Technology Acceptable Use Policy

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

Please note that personal electronics are prohibited in the classroom. However, we believe that technology is a key to educational development. At the discretion of the teacher, and in line with the requirements of the curriculum, students will be given the opportunity to work with computers and other forms of technology in the classroom.

THREATS TO TECHNOLOGY SECURITY

One of the biggest security threats are employees, volunteers, and students. They may do damage to our systems either through incompetence or on purpose. We have layered our security to compensate for that as well. You mitigate this by doing the following:

Only give out appropriate rights to systems. Limit access to only business hours.
Don’t share accounts to access systems. Never share your login information with co-workers.
When employees are separated or disciplined, you remove or limit access to systems.
Advanced – Keep detailed system logs on all computer activity.
Physically secure computer assets, so that only staff with appropriate need can access.

AMATEUR HACKERS AND VANDALS

These people are the most common type of attackers on the Internet. The probability of attack is extremely high and there is also likely to be a large number of attacks. These are usually crimes of opportunity. These amateur hackers are scanning the Internet and looking for well known security holes that have not been plugged. Web servers and electronic mail are their favorite targets. Once they find a weakness they will exploit it to plant viruses, Trojan horses, or use the resources of your system for their own means. If they do not find an obvious weakness they are likely to move on to an easier target.

CRIMINAL HACKERS AND SABOTEURS

The probability of this type of attack is low, but not entirely unlikely given the amount of sensitive information contained in the databases. The skill of these attackers is medium to high as they are likely to be trained in the use of the latest hacker tools. The attacks are well planned and are based on any weaknesses discovered that will allow a foothold into the network.

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

INTRODUCTION

Hampden DuBose Academy, Inc. (HDA) provides students, teachers and staff with electronic communications tools including a high speed Internet connection, Electronic Mail System (Email), Video Conferencing, Social Media (SM), Text Messaging (SMS), Instant Messaging (IM), and a Learning Management System (LMS) to provide a robust platform for students to learn and to complete their work assignments. These tools are referred to as the school’s communications platform. This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) governs the use of this school communication platform and applies to all uses of these tools on the school’s campus, as well as at remote locations, including, but not limited to, staff, teachers and students, homes or other locations. This policy also pertains to any communication tool that may be added to the platform at any time.

SCOPE OF EMAIL USE

Only current students or employees are authorized to use the school’s communication platform and internet, and these tools, including e-mail, exist to conduct school business. HDA reserves the right to monitor users’ email activities and to access, review, copy, and store or delete any electronic communication or files and disclose them to others as it deems necessary. Users should have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of school Email or any other communications tools including internet usage provided by the school.

NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY

E-mail messages, and any other communications created and transmitted on the school communications platform, including internet usage, are the property of the school and users have no right to expect that their communications may not be inspected. HDA reserves the right to monitor all communications transmitted via the school computer systems. Students, Teachers and Staff have no reasonable expectation of privacy when it comes to school, school and personal use of the school’s communications system.

THE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM IS SCHOOL PROPERTY

Because any communication transmitted using school’s communication platform is the property of the school, the school reserves the right to Monitor, Inspect, Copy, Review, and Store at any time and without notice, any and all usage of any communication tools, and any and all files, information, software, and other content created, sent, received, downloaded, uploaded, accessed, or stored in connection with employee usage. HDA reserves the right to disclose email text and images to regulators, the courts, law enforcement, and other third parties without the employee’s consent.

UNACCEPTABLE USAGE

The following are examples of inappropriate use of the school’s communications platform, but the school reserves the right to take immediate action regarding activities that (1) create security and/or safety issues for the school, students, employees, schools, network or computer resources, or that (2) expend school resources on email that the school in its sole discretion determines lacks legitimate educational content/purpose, or (3) any other activities as determined by the school as inappropriate. Below is a list of issues pertaining to the unacceptable use of the school’s communications platform; It is not an exhaustive list and the administration reserves the right to deem any usage of the communications platform as unacceptable:

Violating any state or federal law or municipal ordinance, such as:

Transmitting pornography of any kind, obscene depictions, harmful materials, materials that encourage others to violate the law, confidential information or copyrighted materials
Criminal activities that can be punished under law
Offering any illegal items or substances via email
Engaging in uses that jeopardize access or lead to unauthorized access into others’ Email accounts such as: Using another’s account password(s) or identifier(s); interfering with other users’ ability to access their account(s) or disclosing anyone’s password to others or allowing them to use another’s account(s)
Use of the school’s communications platform for commercial purposes
Use of the school’s communications platform for personal financial gain
Obtaining and/or using anonymous email sites, spamming, and/or spreading viruses
Accessing unauthorized sites or circumventing the school's online management tools and filters

Causing harm to others or damage to their property, such as:

Using profane, abusive, or impolite language
Threatening, harassing, or making damaging or false statements about others or accessing, or transmitting offensive, harassing, or disparaging materials
Deleting, copying, modifying, or forging other users’ names, emails, files, or data; disguising one’s identity, impersonating other users, or sending anonymous email
Accessing, transmitting or downloading large files, including “chain letters” or any type of “pyramid schemes”

Use of the school’s communications platform to make disparaging remarks about the school, the school’s faculty and staff, or any other student. This includes remarks made on personal social media as well (ie. Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

PENALTIES FOR IMPROPER USE

The use of the school’s communications platform is a privilege, not a right, and misuse will result in the restriction or cancellation of the account. Misuse may also lead to disciplinary and/or legal action for both students and employees, including suspension, expulsion, dismissal from school employment, or criminal prosecution by government authorities. HDA will attempt to tailor any disciplinary action to the specific issues related to each violation.

DISCLAIMER

HDA 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 the use of the network or accounts. Any additional charges a user accrues due to the use of the school’s network are to be borne by the user. HDA 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 school, its affiliates, or employees.

CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The use of electronics is prohibited during class, activities, chapels, or any event scheduled by the school. This includes but is not limited to all cell phones, smartphones, smart watches, music players, game devices, tablets, and other electronic devices. If you have an immediate need to make a phone call, contact your teacher or the front office to make the phone call.

1) No cell phones/earbuds in class or chapel. Cell phones are to be off AND in backpacks; NOT on their person.

2) Headphones/earbuds for FLVS classes only.

3) No phones shall be used as calculators.

4) If we need a student from class, we will contact the classroom or teacher directly. This includes work-study students.

5) Students do not need cell phones when they go to the restroom.

6) Phones can be used before school, at lunch, and after school hours.

The consequences will be the confiscation of the device. The device will be returned to the parent at the end of the day.