Technology @ VSCHSD

Technology Policy #4526

COMPUTER NETWORK FOR EDUCATION

The Valley Stream’s Districtwide Educational Intranet provides a relatively safe and secure environment in which District students and employees may access a wide range of electronic-based resources, including the Internet. The Intranet provides students and employees expansive opportunities for collaboration, learning and research. The District’s students will be better prepared for success in their personal and professional lives by practicing modern computer-based technology on the Valley Stream Intranet.

The District’s Intranet is composed of the following electromechanical features:

The District’s Intranet Equipment Center - The District’s data center is located on the second floor of Memorial Junior High School. This center functions as the key connectivity point for all networked computing devices in the District. The District’s fiber-based voice telephone system connections are multiplexed in this room for distribution to the Central, North and South buildings. Examples of the types of equipment housed in this area include file servers, e-mail servers, CD-ROM servers, permission servers, connectivity routers, ATM Marconi switching and other Internet/Internet connectivity devices. Subordinate connections for data, voice and video and for multimedia distribution are also attached to the equipment in this area.

Electronic Devices and Software - This includes the computers, computer displays, printers, large screen monitors, servers, VCR’s and other peripheral hardware connected together to form the District’s educational Intranet. Software instructs the computer-related devices to accomplish specific tasks. Software includes application and data programs such as Microsoft’s Office, Autodesk’s AutoCAD and wide range of additional programmed tools that convert the Intranet ‘s electronic capability into the tools that permit the efficient accomplishment of work and attainment of electronic-based information.

Four Local Area Networks (LAN) - These LANs consist of the data, voice and video cabling and networking components located within each of the District’s schools. The LANs provide the inter-building connectivity between all networked computer-based devices.

Three Wide Area Networks (WAN) - These WANs consist of the data, voice and video fiber optic cabling that connect the District’s schools. Memorial Junior High School houses the District’s central network equipment and the three fiber Wide Area Networks that connect the District’s central network at Memorial to Central High School, North High School and South High School. The WANs provide the connectivity between District buildings and enable a centralized data structure that unifies the Valley Stream Educational Intranet.

High Speed Internet Access - The District’s central network equipment is connected to the Intranet via a high bandwidth 1.545 Mbps T1 hard-wired "always on" data connection. An electronic firewall isolates the internal Valley Stream Intranet from the external Internet and provides a number of security and safety features. This protection includes a proxy server that provides a high level of security for the network while permitting authorized electronic interchange between the District’s internal Intranet and external Internet. Additionally, the Internet access is filtered for appropriate content for all students logged into the network. During adult use, filtering software may be disabled for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

The Valley Stream Intranet facilitates communication between teachers, administrators and support staff throughout the District. Users are able to access information based on their security clearance level. School calendars, student work, class assignments, electronic portfolios, lesson plans, on-line training, student data, and college entry information are but a few types of information that are available over the network. The District provides training for every user. Instruction is also provided for conducting on-line research to help ensure that access is safe and meaningful for our students and staff. Research skills taught include the ability to analyze, evaluate and use information found on the electronic-based resources. All users are trained in the skills needed to determine the validity of information gained from Internet research.

The Board of Education supports the usage of the Valley Stream Educational Intranet and Internet access for students and employees, however, it is recognized that safeguards are needed to ensure user safety and the integrity of the system. The District takes measures to reasonably ensure that access to Intranet and Internet materials is consistent with the educational goals of the District. The Valley Stream Intranet is equipped with filtering software to prevent access to objectionable material. This blocking software, while effective, is not foolproof and may from time to time provide access to inappropriate information. Therefore the Board declares it the responsibility of all users of the Valley Stream Educational Intranet to follow the usage guidelines as set forth in this document. Valley Stream Educational Intranet users are expected to adhere to the guidelines concerning usage of the District’s Intranet in order to help ensure safety of personnel and the integrity of the District’s electronic network. Failure to follow the guidelines may result in a loss of network privileges or other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Superintendent of Schools or their designee. Inappropriate use may result in suspension and/or cancellation of Intranet/Internet access privileges.

Notice to Parents/Guardians of All Intranet/Internet Users - A summarized copy of this policy with appropriate user guidelines will be submitted to all users of the Valley Stream Educational Intranet. Parents/guardians of all students will be issued information concerning these regulations via the student handbook. Full copies of this policy will be available at each school’s main office. All users will be requested to read and understand the usage guidelines as set forth in this document. Violators of state and federal law may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Guidelines for Use of the Valley Stream Central High School District Intranet

Acceptable Use - The use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the District. The system may be used for classroom activities, professional development and individualized learning. Additionally, the system may be used by employees to increase communication and enhance productivity. The District recognizes that some computer systems that can be accessed via the Valley Stream Educational Intranet contain materials that are defamatory, inaccurate, obscene, profane, threatening, bigoted or illegal. The District does not condone the use of such materials and does not permit use of such materials in the schools.

