Sioux City Community Schools -

Code Number: 581.12

The District provides electronic network communications for educational use by students. The purpose of such access is to assist the District in meeting its educational mission, goals and objectives. Network communications may include, but are not limited to, email and the Internet. The Network shall be used for curriculum support purposes only. It is the policy of the District that all computer services shall be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner in compliance with all other District policies.

No person shall access the District network with non-District hardware without approval of the Technology Department. Non-District hardware includes, but is not limited to, personal computers (laptop or desktop), wireless access devices and handheld devices.

The use of the Network is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked with or without notice and with or without cause at the discretion of the District. Failure to follow processes and procedures or abuse of resources may result in loss of privileges and possible disciplinary action.

The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages the user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays or other service interruptions caused by either the District or users own negligence, errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the District network is at the users own risk. Users should not expect that files stored on the Network or school-based computers will be private. Electronic messages, Network activities, and files may be reviewed to maintain system performance and integrity, to ensure that users are acting responsibly, and for any other purpose at the discretion of the District.

Access to the District’s network is provided via an assigned user ID and password. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain the privacy of their password. Use of District information technology systems implies consent to monitoring for such purposes.

The Board believes that the Internet can be a valuable educational and productive tool that enables students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources. The District has protections in place to prevent unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.

State and federal mandates require schools to restrict access to certain information on the Internet. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain information that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive. The District will use technology protection measures to protect students from inappropriate access, including sites that include obscenity, child pornography or are harmful to minors. Parents, however, should be aware that in spite of District safeguards, a student may still find ways, intentionally or unintentionally, to access inappropriate material. The District will monitor the online activities of students and will educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting on social networking sites and chat rooms. Students will also be educated on cyberbullying, including awareness and response. Employees will provide age appropriate training for students who use the Internet. The training provided is designed to promote the District’s commitment to:

• The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in this policy;

• Student safety with regard to:

  • Safety on the Internet and security when using email;

  • Appropriate behavior while online in social networking web sites and/or chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications; and

  • Cyberbullying awareness and response;

• Limiting unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities;

• Compliance with the E-Rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

The Board believes that all Network services (e.g., computers, email, and Internet access) are a valuable part of the total program in that they promote educational excellence.  At the same time, the Board believes that access to these services entails responsibility and that all computer services shall be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner.  General school rules for behavior apply. 

The following uses of school-provided Network access are prohibited (collectively “Prohibited Uses”):

• To access, upload, download, or distribute pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material;

• To transmit obscene, abusive, sexually explicit, or threatening language;

• To violate any local, state, or federal statute;

• To vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;

• To access another individual’s materials, information or files without permission;

• To access non-approved internet gaming sites;

• To access non-approved social media sites;

• To use instant messaging not approved by the District;

• To access non-approved streaming audio or video sites;  

• To use non-District hardware or devices on the District network;

• To install any unauthorized software;

• To install or remove any computer hardware components from District computers (e.g. memory, optical drives, etc.);

• To violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission; 

• To engage any other inappropriate uses as determined by the District;

• To use proxy software to bypass District filters; and

• To connect to wireless access points not supported by the District.

Students at certain grades levels will be issued a District-provided email account.  District-provided student email will be used solely for school-related work, activities, and functions; any other use is strictly prohibited.  All Prohibited Uses outlined for the Internet above apply to the use of District-provided student email accounts.  Additionally, the following guidelines apply to student use of a District-provided email account:

• Students are responsible for keeping passwords private.  Passwords must not be shared with anyone other than the student’s parent, a teacher, or the District’s technology department.  Passwords must never be sent to anyone via email.

• Students shall not disclose personal information such as their social security number or other sensitive or confidential information about themselves or others.

• If a student receives any email that contains inappropriate content or that the student believes violates the Prohibited Uses policy, the student must notify a teacher, principal, or parent immediately.

