Network Acceptable Use Policy

Wyoming Seminary is a community of learners who strive for “true, beautiful, and the good,” in all that they do. Doing this as 21st century learners includes using the power of technology as a powerful learning tool, but with this power also comes a great deal of responsibility.

All students are responsible for their actions and activities involving school owned or privately owned computers, network and Internet services, and for their computer files, passwords and accounts. These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of the Wyoming Seminary computers and gives examples of prohibited uses. The rules do not attempt to describe every possible prohibited activity by students. Students, parents, and school staff who have questions about whether a particular activity is prohibited are encouraged to contact their respective dean. These rules apply to all school computers, all school-provided laptops wherever used, all uses of school servers, Internet access and networks regardless of how they are accessed.

1. ACCEPTABLE USE

1.1. The Wyoming Seminary computers, network and Internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with Wyoming Seminary’s educational mission, curriculum, and instructional goals.

1.2. Students must comply with all school rules and expectations concerning student conduct and communications when using school computers, school accounts, and other services supplied by the school, whether on or off school property.

1.3. Students also must comply with all specific instructions from school staff and volunteers when using the school unit’s computers.

2. USE OF PERSONALLY OWNED COMPUTERS BY STUDENTS

2.1. The Wyoming Seminary Information Technology (IT) department will post any requirements, as well as restrictions, that are necessary for personally owned computers to operate on the Wyoming Seminary network. This post will be made on a publicly available webpage associated with the Wyoming Seminary IT department. If after following the IT department’s directions for Wyoming Seminary network access fails for the owner of the device, the IT department will advise the user of what is necessary to complete the process, if possible.

2.2. The owner of the privately owned computer is solely responsible for proper care of the device, including any costs of repair, replacement, or any modifications needed to use the computer at school.

2.3. Wyoming Seminary is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any privately owned computer.

2.4. No software owned by Wyoming Seminary shall be on any privately-owned computer or device without the permission of the Wyoming Seminary IT department.

2.5. Dorm students will be provided with extended support, beyond a basic network connection, until a reliable third-party vendor can be acquired.

2.6. Students are required to comply with all Wyoming Seminary policies, administrative procedures, and school rules while using privately owned computers at school. This includes using the privately owned computer solely for academic purposes during academic time.

2.7. Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of a privately owned computer while at school. Wyoming Seminary reserves the right to search a student’s privately owned computer if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated Wyoming Seminary policies, administrative procedures, school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using the computer.

2.8. Violation of any school policies or administrative procedures involving a student’s privately owned computer may result in the revocation of the privilege of using the computer at school and/or disciplinary action.

2.9. Wyoming Seminary may confiscate any privately owned computer used by a student in school without authorization as required by these rules. The contents of the computer may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

3. PROHIBITED USES

Unacceptable uses of school unit computers include, but are not limited to, the following:

3.1. Accessing or Communicating Inappropriate Materials – Students may not access, submit, post, publish, forward, download, scan or display defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, bullying and/or illegal materials or messages.

3.2. Illegal Activities – Students may not use Wyoming Seminary computers, network and Internet services for any illegal activity or in violation of any school policy, procedure, or rules. Wyoming Seminary assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of students while using school computers.

3.3. Violating Copyrights or Software Licenses – “With the exception of “Fair Use,” students may not copy, download or share any type of copyrighted materials (including music or films) without the owner’s permission; or copy or download software without the express authorization of the Technology Coordinator. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties. Wyoming Seminary assumes no responsibility for copyright or licensing violations by students.

3.4. Plagiarism – Students may not represent as their own work, any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, music, etc). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and website must be identified.

3.5. Use for Non-School-Related Purposes - Students may not use Wyoming Seminary computers, network, and Internet services for any personal reasons not connected with the educational program or school assignments during school hours. Personal use is permitted during non-school hours.

3.6. Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access – Students may not share passwords; use other users’ passwords; access or use other users’ accounts; or attempt to circumvent network security systems.

3.7. Malicious Use/Vandalism – Students may not engage in any malicious use, disruption, or harm to Wyoming Seminary computers, network, and Internet services, including, but not limited to, hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses.

3.8. Avoiding School Filters – Students may not attempt to or use any software, utilities or other means to access Internet sites or content blocked by the school filters.

3.9. Unauthorized Access to Blogs/Social Networking Sites, Etc. - Students may not access blogs, social networking sites, etc. to which student access is prohibited.

4. STUDENT SECURITY

4.1. A student is not allowed to reveal his or her full name, address, telephone number, social security number, or other personal information on the Internet while using a school computer without prior permission from a teacher. Students under the age of 13 may not reveal photos of themselves. Students should never agree to meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission. Students should inform their teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.

5. SYSTEM SECURITY

5.1. The security of the Wyoming Seminary computers, network, and Internet services is a high priority. Any student who identifies a security problem must notify his or her teacher or dean immediately. The student shall not demonstrate the problem to others or access unauthorized material.

