of applicable copyright laws. Any music, photographs and/or video should only be downloaded for SANY, and not personal purposes. If a work specifies how that work may be used, the user should follow the expressed requirements. If users are unsure whether or not they can use a work, they should request permission from the copyright or trademark owner; or
   8. Engaging in plagiarism. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were original to the user.
2. Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to the SANY’s Internet Systems, or to any third party’s computer system, such as:
   1. Malicious tampering, phishing or hacking activities;
   2. Intentionally seeking information about passwords belonging to other users;
   3. Disclosing a user’s password to the SANY’s Internet Systems to other individuals. However, students may share their SANY password with their parents.
   4. Modifying passwords belonging to other users;
   5. Attempting to log in through another person's account;
   6. Attempting to gain access to material that is blocked or filtered by the SANY;
   7. Accessing, copying, or modifying another user’s files without authorization;
   8. Disguising a user’s identity;
   9. Using the password or identifier of an account that does not belong to the user; or
   10. Engaging in uses that jeopardize access into others’ accounts or other computer networks.
3. Using the SANY’s Internet Systems for commercial purposes, such as:
   1. Using the SANY’s Internet Systems for personal financial gain;
   2. Conducting for-profit business activities, personal advertising, or other non-SANY business communications;
   3. Engaging in fundraising; or
   4. Using the SANY’s Internet Systems on behalf of any elected official, candidate, candidates, slate of candidates or a political organization or committee.
4. Engaging in criminal or other unlawful activities.

Filtering

In accordance to Children’s Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”), the SANY blocks or filters content over the Internet that the SANY considers inappropriate for minors. This includes pornography, obscene material, and other material that may be harmful to minors. The SANY may also block or filter other content deemed to be inappropriate, lacking educational or work-related content or that pose a threat to the network. The SANY may, in its discretion, disable such filtering for certain users for bona-fide research or other lawful educational or business purposes.

Users shall not use any website, application, or methods to bypass filtering of the network or perform any other unlawful activities.

See additional information regarding CIPA.

Protection of Personally Identifiable and Confidential Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) prohibits SANY school officials from disclosing personally identifiable information (“PII”) from education records of SANY students and families to third parties without parental consent. However, several exceptions to this general rule may apply.

All users of the SANY’s Internet Systems must comply with FERPA, Confidentiality and Release of Student Records; Records Retention. If you are unsure about whether the activity will comply with FERPA, please contact the SANY district office.

Internal communications with a SANY attorney may also be confidential. Accordingly, users should not forward or distribute such communications without first checking with the attorney. Users should ensure that e-mails that include or attach confidential information are only sent to the intended recipients.

Student Internet Safety

1. SANY Responsibilities:
   1. The SANY will provide curriculum about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.
   2. The SANY will work to protect the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
   3. As appropriate, the SANY will provide students, staff and parents with guidelines and instructions for student safety while using the Internet.
2. Students Using the SANY’s Internet Systems
   1. Students must not reveal personal information about themselves or other persons on social networking sites, in chat rooms, in emails or other direct electronic communications, or any other forum over the Internet. For example, students must not reveal their home address, or telephone or cell phone number. Students must not display photographs of themselves, or the images of others.
   2. Students should not meet in person anyone they have met only on the Internet.
   3. Students must promptly disclose to their teacher or other school employee any message or other activity they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
   4. Students should not allow SANY computers to save their passwords.
3. Teachers using the SANY Internet Systems, including Social Media for class activities
   1. Teachers should educate students about appropriate and safe online behavior, including interacting with individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response. Teachers should refer to educational Internet safety resources available on the Internet.
   2. Social Media
      1. “Social media” means any form of online publication or presence that allows interactive communication, including, but not limited to, social networks, blogs, Internet websites, internet forums, and wikis. Examples of social media include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.
      2. Schools use a variety of online web-based interactive communication technologies to enhance students’ education and learning. Social media sites must be used only for educational and school related purposes, in connection with lessons and assignments and to facilitate communication with teachers and other students.
      3. The SANY limits access to these sites to individuals within the SANY and SANY school officials. If access to a social media site will extend beyond individuals within the SANY or SANY school officials, then parent consent is required.
      4. Teachers must refer to the SANY’s Social Media Policy, which are incorporated into this policy, if Internet activities will involve social media.
   3. Parents:
      1. Although students generally will be supervised when using the SANY’s Internet System on school property, it is not practicable for the SANY to monitor and enforce a wide range of social values in student use of the Internet. Parents are primarily responsible for transmitting their particular set of family values to their children, and discussing with their children what material is and is not acceptable for their children to access through the SANY’s Internet Systems.
      2. Parents are exclusively responsible for monitoring their children's use of the Internet when the SANY’s Internet Systems are accessed from home or a non-school location. The SANY may or may not employ its filtering systems to screen home access to the SANY’s Internet Systems. Parents should inquire with the school or SANY.

