At Baltimore School we strive to provide the best possible learning experience.  As part of this we provide access to computers and the internet to reinforce and enhance learning.  With the use of this resource, there are certain policies which are to be adhered to by everyone.  We follow the Avalon East School District Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy as approved on November 25, 2002

This policy includes the following sections:
• Statement of Policy
• Introduction
• Procedures
• Penalties for Contravention of Any of the Procedures
• Privacy
• Disclaimer
(This policy in its entirety can found on the Avalon East School District website)

The policy is as follows:

The Avalon East School District, through its schools, is pleased to offer access to computer networks and the Internet. To ensure that these networks function smoothly all users must adhere to strict guidelines. In general, these guidelines require efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the schools’ network resources. Without exception, the following guidelines and
expectations apply equally to students, teachers, work term students, and any other person receiving a computer account or Internet account through the School’s computer network.

The District believes that, where possible, schools should provide access to current information technologies so as to prepare their students for the world they will enter after leaving school. Students should be able to select from a variety of information sources, including the Internet, to support and extend the intended learning outcomes described in the various curriculum
documents. Access and use of the Internet will allow students to obtain information from local, national, and international sources. Such access will also allow for collaboration with peers and experts to solve various curriculum-related problems and issues. Such collaboration and skills form the basis for success in the information age.
 

Computer networks have been established for the enrichment of learning in the school. These networks provide students with the opportunity to prepare for the technological world in which we live, and provide access to online resources enabling integration in all areas of learning. The Avalon East School District is pleased to offer this access to our students and teachers. We believe the online materials, which are accessed through the Internet, offer a vast, diverse, and unique set of resources. It is our belief that this service will promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating the sharing of resources as well as innovation and communication in the teaching/learning process.

In addition to the vast educational resource base that may be accessed through the Internet, there exists material that may not be considered of educational value in the context of the school setting. Some of this material may be pornographic, racist, or in other ways offensive. The Avalon East School District firmly believes that the value of the information and the interactions
available on this world-wide network far outweighs the possibility that users may access material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the District. Access to the Internet is coordinated through a complex association of government, educational, and private agencies as well as regional and provincial networks. The smooth operation of this network relies upon the proper conduct of the various users who must adhere to strict guidelines. The policy described below will address acceptable use standards for students, and responsibilities of the Board, School, and Individual teachers to prevent misuse of these networks. These guidelines are provided here so you are aware of the responsibilities you have when using the computer
networks of the Avalon East School District to access the Internet. The signatures required for the User Agreements are legally binding and indicate that the parties who have signed have read the terms and conditions, understand their significance, and agree to abide by these terms and conditions as outlined herein. It is also understood that if a user violates any of the provisions of this policy, his/her access to the network and/or Internet will be terminated, and other disciplinary and/or legal actions may result. The issue of hacking is one that is covered in the Criminal Code of Canada, and thus for the student's own safety they should be made aware of these laws and consequences for failing to comply with them.

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1001.1
Prior to issuing access to students, each school, which offers Internet access to their students, will clearly communicate with students and parents the purposes, benefits, and risks associated with the use of Internet resources.

1001.1.A
The Principal shall designate staff to manage the Local Area Network and Internet account granting (Network Administrator).

1001.1.B
Before a student is issued an Internet access account, the sponsoring teacher will ensure they have read and understood the responsibilities and requirements as delineated in this policy as well as the dangers associated with providing personal information to other Internet users.

1001.1.C
At least once each calendar year, the Principal shall invite parents to a presentation and demonstration of the Internet, its capabilities and associated risks.

1001.1.D
The Principal and/or Network Administrator shall ensure all staff are provided with information relating to the benefits and risks associated with using the Internet for educational purposes. Teachers shall provide this information to their students as part of their orientation process.

1001.1.E
The Principal shall facilitate staff development related to Internet access and curriculum use.

1001.1.F
The Principal or Network Administrator shall ensure all User Agreements are signed by the student’s parents or guardians and kept on file at the school.

1001.1.G
It is strongly recommended that schools refrain from the use of student names and pictures in school web pages. Where student pictures are to be used, it is the responsibility of the school to obtain permission, in writing, from the student’s parents or guardians. Schools are not to post any student bibliographic information to the Internet.

