School Board Policy P 6-36 and subsequent regulations R 6-36 governs the acceptable telecommunications and Internet use for students. The policy and the specific regulations that this policy governs can be found in the student packet that is sent home by the schools on the first day of school or by calling your child's school and requesting a copy of the policy and regulations. it should be understood that all use of the Internet and the telecommunications systems must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS). Use of the telecommunications systems, including the Internet, is a privilege and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges.
All users of Chesapeake Public Schools' telecommunication and computing resources are responsible for being aware of this policy. Violations of this policy that result in inappropriate or improper use of CPS resources are subject to disciplinary action. Offenders may be prosecuted under the terms described in the Code of Virginia 18.2-152.4. The Virginia Computer Crimes Act authorizes sanctions that range from a misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony for computer fraud, trespass, invasion of privacy, theft of services, forgery, or damage to computer data, networks, programs, or software. In all such cases, the proper law enforcement officials shall be notified and appropriate charges shall be filed.
Policy for Students
CPS provides its students access to telecommunications networks, (including the Internet, together with the necessary hardware and software) to support research and education. All components of the telecommunications network shall be used in ways that are legal, respectful of the rights of others, and protective of juveniles and that promote the educational objectives of CPS.
This Policy prohibits any District student from using the CPS telecommunications system for any unlawful purpose and from the sending, receiving, viewing or downloading of any unlawful material that the District deems harmful to juveniles as defined in Section 18.2-390 of the Code of Virginia. The District staff charged with designing and maintaining the CPS telecommunication system will select and install appropriate filtering devices to block Internet access to child pornography as set forth in Section 18.2-374.1:1 and obscenity (Section 18.2-372).
The Superintendent shall establish guidelines for Acceptable Telecommunications and Internet Use. Violation of this policy or these guidelines by students of CPS may result in suspension and / or termination of access privileges, appropriate school disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and / or expulsion, and / or legal action. The Superintendent shall also assure that the Division’s instructional program shall include a component on Internet safety.
Applicability
These Guidelines shall apply to all student users of telecommunications systems, including the Internet (Network), that are entered via equipment and access lines located in CPS. Privately owned electronic devices used on school property and / or off school property at school-sponsored events are also subject to this regulation. Student use of the Network, including Internet access, requires consent of the student (if 18 years or older) or the parent or guardian (if under 18 years) by signing an appropriate form indicating that the student, parent, or guardian has received, read, understands, and agrees to abide by applicable policies and guidelines. The parent or guardian may withdraw his or her approval at any time.
Purpose
The purpose of these Guidelines is to encourage and promote appropriate knowledge, procedures, and use of the Network, when entered through CPS equipment and Internet resources, or through privately owned electronic devices used on school property or at school-sponsored events.
Compliance
All students will comply with these Guidelines and policies adopted, changed, or implemented from time to time by CPS. All users will abide by proper Network etiquette (Netiquette), electronic communication ethics and rules, and user responsibilities. Netiquette requires users to be polite, use only appropriate language at all times, work efficiently so others may use the equipment, and avoid using or revealing personal information, especially when this might embarrass or harm another person.
Penalities for Inappropriate Behavior
Violations of these Guidelines may result in suspension and / or termination of access privileges. Violations may also result in appropriate school disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and / or expulsion, and / or legal action. Each user will be obligated to indemnify CPS from and against any and all liabilities, expenses (including attorney’s fees), and damages arising out of claims based upon the user’s use (or the use by anyone who gains access to the Network through the user’s account) of the Network, including any claim of libel, defamation, violation of rights of privacy or publicity, or infringement of intellectual property or other rights.
No Expectation of Privacy
The use of the Network carries no right or expectation of privacy. CPS reserves the right to monitor, review, and restrict any user’s Network access and use. The Network and all files on this system, including personal files, are the property of and belong to CPS, and the contents are subject to review at any time for any reason.
Acceptable Network Use
CPS’ objective in providing and accessing the Network is to support research and educational activities, and use must be in support of this objective. Specific guidelines shall be as follows:
- Sending, knowingly receiving, viewing, storing, or downloading material via the Network which might reasonably be determined unlawful or inappropriate for or harmful to juveniles, including defamatory, obscene, or pornographic materials, is prohibited.
- The Network, including the Internet, may not be used to make or disseminate hate mail, threats, personal attacks, defamatory statements, harassment, or discriminatory remarks; to violate any person’s rights of privacy or publicity; or to engage in similar behaviors. Harassment or discrimination is conduct that is intended or has the effect of identifying or affecting another person in an unfavorable way on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability or other factors.
- Use of the Network for personal and private business use, including product advertisement or financial gain, is prohibited.
- Use of the Network for political lobbying is prohibited. Communications concerning political issues for educational purposes is permissible.
- Use of the Network for advancing a private or non-profit cause, however worthwhile, is prohibited. The Network is not a public place for the user to express his or her personal beliefs or opinions. The use of the Network as a public forum is prohibited.
- Network users must abide by the rules of any other network that is accessed from CPS Network.
- Each user is responsible for his or her own password and Network use and shall not intentionally seek information on or use passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent themselves as other users on the Network. A user shall not allow others to use his or her password or allow Network access by anyone else under the user’s own password.