Privileges - The use of the Valley Stream Educational Intranet is to be considered a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of that privilege. Each student, staff member or other authorized user of the Intranet will be assigned a specific login password that will access Intranet features appropriate to the user. Under no circumstances should a user share their Intranet access password with anyone else.

Access to the System - This policy will govern all use of the District’s computers, including the ones that are not electronically attached to the Valley Stream Educational Intranet. Student use of the system will also be governed by the District’s discipline policy. Employee use will also be governed by appropriate collective bargaining agreements. All employees with login privileges have access to the network and electronic mail through the District’s Intranet. Certain training requirements for the District staff may be established by the District as necessary. Additionally, all students must attend an acceptable use orientation session to be held during their regular school day. Parents or guardians may specifically request that their child not be provided external Internet access by notifying the District in writing.

Copyright - School District Compliance with Copyright Law will govern the use of material accessed through the District Intranet. Users will request permission from the owner of the work if their use of the material has the potential of being considered an infringement. Users may download copyrighted material for their own use in accordance with governing laws. Users may redistribute copyrighted material only with the expressed permission of the owner.

Software - Users may not use District computer-related equipment to illegally duplicate or distribute software. Users may only use software that has been loaded onto the system by the system administrators. Users are expressly forbidden from loading software to the network or local workstations without the permission and supervision of a District supervisor. The District reserves the right to terminate the account of any user who adds to, modifies, or misuses software provided through the District’s Intranet.

Plagiarism - District policy and procedures on plagiarism will govern the use of material accessed through the system. Teachers will instruct students in appropriate research and citation practices.

Personal Safety - The Valley Stream Educational Intranet and its associated Internet access has been designed with safeguards to protect users. These safeguards are adjusted to balance acceptable access with reasonable restrictions to provide a degree of needed protection. A heavily restrictive Intranet, providing absolute protection would severely limit the educational capability of the network. Therefore all users are urged to follow the District’s guidelines for Intranet safety. Users are not to post personal contact information (address, telephone, school address, work address, photos, voice recordings, etc.) about themselves or other people on the Intranet or the Internet. Users must not arrange to meet someone they have met solely on-line. Student users are urged and required to promptly disclose to their teacher, or an appropriate District staff member, any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.

District Sponsored Websites - The District’s official website is available at www.vschsd.org. This website is maintained by the District's Office of Technology. Websites prepared under district auspices will be sensitive to the need to provide individual and institutional security measures. Students photographs are not to be posted on a district sponsored website unless specifically approved by the Superintendent of Schools or his designee. (Stock photos, purchased for use in creating style or effect, may appear on the website if the district owns the copyright or has permission of the producer.)

Schools, classes, clubs, etc. may establish web pages that present information about the school or its activities. The Building Principal or his designee must review all building web pages for approval. Approved pages will be sent by the Principal, or his designee, to the Office of Technology for approval and posting to the Internet. Material presented on web pages must relate specifically to organization activities. Organizations’ web pages must include the following notice: "This is a student extracurricular organization web page. Opinions expressed on this page shall not be attributed to the district."

Security - Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the District system or to any other computer system through the District system, or go beyond their authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or accessing another person’s files. Users will not make attempts to disrupt the computer system's performance or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. Users are responsible for the use of their individual account and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their account. Under no conditions should a user provide his or her password to another person. Users will immediately notify their teacher or an appropriate District staff member if they have identified a possible security problem. Users will not demonstrate the potential security problem to other users.

Speech - Users will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language. Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to both public messages and private messages. Users will not post information that, if acted upon, could cause damage or disruption. Users will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks. Users will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If a user is instructed by a person to stop sending them messages, they must stop. Users will not knowingly post false defamatory information about a person or organization. Users will not post private information about another person.

Resource Limits - The District reserves the right to set maximum size limits for hard disk memory usage on the District computer systems. Users who are in non-compliance with quotas will have their files removed by a system administrator. Users will use the system only for educational and professional or career development activities and, limited, self-discovery activities. The Building Principal or his/her designee has the authority to limit use of the system for self-discovery activities. Files saved by students or staff on the District’s technology systems are subject to removal at the end of each school year. The Office of Technology will make appropriate arrangements to transfer and save computer files upon notification prior to the end of a school year. The District makes no guarantee that files will not be erased or destroyed by any means.

