Technology » Computer Network System Use Policy

Computer Network System Use Policy

The administration and faculty at Madison Christian School (MCS) acknowledge that computer technology and the resources of the Internet play an important role in our children’s education. It is our goal to educate our students in the efficient, ethical, and appropriate use of these resources while using them to achieve curriculum goals.
 
Students* at Madison Christian School have opportunities to enhance their learning experience through:
  1. Access to a wealth of additional resource material via the Internet,
  2. Researching the opinions of experts in a variety of fields,
  3. The process of conducting searches, evaluating resources, and locating relevant material, and
  4. Interaction with up-to-date primary sources.
In order to assist students in learning proper use of the K-12 Computer Network System, including Internet access, Madison Christian School agrees to:
  1. Providing a safe, secure, and reliable high-speed Internet connection using a technology protection measure (TPM) which includes an Internet filtering system that restricts access to sites that contain inappropriate pictures, content, language, or subject matter harmful to students.
    • Subject to direct staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled for adults or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
  2. Directly supervise and monitor the online activities of students when they are using the Internet on campus.
  3. Educate students in the appropriate use of the campus computer network system through proper “Netiquette”. This instruction will address the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)] compliant topics regarding appropriate online behavior including: • Internet safety and security,
    • Interacting with other individuals while chatting online, e-mailing, and text messaging,
    • Disclosure of personal information while on social networking websites and in chat rooms,
    • Cyber bullying awareness and response,
    • The proper citing of Internet sources included in school assignments and projects.
Students will be encouraged to report to faculty any activities observed that do not comply with the guidelines set forth in this policy.
 
Student access to the MCS computer network system is granted as a “privilege” and is not considered a “right.” Access to the computer network system is governed by Madison Christian School’s Code of Conduct. Students are responsible for their actions and will be held accountable for the unacceptable 29 use of the computer network system or the intentional damage of MCS owned computer network equipment. Sanctions, depending on the severity of the offense, may range anywhere from the temporary revocation of computer network privileges to dismissal from Madison Christian School.
 
Occasionally, whole classes may be shown Internet content during a classroom presentation. In such cases, students not yet granted individual access may be exposed to some content. This exception is approved by Madison Christian School because the presentation is being conducted under the direct supervision of a teacher.
 
Here are some examples of prohibited and/or unacceptable acts:
  1. Accessing any inappropriate content on campus,
  2. The installation of, or reconfiguration of, any software on any campus computer
  3. The intentional deletion of data from any local computer folders or cloud storage service that does not belong to that student,
  4. The use of a computer where there is no faculty or adult supervisor present
  5. Unauthorized access to Internet content through circumventing the MCS’s content filtering system,
  6. Unauthorized access to another’s files, data, or accounts,
  7. The invasion of the privacy of any individual, including reading without permission, material belonging to another person,
  8. The use of a computer or network login owned by another user with or without the user’s permission,
  9. The unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information of another person’s personal communications or information without their consent, or the posting of any information not intended for public viewing,
  10. The posting of rude or inappropriate messages or pictures on the Internet, or Internet “bullying” levied against any person. (Note: These rules apply while on campus or away.
  11. The intentional downloading of viruses, or an attempt to circumvent virus protection programs
  12. The use of the Internet for illegal activity
  13. The use of the Internet for financial gain, or the initiation of financial transactions
  14. The purposeful degradation or disruption of the MCS network
  15. The use of any “social instant messaging”.
Students bringing work from home need to check with the computer lab teacher to make sure their files can be accessed by the software in the computer lab. It is highly recommended that students utilize the Google Drive system to avoid potential file incompatibilities. There should be no expectation of support from MCS IT staff for incompatibilities resulting from lack of adherence to the above statement.
 
All parents and students are to read and approve by signature, the current version of the MCS Computer Network System Use Policy at the beginning of each school year. The most current version of this document is posted on the MCS website at www.mcseaglesoh.org and will always be considered the official MCS policy. Parent signatures alone are required for K–2nd grade students. The MCS Computer Network System Use Policy form will be sent home and must be returned to campus before any technology privileges will be granted. It is expected that students and their parents (or guardians) sign the form only after having discussed with each other the specific privileges and responsibilities.
 
Madison Christian School cannot, and does not, assume responsibility for:
  1. The reliability of the content of Internet sources accessed by the student. (Students must evaluate and cite sources appropriately).
  2. Any consequences resulting from the disruption of Internet service or network access that result 30 from occasional network downtime, whether planned or unplanned. Every effort will be made to maintain reliable, available service connections.
*Even though the primary focus of this policy is on “students”, this policy applies to both minors and adults. Although called the “Children’s Internet Protection Act,” and requiring specific protections for minors, CIPA clearly applies to certain aspects of adult usage as well. Therefore, the scope of this policy deals with students, staff and school parents who use the MCS Computer Network System.