Understanding Your Responsibility

For Chromebook Care & Acceptable Use of Technology

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR STUDENTS

PURPOSE

This policy provides the rules, guidelines and codes of conduct for the use of the technology and information networks at Anansi Charter School (ACS). Use of such technology is a necessary, integral part of the ACS educational mission. ACS seeks to protect, encourage and enhance the legitimate uses of technology by placing fair limitations on such use and sanctions for those who abuse the privilege.

SUMMARY

Public technology that includes but is not limited to computers, wireless & LAN access, electronic mail, internet access, telephone/voice mail systems, printing devices and all other forms of instructional, networking and communication tools are provided as a service by ACS to students. Use of these technologies is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to be good technology citizens by refraining from activities that annoy or harm others, disrupt the educational experiences of their peers, or can be considered as illegal, immoral and/or unprofessional conduct.

The student is responsible for his/her actions in accessing technology at ACS. Failure to comply with the guidelines of technology use may result in the loss of access privileges and/or appropriate disciplinary action. Severe violations may result in civil or criminal action under the New Mexico Revised Statutes or Federal Law.

GUIDELINES

1. Access is a privilege: Access to computers and to the information technology environment within the ACS system is a privilege and must be treated as such by all students.

2. What it is for: The ACS system will be used solely for the purpose of research, education, and school-related business and operations.

3. Use your own account: Any system which requires password access or for which ACS requires an account, such as the Internet, shall only be used by the authorized user. Account owners are ultimately responsible for all activity under their account and shall abide by this Policy.

4. Property of the school: All communications and information accessible and accessed via the ACS system is and shall remain the property of the School.

5. Monitoring: Student use shall be supervised and monitored by system operators and authorized staff. Student use must be related to the school curriculum.

6. Report problems: Any defects or knowledge of suspected abuse in ACS systems, networks, security, hardware or software shall be reported to the system operators.

SCHOOL'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ACS has the right and responsibility to:

1. Monitor all activity on the School's system.

2. Determine whether specific uses of the network are consistent with this Acceptable Use Policy.

3. Remove a user's access to the network at any time it is determined that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or violating this Acceptable Use Policy.

4. Respect the privacy of individual user electronic data. The School will secure the consent of users before accessing their data, unless required to do so by law or policies of ACS.

5. Take prudent steps to develop, implement, and maintain security procedures to ensure the integrity of individual and ACS files. However, information any computer system cannot be guaranteed to be inaccessible by other users.

6. Attempt to provide error-free and dependable access to technology resources associated with the School system. However, the district cannot be held liable for any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable due to technical or other difficulties.

7. Ensure that all student users complete and sign an agreement to abide by the School's acceptable use policy and administrative regulation. All such agreements will be maintained on file in the school office.

UNACCEPTABLE USE OF THE SCHOOL'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

1. Altering any computer configuration including screensavers, desktop settings, network settings, passwords, etc.

2. Installing or downloading any executable files from the Internet or portable drives.

3. Using chat rooms or social web sites except for teacher-directed educational purposes.

4. Installing or using instant messenger programs.

5. Downloading MP3s or other music files.

6. Accessing online radio stations and television programs.

7. Writing, downloading, or printing files or messages that contain inappropriate language, images, or content.

8. Accessing or transmitting obscene, pornographic or other inappropriate material.

9. Violating the rights to privacy of students and employees of the School.

10. Reposting personal communications without the author's prior consent.

11. Copying commercial software in violation of copyright law.

12. Attempting to hack, crack, or otherwise degrade or breach the security of the School's network, other networks, or individual computers.

13. Attempting to bypass the district's content filter, including the use of proxy servers.

14. Developing or passing on programs that damage a computer system or network, such as viruses.

15. Plagiarism.

16. Modifying or copying files of other users without their consent.

17. Giving out personal information such as address and phone numbers over the Internet without staff permission.

18. Accessing or transmitting material which promotes violence or advocates the destruction of property including information concerning the manufacture of destructive devices (explosives, bombs, fireworks, incendiary devices, etc

19. Accessing or transmitting material which advocates or promotes violence or hatred against particular individuals or groups of individuals.

20. Accessing or transmitting material which advocates or promotes the use, purchase, or sale of illegal drugs.

21. Conducting or participating in any illegal activity.

22. Vandalizing, damaging or altering any equipment, software, or operating system.

23. Any act that is determined as Cyber-bullying, harassment, or a violation of good Digital Citizenship. Cyber-bullying and harassment are slurs, comments, jokes, innuendoes, unwelcome comments, cartoons, pranks, and/or other verbal conduct relating to an individual which: (a) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or school performance; (b) interferes with school operations; (c) has the purpose or effect to cause undue emotional stress or fear in an individual.

