Acceptable Use Policies for the Internet & Technology

FernLeaf Community Charter School (FernLeaf) views access to the Internet, computers, information technology, and other electronic resources as critical to the learning environment. To this end, we encourage the responsible use of computers; computer networks, including the Internet; and other electronic resources.

Because the Internet is an unregulated, worldwide vehicle for communication, information available to staff and students, it is difficult to control. Therefore, we adopt this policy governing the voluntary use of electronic resources and the Internet in order to provide guidance to individuals and groups obtaining access to these resources on FernLeaf-owned equipment and through licensed, enterprise solutions.

FernLeaf Rights and Responsibilities

FernLeaf seeks to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible conduct in all online network activities by staff and students. It is a violation of this policy for any employee, student, or other individual to engage in any activity that does not conform to the established purpose and general rules and policies of the network. Within this general policy, FernLeaf recognizes its legal and ethical obligation to protect the well-being of its students. To this end, FernLeaf retains the following rights and recognizes the following obligations:

⦁ To log network use and to monitor cloud storage space utilization by users, and assume no responsibility or liability for files deleted due to violation of cloud storage space allotments.

⦁ To remove a user account on the network.

⦁ To monitor the use of online activities. This oversight may include real-time monitoring of network activity and/ or maintaining a log of Internet activity for later review.

⦁ To provide internal and external controls as appropriate and feasible. Such controls shall include the right to determine who will have access to FernLeaf-owned equipment and, specifically, to exclude those who do not abide by FernLeaf 's acceptable use policy or other policies governing the use of school facilities, equipment, and materials. FernLeaf reserves the right to restrict online destinations through software or other means.

⦁ To provide guidelines and make reasonable efforts to train staff and students in acceptable use and policies governing online communications.

Staff Responsibilities

⦁ Staff members who supervise students, control electronic equipment, or otherwise have occasion to observe student use of said equipment online shall make reasonable efforts to monitor the use of this equipment.

⦁ Staff should make reasonable efforts to become familiar with the Internet and its use so that effective monitoring, instruction, and assistance may be achieved.

User Responsibilities

Use of the electronic media provided by FernLeaf is a privilege that offers a wealth of information and resources for research and learning. Where it is available, this resource is offered to staff, students, and other users at no cost. In order to maintain the privilege, users agree to learn and comply with all of the provisions of this policy.

Acceptable Use

Students' Internet access, as well as their use of Google Apps for Education, email services, and engagement with school-provided online platforms, is contingent on users complying with the expectations listed below. From time to time, FernLeaf may make additional determinations on whether specific uses of the network are consistent with these acceptable use practices.

⦁ All use of the Internet must be in support of educational and research objectives.

⦁ Students will access the Internet via their school student user accounts for authorized purposes only. Students will not attempt to operate outside the network or the accompanying student-level filter during school hours or events. Staff, infrastructure-specific, and guest tiers of the network, as well as all unbroadcast WiFi locations within the school, are off-limits to students.

⦁ Students will keep their own user ID and passwords confidential. Students will not lend or share user IDs. Students will change passwords when instructed to do so by a staff member. Under no circumstance should a student continue to use a default password set for ease of onboarding or support by FernLeaf.

⦁ Students will use school-issued user accounts for school-related activities only. Students should refrain from using school-issued user accounts as an identifier on social media, on game sites, and for other personal account set-ups or notifications. Misuse of school-issued user accounts may include but is not limited to, communicating threats, abusive or offensive language. Proper codes of conduct and common courtesy must be exercised in all electronic communications. Releasing personal information is inappropriate. When using e-mail, extreme caution must always be taken in revealing any information of a personal nature.

⦁ Students should assume that all communications, files, and information accessible via the FernLeaf network directly or via Internet connection to the FernLeaf network are the property of FernLeaf .

⦁ Students who wish to use their FernLeaf email accounts to subscribe to listservs and regular external email distribution lists must seek prior approval from a FernLeaf administrator.

⦁ Students will ensure that their identities remain clear on their school-supplied, user account profiles. (Note: This expectation does not assume that students will load nor does it obligate them to load an identifying image to the account profile.) Students will not use alternate screen names on or post profile photos (other than their own images) to school-provided applications, including, but not limited to, email, calendar, iReady, Discovery Ed, or Google Meet.

