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School Thirteen //__ Technology Resources Acceptable Use Policy __// = I. Technology in the Classroom =

School Thirteen offers a variety of technological resources and tools to enhance instructional practices within the classroom. These resources offer students, faculty, and staff:

 * =====effective and efficient access to information;=====
 * =====the opportunity to foster ethical and appropriate usage;=====
 * =====active engagement and student-centered learning; and=====
 * =====a collaborative environment in which 21st-century learners shall acquire the skills necessary for ongoing learning and communication through the use of technology, specifically in preparation for their post-secondary education and professional endeavors.=====

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School Thirteen sets parameters for authorized use of its resources and compliance with its technology policy. School Thirteen reserves the right to alter and amend this policy as necessary. Acceptable use shall be defined as the following:=====
 * Electronic communication such as e-mail, instant messages, chat, and/or all forms of online collaboration must be used only in support of the educational goals of the institution;
 * Electronic communication between students and staff must be done via district assigned email addresses or other district approved means;
 * Use of personal electronic devices in the classroom, including wireless laptops or cell phones, may only be used upon receipt of prior approval from an administrator with full acceptance of school monitoring and with appropriate usage;
 * Use of electronic devices in classrooms is at the discretion of the teacher and with administrative approval;
 * E-readers, such as iPads, Kindles and Nooks should be used solely for approved literature and may not be used to access the Internet or for making downloads without teacher consent;
 * Users are expected to abide by generally accepted rules of network etiquette and to conduct themselves in a responsible, ethical and polite manner while online;
 * Security on any computer system is high priority. If you feel you have identified a security problem in School Thirteen's computers, network, or internet connection, it is your obligation and duty to immediately alert a teacher and/or system administrator.

All students, staff, and faculty members will have access to a district assigned email address and the use of the Internet via a user name and password specific to each individual. To gain access and receipt of a user name and password, all faculty, staff and students must complete the necessary assessments and information sessions as mentioned below. Parents and/or guardians are strongly encouraged to do the same. Prospective users must:
 * Pass a [[file:InternetSafetyQuizStudents.docx|Proficiency Assessment]] on the ethical and appropriate use of classroom technological resources.
 * Complete a mandatory Cyber Awareness Assessment and Information session on campus.
 * Complete a district mandated Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying ([[file:13tech-policy/bully.pdf|HIB]]) information session.


 * No faculty and staff member, or student user shall be granted a user name or password until completion of the above-mentioned requirements //__and__// a signed copy of School Thirteen's //Technology Acceptable Use Policy// is submitted to the main office.**

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School Thirteen's //Technology Acceptable Use Policy// applies to all authorized users who access the school’s network or utilize its equipment. This shall include, but is not limited to laptops; PCs; handheld digital devices; interactive boards such as SmartBoards; tablet PCs such as iPads; personal listening devices such as iPods; electronic voice messaging systems; and, upon prior permission of the administration,=====

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student-owned/personal technological devices. //Under no circumstances, unless approved by an administrator, shall students be permitted to use personal cell phones, smartphones, or laptops in classrooms.// Students who bring personal cell phones or other technological equipment must keep these items in their lockers or may drop them off in the main office until the end of the school day. //School Thirteen shall in no way be liable for any lost, damaged, or stolen personal devices. Additionally, should a student be found in possession of these items without prior approval, the School reserves the right to confiscate the device, notify the parent/guardian, and comply with the return of the personal property by the end of the school day.// Please review further sections of this policy for specific details on the consequences of inappropriate usage.=====

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The //Technology Acceptable Use Policy// promotes safety, security, and best practices in terms of access granted to the school's network and use of the school's property. //Use of the School Thirteen's technology resources is a privilege and not a right//. Upon returning the signed policy form, all students, faculty, and staff who use or access the School Thirteen technology resources, databases, or networks shall adhere to the parameters outlined above.=====

III. Terms and Conditions
School Thirteen is responsible for the terms and conditions associated with third party licensing agreements such as software and databases. Therefore, to ensure that the hardware, software, and Internet will be used responsibly and in agreement with licensing protocols, users must agree to the following terms:
 * shall continue to improve proficiency in and knowledge of Internet uses and the provided software applications;
 * shall not circumvent the school's filtering system to access blocked or restricted web content;
 * shall not damage, change or tamper with hardware;
 * shall not move any work stations without permission of the Network Administrator;
 * shall not interfere or tamper with other people's work;
 * shall not consume food or beverages in any labs;
 * shall not share his or her password;
 * shall not attempt to access another individual's account;
 * shall not allow others to access his or her account for the purpose of completing instructional assignments on his or her behalf;
 * shall not attempt to download personal or internet based software to the school's computers;
 * shall not use technology resources to conduct research beyond that of School Thirteen's course assignments;
 * shall not participate in gaming or audio/video streaming over the school network except for educational purposes, which have be approved by an administrator;
 * shall not access or download personal, non-educational software on any electronic device connected to the school's network;
 * shall not access or use social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace;
 * shall not use computer resources for commercial purposes, product advertising, political lobbying, or political campaigning;
 * shall respect all copyright laws that protect software owners, artists, and writers; plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated;
 * shall not access or change program configurations or settings or make unauthoriozed copies of software;
 * shall not transmit, receive, submit, or publish any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, offensive or illegal material;
 * shall not use online resources with the intent of harassing, intimidating or bullying another individual.