1001.2
The Avalon East School District, its schools and agents, have the right, but not the obligation, to monitor all computer use (both student and adult use) to ensure compliance with the regulations and expectations set forth in this policy. See “Privacy” section at end of policy statement for further information.

1001.2.A
All computer and Internet accounts may be examined without notice to the account holder to ensure compliance with this policy.

1001.2.B
All electronic mail (e-mail), both outgoing and incoming, may be examined at any time by the School/Network Administrator to ensure compliance with this policy. Students with ClassAct accounts must abide by the ClassAct Terms of Services (see Appendix G).

1001.2.C
No student shall have access to the Internet unless supervised by a teacher or other designated adult.

1001.2.D
Students in Primary and Elementary School shall not be permitted to conduct Internet searches unless a teacher or other designated adult is monitoring directly. Primary and Elementary students shall only access the Internet through “book marked” sites that have been examined and approved by their teachers.

1001.2.E
In the case of student violation of the rules, regulations or expectations outlined in this policy, the Network Administrator, in consultation with the school Administration and other faculty members will decide upon the appropriate action/sanction. In the case of an adult user violation of the rules, regulations, or expectations outlined in this policy, the Network Administrator will immediately inform the Principal. The Principal, in consultation with School District personnel, will decide upon the appropriate action/sanction.

1001.3
The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of this privilege.

1001.3.A
The School Administration and Network Administrator will determine what is inappropriate use and their decision is final.

1001.3.B
The Network Administrator may close an account at any time as required.

1001.3.C
The school administration, faculty, and staff may request the Network Administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts for reasons deemed necessary.

1001.4
The use of all Internet access accounts must be in support of education and research and be consistent with the educational objectives of the Avalon East School District and its schools. In the case of teachers and other professional staff, use of an Internet access account may also reflect STEM~Net’s Acceptable Use Policy (see Appendix F). Any unacceptable use will result in termination of the user’s account as well as access to the network/Internet. Depending on the nature of the offence, further action, including, but not limited to, notification of the police, may occur.

1001.4.A
Unacceptable use includes, but is not limited to 
(a) Access to sites which contain information that is pornographic, racist, sexist, malicious, vulgar, immoral, or promotes or fosters hatred or illegal activities or which is prohibited by the School / Network Administrator;
(b) Use of the computer network for commercial or financial gain;
(c) Playing computer-based/web-based games unless specifically approved by the School;
(d) Using IRC (Internet Relay Chat) or unauthorized chat rooms;
(e) Using ICQ or other instant messaging programs unless specifically approved by the School;
(f) Subscribing to inappropriate news groups or accessing inappropriate BBB’s (Bulletin Board Services);
(g) Sending trivial or excessive messages such as electronic chain-mail; and
(h) Downloading of excessively large files unless specifically approved by the Network Administrator.

1001.4.B
Any student who accidentally accesses a prohibited site shall immediately exit the site and notify their teacher or the Network Administrator.

1001.5
Transmission or use of any material that is in violation of Canadian or Provincial laws, or of School, or School District Policy is prohibited and will be reported to the appropriate school or law enforcement authorities.

1001.5.A
Use or transmission of inappropriate material constitutes grounds for termination of all computer and Internet accounts.

1001.5.B
Inappropriate transmissions include, but are not limited to,
(a) Unauthorized copying, reproduction, downloading, use or transmission of files, programs, data, documents or information protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, or by licensing agreements, user agreements, or similar contracts (This includes the downloading of illegal MP3 files and the duplicating or burning of CDs);
(b) The downloading, copying, reproduction, or transmission of threatening or obscene materials or materials demonstrating antisocial behaviors or activities;
(c) The transmission of materials associated with commercial activities;
(d) The transmission of materials/messages relating to or in support of illegal activities; and
(e) The use or transmission of materials used for political lobbying.

1001.5.C
Language in email is to be of the same standard as other forms of communication within the school setting. Therefore, use of profane, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate language is forbidden.

1001.5.D
Use of anonymous email sites or any other method of disguising source of electronic communication is forbidden.

1001.5.E
Account holders shall not post or transmit information that would reveal personal information about themselves or others (for example addresses, telephone numbers, or pictures).

