Technology offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and staff members of St. Charles School District 303. The district’s goal in providing this service to staff and students is to promote education excellence in schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. Technology from this point forward is meant to include the computer, phone services or any other means of network communications. User refers to any student, district employee or community member using the network services provided by St. Charles School District 303.

Access to computers and people all over the world includes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. School District 303 believes that the benefits of using information and interaction made available on this worldwide network far outweigh the chance that a user will procure materials not consistent with the educational goals of the district. It is the district’s intent to provide guided access and supervision for students using technology.

Technology access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict policies. These policies are provided here so the user is aware of his/her responsibilities. Users are expected to utilize technology resources in an efficient, ethical and legal manner. If a user violates any of these policies, his/her access may be terminated, future access may be denied, and disciplinary action may be warranted.

1. Purpose: The St. Charles School District 303 technology resources are provided for use by students and staff to assist them in achieving the educational goals and objectives of the district. Resources are to be used for academic and administrative purposes. They are not intended for nonacademic and non-administrative use including, but not limited to, illegal, commercial, political, religious or entertainment purposes. Use of computer and network resources is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use could result in cancellation of this privilege or disciplinary action.

2. Acceptable Use: Acceptable use of technology includes:

1. curricular and co-curricular activities that support district goals and objectives
2. research consistent with district goals and objectives
3. communication between staff, students, and local and global communities for the purpose of furthering instructional objectives
4. development and implementation of curriculum
5. professional development of staff members
6. administrative or managerial record-keeping, data access or research

3. Unacceptable Use: Unacceptable use of technology includes, but is not limited to:

1. participation in any activity which is in violation of federal or state law or District 303 Board Policy
2. interference with or disruption of computer or network services or equipment
3. participation in the acquisition, creation or distribution of materials which are obscene or pornographic in nature, or which is discriminatory or derisive to any person or group of persons based upon race, gender, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law
4. participation in the acquisition, creation or distribution of advertising, computer worms or viruses, chain letters or other messages/files that could cause congestion on or failure of any computer equipment or network
5. making unauthorized entry to any computer, network, files, data base or communications channels
6. alteration, damage or destruction of any cabling, hardware, software or data accession, use or possession of unauthorized or illegally obtained hardware, software or data, even if said item(s) may be owned by the user
7. engagement in activity that does not meet the intended purpose of the network installation of software by persons other than a District 303 technical employee.
8. unauthorized attempts to disable or to bypass the district’s technology protection measures.

4. Network Protocol: Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to,

1. Use of appropriate , courteous language
2. Strict non-disclosure of names, personal addresses or phone numbers of students or staff

5. Warranty: St. Charles School District 303 makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. St. Charles School District 303 will not be responsible for any damages suffered by the use. This includes the loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, miss-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own risk. School District 303 specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its network services. Electronic e-mail accounts provide by the district are district property and are not guaranteed to be private. System administrators do have access to accounts.

6. Security: Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. Security problems should be reported to an administrator. Attempts to log onto a network as a system administrator or as another user, without that user’s written permission, are unacceptable. Any user who is identified as a security risk or who has a history of creating problems on computer systems may be denied access to computer or network resources.

7. Technology Protection Measures. It is the District’s policy to utilize technology protection measures to block or filter internet access to visual depictions which are i) obscene; ii) child pornography or iii) harmful to minors and the District enforces to the operation of such measures during the use of any of its computers. The technology protection measures shall only be disabled for bona fide research or other lawful purposes upon specific request to the Network Administrator.

8. Violations:

1. Any user who is found in violation of this policy may have his/her network privileges suspended or canceled. In addition, the user may be subject to additional disciplinary action by the administration and/or Board of Education.
2. Cases involving suspected or alleged criminal acts may be referred to law enforcemet authorities.

9. Consent: Parents may request in writing to the Principal that their child not have access to technology resources.