//Cyber bullying (i.e. the use of electronic information and communication devices, such as email, instant messaging, text messaging, blogs, mobile devices, pagers and defamatory websites, to bully, or otherwise harass an individual or group, through personal attacks or other means) are computer crimes and will not be tolerated.// //Cyber bullying will be viewed as both a violation of state and district HIB policy, as well as a violation of the stipulations set forth in this policy agreement.//

IV. Internet Safety

 * All faculty and students, and their parents/guardians, must read, understand, and sign the school's policy regarding internet/online safety and ethical online behavior.
 * Users should never share personal information online, such as their name, address, phone number, email address, personal photos or their school's name and address.
 * Any creation of a blog, wiki, or other collaborative site and/or productivity application used for instructional purposes must be approved by an administrator prior to commencement of any such activity.
 * Any account created must be created using the district assigned email address.
 * The personal information of others should not be passed out online.
 * Students must notify a teacher or administrator immediately if he or she witnesses or encounters any online activity or unethical behavior that is in violation of the school policy.
 * Student photos will not be used for Web site purposes without parental/guardian permission.
 * No faculty or staff member shall communicate or connect via online with a student for reasons other than school related business.
 * Connection of faculty, staff, and students to social networking sites is prohibited.

V. Consequence for Policy Abuse
Any violations of this policy agreement by students, staff, faculty or administrators could result in a loss of computer access, as well as other disciplinary or legal action. Users are considered subject to all local, state, and federal laws. Depending on the severity of the infraction, consequences may include, but are not limited to:

Student Consequences:

 * the loss of access to E-Resources for a designated amount of time,
 * financial liability for the repair of intentially damaged or stolen property,
 * parent conferences, student suspension, or even expulsion.

Faculty Consequences:
 * To be determined and assessed by administration as per circumstance and nature of incident.

//All communication and information accessible via the computer resources shall be regarded as the intellectual property or School Thirteen. However, people who operate the system may review files and messages to maintain system integrity and insure acceptable use. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to legal authorities.//

VI. Finalizing Permission to Access of Resources
Prior to using the School Thirteen technology, faculty, staff, and students, as well as their parent or guardian, are required to complete the policy usage page and assessment. Once these documents have been completed and successfully submitted, faculty, staff and students will be prompted to create a username and password. Hard copies of the policy and signature page may be obtained from the school's main office upon request and may be sent home with a student, if necessary.

VII. Administrative Restrictions
The district will only share student contact information with district staff for communication purposes. Student work will not be shared outside the district without the express consent of the student. If the student is under the age of 18, student and guardian(s) consent will be required. //However//, students age 18 or older must advise the school administration of their intent to share or publish authentic samples of work online and/or share any course related assignments. Any work shared within the district will be done so with total student anonymity.

VIII. Monitoring of Network Use and Access
Any device connected to the district network is subject to monitoring and/or remote access by district personnel to ensure acceptable use. Any content created, sent or received through the district network may be viewed by district personnel.

IX. Revocation of Access
School Thirteen reserves the right to revoke access to the school's technology resources to anyone found violating the terms of the //Technology Acceptable Use Policy//.

**X. Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act**
The [|Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act] was, in part, designed to protect children from inappropriate internet use and exposure in schools and libraries. Essentially, schools are offered E-rate discounts for internet accessibility as long as the institution complies with the provisions of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2001. According to section 54.520(c) of CIPA, schools and libraries must employ an internet safety measure that protects both adults and minors from (1) images that are obscene; or (2) child pornography; or (3) harmful to minors. The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act takes this policy one step further for all schools who are taking advantage of E-rate discounts. Schools must provide an instructional program for students regarding appropriate internet use including use of social networking sites and access of social media; schools must also provide instruction regarding cyberbullying awareness and response.

//All school administrators, faculty, and staff must familiarize themselves with this act. Teachers will be held accountable for providing acceptable instructional practices. Additionally, students will be informed of the legal ramifications and administrative consequences in response to acts of cyberbullying.//

Per the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, school board officials are to uphold the same standards employed by the district regarding acceptable internet use. It is at the discretion of the school's administrator to determine what should be deemed "harmful to minors." The School Thirteen administrators will utilize this provision as they see fit.

XI. Signature Page:
Please return the signed student internet agreement page along with the Parental/Guardian Student Media Release Consent Form to the principal of School Thirteen.