In making decisions regarding access to the school district computers, computer network, the Internet, and other information resources, the Fairfield Community School District considers the educational mission, goals, and objectives of the district.  Electronic and print information research skills are now fundamental to the preparation of citizens and future employees.  Access to the school district computers(including 1:1 student devices), computer network, the Internet, and other information resources allows student access to thousands of materials, libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources while exchanging creative ideas and images with people around the world.  The Fairfield Community School District expects that faculty will blend thoughtful use of the school district computers, computer network, the Internet, and other information resources throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in their use.

All FCSD students will receive a Google Apps account that includes access to an email account. This account should primarily be used for educational purpose.  As with all interactions on the Internet, students are expected to use these tools in a safe, legal, and ethical manner.  FCSD also provides student network wireless access in all buildings.FCSD will not be responsible for any damage or loss of any student or staff personal device.  These are the expectations for this use of the FCSD network with personal devices. 1. All students will use the district-provided method for wireless access the network. 2. Students or staff who brings their own devices onto FCSD property and use a non-FCSD network to access the Internet is still bound by this policy.  Below is a list on unacceptable and unsafe behaviors for both students and staff.  This list is not intended to be inclusive of all misuses.

1. Users will not access, review, upload, download, store, print, post, or distribute pornographic, obscene, sexually explicit material or that use language or images that are inappropriate to the education setting or disruptive to the educational process and will not post information or materials that could cause damage or danger or disruption while on school property.
2. Users will not access, review, upload, download, store, print, post, or distribute materials that use language or images that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination while on school property without an approved educational/instructional purpose.
3. Users will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization, to harass another person, or to engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks while on school property.
4. Users will not engage in any illegal act or violate any local, state, or federal statute or law while on school property.
5. Users will not vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another person or organization, will not make deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt equipment, software, or system performance by spreading computer viruses, or by any other means will not tamper with, modify, or change the FCSD Network software, hardware, or wiring.
6. Users will not take any action to violate the FCSD Network’s security, and will not disrupt the use of the system by other users nor gain unauthorized access to information resources or to access another person’s materials, information, or files without the implied or direct consent of that person.
7. Users will not post private information about another person or to post personal contact information about themselves or other persons including, but not limited to, addresses, telephone numbers, school addresses, work addresses, identification numbers, account numbers, access codes, or passwords and will not repost a message that was sent to the user privately without permission of the person who sent the message.
8. Users will not violate copyright laws, usage licensing agreements, or another person’s property without the author’s prior approval or proper citation, including, but not limited to the downloading or exchanging of pirated software or copying software to or from any school computer, and will not plagiarize works they find on the Internet or other information resources.
9. Users will not use the FCSD Network for the conduct of a business, for unauthorized commercial purposes, or for financial gain unrelated to the mission of the school district.  Users will not use the FCSD Network to offer or provide goods, services, or product advertisement.  Users will not use the FCSD Network to purchase goods or services for personal use without authorization from the appropriate school district official.

FCSD will provide ongoing instruction for students on current safety, legal and ethical use best practices as part of our 21^st Century Skills curriculum.  Being a public organization, FCSD subject to open records laws for both student and staff email and network accounts.  These accounts carry no expectation of privacy.  Parents have the right at any time to investigate or review the contents of their child’s accounts.  Parents also have the right to request the termination of their child’s individual account at any time.  The school district will cooperate fully with local, state and federal authorities in any investigation concerning or related to any illegal activities and activities not in compliance with school district policies.

The FCSD defines intellectual property rights as a general term that covers copyright, registered designs and trademarks.  Information users need to understand that authors resort to legal action when their works are infringed.

Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts, ideas, or words of another without crediting the sources. It is a form of academic dishonesty and may be grounds for academic sanctions.  Students are expected to cite all sources they use.  Copyright is a legal issue governed by federal law. Copyright extends to all forms of intellectual property, including print resources, web pages, database articles, images, and other works found on the Internet.  The ability to legally use another’s work depends on the following justifications: (1) the work is in the public domain; (2) the researcher has received permission from the copyright holder; or (3) the researcher asserts a right for fair use.  Under the fair use doctrine of the U.S. copyright statute, it is permissible to use limited portions of a work including quotes, for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports.  Fair use is determined on a case-by-case basis.  Individuals are expected to make educated, good faith decisions in determining whether fair use applies in a given situation.

