Technology Use and Internet Safety

The School will take all possible precautions to restrict access to undesirable materials including, but not limited to, installing content filtering software/hardware solutions on its network or using an Internet provider which uses content filtering software on its equipment to screen all Internet web sites by URL and/or by keyword search. However, students must also accept responsibility for restricting access to these materials. Students who gain access to undesirable Internet materials must report this material to their teacher.

Students must not allow others to use their network accounts (both Internet and School accounts). Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Designated school personnel 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 school file servers will always be private.

Student use of personal email is not allowed in school.

Student use of social networking, blogging, chat and other user groups is not allowed without approval from the supervising teacher.

Any copyrighted materials are subject to the Fair Use provision of copyrighted materials as it relates to education. Internet materials used in reports or other documents must be cited. If there is no direct citation, the Uniform Resource Location (URL) must be cited. The use of internet sources without proper citation constitutes plagiarism.

Downloading from the Internet without approval from the supervising teacher is not allowed.

Students may not use school computers to access private Internet providers.

The School will ensure age-appropriate internet usage among students who use its Internet facilities. This will enforce the school’s commitment to student safety with regard to:

• safety on the Internet; and
• appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking sites, and in chat rooms, including but not limited to:
  • Unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities undertaken online by minors;
  • Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors;
  • Cyberbullying awareness and response; and
  • Other behavior determined to be threatening, intimidating, or otherwise inappropriate in any way.

Students are prohibited from using school telephones. In the event of an emergency, students may be allowed to use school telephones, but only at the discretion of school staff members.

Social Media is a powerful and effective tool for keeping people connected, and the school respects the rights of parents to engage in free and open communication of their personal information through the individual use of weblogs, Internet diaries, social network sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Vimeo, and other forms of online discourse (“Personal Online Activities”).

However, when these Personal Online Activities contain content that could be detrimental to the school, its faculty, or its students, they become an appropriate focus of the School’s policy. Parents are personally responsible for the content of their Personal Online Activities, and the following guidelines should be followed:

• The content of Personal Online Activities may not contain:
  • any reference to confidential or privileged information or activities of school students or their families, whether by name or implication;
  • any reference to confidential school information;
  • any reference to school students, faculty, staff, administrators, or trustees whether by name or implication, that would in any manner defame such individual;
  • any reference to confidential or privileged information or activities of school faculty, staff, administrators, or trustees; or
  • any material that in the sole discretion of the school is considered obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, illegal, or abusive to any person or entity associated with the school.
• When posting classroom photos, please be respectful of the fact that other parents may not want their child’s photograph posted to your social media site(s). Do not post photos of your child’s classmates without their permission.
• Remember to THINK before you post anything pertaining to North Star Academy students:T -Is it true?
  H -Is it helpful?
  I -Is it inspiring?
  N -Is it necessary?
  K -Is it kind?