Acceptable Use Policy and Media Release Information

 

Introduction

Computer access is available to qualifying students, teachers, staff, and administrators.  Our goal is to promote innovation and educational excellence by using technology tools for research, worldwide resource sharing, communication, and storage of student work. Students may be assigned several student accounts with passwords granting access to different data.  All students are assigned an Illuminate account that provides access to student records/grades.  Students may also be assigned a Google Apps for Education account and that service is hosted on many Google servers off campus. Students must remember that accounts are not private and can be viewed at any time by school administration. In order to ensure the appropriate use of the network, the technology department reserves the right to monitor, access, and disclose files contained, stored, or transmitted using school equipment.

Issues 

With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that will not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. The Internet may contain material that is objectionable from many points of view. There is, however, a wealth of educational material available.

SJCA is using a content filtering system to comply with CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) regulations. The filtering is designed to block web sites that educators believe are inappropriate for students. Even though content filtering is automatically maintained and customized, it is impossible on a global network to control access to all materials that are objectionable or inappropriate. The filter will block most of the inappropriate sites, however, no system is perfect. With the constantly changing internet landscape, students may be able to gain access to sites that were previously filtered. The school cannot guarantee that users will not have access to inappropriate or objectionable material. Parents and guardians must consider this in deciding whether to permit their children access to the Internet when off campus. Parents and guardians must be aware that when they approve access to the Internet they are also accepting the possible use of unmonitored Email and social media services.

Responsibilities

The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end-users who must adhere to strict guidelines. The guidelines set forth in this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) are provided so that students are aware of the responsibilities that they are about to acquire. In general, student responsibilities require ethical, efficient, and legal use of the network resources. If a student user violates any of these terms and conditions, his or her network/Internet access may be terminated and future access could be denied. The signature(s) at the end of this document is (are) legally binding and indicate(s) the party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s) their significance and agree(s) to abide by these terms.

Terms and Conditions – San Jose Charter Academy

1. Acceptable Use: Network/Internet use must be consistent with the educational objectives of the school. Students will use only their school assigned username and password to gain access to the device.
   
   
2. The following are considered unacceptable uses of the school network: Attempts to obtain access to restricted sites, servers, files, databases, etc. are prohibited. Unauthorized access to other systems from school devices (e.g. “hacking”) is prohibited.
   
   
3. Use of Internet games, multi-user internet games (Halo,Minecraft, etc,) and IRCs (Internet Relay Chats) are not allowed.
   
   
4. Use of online radio (Pandora, iTunes Radio, etc), audio broadcast or video streaming unrelated to class curriculum is not allowed.
   
   
5. Use of social forums must be related to educational research and not used for personal activities.
   
   
6. Transmission of any material in violation of any law is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secrets.
   
   
7. Use of school network to communicate personal addresses, phone numbers, and/or financial information is not allowed.
   
   
8. Use of internet for commercial purposes, financial gain, personal business, product advertisement, or political lobbying is prohibited.
   
   
9. Vandalism is not permitted and will be strictly disciplined. Vandalism of data is defined as any attempt to harm or destroy data of another user or of another agency or network that is connected to the Internet. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, the uploading, downloading, or creation of computer viruses. It also includes attempts to gain unauthorized access to any network. Vandalism of hardware/software includes intentionally making computer systems inoperable by deleting, disconnecting or disabling components.
   
   
10. Harassment, intimidation or bullying, including any intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, also called cyber bullying, is not acceptable.

Privileges: Network/Internet use is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a loss of network privileges, disciplinary action, and/or referral to legal authorities. At the direction of the school administration, student user access and /or accounts may be denied, revoked, or suspended as a result of misuse of network privileges.

Netiquette: Students are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following: Be polite. Do not be abusive in your messages to others. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other language inappropriate in a school setting.

Services: The school makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The school will not be responsible for any damages an individual suffers while on this system. These damages include loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence, errors, or omissions. Use of any information obtained via Internet is at your own risk. The school specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

Security: If a student identifies a security problem, he/ she must notify school personnel immediately. He/she is not to demonstrate the problem to other users. Students may not use the Internet to discuss or disseminate information regarding security problems or how to gain unauthorized access to sites, servers, files, etc.

