Machine-extracted text of a publicly
posted document, provided for reference and search. The original document at
the link above is authoritative.
SHIPMAN & GOODWIN RECOMMENDED COVID-19 TEMPORARY POLICY
Series 5000.6T
STUDENTS
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY
Temporary amendments to this policy related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been made
to the body of the policy and sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 and the legal references of the
Administrative Regulations. All temporary revisions appear in highlighted bold italics or
strikethrough text.
Computers, computer networks, electronic devices, Internet access, and e-mail are effective
and important technological resources. The Board of Education provides has installed
computers, and a computer network, including Internet access and an e-mail system, on
Board premises and may provide as well as other electronic devices that can access the
network such as wireless and/or portable electronic hand-held equipment that can be used
for word processing, wireless Internet access, image capture and recording, sound recording,
information transmitting and/or receiving, storing etc. (including, but not limited to, laptops,
Kindles, radios, I-Pads or other tablet computers),. The Board’s computers, computer
network, electronic devices, Internet access, and e-mail are referred to collectively as "the
computer systems", and are provided i n order to enhance both the educational opportunities
for our students and the business operations of the district.
These computer systems are business and educational tools. As such, they are made
available to students in the district for education related uses. The Administration shall
develop regulations setting forth procedures to be used by the Administration in an effort to
ensure that such computer systems are used by students solely for education related
purposes. The Board will educate minor students about appropriate online behavior,
including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms
and cyberbullying awareness and response. Additionally, the Board will implement a
technology protection measure to block or filter Internet access to visual depictions that
contain obscene material that is obscene or obscene as to minors or contains contain child
pornography, or are harmful to minors and ensure that such filtering technology is operative
during computer use by minor students to the extent practicable when such students are
using Board-owned computers or devices and Board-provided Internet access.
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 1 of 8
As the owner of the computer systems, the Board reserves the right to monitor the use of the
district’s computers and computer systems.
Legal References:
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-182b; 53a-183; 53a-250
Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986, Public Law 99-508, codified at 18 U.S.C.
§§ 2510 through 2520
Children’s Internet Protection Act, Pub. L. 106-554, codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 6777
Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, Pub. Law 110-385, codified at 47 U.S.C. §
254(h)(5)(B)(iii)
TEMPORARY POLICY ADOPTED: October 13, 2020
COLCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Colchester, Connecticut
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 2 of 8
Series 5000.6T
STUDENTS
[Note: The following administrative regulations are not part of the Board policy and
therefore, do not require approval by the Board. These regulations provide further detail
regarding student use of the district’s computer systems and are provided for your
convenience.]
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REGARDING STUDENT USE OF
THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY
1. Introduction
a. Access to District Computer Systems When Students are Physically
Present on School Property
When students are physically present on school property, the Board is W e are pleased to
offer students access to the district's computers and computer networks, including access to
electronic mail (e-mail) and the Internet, as well as electronic devices, (all of which will be
referred to collectively as "computer systems".) Access to the school's computer systems will
enable students to explore libraries, databases, websites, and bulletin boards while
exchanging messages information with others. Such access is provided solely for
education-related purposes. Use of the district's computer systems will be allowed only for
students who act in a considerate and responsible manner in using such systems.
The Board of Education and the Administration believe in the educational value of such
computer systems and recognize their potential to support our curriculum by expanding
resources available for staff and student use. Our goal in providing this service is to promote
educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication.
These computer systems are expensive to purchase, install and maintain. As the property of
the district, these computer systems must be carefully handled and their integrity preserved
for the benefit of all. Therefore, access to the computer systems is a privilege, and not a right.
Students students will beare required to adhere to a set of policies and procedures, as set
forth in detail below. Violations may lead to withdrawal of the access privilege and/or
disciplinary measures in accordance with the Board’s student discipline policy.
b. Access to District Computer Systems When Students are Engaged in
Remote Learning
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 3 of 8
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board and the Administration recognize that
technology is integral to the delivery of instruction if the district implements any form of
digital or remote learning. The district may therefore provide students with remote access
to some or all of the district’s computer systems so that students may access the district’s
virtual learning environment. Such access, if granted, is provided solely for
education-related purposes. Use of the district's computer systems will be allowed only for
students who comply with district policies and procedures concerning computer system use,
and demonstrate the ability to use the computer systems in a considerate and responsible
manner.
T hese computer systems are expensive to purchase, install and maintain. As the property
of the district, these computer systems must be carefully handled and their integrity
preserved for the benefit of all. Therefore, students will be required to adhere to a set of
policies and procedures, as set forth in detail below. Violations may lead to withdrawal of
the access privilege and/or disciplinary measures in accordance with the Board’s student
discipline policy.
2. Definitions
Obscene – means any material or performance if, a) taken as a whole, it predominantly
appeals to the prurient interest, b) it depicts or describes in a patently offensive way a
prohibited sexsexual act and c) taken as a whole, does not haveit lacks serious literary,
artistic, educational, political or scientific value. For the purposes of this section, "prohibited
sex act" means erotic fondling, nude performance, sexual excitement, sado-masochistic
abuse, masturbation or sexual intercourse.
Obscene as to minors - means any material or performance if it depicts a prohibited sexual
act and, taken as a whole, it is harmful to minors.
