STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE AND INTERNET SAFETY

Southport School Department computers, network, and Internet access are provided to support the educational mission of the schools and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and school staff. This policy and the accompanying rules also apply to laptops issued directly to students, whether they are used at school or off school premises.

Compliance with Southport School Department's policies and rules concerning computer and Internet use is mandatory. Students who violate these policies and rules may have their computer privileges limited, suspended, or revoked. The building principal is authorized to determine, after considering the circumstances involved, whether and for how long a student's computer privileges will be altered. The building principal's decision shall be final.

Violations of this policy and Southport School Department's computer and Internet rules may also result in disciplinary action, referral to law enforcement, and/or legal action.

Southport School Department computers remain under the control, custody, and supervision of the school unit at all times. The school unit may monitor all computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, whether they are used on school property or elsewhere.

INTERNET SAFETY

Southport School Department uses filtering technology designed to block materials that are obscene or harmful to minors, and child pornography. Although Southport School Department takes precautions to supervise and monitor student use of the Internet, parents should be aware that the Southport School Department cannot reasonably prevent all instances of inappropriate computer and Internet use by students in violation of Board policies and rules, including access to objectionable materials and communication with persons outside of the school. The school unit is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information that students obtain through the Internet.

In the interest of student Internet safety, Southport School Department also educates students about online behavior, including interacting with other people on social networking sites and in chat rooms, the dangers of engaging in "hacking" and other unlawful online activities, and issues surrounding "sexting" and cyberbullying awareness and response.

The Superintendent /designee shall be responsible for integrating age-appropriate Internet safety training and "digital citizenship" into the curriculum and for documentation of Internet safety training.

IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY AND "ACCEPTABLE USE" RULES

The Superintendent/designee shall be responsible for implementation of this policy and the accompanying "acceptable use" rules. Superintendent/designee may implement additional administrative procedures or school rules consistent with Board policy to govern Internet access and the day-to-day management, security_and operations of the school unit's computer and network systems and to prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.

Students and parents shall be informed of this policy and the accompanying rules through student handbooks, the school website, and/or other means selected by the Superintendent.

Legal Reference: 20 USC§ 677 (Enhancing Education through Technology Act) 47 USC§ 254(h) (5) (Children' s Internet Protection Act) 47 CFR § 54.52 (Children's Internet Protection Act Certifications) Federal Communications Commission Order and Report 11-125, (August 10, 2011)

Cross Reference:

GCSA - Employee Computer and Internet Use

IJNDB-R - Student Computer and Internet Use Rules

Adopted: 10-16-2003

Revised: 1-5-2014