BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT 501
2313P
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
STUDENT ACCESS TO NETWORKED INFORMATION RESOURCES
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
In order to match electronic resources as closely as possible to the approved District curriculum, District personnel will continue to review and evaluate resources in order to organize and create web pages and menus of materials which comply with Board guidelines listed in Board Policy 2311 governing the selection of instructional materials. In this manner, staff will provide developmentally appropriate guidance to students as they make use of telecommunications and electronic information resources to conduct research and other studies related to the district curriculum. All students will be informed by staff of their rights and responsibilities as users of the District network prior to gaining access to that network, either as an individual user or as a member of a class or group.
All students and their parents will be required to review and agree to the rules governing access to Internet resources. The review will be required:
Individual buildings may, at their discretion, require more frequent review.
As much as possible, access to District information resources will be designed in ways which point students to those which have been reviewed and evaluated prior to use. While students may be able to move beyond those resources to others which have not been evaluated by staff, they shall be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to the learning objectives. Filtering software is in use to block access to visual depictions that are obscene, contain child pornography, or are harmful to minors. However, no filtering system is capable of blocking 100% of the inappropriate material available on the Internet. Students may pursue electronic research independent of staff supervision only if they have been granted parental permission and have submitted all required forms. Permission is not transferable and may not be shared
INTERNET RULES
Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply.
The network is provided for students to conduct research, complete assignments, and communicate with others. Independent access to network services is provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Parent permission is required for minors. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.
Individual users of the district computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over those networks. It is presumed that users will comply with District standards and will honor the agreements they have signed.
Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on District servers will be always be private.
During school, teachers of younger students will guide them toward appropriate materials. Outside of school, families bear responsibility for such guidance as they must also exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media.
The following are not permitted:
SANCTIONS
Adopted:
Dale E. Kinsley August 14, 2002
Superintendent of Schools