Acceptable Use of Electronic Devices Policy
Read the Code
Prior to the start date for each school year, students must read the Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Guidelines and agree to abide by its terms.
This document describes the policies and guidelines for the use of the UTVA High School and exists to ensure that all UTVA students are aware of and understand their responsibilities when accessing and using UTVA resources. UTVA reserves the right to update or alter this agreement at any time. Such revisions may substantially alter access to UTVA instructional computing resources. UTVA instructional computing resources include any computer, software, or transmission system that is owned, operated, or leased by UTVA.
UTVA Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Guidelines
Students enrolled in the Utah Virtual Academy should be aware of the following guidelines and expectations. Any activity that is not listed here, which violates local, or country laws is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Guidelines.
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in the:
● Removal of student access to Utah Virtual Academy instructional computing resources, which could result in his/her inability to complete learning activities.
● Suspension or expulsion from the Utah Virtual Academy and loss of paid tuition.
● Involvement with law enforcement agencies and possible legal action.
Acceptable Network Use
Students will use the Internet and other electronic information resources in an appropriate manner, abiding by the rules and regulations described in this policy. Students who formally publish school related information on the Internet must have proper approvals and abide by school publishing guidelines and procedures. Students are expected to abide by generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These rules include, but are not limited to, being polite, never sending or encouraging others to send abusive messages, and never using inappropriate language.
Unacceptable Network Use
Students may not intentionally transmit or receive material in violation of law or school policy. This includes, but is not limited to, pornographic, indecent or sexually suggestive materials, weapons, controlled substances or alcohol, or incendiary devices. Users are prohibited from posting or sending content that contains threats or is hatefully or racially, ethically or otherwise objectionable.
Students may not participate in or promote any illegal or inappropriate activities, disruptive use of the network, or activities of any kind that do not conform to the rules, regulations and policies of UTVA.
Students may not use the network for product advertisement or political lobbying.
Students may not reveal personal information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, credit card numbers or social security numbers. Releasing personal information of others or that of organizations associated with the school is prohibited.
Students may not intentionally harm or destroy school data, the network, or network performance. This includes, but is not limited to, creation and introduction of computer viruses, unauthorized access to restricted systems or programs, or using the school network to illegally access other systems.
Inappropriate behavior includes:
Insults or attacks of any kind against another person.
Use of obscene, degrading, or profane language.
Harassment, continually posting unwelcome messages to another person, or use of threats.
Posting material that is obscene or defamatory or which is intended to annoy, harass or intimidate another person. This includes distributing “spam” mail, chain e-mail, viruses, or other intentionally destructive content.
Expectation of Privacy
Student files, disks, documents, etc., which have been used or created with school electronic information resources are not considered private. Electronic mail transmissions are not private.
Disciplinary Action
Students who violate the terms and conditions of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including the possibility of suspension or expulsion from school and appropriate legal action.
Access to electronic information may be limited, suspended or revoked.
Student Liability
Students and/or their parents will be held responsible and financially liable for damage to computers or other equipment caused by his/her willful and/or negligent behavior.
Service Disclaimer
UTVA makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the electronic information resources it is providing. The school will not be responsible for any damages a student suffers while using these resources. These damages may include, but are not limited to, loss of data as a result of delays, employee errors or omissions, or non-deliveries or service interruptions caused by a network system. Use of information obtained by the network system is at the employee's own risk. UTVA specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through the electronic information resources.
Use of Copyrighted Materials
All materials in the courses are copyrighted and provided for use exclusively by enrolled students. Enrolled students may print or photocopy material from the website for their own use. Use by or distribution to others is prohibited unless expressly noted. Unauthorized copying or distribution may result in revoked access to course(s). Users shall not upload, download, transmit or post copyrighted software or copyrighted materials, materials protected by trade secrets or other protections using Utah Virtual Academy computer resources. This includes copyrighted graphics of cartoon characters or other materials that may appear to be non-copyright protected.
Academic Integrity
All work submitted is assumed to have been completed only by students. Students are responsible for observing the standards on plagiarism and properly crediting all sources relied on in the composition of their work. Failure to abide by these standards is reported to the appropriate administrative authorities and may result in a conference with the parent, loss of credit for high school courses, revoked access to course(s) and suspension or expulsion from Utah Virtual Academy.
Plagiarism
The definition of plagiarism is: Copying or imitating the language, ideas, and thoughts of another writer and passing them off as your own original work. Specific examples of plagiarism that is not tolerated are:
● Copying or rephrasing another student's work.
● Having someone else write an assignment or rephrase any part of an assignment (not just proofread it).
● Directly copying student aids (for example, CliffsNotes), critical sources, or reference materials in part or in whole without acknowledgment.
● Indirect reproduction of study aids, such as CliffsNotes, critical sources, or reference materials by rephrasing ideas borrowed from them without acknowledgment.
