How To Get On The
Information Superhighway!
Attached you will find an Acceptable Use Policy approved by the School Board. The District must have this policy to clearly state what behaviors are appropriate while students and staff use the Internet. The Policy details what the District feels are inappropriate behaviors or actions. This Policy will guide San Pasqual in the use of the Internet access we have available to us.
Each student must read through this policy with an adult/parent/guardian and return the attached form. The form will contain a parent/guardian signature as well as the student’s signature, indicating that the policy has been read and discussed. The signature also indicates that the student will obey the outlined rules. The classroom teacher will have the signature form on file within the classroom.
No student will be allowed to use the computer to access the Internet until the signature form is returned with both signatures.
I appreciate your help and support with this matter. The school has a program installed which filters inappropriate material and limits access to areas on the Internet, but each child needs to be aware of proper etiquette.
Sincerely,
Gary Wilson
SPUSD Superintendent/Principal
San Pasqual Union School District
Acceptable Use Policy
San Pasqual Union School District’s computer network provides access to the Internet, World Wide Web, and various software programs. The Internet is an electronic information and communication “highway” connection millions of computers all over the world and millions of individual people. Students, teachers and support staff will have access to any or all of the following: 1) electronic mail (email) communication with people all over the world; 2) information and news from a wide variety of sources and research institution; 3) public domain and shareware software of all types; 4) discussion groups on a wide variety of topics; 5) access to many university libraries, the Library of Congress, and more!
With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of some materials that may not be considered to be of educational value within the context of the school setting. The administration and School Board of the SPUSD firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweigh the possibility of users procuring material that is not consistent with the educational goals of this district.
USER CONTRACT
Electronic Information Resource Contract
Our goal in providing students and staff with the PRIVILEGE of using the San Pasqual Union School District’s computer network, with access to the Internet and World Wide Web, is to promote educational excellence by facilitation, resource sharing, innovation, and communication. San Pasqual Union School District will make every effort to protect students and teachers from any misuses or abuses as a result of their experiences with an information service. All users must be continuously on guard to avoid inappropriate and illegal interaction with the information service. If inappropriate material appears while using the computer network, it is the students’ responsibility to report it immediately to the classroom teacher.
Please read this document carefully. When signed by you and, if appropriate, your guardian/parent, it becomes a legally binding contract. We must have your signature and that of your guardian/parent (if you are under 18) before we can grant you access privileges.
Listed below are the provisions of this contract. If any user violates these provisions, access to the information service may be denied and you will be subject to disciplinary action.
Terms and Conditions of the Contract
1. Personal Responsibility
As a representative of this school, I will accept personal responsibility for reporting any misuse of the network to the system administrator. Misuse can come in many forms, but is commonly viewed as any message(s) sent or received that indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism or inappropriate language, and other issues described below. All the rules of conduct described in the San Pasqual Union School District Policies apply when you are on the network.
2. Acceptable Use.
The use of my computer privilege must be in support of education and research and with the educational goals and objectives of the San Pasqual Union School District (these may be found in the San Pasqual Union School District Policies). I am personally responsible for this provision at all times when using the electronic information service.
a. Use of other organization’s networks or computing resources must comply with rules appropriate to that network.
b. Transmission of any material in violation of any United States or other state organizations is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.
c. Use of commercial activities by for-profit institutions is generally not acceptable.
d. Use of product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.
I am aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of local, state and federal laws and that I can be prosecuted for violating those laws.
3. Privileges
The use of this information system is a PRIVILEGE, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a cancellation of those privileges. Each person who receives the right will participate in an orientation or training course with their teacher as to proper use. The teacher or administration may request that a student’s access to the information system be denied, revoked or suspended for a period of time if there is a violation of this contract by a student.
4. Network Etiquette and Privacy
You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette (Netiquette). These rules include (but are not limited to) the following:
a. BE POLITE. Never send, or encourage others to send, abusive
messages.
b. USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE. Remember that you are a
representative of our school and district on a non-private
system. You may be alone with your computer, but what you say
and do can be viewed globally! Never swear, use vulgarities, or
any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities of any
kind are strictly forbidden.
c. PRIVACY. Do not reveal your home address or personal phone
number or the addresses and phone numbers of students or
colleagues.
d. ELECTRONIC MAIL. Electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to
be private. Messages relating to or in support of illegal
activities must be reported to the authorities.
e. DISRUPTIONS. Do not use the network in any way that would
disrupt use of the network by others.
f. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
-Do be brief. Fewer people will bother to read a long message
-Do minimize spelling errors and make sure your message is easy
to understand and read
-Do use accurate and descriptive titles for your articles.