- Any improper use of the Network or any other system such as developing or using programs or any other means to threaten or harass others; intercept e-mail; infiltrate a computer or computing system (e.g., hacking); interfere, clog, or damage the performance, files, data, or the software components of a computer or computing system (e.g., introducing a computer virus or “spamming”); or to attempt any of the foregoing, is prohibited. Users shall not disrupt any discussion group, mailing list, or newsgroup with frivolous, vulgar, or repetitious postings; by posting of binary, or excessively large, unrelated text files; or by posting articles that are off-topic according to the charter or other public statement of the forum. Any breach or suspected breach of Network security must be reported to the teacher. Users should not attempt to locate or duplicate a security breach because this may be construed as improper use.
- The illegal installation, copying, distribution, or downloading of material (e.g., without authorization of the owner of such material) that has not been made generally available, or the unauthorized use of copyrighted or trademarked materials, including those containing trade secrets, on the network or with CPS computers is prohibited. Academic use of materials obtained from the Network shall be properly cited.
- The unauthorized installation of hardware or software to the Network or any of its components is strictly prohibited.
- CPS maintains the right to determine whether specific uses of the Network are consistent with these Guidelines, its educational objectives, and generally acceptable practices.
- Personal information regarding minors should not be provided or used across the Network through electronic mail, chat rooms, bulletin boards, or other direct electronic communication methods (e.g., last name, pictures, video files, audio files, address, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, date of birth) unless specifically authorized by the principal.
- The Network may not be used to send unsolicited bulk e-mail, or otherwise unsolicited e-mail messages where the recipient objects to the content of the message or to receipt of the message in general. Each user should understand that unauthorized use of the Network in connection with the transmission of unsolicited bulk e-mail, including the transmission of counterfeit email, may result in civil and criminal penalties against the user.
- CPS has implemented appropriate software to block and / or filter Network access provided by CPS, and such software is designed to filter or block obscene material, pornographic material, and other material that is harmful to minors. Efforts to disable, tamper with, or otherwise interfere with the filtering software shall be deemed by CPS to be an improper and unacceptable use of the Network by the user for which the user can be disciplined.
- Users shall not agree to meet with persons contacted online. Users shall promptly disclose to a teacher or other school employee any message received that is inappropriate or makes the user feel uncomfortable.
- Specific exceptions to these Guidelines that are consistent with CPS research and educational objectives may be proposed. Any requested exception must be submitted in writing with an explanation and justification of the exception and must be approved in advance by the Superintendent or designee.
- The document titled Telecommunications and Internet Terms and Conditions: Student Consent Agreement shall be reviewed, signed, and returned by students and their parent or guardian prior to usage of the CPS Network. The signature page can be found on page ii.
Telecommunication and Internet Terms and Conditions Student Consent Agreement
Please read the following before signing the Consent Form:
- Acceptable Use - The purpose and educational objectives of using the Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) Telecommunications network, including access to the Internet (Network), is to support research and education. All use of the Network must be in support of and be consistent with the educational objectives of CPS.
- Privileges - Each student accessing the Network will be trained on its proper uses. Teachers and staff will make reasonable efforts to provide Internet Safety training and supervise student use of the network and Internet access. However, use of the Network is a privilege, and inappropriate use may result in a suspension and / or termination of that privilege and further school discipline, up to and including suspension and / or expulsion, if appropriate.
- Netiquette -Students using the Network will follow the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include the following:
a. Be polite.
b. Use appropriate language at all times. Inappropriate language includes obscene, abusive, or threatening language and / or profanity or obscenity.
c. Work efficiently so that others may use this shared resource.
d. Do not reveal any personal information about yourself or others (e.g., last name, pictures, video files, audio files, address, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, or date of birth).
e. Do not place any information on the Internet that might upset or embarrass you or anyone else. - Remember that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate various e-mail systems have access to all mail. Any messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities. The contents of all files that reside on CPS equipment are the property of CPS, and the student has no expectation of privacy for his or her use of the Network.
- Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you identify a security problem, you must notify your teacher or the school principal. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Attempts to access the Network without permission will result in cancellation of user privileges.
- It is important that student users develop respect and appreciation for the privilege of using the Network. To further this goal, CPS requires improper use to be reported to a teacher or principal if observed.
- If you have any questions about the acceptable use of the Network, please contact the Director of Technology.
- Parents and / or guardians for students under the age of 18 have the right to opt-out of allowing their children to have access to the Internet services provided by Chesapeake Public Schools. If a parent and / or guardian choose to exercise such option, he or she should provide written notice to the student’s school principal.
By signing the statement of receipt on page ii of the Student Conduct Policy Guidelines handbook, all students, parents and / or guardians are affirmatively stating that they have received, read and fully understand the Acceptable Telecommunications and Internet Use for Students and have reviewed and explained the policy to their children, if applicable. By signing the cover sheet to the student handbook, all students, parents and / or guardians also are agreeing that they understand that any violation of the policy may result in the student’s access to the Network being suspended and / or terminated and that disciplinary action and / or appropriate legal action may be taken. The students, parents and / or guardians understand that Network access is a privilege as opposed to a right and may be terminated at any time. The student, parent and / or guardian further understand that this access is designed for educational purposes and that CPS has taken reasonable precautions to eliminate Network use for non-educational purposes. The student, parent and / or guardian also recognizes, however, that it is impossible for CPS to restrict access to all controversial or inappropriate materials, and the student, parent and / or guardian will not hold CPS, the School Board, or any individuals employed by CPS responsible for damages related to the student’s use of the Network or for material reviewed by any student on the Network.