Academy Charter School will enhance its instruction through the use of technology. Students will have the opportunity to access information, organize data, and create and problem-solve using a variety of age-appropriate technologies.
Academy Charter School provides computers, networks, and Internet access to support the educational mission of the school and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and school staff. The school believes that the resources available through the Internet are of significant value in the learning process and prepare students for future success. At the same time, the unregulated availability of information and communication on the Internet requires that schools establish reasonable controls for lawful, efficient, and appropriate use of this technology.
While reasonable precautions will be taken to supervise student use of the Internet, Academy Charter School cannot reasonably prevent all inappropriate uses, including access to objectionable materials, use of personal device/cell phone while on a cellular network, and communication with persons outside of the school in violation of Academy Charter School policies/procedures and rules. Academy Charter School is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information that students obtain through the Internet.
Before a student is allowed to use Academy Charter School computers and Internet services, the student and the student’s parent/guardian must sign and return the Computer/Internet Access Acknowledgement. Academy Charter School will retain the signed acknowledgment.
The rules are intended to provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited activities by users. Failure to comply with Academy Charter School policy and these rules may result in loss of computer and Internet access privileges, disciplinary action, and/or legal action
2.6.1.1 Computer Use is a Privilege, Not a Right
Student use of the Academy Charter School’s computers, networks, and Internet services is a privilege, not a right. Unacceptable use/activity may result in suspension or cancellation of privileges as well as additional disciplinary, and/or legal action. The School Leaders shall have final authority to decide whether a student’s privileges will be denied or revoked.
2.6.1.2 Acceptable Use
Student access to Academy Charter School computers, networks, and Internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with Academy Charter School’s educational mission, curriculum, and instructional goals. The same rules and expectations governing student use of computers apply to other student conduct and communications. Students are further expected to comply with these rules and all specific instructions from the teacher or other supervising staff member/volunteer when accessing Academy Charter School’s computers, networks, and Internet services.
2.6.1.3 Prohibited Use
The user is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving Academy Charter School computers, network, and Internet services and for his/her computer files, passwords, and accounts. Examples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to the following:
Accessing Inappropriate Materials – Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, forwarding, downloading, scanning, or displaying materials that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, in violation of other Academy Charter School policies, procedures and/or rules, and/or illegal;
Violating Copyrights – Copying or downloading copyrighted materials without the owner’s permission;
Plagiarism – Representing as one’s own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, etc.). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher, and Web site must be identified;
Copying Software – Copying or downloading software without the express authorization of the system administrator;
Non-School-Related Uses – Using Academy Charter School’s computers, networks, and Internet services for non-school-related purposes such as private financial gain, commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes, or for any other personal use;
Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access – Sharing passwords, using other user’s passwords without permission and/or accessing other user's accounts;
Malicious Use/Vandalism – Any malicious use, disruption or harm to Academy Charter School’s computers, networks, and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses; and
Unauthorized Access to Chat Rooms/Newsgroups – Accessing chat rooms or newsgroups without specific authorization from the supervising teacher.
2.6.1.4 No Expectation Of Privacy
Academy Charter School retains control, custody, and supervision of all computers, networks, and Internet services owned or leased by Academy Charter School. Academy Charter School reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectations of privacy in their use of school computers, including email and stored files.
2.6.1.5 Compensation For Losses, Costs and/or Damages
The student and/or the student’s parent/guardian shall be responsible for compensating Academy Charter School for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by Academy Charter School related to violations of policy and/or these rules.
2.6.1.6 School Assumes No Responsibility For Unauthorized Charges, Costs, or Illegal Use
Academy Charter School assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by students including but not limited to credit card charges, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers such as copyright violations.
2.6.1.7 Student Security
A student shall not reveal his/her full name, address or telephone number on the Internet without prior permission from a supervising teacher. Students should never meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission. Students should inform their supervising teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate, or make them uncomfortable in any way.