Tell people what it is about before they read it
-Do get the most appropriate audience for your message, not the
widest
-Do remember that humor and satire is very often misinterpreted
-Do remember that if you post to multiple groups, specify all
groups in a single message
-Do cite references for any facts you present
-Do forgive the spelling and grammar errors of others
-Do keep signatures brief
-Do remember that all network users are human beings. Don't
"attack" correspondents; persuade them with facts
-Do post only to groups you know
5. Services
The San Pasqual Union School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. San Pasqual Union School District will not be responsible for any damages suffered while on this system. These damages include loss of data as a result of delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by the system or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the information system is at your own risk. San Pasqual Union School District specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through its services.
6. Security
Security on any computer system is a high priority because there are so many users. If you identify a security problem, notify the classroom teacher immediately. Failure to do so will result in loss of network privileges.
7. Vandalism
Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user of any other agencies or networks that are connected to the system. This includes, but is not limited to the uploading or creation of computer viruses as well as any form of “hacking” into the school’s protected system. Any vandalism will result in the loss of computer services, disciplinary action and legal referral.
BLOGGING AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Throughout the 2010-2011 school year, our class will be using technology to enhance learning and prepare students for future challenges. Many of these technologies require students to publish to the Internet. These include the use of blogs, podcasts, and digital photography.
Blogs
A Weblog, or blog as they are commonly called, is a special type of Web page that can be created and easily updated using a Web browser. Each new entry has its own date stamp. Each entry has a comments section where visitors to the blog may leave comments for the author. For example, students in our class will respond to prompts and discuss quality literature within our class blog.
Having a real audience is one of the key components to this program. In addition to receiving comments from their classmates, our class will receive comments from other classes who are invited to visit our web pages. We anticipate arranging for students in other parts of the country to visit our blogs and comment on our writing. Parents are also invited to visit the blogs and respond to the writing.
Podcasts
A podcast is a digital audio and/or video recording published on the Internet and available for downloading. For example, select student presentations will be published to the class website via podcasts.
Digital Photography
A digital photograph is a still picture that can be stored electronically and published to the Internet. We anticipate that class activities and special events will be photographed and shared through digital slideshows.
Security
Our use of the aforementioned technologies has been designed to minimize risk to your child. All student blogs, podcasts, and photographs will be placed on password protected pages. These pages will remain hidden from public view. In order to access the restricted pages, the user must be invited and issued a username and password. Even with these restrictions, students will be required to refrain from sharing personally identifying information such as last name, address, phone number, age, etc.
Permission
Before your child may start blogging, podcasting, or appearing in our slideshows, we are asking for you and your child to discuss and sign the attached form. Please return the form to the office as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher.
Blogging Terms and Conditions/Podcast & Photo Consent
1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.
2. Students agree to never log in as another student.
3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blog spaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.
4. Blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers.
5. Blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment.
6. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in the blogging activities.
Updating
The information service may occasionally require new registration information from you to continue the service. You must notify the information system of any changes in your information supplied.
CLOUD
The San Pasqual Union School District has implemented a new program where students and parents can view their working site, anywhere, anytime. This will be considered the students site to keep their files, submit homework and visit sites that are used for teaching purposes at school.
All students will have to create their own passwords. The School is asking that the child create their password at home with their parent/guardian. Parents having knowledge of the security questions will help the student or parent in case they forget their password.
Please visit https//cloud.sanpasqualunion.net and register now.
Student Information System (GENESIS)
The District has a new student information system that will allow parents to see their children’s grades and personal information at a glance all on one page. The teacher will send home a letter informing parents/guardians that it is ready to be released and include information in how to access the site with username and password.
As a student of San Pasqual Union School,
I understand and will abide by the provisions and conditions of this contract. I understand that any violations of the above provisions may result in disciplinary action, the revoking of my privileges, and appropriate legal action. I also agree to not share my password with other students and to report any misuse of the information system to the classroom teacher. Misuse can come in many forms, but can be viewed as any messages sent or received that indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, and other issues described above. All the rules of conduct described in the District publication entitled “San Pasqual Union School District Student/Parent Resource Handbook“ apply when I am on the network.