Policy Compliance

This Internet Use Policy details the rights and privileges of all users regarding the utilization of the worldwide computer network, commonly referred to as the Internet. Through the Internet, users are able to retrieve and share information, conduct research and communicate with others.  While the school is able and willing to provide its students and staff with access to the Internet, users must understand and agree to follow the rules and regulations, established by the school to ensure appropriate behavior(s) and action(s) during such use.  With the privilege of accessing the Internet comes the responsibility to act in a lawful, ethical manner.

In cases where the  school has reason to suspect a user has violated its rule(s) and/or regulation(s) for use of its Internet connection, e-mail system, computers, and/or computer-related equipment, the suspected user(s) will have his/her Internet, email and/or computer account privileges temporarily suspended during an investigation.  Potential instances of rule(s) and/or regulation(s) violations include use by an unauthorized person or access or dissemination of materials that are illegal, defamatory, abusive, harassing, and/or sexually explicit.

Suspected violations of this policy by a student must be immediately reported to the school Dean or his/her designee. The school Dean or his/her designee, will, in turn, notify the student’s parent(s) and review the facts of the incident with them. After giving the student an opportunity to be heard and reviewing the details of the case, consistent with the school Code of Conduct, the school Dean will determine an appropriate penalty.  If inappropriate student conduct has occurred, the student’s account may be closed for a designated period of time, and disciplinary action ranging from loss of Internet access privileges to suspension from school may be taken. Based upon all the facts and in the discretion of the school Dean or his/her designee, the school Dean will determine the final action to be taken. School will notify appropriate governmental or law enforcement agencies of any violation of this Policy, as required by law.

Suspected violations of the policy by a staff member should also be reported to the school Dean, who will review the facts of the incident and after giving all parties an opportunity to be heard, shall determine whether disciplinary action is required. If such action is appropriate, the user’s account may be closed for a designated period of time, as determined by the school Dean, and disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the applicable Board Policies and school regulations and the terms of the employee’s employment agreement. Based on all the facts and the school Dean’s discretion, the school Dean will determine the final action to be taken. School will notify appropriate governmental or law enforcement agencies of any violation of this Policy, as required by law. 

Access to the Internet, email or a computer account may also be revoked by the school for any established violation of a policy, rule or regulation of school. 

All users must promptly disclose to their teacher, supervisor, dean of school or operations manager any information they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.

In an effort to ensure that all parties understand and agree to the rules and regulations established in this Internet Use Policy, it is mandated that all users of school computers, computer-related equipment, e-mail, and Internet connection sign an Acceptable Use Agreement. This includes all students, staff and community members. Regarding student use, a parent’s signature shall be required as verification of parental approval of the student’s use and agreement with the policy’s guidelines and procedures. When necessary, a parent’s signature may be subject to verification on a case-by-case basis.  All forms will be kept on file at the school. It is further recommended that parents of students using the Internet are informed of the policy’s rules and regulations by receiving a copy of a Student Internet Access letter. Completion of the Internet Use Form will be done on an annual basis.

Limitation of Liability

The SANY makes no guarantees about the quality of the services provided and is not responsible for any claims, losses, damages, costs, or other obligations arising from use of the network or accounts. Any additional charges a user accrues due to the use of the SANY’s network are to be borne by the user. The SANY also denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through user access. Any statement, accessible on the computer network or the Internet, is understood to be the author's individual point of view and not that of the SANY, its affiliates, or employees.