2.6.1.8 System Security
The security of Academy Charter School’s computers, networks, and Internet services is a high priority. Any user who identifies a security problem must notify the system administrator. The user shall not demonstrate the problem to others. Any user who attempts or causes a breach of system security shall have his/her privileges revoked and may be subject to additional disciplinary and/or legal action.
2.6.1.9 Parental Permission Required
Students and their parents/guardians are required to sign and return the Computer and Internet Access Acknowledgement Form before they will be given access to Academy Charter School’s computers, networks, and Internet services. Students’ usernames and passwords shall be provided to their parents/guardians. We request that parents/guardians are actively involved and monitoring their student’s network and Internet activity.
Academy Charter School students are permitted to bring their personal devices/cell phones to school. There is no requirement that students purchase or bring cell phones to school and the decision to do so is at each family’s discretion. Academy Charter School assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
In order to maintain a productive learning environment, students must adhere to the following rules:
Students may not carry their personal electronic devices/cell phones in their pockets or on their person during school hours.
Personal electronic devices/cell phones must be turned off and remain off during school hours unless otherwise instructed by the teacher.
Personal electronic devices/cell phones must be stored in students’ backpacks.
Personal electronic devices/cell phones may be used only when explicitly directed by the teacher.
Each teacher will determine if and how devices will be used in the classroom.
Students must only use applications or visit websites as directed by the teacher.
Personal electronic devices/cell phones are not permitted in the bathrooms.
No student may take a picture of any other student or teacher/staff without explicit permission.
Posting any pictures of any teacher/staff member or other students in any medium without explicit permission is prohibited.
Personal electronic devices/cell phones must not disrupt the learning environment. The privilege to bring personal electronic devices/cell phones to the classroom may be revoked for individual students or an entire class.
2.6.2.1 Policy Violation
If a student is using a device that is not permitted or using any device inappropriately, the device will be confiscated and consequences will be implemented. Confiscated devices must be picked up at the office by a parent. The school reserves the right to revoke electronic device privileges from any student for inappropriate use. Further consequences will be at the discretion of the School Leaders.
The purpose of the Social Media Policy is to provide guidelines to staff, students, and parents on use of social media at Academy Charter School.
2.6.3.1 Definition
“Social media” means any form of online publication or presence that allows end users to engage in multi-directional conversations. Social media includes: Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Second Life, YouTube, blogs, wikis, social bookmarking, document sharing, email, and other media of a similar nature.
2.6.3.2 Staff, Governing Board, PTO, SAC, & All Other Academy Charter School Committees
Academy Charter School staff, Governing Board, PTO, SAC, and all other Academy Charter School committee members, are strongly discouraged from using any forms of social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc.) except officially approved communication tools when communicating with ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL parents. Social networking between ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL staff and students is prohibited. All emails to students must have parents copied. As an Academy Charter School staff, Governing Board, PTO, SAC, and all other Academy Charter School committee members your online conduct will be held to a higher standard and you should conduct yourself accordingly.
2.6.3.3 Parent & Community Communication
All members of the Academy Charter School community should be conscious of the impact of all communication. Adults should strive to be role models of positive communication and when conflict arises, refer to the Academy Charter School Conflict Resolution Policy.
2.6.3.4 Legal Ramifications
All members of the community should be aware of potential legal action that can result from of extreme forms of negative communications, including libel, slander, sexual harassment, racial harassment, cyber bullying, and other crimes.
2.6.3.5 Consequences
In addition to possible legal ramifications set forth above, consequences enforceable by Academy Charter School for behavior inconsistent with this policy include, but are not limited to: warnings, demand for formal written apology, suspension, expulsion of students, and barring parents from school media, school committees, and Academy Charter School premises and events.
2.6.3.6 Use of Academy Charter Logo & Branding
The use of Academy Charter School logos and branding in any media, social media included, by parents and students is prohibited unless specifically approved by the Academy Charter School School Leaders. Parents and students may not represent or imply they represent Academy Charter School in any official capacity in any social media.