1001.6
All account holders shall make security of the network a priority.

1001.6.A
The individual account holder in whose name a system account is issued is responsible at all times for its proper use and will be held accountable for any misuse.

1001.6.B
If an account holder’s password is known to anyone else, or if there is reason to suspect that someone has access to their password, the student should inform the Network Administrator and change their current password.

1001.6.C
Use of accounts by anyone other than the registered account owner is prohibited. If someone other than the registered user is using an account, both the unauthorised user and the registered owner will have computer privileges suspended or revoked.

1001.6.D
Users shall ensure they have logged off before leaving a computer.

1001.6.E
To "hack", to "crack", to access or attempt to access ANY computer, network, or resource files or data for which the account holder does not have authorization is strictly prohibited and will lead to immediate and permanent revocation of computer privileges. All incidences of such activity are to be reported to District Information Technology personnel. Please refer to the District Network Security Policy.

1001.6.F
It is the user’s responsibility to keep programs of a viral nature off any school computer. The user will be held accountable for any deliberate attempts at knowingly installing and/or running a computer virus on the school’s computer network.

1001.6.G
No student is permitted to download any software programs without the express permission of the supervising teacher or Network Administrator.

1001.6.H
No student is permitted to install any downloaded programs without the express permission of the supervising teacher and Network Administrator.

1001.7
No user shall interfere with the functioning of the school’s Local Area Network and/or related systems.

1001.7.A
An account holder who has knowledge of a violation to this regulation must report this to the Network Administrator. Violation of this expectation will result in immediate and permanent revocation of computer privileges.

1001.7.B Any account holder who feels they can identify a security problem on the school’s network must notify the Network Administrator immediately. Under no circumstances should the account holder demonstrate the problem to other users.

1001.7.C
No use of the Internet or School’s Local Area Network shall serve to disrupt the use of the Internet or School’s Local Area Network by others. Hardware and software shall not be destroyed, modified, or abused in any way.

1001.7.D
Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the school’s computer network and/or the Internet.

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Depending upon the specific situation, the penalty for contravention of any of the above procedures will range from revocation of any or all computer privileges, and/or other disciplinary action including expulsion and/or criminal prosecution. Specifically, penalties may include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Warning;
2. Suspension of computer and/or Internet privileges;
3. Termination of computer and/or Internet privileges;
4. Expulsion from a computer course or computer/Internet aspect of course;
5. Disciplinary action by the school including suspension and/or expulsion;
6. Criminal prosecutions under the Canadian Criminal Code or Provincial Statutes;
7. Civil actions where appropriate (e.g. intentional damage to the computer network, computer hardware, software, etc).

In the case of School District employees (Central Office Staff, Teachers, Administrators, Student Assistants, Support Staff, etc), sanctions, including termination of employment contract may also occur. All users of the School’s Computer Network and Internet System are bound by the rules; procedures; and/or expectations outlined in this policy and are subject to the penalties/sanctions outlined herein.

Though the School District and its agents respect everyone’s right to privacy, it must be understood that expectations of privacy are limited within the school setting. Students, teachers, and other computer account holders should view storage space on computer networks as analogous to physical storage space in student lockers and other school property. The account holder does not “own” the storage space; the school is providing this space for the convenience of the account holders. As a result, the School District and its agents or representatives have the right to conduct random searches of all ”computer accounts” to ensure compliance with the rules, regulations, and expectations set forth in this policy. Furthermore, account holders should be aware that the school computer network has software that creates regular backup files of all data and information contained in user accounts. These “backup” files may also be examined to ensure compliance with the rules, regulations, and expectations set forth in this policy. In the case of legal issues, these backup files will be made available to the appropriate authorities.

Although this policy has been carefully drafted and reviewed, the School District assumes no liability for any errors, omissions or misinformation. The School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the service that is provided. The School District shall not be responsible for any damages suffered by the account holder, including, but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misplaced deliveries, or service interruptions,whether caused by negligence or otherwise of the School and/or School District, by the errors or omissions of the account holder, or by third parties. The School District makes no guarantees of complete privacy. The School Board expressly denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained via the Internet, and use of any information so obtained by the account holder is at the sole risk of the account holder.