FILE: IFBGA
TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET USE
The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board believes it is necessary for all persons to become aware of acceptable use of computers. Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment and resources in a responsible, legal manner. All users, including students, employees, or any other users of School Board technology devices, hardware, and School Board network shall abide by all policies of the School Board and any applicable administrative regulations and procedures. The School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures.
INTERNET SAFETY
The Internet is a vast global computer network that provides access to major universities around the world, governmental agencies, other school systems, and commercial providers of data banks. In its continued efforts to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the School Board shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities. The School Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block access or exposure to any harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material. Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited. Only authorized persons may disable for an adult or student user the blocking or filtering mechanism in order to enable Internet access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes, which shall include online services for legitimate scientific or educational purposes approved by the School Board, or access to online services of a newspaper with a daily circulation of at least 1,000.
All elementary and secondary schools shall provide age appropriate classroom instruction to educate students at each grade level regarding Internet and cell phone safety. Such instruction shall include appropriate online behavior, interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response, as well as areas of concern as authorized in state and federal law.
In addition, the School Board, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, shall develop and distribute age and grade appropriate information to each student regarding Internet and cell phone safety and online content that is a threat to school safety. The information shall include how to recognize and report potential threats to school safety that are posted on the internet, including but not limited to posts on social media.
The information shall include the following:
Instruction on how to detect potential threats to school safety exhibited online, including on any social media platform.
Visual examples of possible threats.
The process for reporting potential threats.
Such information shall be either distributed to or explained to students and school personnel at the beginning of each school year and shall be posted on an easily accessible page of the School Board’s website and the website of each school.
ACCEPTABLE USE
It shall be the policy of the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board that any use of the Internet that adversely affects its operation in pursuit of teaching and learning or jeopardizes its use or performance for other community members is prohibited and may result in loss of Internet privileges, suspension of the student, or other appropriate disciplinary action. The School Board does not condone the use of the Internet for any illegal or inappropriate activities and shall not be responsible for any such use by staff or students. Parents shall be made aware that Internet usage is only partially controllable by supervision.
Students may use the Internet only if under the direct supervision of a teacher or other professional designated by the teacher. All members of the school staff are responsible for monitoring appropriate usage of the online computer network and access to the internet in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
OFF-CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY USE
Students may be subject to discipline for off-campus speech, Internet activities (including chat rooms, My Space, Face Book, Twitter, etc.) or use of off-campus computer and/or electronic systems that may cause a substantial disruption of the educational environment, interfere with the rights of others or can be considered a threat of violence to students, employees or others, according to the consequences set forth in in the School Board’s Student Code of Conduct.
ACCEPTABLE USE CONTRACTS
Students may use the Internet only if the appropriate Acceptable Use Contract has been properly signed, filed at the school site, and approved by appropriate School Board personnel and then only in accordance with School District regulations governing such usage.
| Adopted: June 20, 1996 | Revised: February 19, 2009 |
| Revised: August, 1999 | Revised: May 10, 2012 |
| Revised: July, 2000 | Revised: December 20, 2012 |
| Revised: February 21, 2008 | Revised: June 21, 2018 |
Ref: 20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)
47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA))
47 CFR 54.520 (Children's Internet Protection Act Certifications for Schools and Libraries)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7, 17:280
Board minutes, 6-20-96, 2-21-08, 2-19-09, 5-10-12, 12-20-12, 6-21-18
Jefferson Davis Parish School Board