Revised June 2022
Technology consists of computers, the Internet, software, and peripherals that provide access to a vast collection of online resources, including libraries, government agencies, public information resources, as well as links to millions of people around the world. Paideia School provides technology and Internet access for its community because of its importance as an educational resource. As such, use of Paideia’s technology is to be used primarily to further the school’s educational goals. At all times, Paideia’s technology is to be used in a responsible, courteous, efficient, ethical, and legal manner, in accordance with all school rules and policies as stated in school handbooks and elsewhere.
The purpose of Paideia’s Acceptable Technology Use Agreement is to:
promote the safety and security of students and other community members when using electronic mail, blogs, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
prevent unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking” and other unauthorized activities.
prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information of students, other members of the community and staff.
restrict minors’ access to materials “harmful to minors” as the term is defined in Section 1703 (b)(2) of the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000.
Access to technology is a privilege, not a right. This privilege may be revoked at any time. Use of technology in an unacceptable manner will result in appropriate disciplinary action. For elementary and junior high students, disciplinary action will be the responsibility of the respective principals and classroom teachers. For high school students, Academic Court or Discipline Committee charges may be filed. If questionable use of technology occurs by a faculty or staff person, action may be taken by the head of school. Members of the community should not expect that their use of Paideia’s technology will be completely private, and should know that under certain circumstances their files and/or activity may be monitored by the system administrator. Personal devices that use either 3G/4G/5G data are outside Paideia’s or any other institutions' filtering system.
The Internet offers access to an ever-increasing amount of data, information, communications, images and sounds, some of which may be inappropriate for student access. Paideia is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Persons using the Internet are expected to use reasonable, good judgment when accessing Internet sites, and are reminded that school rules and policies govern school use at all times. It is the user’s responsibility to evaluate the truth and accuracy of any information accessed through the Internet.
Acceptable uses are activities which support teaching and learning at Paideia. The use of technology for research related to courses and classroom activities at Paideia, for individual educational needs, and for communications of an educational nature is encouraged. Accessing email of a purely personal nature using the school network is discouraged.
Unacceptable uses of technology include:
Any illegal, unethical, or irresponsible act or communication, including accessing inappropriate Internet sites, or using the network to arrange such an act.
Participating in Internet chat rooms, playing games, or other interactive recreational activities using the school network.
Using someone else’s name or account, or in any way impersonating another person or misrepresenting affiliation with a person, group, or entity.
Using someone else’s personal computing device such as an iPhone or iPad without their permission.
Re-posting personal communications without permission of the original author.
Loading or downloading software, written works, information, images, or other files in violation of copyright or patent protection as stated by the owner or by U.S. law, or plagiarizing such works (presenting works or ideas as your own.)
Intentionally transmitting any material or messages that contain software viruses, unsolicited advertising, “spamming”, or chain letters.
Creating, using, transmitting, or viewing obscene, threatening, abusive, hateful, libelous, or harassing language or messages.
Compromising personal safety by posting personal contact information about yourself or someone else (including home, school or home email addresses, full names, telephone numbers,) or, for students, agreeing to meet someone met online without prior parental approval.
Accessing or attempting to access, for any reason, any server or files of any system without specific prior permission from the controlling entity.
Using computers and other devices to create fraudulent documents.
Posting to the Internet or distributing school and classroom produced videos without specific prior permission from the institution.
Accessing the Internet via the Paideia network, or using Paideia-supplied equipment (including computers, printers, scanners, cameras, or software), carries with it the automatic agreement to follow the guidelines above.
Revised June, 2022
It is the policy of Paideia School to:
prevent users from accessing or transmitting inappropriate material over its network via the Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications;
prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity;
prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and
comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].
To the extent practical, technology protection measures including Internet filters shall be used to block or filter the Internet or other forms of electronic communications and access to inappropriate information.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or to child pornography or to any material deemed harmful to minors.
Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Paideia School’s online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act prevention of inappropriate network usage includes:
unauthorized access, including so-called hacking, and other unlawful activities; and
unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Paideia School’s staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Director of Technology or designated representatives.
*Revisions to the Internet Safety Policy will be on an as needed basis under the direction of the Director of Technology.