For purposes of this section, “harmful to minors” means that quality of any description or
representation, in whatever form, of a prohibited sexual act, when a) it predominantly
appeals to the prurient, shameful or morbid interest of minors, b) it is patently offensive to
prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable
material for minors, and c) taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, educational,
political or scientific value for minors.
For the purposes of this section, "prohibited sexual act" means erotic fondling, nude
performance, sexual excitement, sado-masochistic abuse, masturbation or sexual
intercourse.
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 4 of 8
Child pornography – means any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video,
picture, cartoon, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or
produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where -
(a) the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor
engaging in sexually explicit conduct;
(b) such visual depiction is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in
sexually explicit conduct ; a digital image, computer image, or
computer-generated image that is, or is indistinguishable from, that of a
minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or
(c) such visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear
that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Harmful to minors – any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
(a) taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in
nudity, sex, or excretion;
(b) depicts, describes or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to
what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or
simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
(c) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to
minors.
3. Monitoring
Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer systems just as they are in a
classroom or a school hallway. Communications on the computer systems are often public in
nature and general school rules for behavior and communications apply. It is expected that
users will comply with district standards and will act in a responsible and legal manner, at all
times in accordance with district standards, as well as with state and federal laws.
It is important that students and parents understand that the district, as the owner of the
computer systems, reserves the right to monitor and review the use of these computer
systems. The district intends to monitor and review in a limited fashion, but will do so as
needed to ensure that the systems are being used for district-related educational purposes.
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 5 of 8
As part of the monitoring and reviewing process, the district will retain the capacity to bypass
any individual password of a student or other user. The system's security aspects, such as
personal passwords and the message delete function for e-mail, can be bypassed for these
purposes. The district's ability to monitor and review is not restricted or neutralized by these
devices. The monitoring and reviewing process also includes, but is not limited to; oversight
of Internet site access, the right to review emails sent and received, the right to track
students’ access to blogs, electronic bulletin boards and chat rooms, and the right to review a
student’s document downloading and printing.
Therefore, all users must be aware that they should not have any expectation of personal
privacy in the use of these computer systems.
4. Student Conduct
Students are permitted to use the district’s computer systems for legitimate educational
purposes. Personal use of district computer systems is expressly prohibited. Conduct which
constitutes inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to the following:
○ Sending any form of a 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 computer systems;
○ Damaging computers, computer files, computer systems or computer
networks;
○ Downloading or modifying computer 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;
○ Trespassing in or tampering with any other person's folders, work or
files;
○ Sending any message that breaches the district's confidentiality
requirements, or the confidentiality of students;
○ Sending any copyrighted material over the system;
○ Using computer systems for any personal purpose, or in a manner that
interferes with the district’s educational programs;
○ Accessing or attempting to access any material that is obscene, obscene
as to minors, or contains child pornography, or is harmful to minors, as
defined above;
○ Transmitting or receiving e-mail communications or accessing
information on the Internet for non-educational purposes;
○ Cyberbullying;
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 6 of 8
○ Accessing or attempting to access social networking sites (e.g.,
Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.) without a legitimate educational
purpose.
In addition, as noted above, if a particular behavior or activity is generally prohibited by law,
by Board policy or by school rules or regulations, use of these computer systems for the
purpose of carrying out such behavior or activity is also prohibited.
isuse of the computer systems, or violations of these policies and regulations, may result in
M
loss of access to such computer systems as well as other disciplinary action, including
suspension and/or expulsion, depending on the specific conduct.
Anyone who is aware of problems with, or misuse of these computer systems, or has a
question regarding the proper use of these computer systems, should report this to his or her
teacher or principal immediately. Most importantly, the Board and the Administration urge
any student who receives any harassing, threatening, intimidating or other improper message
through the computer system to report this immediately. It is the Board's policy that no
student should be required to tolerate such treatment, regardless of the identity of the
sender of the message. Please report these events!
5. Internet Safety
The Administration will take measures: to assure the digital safety and security of students
when using e-mail, chat rooms, distance learning platforms, and other forms of direct
electronic communications; to prohibit unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other
unlawful activities by minors online; to prohibit unauthorized disclosure, use, and
dissemination of personally identifiable information regarding students; to educate minor
students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on
social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber-bullying awareness and response;
and to restrict students’ access to online materials harmful to minors, including obscene
materials that are obscene or obscene as to minorsa nd or contain child pornography, to the
extent practicable when students are using Board-owned computers or devices and
Board-provided Internet access.
6. Student Use Agreement
Before being allowed to use the district’s computer systems, students and/or their
parents/guardians must sign a computer system use agreement, stating that they have read
and understood the district’s policies and regulations regarding the use of its computer
systems.
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 7 of 8
Legal References:
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-182b; 53a-183; 53a-250 et. seq. (computer-related offenses)
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-193 (definition of obscene and obscene as to minors)
18 U.S.C. § 2256 (definition of child pornography)
Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986, Public Law 99-508, codified at 18
U.S.C. §§ 2510 through 2520
Children’s Internet Protection Act, Pub. Law 106-554, codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 6777
Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, Pub. Law 110-385, codified at 47 U.S.C. §
254(h)(5)(B)(iii)
Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973) (definition of obscene)
TEMPORARY REGULATION ADOPTED: October 13, 2020
COLCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Colchester, Connecticut
STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND INTERNET SAFETY Page 8 of 8