Students are expected to use technology as part of their daily educational programs. The School Board provides a network system, including the Internet, to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. The term network system includes hardware (physical device and its components), software, data, communication lines and devices (cables, routers, switches, etc.), printers, the Internet, and personal devices including cell phones and tablets (i.e., iPads, etc.).
All use of the Division’s network system must be (1) in support of education and/or research, or (2) for legitimate school business. Use of the network system is a privilege, not a right. Any communication or material used on the network system, including electronic mail or other files deleted from a user’s account, may be monitored and/or read by school officials.
The Division Superintendent shall establish administrative procedures, for the School Board’s approval, containing the appropriate uses, ethics and protocol for the network system.
The procedures shall include:
(1) a prohibition against use by division employees and students of the division’s computer equipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing or downloading illegal material via the Internet;
(2) provisions, including the selection and operation of a technology protection measure for the division’s computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers, that seek to prevent access to:
(a) child pornography as set out in Va. Code § 18.2-374.1:1 or as defined in 18 U.S.C.
§ 2256;
(b) obscenity as defined by Va. Code § 18.2-372 or 18 U.S.C. § 1460; and
(c) material that the school division deems to be harmful to juveniles as defined in Va. Code § 18.2-390, material that is harmful to minors as defined in 47 U.S.C.
§ 254(h)(7)(G), and material that is otherwise inappropriate for minors;
(3) provisions establishing that the technology protection measure is enforced during any use of the Division’s computers by minors;
(4) provisions establishing that the online activities of minors will be monitored;
(5) provisions designed to educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber-bullying awareness and response;
(6) provisions designed to prevent unauthorized online access by minors, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online;
(7) provisions prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
(8) a component of Internet safety for students that is integrated in the division’s instructional program.
Use of the School Division’s network system shall be consistent with the educational or instructional mission or administrative function of the Division as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of students. The Division’s network system is not a public forum.
Each student and parent/guardian of each student shall sign the Acceptable Network System Use Agreement, located in the back of this handbook, before using the Division’s network system. The failure of any student, to follow the terms of the Agreement, this policy or accompanying regulation may result in loss of network system privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.
The School Board is not responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged or unavailable when using the network system or for any information retrieved via the Internet. Furthermore, the School Board will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the network system.