School Account: Students may be issued a student account and password. If any information on a student’s account changes or the account password is lost or stolen, it is the student’s responsibility to notify school personnel.

Google Apps for Education accounts: SJCA may provide students with Google Apps for Education accounts. Google Apps for Education includes free, web-based programs like Classroom, email, document creation tools, shared calendars, and collaboration tools. This service is available through an agreement between Google and SJCA..

Google Apps for Education is also available at home, the library, or anywhere with Internet access. School staff will monitor student use of Apps when students are at school. Parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s use of Apps when accessing programs from home. Students are responsible for their own behavior at all times.

Other services: SJCA may also utilize computer software applications and web-based services that are operated by third parties. These services include: Google, Lexia, and other similar educational programs.  A complete list of the programs may be viewed on the SJCA website.

The Children Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) permits SJCA the consent to the collection of personal information on behalf of all of its students. The AUP will constitute consent for our schools to provide a student’s personal information, consisting of his or her first and last name, email address, and username to the services on file at the School office.

Acceptable Use (Privacy and Safety)

Google Apps for Education (Apps) is primarily for educational use. Students may use Apps for personal use subject to the restrictions below and additional school rules and policies that may apply.

1. Privacy – School staff, administrators, and parents all have access to student email for monitoring purposes. Students have no expectation of privacy on the Apps system.
   
   
2. Limited personal use – Students may use Apps tools for personal projects but may not use them for:
   1. Unlawful activities
   2. Commercial purposes (running a business or trying to make money)
   3. Personal financial gain (running a web site to sell things)
   4. Inappropriate sexual or other offensive content
   5. Threatening another person
   6. Misrepresentation of SJCA, staff or students. Apps, sites, email, and groups are not public forums. They are extensions of classroom spaces where student free speech rights may be limited.
      
      
3. Safety
   1. Students may not post personal contact information about themselves or other people. That includes last names, addresses and phone numbers.
   2. Students agree not to meet with someone they have met online without their parent’s approval and participation.
   3. Students will tell their teacher or other school employee about any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
   4. Students are responsible for the use of their individual accounts and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their account. Under no conditions should a student provide his or her password to another person.
      
      
4. Access Restriction – Due Process
   1. Access to Google Apps for Education is considered a privilege accorded at the discretion of the school. The school maintains the right to immediately withdraw the access and use of Apps when there is reason to believe that violations of law or school policies have occurred. In such cases, the alleged violation will be referred to the school administration for further investigation and account restoration, suspension, or termination. SJCA also reserves the right to immediately suspend any user account suspected of inappropriate use. Pending review, a user account may be terminated as part of such action.

User Contract: I certify that I have read the school’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). I understand and agree to follow the terms and conditions for the school’s Internet/network use. I understand any violation of the school’s Internet AUP will result in the loss of Internet/network access and/or my user account; may result in other disciplinary action; and may constitute a criminal offense. I agree to report any misuse of the Internet/network resources to school personnel. I use the Internet entirely at my own risk and I hereby release the school from any claims arising from my use of the Internet.

Students must have an LMC permit signed by their parent/guardian on file with Mrs. Sanchez. Check out cards for K-5 students are kept on file in the elementary LMC.  Jr. academy students must show their student ID to check out materials.

The text below is from our school media release. It is available here for your reference. While the amazing work done at our school should be showcased to the world, we also pride ourselves on protecting the privacy of your students and their work. You can verify and confirm your wishes using your family account on Illuminate.

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In an attempt to keep our families and community informed about school events, policies, and procedures - school information is regularly posted on our school website. Our URL is www.SANJOSECHARTERACADEMY.COM. Periodically, the autodialer calling system will be utilized to inform parents with pertinent information. Please inform the front office the best phone number you want us to use for this system. Our goal is to provide as much information to our parents and community as possible, so please feel free to visit our site and provide your feedback.

On a final note, please read and fill out the information below and return this form to your child‘s homebase teacher as soon as possible. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mr. Cabrera

IT Director

Jason.Cabrera@sjcharter.com

 

Parent/Guardian Permission for Publishing of Student Work and Student Image