Source Citation
Many courses require written work in which students need to cite sources. Any direct quotations from a textbook can simply be cited as (Author, Page Number). Any quotations from outside sources require full citations, including author, title, publisher, date of publication, and page number. If a student cites information found on a Web site, he/she provide the complete Web page or site title, URL, author if known, page number if applicable, and publication date of the site, if available, and date of access.
Consequences
First Offense – The student and parent will receive an email and/or call from the classroom teacher. The student will not receive credit for the plagiarized assignment unless the following steps are completed:
The student will be required to review the plagiarism recorded lesson and complete the plagiarism worksheet (provided by the teacher).
When the student has complied, he or she will be allowed to redo and resubmit the assignment for credit.
Second Offense – The student and parent will receive a call from the High School Principal. The student will not be allowed to rewrite the assignment, and a grade of zero will be posted for the assignment.
Third Offense – Course failed for that quarter.
Please note that because UTVA considers plagiarism a serious offense, these consequences apply to all instances of plagiarism in a student’s high school career here at UTVA, regardless of grade level or subject. These consequences do not “start over” each new semester or school year; all instances are documented for the entirety of a student’s tenure at UTVA.
Monitoring
The Utah Virtual Academy reserves the right to review any material transmitted using Utah Virtual Academy instructional resources or posted to a Utah Virtual Academy instructional resource to determine the appropriateness of such material. Utah Virtual Academy may review this material at any time, with or without notice. E-mails transmitted via Utah Virtual Academy resources are not private and may be monitored.
Indemnification Provision
The Utah Virtual Academy assumes no responsibility for information obtained via the Internet, which may be illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or offensive. The Utah Virtual Academy assumes no responsibility for any claims, losses, damages, costs, or other obligations arising from the use of instructional computing resources. Utah Virtual Academy 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 Utah Virtual Academy, its affiliates, or its employees. The Utah Virtual Academy assumes no responsibility for damages to the user’s computer system.
Nothing in this policy negates any obligation the student and parent have to use the instructional computing recourses as required in the K12 Terms of Use that the parent or guardian signed as part of the student's enrollment packet. In the event that this Code conflicts with the Terms of Use, the Terms of Use shall prevail.
Accountability
● Posting anonymous messages is not permitted unless authorized by the course’s online teacher. Impersonating another person is also strictly prohibited.
● Students must use only their own user names and passwords, and must not share these with anyone.
● Students must follow teacher's directions for how their name appears when logging into Blackboard/Zoom/Newrow or other online platforms.
● Students may not interfere with other users’ ability to access the Utah Virtual Academy or disclose anyone’s password to others or allow them to use another user’s account. Students are responsible for all activity that is associated with their usernames and passwords.
● Students should change their password(s) frequently, at least once per semester or course is encouraged.
● Students must not publicly post their personal contact information (address and phone number) or anyone else’s.
● Students must not publicly post any messages that were sent to them privately.
● Students must not download, transmit or post material that is intended for personal gain or profit, non-Utah Virtual Academy commercial activities, non-Utah Virtual Academy product advertising, or political lobbying on a Utah Virtual Academy owned instructional computing resource.
● Students may not use Utah Virtual Academy instructional computing resources to sell or purchase any illegal items or substances.
● It is not allowed to upload or post any software on Utah Virtual Academy instructional computing resources that are not specifically required and approved for student assignments. Students may not post any MP3 files, compressed video, or other non-instructional files to any Utah Virtual Academy server, unless approved by the school.
Student Internet Safety
● Students must not reveal on the Internet personal information about themselves or other persons. For example, a student should not reveal his/her name, home address, telephone number, or display photographs of him/herself or others to persons outside of the Utah Virtual Academy.
● Students cannot agree to meet in person anyone they have met only on the Internet and who is not affiliated with the Utah Virtual Academy. First meetings with Utah Virtual Academy affiliated students should be at school sponsored events.
● Students must not reveal direct reference to any personal web pages (URLs) that are unaffiliated with the Utah Virtual Academy.
Network Etiquette
Utah Virtual Academy students are expected to follow the rules of network etiquette or netiquette. The word "netiquette" refers to common-sense guidelines for conversing with others online. Students are encouraged to abide by these standards:
● Establish Instant message user names and e-mail addresses that are appropriate for the school setting.
● Avoid sarcasm, jargon, and slang. Swear words are unacceptable.
● Never use derogatory comments, including those regarding race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, political persuasion, body type, physical or mental health, or access issues.
● Focus your responses on the questions or issues being discussed, not on the individuals involved.
● Be constructive with your criticism, not hurtful.
● Review your messages before sending them. Remove easily misinterpreted language and proofread for typos.
● Respect other people’s privacy. Do not broadcast online discussions, and never reveal other people's e-mail addresses.