Computer and Internet Policies
The use of the school's computers is limited to educational purposes, speech, and expression. Any attempts to bypass the security system installed on computers o r other acts of vandalism may result in withdrawal from class, suspension, or more severe discipline. There is a fine for any damaged equipment/software or arrest according to the Illinois criminal statute regarding computer tampering, according to the Illinois criminal statute 720 ILCS 5/16D.
The school computer system is District property. Therefore, students do not have privacy relative to the information stored on the District resources and equipment.
Examples of prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:
- Using the Internet or school District e-mail for non-educational purposes, including, but not limited to, accessing, transmitting, downloading, or distributing educationally inappropriate Internet materials;
- Tampering with computer operating systems;
- "Hacking" into District programs;
- Violating the integrity of District servers
- Assessing, vandalizing, or altering another person’s files
- Violating local, state, or federal statutes
- Plagiarizing;
- Sending or forwarding inappropriate, vulgar, indecent, or harassing e-mail;
- Gambling;
- Sending or forwarding chain letters; and
- Using the school's computer system to harass or discriminate.
Students shall not generate, access, view, create or distribute educationally inappropriate internet materials on the school system. "Educationally inappropriate" internet materials include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Material that promotes violence or destruction of property;
- Material that is pornographic or sexually oriented; and
- Material that promotes violence or hatred against a particular individual or group(s)
Before using the school's computer resources, the parent and student must sign an Internet Use policy which explains the school's rules and regulations for Internet use and indicates that the student agrees to abide by the rules and regulations. Using the District computer systems
is a privilege, not a right.
School officials may not request or require a student or their parent/guardians to provide a password or other related account information to gain access to the student's account or profile on a social media networking website. School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student's account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. During an investigation, the student may be required to share the reported content to
allow school officials to make a factual determination. "Social networking website" means an Internet-based service that will enable individuals to 1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system created by the service, 2) create a list of other users with
whom they share a connection within the system, and 3) view and navigate their list of connections and those made by others within the system. Examples of social networking websites include but are not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. "Social networking website" for purposes of this section does not include electronic mail.
The District is not responsible for any information lost, damaged, or unavailable due to technical difficulties. The District is also not responsible for the accuracy of any information retrieved through technology or breaches of confidentiality. There is no confidentiality assurance regarding the transmissions of files by persons inside or outside the school district. The school reserves the right to monitor technology use and examine users’ files as necessary.