• Any form of cyberbullying or harassment will not be tolerated.  If a student believes they (or another student) are the victim of cyberbullying or harassment, it should be immediately reported to a teacher or principal.  All reports of cyber bullying or harassment will be investigated by the District.

• Students must not use District-provided student email to forward jokes, chain letters, pictures, or other inappropriate material as outlined in the previous section.

Students will be granted access to file storage on Microsoft Office 365 to store coursework and related educational content.

Microsoft Office 365 has procedures and processes in place to perform some backup of information, but students are responsible from making backups of critical materials.  When the student leaves the District, the account will be removed and the student is responsible for making copies of any of their materials they plan to take with them.

As with other electronic information, the ability to store information is a privilege and not a right and therefore monitoring of any information in the student’s account can occur.  Any content or use of space that violates the District’s policies and/or any local, state or federal statutes can result in loss of Network privileges and other appropriate discipline. 

Subject to this policy and monitoring by the District, all students will be granted independent use of the District’s link to the Internet unless the District is notified by a parent or guardian in accordance with the District’s Opt Out procedure.  Annually, if a parent or guardian of a student wants to opt out of the independent use of the Internet for the forthcoming school year, they must submit a Parent Opt Out Form (581.12-E) signed by the parent/guardian notifying building administrators that the parent/guardian does not want his or her child to independently use the Internet (this places them in the ‘deny most Internet’ group).  These forms will be kept in the office with the Student Permanent Record, and building staff will be notified.  The “opt out” election does not apply to classroom instruction where teachers may allow access and/or present content from appropriate sites as a direct part of the curriculum.

In the current and official student handbook, the District notifies all parents of current students that students may have their photographs or video images displayed on the official District website (www.siouxcityschools.org) or in the media in furtherance of the District’s educational mission. Student photographs or video images may also be posted on the District's social media sites.

The District reserves the right to remove fans/followers from its social media sites for any lawful reason including, without limitation, content that violates District policy.  The District may amend this social media policy at any time and it is the fans’/followers’ responsibility to review changes to this policy. By participating on the District’s social media sites, depending on your personal account and privacy settings, you may be subject to having your profile picture, name and comments visible to the public. The District does not take responsibility for such actions.  

Because we care about the safety and privacy of children online, we comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). COPPA and CIPA and the accompanying FTC and FCC regulations establish federal law that protects the privacy of children using the Internet. In compliance with federal law, this policy will be maintained at least five years beyond the termination of funding under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) or

E-rate. The District website is not intended to solicit information of any kind from children under 13. It is possible that by fraud or deception the District may receive information pertaining to children under 13. If the District is notified of this, as soon as the information is verified, the District will immediately obtain parental consent or otherwise delete the information from District servers. Please contact the Director of Communications to obtain receipt of information if applicable at (712) 224-7471.

Students will sign a form acknowledging they have read and understand the Internet Acceptable Use policy and regulations, that they will comply with the policy and regulations, and that they understand the consequences for violation of the policy or regulations.

Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from school.  To ensure that the use of the District’s information system and other electronic communications systems or equipment is consistent with the District’s educational and legitimate business interests, authorized representatives of the District may monitor the use of such equipment.

In compliance with federal law, this policy will be maintained at least five years beyond the termination of funding under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) or E-rate.

First Adoption:
January 27, 1997

Reviewed Dates:
April 20, 2022 / November 15, 2022

Revision Adoption:
March 13, 2006 / February 23, 2009 / August 9, 2010 / June 25, 2012 / March 13, 2017 / December 12, 2022

Legal Reference:
15 U.S.C. 6501-6506 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
20 U.S.C. 7131 Internet Safety
47 U.S.C. 254(h) and (l) Children’s Internet Protection Act
Iowa Code §279.8
281 I.A.C. 12.3(12)c

Cross Reference:
Board Policies, 603.10 and 603.11 (AR603.11)

Documents

• 581.12 - Computer Networks Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy

• 581.12-E - Parent Opt-Out Form for Independent Student Network Access