AUP

Technology Acceptable Use Policy – Emanuel Lutheran School

THE LAW: Students may access the internet only when a teacher is in the classroom and acting in a supervisory role. We encourage teachers to use preselected sites to provide reliable and safe information for students to use, but it is also necessary for students to learn how to search using the engines and directories on the net. Teachers will be supervising that activity as it occurs. In accordance with the CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) we will do all we can to protect the child from: 1. Obscenity 2. Child Pornography 3. Materials harmful to minors This is the categorization from the law itself. Note that these categories according to the CIPA refer only to pictures, not text. We would include the text as objectionable as well and it will be avoided, of course, in our setting.

FILTERING: In accordance with the Erate and TEACH agencies, from which we receive funds to help operate our network, we have installed a content filtering agent on the internet material that comes into our server. These devices are not fool proof, and it is still important for teachers and parents alike to teach children to discern what is right and wrong with the material that surrounds us daily in this age of information.

DOWN and/or UPLOADING MEDIA; Downloading or uploading of any media format from the Internet will be done only in connection with assigned projects and activities. Students will be issued a student document on the server to house school related projects and are not allowed to add extraneous material not related to those projects to their file. Those abusing the rules will lose the site on the server for a time deemed reasonable by the teacher/technology coordinator. Students bringing work from home on flash drives or disks need to talk with Mrs. Potratz before using them.

STUDENT E-MAIL: At this time we do not use in school student e mail accounts. Students will not use internet based e mail from Emanuel. During projects when e mail becomes necessary, the classroom teacher will consult with the technology coordinator and will set up temporary use to facilitate the needs. Failure to abide by this policy may result in loss of all computer privileges.

CHAT ROOMS: The use of chat rooms in school is strictly forbidden except in the case of a teacher-led project with the teacher as a participant.

Technology will be used in a way that treats other people in a God-pleasing manner. Therefore, the sending of threatening messages, or other inappropriate communication, such as using technology to bear false witness or spread rumors about someone, make inappropriate overtures toward another, or impersonating another person, is prohibited.

SCHOOL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE: Students are instructed in the careful and responsible use of all school hardware and software. Abuse of same will result in suspension of use of materials for a time deemed appropriate by the teacher/technology coordinator, as well as cost to replace broken hardware or software in cases of abuse. Software may not be brought to school and loaded onto any computer in the building.

SCHOOL WEBSITE: When student photos and work is used on the considered at times for appearance on the school of classroom web page, first names only will be used. Our partner school, Fox Valley Lutheran, at times has grade schools featured and they might include photos as well. If parents are opposed to this, it is suggested that a conversation be held with Mrs. Potratz before this document is signed. We will always try to feature children’s photos in the safest possible way by using group, distance, and only first names.

I support this Acceptable Use Policy and my child(ren) may participate in technology at Emanuel as indicated by the policy.

Parental Signature_ One form per child please

Student Signature__ (Grades 5 8)

We have every confidence that our students and teachers are and will continue to be responsible users of the gifts of technology at Emanuel.

Written by Emanuel Technology Committee/ Technology Coordinator Approved by Emanuel Lutheran School Committee on April 22, 2003/ Revised 08and /09