24. Gaining access to accounts or communicating passwords belonging to other users.

25. Using the network for commercial or political activity.

26. Any inappropriate use as determined by the Teacher, Director, and/or Director of Technology.

VIOLATIONS/CONSEQUENCES

Students who violate this Policy will be subject to revocation of ACS system access up to and including permanent loss of privileges, and discipline up to and including expulsion.

Violations of law will be reported to law enforcement officials.

Disciplinary action may be appealed by parents and/or students in accordance with existing ACS procedures for suspension or revocation of student privileges.

 

I have read and will abide by the Anansi Charter School's Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that I am responsible for my actions while using the School's academic computer systems and the Internet. I understand that my Internet activities will be monitored by the School, and any violation may result in the loss of computer privileges, discipline as per the School Discipline Policy, and/or appropriate legal action.

(For students under the age of eighteen, a parent or guardian must also sign the agreement)

I have read and understand that my child must abide by the Anansi Charter School's Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable, but I absolve the Anansi Charter School and its employees from any liability resulting from my child's activities on the Internet. I understand that my child's Internet activities will be monitored by the School, and any violation may result in the loss of computer privileges, discipline as per the School's Discipline Policy, and/or appropriate legal action.

Students are required to be logged into their school devices with their school accounts. No outside devices are allowed to be logged in at school.

If you are logged into a personal computer with your school username and password at home, do so only for homework and then log back off.

Any device, at any time or place, that is logged into a school account is being tracked by the Securly program. Securly is able to see any websites, text, searches, emails, etc. that you make. This is for the digital safety of all students and aligns with Anansi's acceptable use policy for students.

If Securly notes that you are completing activity that is off task throughout the school-day, or that your Chromebook is being used in a manner that is not safe for yourself or other students, you will be automatically placed in the "penalty box." Students in the "penalty box" will have very limited internet access and only be able to visit pre-approved sites. The length of time students is given this consequence is at the discretion of the classroom teacher and the Anansi Technology Staff.

If Securly notes that you are completing activity before or after school that is not school related, or that your Chromebook is being used in a manner that is not safe for yourself or other students, your parents will be contacted right away.

STUDENTS: I have read and understand that my child must abide by the Anansi Charter School's Securly Policy. I understand that my child's Internet activities will be monitored by the School, and any violation may result in the loss of computer privileges, discipline as per the School's Discipline Policy, and/or appropriate legal action.

Parents: I understand that the Securly program is in use for students at Anansi Charter School. I am aware and agree with the consequences if off task or misbehavior is reported to Anansi Staff from Securly.

Caring for Chromebooks at Anansi Charter School

Your Chromebook has been loaned to you as a learning tool. It is important that you take excellent care of it. Here's how:

What to do:	What NOT to do:
- Plug it in at the end of every day; check for the light! -Carry it securely and mindfully -Keep it away from food and liquids -Follow the school's acceptable use policy -Walk while carrying it -It is OK to personalize home screen, add bookmarks, etc	-Romoving your charging cord from cabinet -Dropping it (even on accident) -Eating or drinking near it -Carrying it loosely -Setting it on the ground -Putting it someplace unstable -Pressing buttons too hard -Removing buttons from the keyboard -Run or play while holding it -Drawing or putting stickers on it

Parent Section: I understand that a Chromebook computer has been assigned to my child as a learning tool by Anansi Charter School. In accordance with the school's textbook and technology policies, if it should be damaged while in my child's care, I accept responsibility to repair or replace it (the school will determine which is needed).

Summary of Anansi Student Commitment

To Appropriate Technology Care & Usage

• We understand that our Chromebooks are valuable, fragile learning tools; We also understand that the use of this device and access to the internet is a privilege, not a right, at Anansi Charter School.
• We have agreed to take excellent care of our Chromebooks. We will replace them at full cost if we damage them, even by accident.
• We have reviewed Anansi's policy on acceptable use of technology. We agree to follow the school's acceptable use policy and only use Chromebooks as an educational tool as intended by the staff at Anansi.
• We understand that failure to comply with the guidelines for using our Chromebooks and other technology as outlined in this policy will result in the loss of access privileges and/or appropriate disciplinary action (replacement of the device in question, at full cost)