STUDENT USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION RESOURCES
(ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY)
The Board of Education will provide access to various computerized information resources through the District’s computer system (“DCS” hereafter) consisting of software, hardware, computer networks and electronic communications systems. This may include access to electronic mail, so-called “on-line services” and the “Internet.” It may include the opportunity for some students to have independent access to the DCS from their home or other remote locations. All use of the DCS, including independent use off school premises, shall be subject to this policy and accompanying regulations. Further, all such use must be in support of education and/or research and consistent with the goals and purposes of the School District.
One purpose of this policy is to provide notice to students and parents/guardians that, unlike most traditional instructional or library media materials, the DCS will allow student access to external computer networks not controlled by the School District where it is impossible for the District to screen or review all of the available materials. Some of the available materials may be deemed unsuitable by parents/guardians for student use or access. This policy is intended to establish general guidelines for acceptable student use. However, despite the existence of such District policy and accompanying guidelines and regulations, it will not be possible to completely prevent access to computerized information that is inappropriate for students. Furthermore, students may have the ability to access such information from their home or other locations off school premises. Parents/guardians of students must be willing to set and convey standards for appropriate and acceptable use to their children when using the DCS or any other electronic media or communications.
Standards of Acceptable Use
Generally, the same standards of acceptable student conduct which apply to any school activity shall apply to use of the DCS. This policy does not attempt to articulate all required and/or acceptable uses of the DCS; nor is it the intention of this policy to define all inappropriate usage. Administrative regulations will further define general guidelines of appropriate student conduct and use as well as proscribed behavior.
District students shall also adhere to the laws, policies and rules governing computers including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements, and student rights of privacy created by federal and state law.
Students who engage in unacceptable use may lose access to the DCS in accordance with applicable due process procedures, and may be subject to further discipline under the District's school conduct and discipline policy and the District Code of Conduct. The District reserves the right to pursue legal action against a student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys property of the District. Further, the District may bring suit in civil court against the parents/guardians of any student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys District property pursuant to General Obligations Law Section 3-112.
Student data files and other electronic storage areas will be treated like school lockers. This means that such areas shall be considered to be School District property subject to control and inspection. The Computer Technician may access all such files and communications without prior notice to ensure system integrity and that users are complying with the requirements of this policy and accompanying regulations. Students should NOT expect that information stored on the DCS will be private.
Notification/Authorization
The District's Acceptable Use Policy and Regulations will be disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of the school's requirements, expectations, and students' obligations when accessing the DCS.
Student use of the DCS is conditioned upon written agreement by all students and their parents/guardians that student use of the DCS will conform to the requirements of this policy and any regulations adopted to ensure acceptable use of the DCS. All such agreements shall be kept on file in the District Office.
Mobile Learning Device Responsible Use Regulations:
All uses of the network and Internet must be in support of education and consistent with the purposes of the Oxford Central School District.
All users (staff and students) will adhere to the following rules. Acceptance of and agreement to this network and internet policy at the point of network logon is required for use of the networked computer system (this includes internet access, inside and outside of the OXAC network, and network usage inside the district:
- You must keep your password confidential and use only your own password.
- You will only use the system for lawful purposes.
- You will understand and follow the rules of computer etiquette. Examples would include avoiding using inflammatory E-mail, avoiding vulgar or obscene language, making ethnic or racial slurs, acting in any manner that is perceived as harassment or remaining on-line for extended periods of time.
- You will only access material that is related to educational expectations and refrain from profane or obscene material, any that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination toward other people. If you mistakenly access inappropriate information, you must immediately tell your teacher or the person designated by the District. This will protect you against a claim that you have intentionally violated this policy.
- You will only change computer files that belong to you.
- You will avoid plagiarizing from the Internet.
- You will download files only with permission from a supervising teacher.
- You will use your account for educationally related purposes only.
- You will refrain from attempting to bypass the district’s protections and filters in order to get to restricted websites.
- You will refrain from recording and/or posting pictures without permission or approval.
- Mobile learning devices will be used in the classroom at teachers’ discretion.
Students will be required to pay for lost or damaged devices, including accessories.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COMPUTER USE
Computers are an important part of education. Oxford High School encourages the use of computers in all areas of study. In keeping with this goal, the following code has been established to protect the individual user and the school. Rules of computer conduct include, but are not limited to the list below. Those who have been found to abuse the privilege of using Oxford High School’s computing resources may lose computing privileges. Loss of computing privileges may prevent students from completing academic assignments. The rules of conduct for computer use are:
- Users must not present false identification or misleading information to gain access to computing resources (including signing on with other persons’ accounts and passwords) nor use computing resources for which they are not authorized.
- A password is like a locker combination. Protect it and your security by not sharing it with others.
- E-mail is a privilege authorized for academic purposes only.
- Students who elect to use their personal computing devices at school for academic purposes may do so. These students are subject to the rules while at school.
Violation of the Acceptable Use Policy or any procedures for computer use may result in a loss of computer privileges or in the confiscation of a mobile learning device.
Parent(s), Guardian(s), & Student Expectations for Distance Learning
- Families will be provided trainings/webinars on online platforms and applications by the school district
- All trainings/webinars will be posted on school website and social media
- If possible, Family Conferences will be conducted at beginning of closure to help all stakeholders with technology
- Families provide best form of communications regularly throughout the closure
- Phone Number / Email
- Best time to reach
- Families will communicate changes in distance learning ability if it impacts daily access to instruction and attendance
- In these events please contact your student’s teacher, counselor, or building principal
- Follow daily schedule set forth by each building principal
- Attendance is mandatory for all designated meeting times
- Failure to attend designated meeting times will result in activation of each buildings attendance procedure/policy found in the student handbook
- Be provided with and acknowledge each buildings distance learning grading procedure
- Students will turn in assignments/assessments per the assigned due date
- Be provided with and acknowledge each buildings distance learning behavior procedure
- Everyone is visible in a videoconference. Students should dress appropriately and should be in a comfortable work space with their iPad or laptop. It should be a quiet place with minimal distraction. The background should be appropriate for a child’s learning environment.
- Focus and engage. While in a videoconference, the microphone should be muted and released only when speaking in the virtual class. Keep your video conference platform open and do not navigate to other tabs or web pages unless directed by the teacher.
- Respect. Respect the privacy of other participants. Do not take screenshots or pictures of your teacher or fellow students. Do not make any audio or video recordings. These behaviors violate our policies and could result in disciplinary action. Also the use of headphones when engaging in a voice/video chat, will help to ensure the privacy of others. Teachers will communicate to the administration inappropriate behavior that violates our Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Appropriate action will be enforced if necessary.
REMINDER: Audio or video recording of a OXAC Staff member without his/her permission is a violation of the District Code of Conduct.