Students and staff who choose to violate one or more of the unacceptable uses will be subject to disciplinary action. For students these may include structured/non-independent use of technology while on school property, suspension, reparation for damages, expulsion, and/or referral to local law enforcement.

The Fairfield Community School District has a filtering system in place that will monitor and log Internet activity as well as block unacceptable websites as reviewed by faculty, administration. Although the Fairfield Community School District is taking reasonable measures to ensure students do not acquire objectionable material, the Fairfield Community School District cannot guarantee that a student will not be able to access objectionable material on the Internet. If a student accidentally accesses unacceptable materials or an unacceptable Internet site, the student should immediately report the accidental access to an appropriate school district official.

The proper use of the Internet and other information resources, and the educational value to be gained from proper use of the Internet and other information resources, is the combined responsibility of students, parents, and employees of the school district.

The Internet Use Agreement form must be read and signed by all users (student, employee, or other non-FCSD employed users) as well as by the parent or guardian of student users. The form must then be filed at the school office.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code. § 279.8 (2003)

Approved:  July 11, 2011
Reviewed:  July 11, 2011    
Revised:    September 18, 2017 

 

 

Statement of Philosophy

The District encourages all staff to use 21^st Century tools to teach, communicate and bring the real world into the classroom.  It supports uses of current technology in ways that promote, support, and maintain strong, appropriate relationships between staff and students.

School-provided accounts (like Google e-mail accounts, Google docs, etc) that can be monitored are always the safest means for both student and staff to communicate electronically.  To protect all parties, it is important that staff, students and parents understand the boundaries of professional decorum in the use of ever-changing on-line, digital learning possibilities.  Staff must conduct themselves in ways that do not distract from or disrupt the educational process and in ways that protect students and staff members alike from inappropriate use or the appearance of inappropriate use.

The District’s expectation is that staff will use maturity, common sense and sound professional judgment in all interactions with students, parents, and community members.

 

Practical Guidelines

1. Staff members should not list or follow current students (except their own children) as “friends”, “followers”, or equivalent labels on personal networking accounts.

2. Staff members are encouraged to use district-provided accounts to create a classroom presence or site for legitimate educational purposes (separate from personal sites).

3. When a non-school provided tool is used for legitimate educational purposes, the building administrator and district technology director shall upon request be granted full administrative access to the site.

4. All staff electronic contacts (including phone) with students (except their own children) should be through district accounts whenever possible.

5. In the unusual circumstance when use of a personal account is necessary for interaction between staff and students, interactions should be strictly limited in scope, frequency and duration.  Prolonged interactions on personal accounts are discouraged and should be terminated or transitioned to school accounts as quickly as possible.  “Let’s continue this conversation on the school account” is an appropriate transition.

6. All electronic contacts (including phone) by teachers/coaches/sponsors/directors with the class/team or individual class/team members shall be for legitimate education purposes only;

7. Postings that contain content that disrupts the educational program and damages the relationships of trust necessary between students, staff and parents are strictly prohibited. 

Examples include but are not limited to content that:

            a. is sexually provocative or flirtatious in nature;

            b. exhibits or advocates for use of drugs and alcohol;

            c. would be defined by a reasonable person as obscene, racist, or sexist;

            d. promotes illicit, illegal or unethical activity;

            e. violates the district’s affirmative action and/or bullying and harassment policies.

8. Postings that communicate confidential information to persons not authorized to receive that information are prohibited.

9. Postings that cause significant interference with the education program via any electronic means are prohibited.

 

Legitimate Educational Purposes

As used in this policy, legitimate educational purposes include:

            1. Answering academic inquiries regarding homework, other classroom work or assignments;

            2. Scheduling appointments for school-related conferences and/or extra help;

            3. Clarifying classroom expectations and/or assignments;

            4. Notifications related to classroom, club or sports schedules, safety, attendance, events, trips, assignments and/or deadlines.

 

Consequences

Failure to exercise good judgment in on-line conduct can lead to discipline up to and including suspension and dismissal from employment.

When inappropriate use of electronic contacts is suspected, administrators will immediately investigate.  Misconduct that rises to the level of criminal activity will be reported to law enforcement.  Misconduct that violates professional ethics will be reported to the Board of Educational Examiners.

 

Implementation

This policy will be contained in the staff handbook and posted on the District web-site.