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NORWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STUDENT COMPUTING SYSTEMS USE AGREEMENT
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY
Student Use of Computing Systems
Computing devices, networks (includes wireless), Internet access, and electronic communications are effective and
important technology resources in today's educational environment. The Board of Education (BOE) has installed
computing devices and a network infrastructure including Internet access that is referred to collectively as computing
systems. This is in place in order to enhance both the educational opportunities for our students and the business
operations of the district.
All computing devices (hardware and software) as well as materials produced on such equipment remains the property
of the Norwich Public Schools. Any misuse or abuse of this property or any violation of the Computing Systems Use
Agreement of the Norwich Public Schools is prohibited. In recognition of rapid technological and legal developments,
the BOE authorizes revision to the Computing System Use Agreement by the Superintendent. The Superintendent
may also establish additional guidelines and rules.
These computing systems are business and educational tools. As such, they are made available to students in the district for
education-related uses. The Connecticut Education Network (CEN) provides Internet access to the district, and in doing so
provides limited web filtering. This filtering is not foolproof and the possibility of accessing material that is illegal,
defamatory, inaccurate, or offensive to some people still exists. All Internet access must be filtered, whether minors (under
18) or adults are using the computing systems as required by federal ERate legislation. In compliance with the Children's
Internet Protection Act (CIPA), U.S.C. §254 (h), the district uses specialized software and hardware to filter and/or block
the use of any of the district's computing devices with Internet access. Although the district makes reasonable efforts to
filter such content, the district cannot guarantee the effectiveness of the CEN or district’s Internet filtering due to the
dynamic nature of the Internet. As the owner of the computing systems the BOE reserves the right to monitor the use of the
district’s devices on the computing systems.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
The district does not have a BYOD policy in place. To date, personal devices are not supported on our network. The
district does accommodate personal devices for students when their devices are used for augmentative alternative
communication.
Legal References:
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Children’s Internet Protection Act, Pub. Law 106-554, codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)
Electronic Communication Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510 through 2520
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 6777
18 U.S.C. § 2256 (definition of child pornography)
Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973) (definition of obscene)
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-182b; 53a-183; 53a-250 (computer-related offenses)
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-193 (definition of obscene)
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998
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Protecting Children in the 21 Century Act, Pub. Law 110-385, codified at 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5)(B)(iii)
47 U.S.C. 254 Universal Service 45 C.F.R. 54.520, “Children’s Internet Protection Act certifications required from
recipients of discounts under the federal universal service support mechanism for schools and libraries”
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. 254[h],[I])
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 6801 et seq., Part F)
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1 Computing Systems – Terms and Conditions of Use
1.
Acceptable Use: the use of the district’s computing systems must be in support of education
and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Norwich Public Schools.
Transmission of information in violation of any national, state or local law or regulation is
prohibited.
2.
Privileges: the use of the computing systems is a privilege and inappropriate use will result in a
cancellation of those privileges. Misuse of the computing systems or violations of these
policies and regulations may result in loss of access to such computing systems as well as other
disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion, depending on the specific
misconduct.
3.
Student Conduct: students are permitted to use the district’s computing systems for
legitimate educational purposes. Personal use of district computing systems is expressly
prohibited. Conduct which constitutes inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to the
following:
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Sending any form of harassing, threatening, or intimidating message at any time to any
person (such communications may also be a crime);
Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to computing systems;
Accessing streaming media except for teacher-directed educational purposes;
Damaging computing devices, files, computing systems or networks;
Downloading or modifying software of the district in violation of the district's licensure
agreement(s) and/or without authorization from a teacher or administrator;
Using another person's password under any circumstances;
Using chat rooms or social networking web sites except for teacher-directed educational
purposes;
Trespassing in or tampering with any other person's folders, work or files;
Sending any copyrighted material over the system for distribution purposes; plagiarizing
information;
Using computing systems for any personal purpose or in a manner that interferes
with the district’s educational programs;
Attempting to bypass the district’s content filter including the use of proxy servers;
Accessing or attempting to access any material that is obscene, contains child pornography,
or is harmful to minors;
Transmitting or receiving unauthorized communications or accessing information on the
Internet for non-educational purposes;
Cyberbullying and harassment: slurs, comments, jokes, innuendos, unwelcome comments,
cartoons, pranks, and/or other verbal conduct relating to an individual which: (a) has the
purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or school
performance; (b) interferes with school operations; (c) has the purpose or effect to cause
undue emotional stress or fear in an individual.
Sending, publishing, or displaying inappropriate texts, images, or messages that are obscene,
profane, or sexually indecent or provocative.
In addition, as noted above, if a particular behavior or activity is generally prohibited by
law, by BOE policy or by school rules or regulations, use of these computing systems for the
purpose of carrying out such behavior or activity is also prohibited.
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Privacy: neither transmissions on the Internet nor electronic communications are private.
Improper use of the computer systems will be reported and material relating to or in
support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities. Email accounts for students
will be supplied on a case-by-case and need basis. Students receive usernames and email
addresses but will receive district-managed email access only per request of classroom
teacher. Students shall not use personal email accounts on any of the district’s computing
devices. The district reserves the right to monitor any such transactions.
Security: security on any computing system is a high priority, especially when the system
involves many users. Access to local area network resources and online programs may require
the use of individual student accounts. The district supplies usernames and temporary
passwords for these accounts. Use of another individual's account without written permission
from that individual and the supervising teacher is prohibited. Attempts to login as a system
administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk
or having a history of problems with other computing systems may be denied access.
Vandalism: vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any
malicious or intentional attempt to harm or destroy data or equipment. This includes but is not
limited to the uploading, downloading or creation of computer viruses as well as doing physical
and intentional damage to equipment.
Communication and Personal Safety: Appropriate precautions should be taken when using
electronic communications such as email.
Students:
• Will not post or email personal contact information about themselves.
• Will not agree to meet with someone they have met online without their parent/guardian's
approval.
• Will promptly disclose to an administrator, teacher, or other school employee any
message or image they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
Policy adopted 5/28/96
Policy revised 9/28/98
Policy revised 1/22/08
Policy revised 6/9/15
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