Electronic Mail (e-mail) - Students will not be provided with e-mail accounts.

School personnel may communicate with parents and students via electronic mail for educational purposes. Personnel, however, are reminded that sensitive material or information must be dealt with via a phone call or by meeting in person. When in doubt, personnel should check with a building administrator. Personnel are instructed to carefully proof e-mail communications. before sending, to assure accurate content.

It is important that Intranet users understand that the transmission of messages using e-mail or other methods on the District’s Intranet is not a private communication. All system users are to be aware that all e-mail messages, Internet access and Intranet access information is recorded and electronically stored indefinitely. All e-mail messaging is available for retrieval by the District at the directive of the Board of Education, District Superintendent or their designee. The District reserves the right to inspect the contents of e-mail and Internet access sent by users including, if required to do so, to investigate District matters, complaints or at the request of law enforcement officials. Users will not deliberately interfere with the ability of other system users to send and/or receive e-mail messages. Users will not post chain letter or engage in "spamming" by sending annoying or unnecessary messages. Users will check their e-mail frequently, delete unwanted messages promptly, and stay within their e-mail file size quota. Users will subscribe only to discussion group e-mail lists that are relevant to their education or professional/career development. The District reserves the right to terminate the messaging account of any user who misuses District electronic mail.

Inappropriate Material - The District shall take precautions to restrict access to materials which: (1) promote violence or advocate destruction of property including, but not limited to, access to information concerning the manufacture of destructive devices such as explosives, fireworks, smoke bombs, incendiary devices or the like; (2) promote pornography or other sexually oriented material; (3) advocate or promote violence or hatred against particular individuals or groups of individuals or advocate or promote the superiority of one racial, ethnic or religious group over another; and (4) advocate or promote violence, or drug or alcohol use. Users will not use the District system to access material that is profane or obscene, that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people. If a user inadvertently accesses such information, he/she should immediately disclose the inadvertent access in a manner specified by his/her school. This will protect users against an allegation that they have intentionally violated the policy.

Chat Rooms - The purpose of the District’s Educational Intranet is educational. Accordingly, students may not access "chat rooms" via the network. As with e-mail, permission to access a chat room may be granted in cases where such access is necessary for education or research and is technically feasible within the context of providing adequate security.

Vandalism - Vandalism of District technology is defined as a malicious attempt to harm or destroy equipment, software, data of another user of the District system, or other system connected to the District system. This includes, but is not limited to the downloading or creation of computer viruses. Destruction of District equipment or operating capability will result in cancellation of privileges and/or other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the District.

Limitation of Liability - The Valley Stream Central High School District’s Board of Education makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, that the functions or the services provided by or through the District system will be error-free or without defect. The Board will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer including, but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system.

Due Process - The District and its employees will cooperate with local, state or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to any illegal activities conducted that utilize the District's computer network system. System users are hereby notified that they are to have no privacy expectations in the contents of their personal files on the District system. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the system and user files will be accomplished from time to time. This may lead to the discovery that the user has or is violating Board policy, the District’s discipline policy, or the law. Searches will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has violated any Board policy or the law. The District reserves the right to access and view any material stored on District equipment or any material used in conjunction with the District’s computer network. The District reserves the right to suspend or terminate a user’s access to and use of the District’s system upon any breach of this policy. In the event there is an allegation that a user has violated the policy, the user will be provided with notice and opportunity to be heard in the manner set forth in the District’s discipline policy. Employee violations of the District acceptable use policy will be handled in accordance with District policy, collective bargaining agreements and the law. The District authorizes the Superintendent to establish additional regulations for implementing this policy and to review, evaluate and revise such regulations as necessary.

Users are not to use the District’s Electronic Technology, Internet or Intranet to:

• Accomplish commercial activity including advertising, financial gain or fraud
• Send or transmit anonymous messages or files
• Receive, transmit or make available to others a message that is inconsistent with the District’s Code of Conduct
• Steal data, equipment or intellectual property
• Gain or seek to gain unauthorized access to any files, electronic resources or computer phone systems, or vandalize the data of another user
• Wastefully use the District’s finite electronic computing resources
• Change or exceed allocated computing resource quotas as set by the District without the permission of the appropriate District official or staff member
• Use the District’s network while the user’s access privileges are suspended or revoked
• Use the network in a fashion inconsistent with directions from teachers, other staff and generally accepted electronic networking etiquette