⦁ Students will use school-owned devices only unless expressly authorized by a classroom teacher. Students will not attempt to access other students' assigned devices or accounts for any purpose.

⦁ Students will observe reasonable data download usage limits. Students will not stream music or video for personal use, unless expressly authorized by a classroom teacher. Students whose bandwidth usage routinely exceeds individual norms as measured by the network may be subject to individual restrictions on available bandwidth.

⦁ Students will constrain software and application installations to their own devices and storage accounts. Students will not download and attempt to store, install, and/or use unauthorized files or applications on any school-owned device.

⦁ Video/Audio recording in the school environment without prior permission is prohibited unless it is part of an assignment given by the teacher.

Unacceptable Use

⦁ Sharing personal information about another person, including home address and phone number, is strictly prohibited.

⦁ Any use of the network for commercial or for-profit purposes is prohibited.

⦁ Excessive use of the network for personal business may result in disciplinary action.

⦁ Any use of the network for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.

⦁ Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network.

⦁ No use of the network shall serve to disrupt the use of the network by others. Hardware and/or software shall not be destroyed, modified, or abused in any way.

⦁ Malicious use of the network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage the software components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.

⦁ Hate mail, chain letters, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited on the network.

⦁ The unauthorized installation of any software, including shareware and freeware, for use on FernLeaf devices is prohibited.

⦁ Use of the network to access or process pornographic material, inappropriate text files (as determined by an administrator), or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network or WIFI network is prohibited.

⦁ The FernLeaf network may not be used for downloading entertainment software or other files not related to the educational mission and objectives of FernLeaf for transfer to a user's home computer, personal computer, or other media. This prohibition pertains to freeware, shareware, copyrighted commercial and non-commercial software, and all other forms of software and files not directly related to the instructional and administrative purposes of FernLeaf.

⦁ Downloading, copying, otherwise duplicating, and/or distributing copyrighted materials without the specific written permission of the copyright owner is prohibited, except that duplication and/or distribution of materials for educational purposes is permitted when such duplication and/or distribution would fall within the Fair Use Doctrine of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, USC).

⦁ Use of the network for any unlawful purpose is prohibited.

⦁ Use of profanity, obscenity, racist terms, or other language that may be offensive to another user is prohibited.

⦁ Playing games is prohibited unless specifically authorized by a teacher for instructional purposes.

⦁ Establishing network or Internet connections to live communications, including voice and/or video (relay chat), is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the system administrator.

Violating any of the above expectations may result in loss of Internet and account privileges as well as disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension.

Disclaimer

⦁ FernLeaf cannot be held accountable for the information that is retrieved via the network.

⦁ Pursuant to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (18 USC 2510 et seq.), notice is hereby given that there are no facilities provided by this system for sending or receiving private or confidential electronic communications. System administrators have access to all mail and may monitor messages. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

⦁ FernLeaf will not be responsible for any damages you may suffer, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by our own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained is at your own risk.

⦁ FernLeaf makes no warranties (expressed or implied) with respect to:

⦁ the content of any advice or information received by a user, or any costs or charges incurred as a result of seeing or accepting any information; and

⦁ any costs, liability, or damages caused by the way the user chooses to use his or her access to the network.

⦁ FernLeaf reserves the right to change its policies and rules at any time.

By confirming that they have received and read the School Community Handbook, Parents/Guardians acknowledge that they have read the Acceptable Use Policy. Parents/Guardians understand that this access is designed for educational purposes. FernLeaf has taken reasonable steps to control access to the Internet, but cannot guarantee that all controversial information will be inaccessible to student users. Parents/Guardians will not hold FernLeaf responsible for materials acquired on the network. Parents/Guardians accept full responsibility for supervision if and when their child's use is not in a school setting. Parents/Guardians give permission for their students to use network resources, including the Internet, that are available through FernLeaf.  Parents/Guardians confirm that their student has read, understands, and will abide by the above Acceptable Use Policy when using computer and other electronic resources owned, leased, or operated by FernLeaf. Parents/Guardians confirm that their student understands that any violation of the regulations above is unethical, may constitute a criminal offense, and that access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken, and/or appropriate legal action may be initiated.