Glencoe-Silver Lake Public Schools
Information and Technologies
Acceptable Use Policy & Guidelines

To ensure that our students become proficient in the information and technologies (IT) competencies essential for success in a 21st century learning environment, Glencoe-Silver Lake Public Schools provides a variety of resources in support of our instructional and administrative programs. Students and staff may also, at times, use their own personal information and communication technologies for educational purposes. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all members of the school community to use technology responsibly, ethically and respectful for the work of others.

Access to IT resources is a privilege and not a right. To ensure that IT resources remain available in working order, Glencoe-Silver Lake Public Schools has established an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and Guidelines which define the procedures and parameters under which these resources may be used by all staff, students and volunteers. To accommodate future needs and circumstances, the AUP, procedures and guidelines related to IT resources will be regularly reviewed, updated and distributed.

So that all users remain informed of our expectations and appropriate usage of IT resources,
GSLPS will: 1) ensure all new students and staff receive access to age-appropriate IT
resources and tools during the enrollment and hiring process, as well as on-going training in
their safe, responsible, and effective use; and 2) provide orientation annually for students and
staff on IT resources and the district AUP.

In order to initiate and maintain access to IT resources, all users must submit annually a signed Acceptable Use Agreement (detailed below), non-adherence of which may result in loss of non-course related access and/or appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action. Violations of the AUP are deemed as violations of school behavioral expectations and codes.

Internet Use and IT Access

 Internet access is available in Glencoe-Silver Lake Public Schools for the purposes of educational communication and research and for administrative organizational purposes. Communications via IT resources are often public in nature and general school rules for behavior and communications apply. It is expected that users will at all times comply with district standards and will act in a responsible and legal manner, in accordance with district standards, as well as with state and federal laws. Professional development opportunities to enhance the internet skills of district personnel will be provided and rules related to the Internet will be included in each school's student and faculty handbooks.

The Administration will take measures to assure the safety and security of students when using e-mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; prohibit unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online; prohibit unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information regarding students; and to restrict students’ access to online materials harmful to minors.

Users are prohibited from attaching personal devices to GSL IT resources (excluding portable memory media) or installing personal software on any IT resource without prior permission from a Technology Integrator, Library Media Specialist, Technology Assistant, or any other member of the IT Department.

Monitoring and Privacy Issues

 To provide ready access for all users, age-appropriate material, an Internet environment that is safe and appropriate for the maturity level and need of student users, and to proactively maintain and secure increasingly complex IT resources and systems the district, as the owner of the IT resources, reserves the right to monitor and review the use of these IT resources and will do so as needed to ensure that the systems are being used for district related educational purposes and to maximize utilization of the systems for such. It is important that all users and parents understand this and recognize that monitoring access, among other things:

• Maximizes the safety and security of people and resources by supporting a positive learning and work environment safe from harassment, intimidation or threats.
• Discourages breaches of confidentiality, copyright infringements and inappropriate file downloads and print requests.
• Promotes appropriate internet access, electronic communication messages (such as email, blogs, chats and discussion forums).

Therefore, all users must be aware that they should not have any expectation of personal privacy in the use of these IT resources. Personal information, however, is not publicly accessible outside of the school network. Password systems implemented by the district are designed solely to provide system security from unauthorized users, not to provide privacy to the individual system user. This provision applies to all users of the district’s IT resources, including any incidental personal use permitted in accordance with these regulations.

Publishing Guidelines

 The premise that all individuals are authors and distributors of content is an underlying basis of 21st Century Learning. District and school use of IT Resources to distribute intellectual property, images, videos and information shall be related to school curriculum and instruction, school-authorized activities, and other information relating to school and district goals. It is our intent that such broadcasts and publications be educationally relevant to the goals of the school district while providing for the safety and security of all students and staff.

• All distributed content shall follow the standards for ethical behavior in regard to information and communication technologies by showing respect for the principals of intellectual freedom, intellectual property rights and the responsible use of the information and communication technologies. It is understood that all distributed content may be accessible beyond the Glencoe-Silver Lake Public Schools community and viewed by a global audience.
• All content shall be age appropriate to safeguard students by shielding the identification of students’ identification and locations. Content may include names of individuals; (First Name, Last Name Initial only). however identifying information, such as names of family members, e-mail addresses, addresses and phone numbers will remain private.
• All content should be free of any spelling or grammatical errors. Content shall not contain objectionable material or point to objectionable material. The determination of what constitutes objectionable material shall be made on a case by case basis, as determined by the District Director of Information and Technology and a Building Administrator. The distribution of content shall follow Copyright Law and Fair Use Guidelines.
• All content representing the school district shall follow district policies and state / federal laws pertaining to content standards, student records, copyright, and technical standards

Anyone who is aware of problems with, or misuse of these IT resources, or has a question regarding the proper use of these IT resources, should see a teacher or administrator immediately. Most importantly, the Board and the Administration urge any person who receives any harassing, threatening, intimidating or other improper message through IT Resources to immediately report it.

 For more information about the use of technology in the Glencoe-Silver Lake School District, contact the Director of Information and Technologies at (320) 864-2407.