NEPN/NSBA Code:  IJNDB-R

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET USE RULES 

These rules accompany School Committee policy IJNDB (Student Technology and Internet Use). Each student is responsible for their actions and activities involving school department computers and other technological devices, networks, and Internet services, and for their computer files, passwords, and accounts. 

These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of the school department’s technology and examples of prohibited uses. The rules do not attempt to describe every possible prohibited activity. Students, parents, and school staff who have questions about whether a particular activity is prohibited are encouraged to contact a building administrator or the Superintendent’s office. 

A.  Consequences for Violation of Technology Use Policy and Rules 

Student use of school department computers and other technological devices, networks, and Internet services is a privilege, not a right. Compliance with the school department’s policies and rules concerning technology use is mandatory. Students who violate these policies and rules may have their computer privileges limited, suspended, or revoked. Such violations may also result in disciplinary action, referral to law enforcement, and/or legal action. 

The building principal shall have the final authority to decide whether a student’s privileges will be limited, suspended, or revoked based upon the circumstances of the particular case, the student’s prior disciplinary record, and any other pertinent factors. 

B.  Acceptable Use 

The school department’s computers and other technological devices, networks, and Internet services are provided for research and educational purposes consistent with the school department’s educational mission, curriculum, and instructional goals. 

All School Committee policies, school rules, and expectations concerning student conduct and communications apply when students are using the school department’s technology or any technology inside a school building. 

Students are also expected to comply with all specific instructions from teachers and other school staff or volunteers when using technology. 

C.  Prohibited Uses 

Examples of unacceptable uses of school department technology that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1.  Accessing or Posting Inappropriate Materials—Creating, accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, forwarding, downloading, scanning, or displaying defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, and/or illegal materials, or engaging in “cyberbullying”. 

2.  Illegal Activities—Using the school department’s computers or other technological devices, networks, or Internet services for any illegal activity or in violation of any School Committee policy or school rule. The school department assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of students while using technology. 

3.  Violating Copyrights—Copying, downloading, or sharing any type of copyrighted materials (including music or movies) per Copyright Compliance policy (EGAD). The school department assumes no responsibility for copyright violations by students. 

4.  Software—Copying, downloading, or installing software without the express authorization of technology staff. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties. The school department assumes no responsibility for illegal software copying or installation by students. 

5.  Plagiarism—Representing as one’s own work any materials obtained on the Internet or from digital books and references (such as term papers, articles, music, etc.). When the Internet or other digital resources are used in student work, they must be fully cited. 

6. Non-School Related Uses—Use of Lewiston Public Schools’ computers and other technological devices, networks, and Internet services for incidental personal use is permitted as long as such use: 1) does not interfere with the student’s responsibilities and performance, 2) does not interfere with system operations or other system users, and 3) does not violate this policy and the accompanying rules, or any other School Committee policy, procedure, or school rule. Incidental personal use is defined as use by an individual student for occasional personal communications. 

7.  Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access—Sharing passwords, using other users’ passwords, or accessing or using other users’ accounts. 

8.  Malicious Use/Vandalism—Any malicious use, disruption, or harm to the school department’s computers or other technological devices, networks, or Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses. 

9. Unauthorized Access to Blogs/Chat Rooms—Accessing chat rooms, blogs, or news groups without specific authorization from the supervising teacher. 

D.  No Expectation of Privacy 

Lewiston Public Schools technology remains under the control, custody, and supervision of the school department at all times.

Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of any school technology or any technology used on school grounds, including email, stored files, and Internet access logs. 

E.  Compensation for Losses, Costs, and/or Damages 

The student and their parents are responsible for compensating the school department for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the school department for violations of School Committee policies and school rules while the student is using technology, including the cost of investigating such violations. The school department assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by a student while using technology at school. 

F.  Student Security 

A student is not allowed to reveal their full name, address, telephone number, email address, social security number, or other personal information on the Internet without prior permission from a teacher. Students should never agree to meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission. Students should inform their teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate, or make them uncomfortable in any way. 

G.  System Security 

The security of the school department’s computers and other technological devices, networks, and Internet services is a high priority. Any student who identifies a security problem must notify a teacher immediately. The student shall not demonstrate the problem to others or access unauthorized material. Any user who attempts to breach system security, causes a breach of system security, or fails to report a system security problem shall be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action in addition to having their technology privileges limited, suspended, or revoked. 

H.  Additional Rules for Laptops or Other Technological Devices Issued to Students 

1.  Laptops and other technological devices are loaned to students as educational tools and are only authorized for use incompleting school assignments. 

2.  Students are responsible for the proper care of laptops or other technological devices assigned to them at all times, whether on or off school property. 

3.  If a laptop or other technological device is lost or stolen, this must be reported to the building principal immediately. 

4.  The School Committee’s policy and rules concerning technology and Internet use apply to the use of school department laptops and other technological devices at all times and places, on or off school property. Students are responsible for obeying any additional rules concerning care of technology issued by school staff. 

5.  Violation of policies or rules governing the use of technology, or any careless use of a laptop or other technological device may result in the device being confiscated and/or a student only being allowed to use the device under the direct supervision of school staff. Parents should be aware that they are responsible for any costs associated with repairing or replacing a laptop or other technological device issued to their child that is intentionally or carelessly damaged. The student will also be subject to disciplinary action for any violations of School Committee policies or school rules. 

6.  Parents are responsible for supervising their child’s use of school department technology and the Internet when in use at home. 

7.  The laptop or other technological device may only be used by the student to whom it is assigned. 

8.  Laptops and other technological devices must be returned in acceptable working order at the end of the school year or whenever requested by school staff. 

I. Additional Rules for Laptops or Other Technological Devices Brought to School by Students 

1.  A student must have the express permission of the supervising teacher before using a computer or other technological device they brought to school. 

2.  Any computer or other device that will be connected to a school department network must be free of viruses and must be running a current version of virus detection software. The device must be configured in a way that is compatible with school department policies and rules. 

3.  The School Committee’s policy and rules concerning technology and Internet use apply to the use of personally-owned technological devices used on school grounds or during school activities. Students are responsible for obeying any additional rules concerning use of these devices issued by school staff. 

4.  Violation of policies or rules governing the use of technology may result in the device being confiscated or in the device being banned from school. The device may be held for the student until the end of the day, or until a parent can retrieve it.  The student will also be subject to disciplinary action for any violations of School Committee policies or school rules. 

5.  Lewiston Public Schools assume no responsibility for the functioning or use of personally-owned technological devices on school grounds or at school activities. 

Cross Reference: IJNDB—Student Technology and Internet Use 

      EGAD - Copyright Compliance

6/00 

August 28, 2006 

September 10, 2012 

Revised: November 13, 2017

Revised: August 14, 2023