6. CYBER-BULLYING POLICY

Wyoming Seminary strives to provide a safe, positive learning climate for students in the schools. Therefore, it shall be the policy of Wyoming Seminary to maintain an educational environment in which cyber-bullying in any form are not tolerated. The school district will educate all students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber-bullying awareness and response.

6.1. All forms of cyber-bullying is prohibited. Anyone who engages in cyber-bullying in violation of this policy shall be subject to appropriate discipline.

6.2. Students who have been cyber-bullied shall promptly report such incidents to any staff member.

6.3. Complaints of cyber-bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when a complaint is verified. Neither reprisals, nor retaliation, shall occur as a result of the submission of a complaint.

7. DEFINITIONS

7.1. Wyoming Seminary defines cyber-bulling as the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another student or staff member by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including blogs) which has the effect of:

• 7.1.1. Physically, emotionally, or mentally harming a student;

• 7.1.2. Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional, or mental harm;

• 7.1.3. Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property;

• 7.1.4. Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities.

7.2. All forms of bullying are unacceptable and to the extent that such actions are disruptive of the educational process of Wyoming Seminary, offenders shall be subject to appropriate staff intervention, which may result in administrative discipline.

8. DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

8.1. Each staff member shall be responsible to maintain an educational environment free of cyber-bullying.

8.2. Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of their fellow students and to ensure an atmosphere free from all forms of bullying and cyber-bullying.

8.3. Students shall be encouraged to report bullying or cyber-bullying complaints to any staff member.

8.4. Any staff member who receives a cyber-bullying complaint shall gather information or seek administrative assistance to determine if bullying or cyber-bullying has occurred. If the behavior is found to meet the definition of cyber-bullying, the respective dean will address the issue.

8.5. The dean or their designee will inform the parents or guardians of the victim and also the parents or guardians of the accused.

9. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

9.1. Students are required to report all complaints of cyber-bullying, orally or in writing, to a staff member. If a parent initiates the complaint, the appropriate staff member will follow-up with the student.

9.2. The staff member will either gather the information or seek administrative assistance to determine if the alleged bullying or cyber-bullying conduct occurred.

9.3. After the information has been gathered, the dean shall be notified of the complaint. The dean will determine the need for further investigation or the appropriate intervention, which may result in administrative discipline to ensure that the conduct ceases.

9.4. A violation of this policy shall subject the offending student to appropriate disciplinary action, consistent with the student discipline code, which may include suspension, expulsion or notification to the appropriate authorities.

10. STUDENT USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Wyoming Seminary recognizes that many students possess cellular telephones and other electronic devices. These devices may not be used in any manner that disrupts the educational process, is illegal, or violates Wyoming Seminary policies and/or school rules. Wyoming Seminary is not responsible for damage, loss or theft of such devices. The school President is authorized to develop any school rules necessary to implement this policy.

Rules for Student Use of Cellular Telephones and Other Electronic Devices
Students are prohibited from using privately owned electronic devices, including but not limited to cellular telephones, Blackberries, iPhones, handheld computers, MP3 players and electronic games during classes, study halls, assemblies and other school activities.

10.1. During classes and school activities, all such devices must be on “silent” mode.

10.2. The only exception to this rule is when a teacher specifically authorizes students to use such a personal electronic device for a specific purpose (such as entering an assignment in a PDA).

10.3. If this rule is violated, the teacher has the authority to immediately confiscate the device for the remainder of the school day, and discipline may be imposed.

11. Lower School students’ electronic devices will be kept in students’ lockers during classes. Cellular telephones must be kept on “silent” mode to avoid disrupting others.

12. Upper School students may use electronic devices between class periods and during lunch periods. Cellular telephones must be kept on “silent” mode to avoid disrupting others.

13. Students may use electronic devices on field trips and during extracurricular activities only if authorized by the staff member in charge.

14. The use of cameras in any type of electronic device is strictly prohibited in locker rooms, restrooms, and classrooms.

14.1. In other locations where students are allowed to use electronic devices, students are required to obtain written permission before taking a photographor video of any individual. Students must also obtain permission from any individual appearing in a photograph or video prior to posting on any social networking site or other Internet site such as YouTube.

15. Any use of cellular telephones and other electronic devices that violates any Wyoming Seminary policy, procedure, or school rule is strictly prohibited. In addition, accessing, viewing, posting, forwarding, downloading or displaying any materials that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal is prohibited.

16. Student cellular telephones and other electronic devices may be subject to search if there is reasonable suspicion that a student is violating Wyoming Seminary policies, procedures and/or school rules.

16.1. A building administrator may maintain possession of an electronic device as long as it is reasonably necessary for evidentiary purposes.

17. Students violating these rules will be subject to discipline, which may include:

17.1. Not being allowed to bring electronic devices to school;

17.2. Sanctions ranging from detention to expulsion from school depending upon the nature of the offense and the student’s disciplinary record.

18. COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES, COSTS AND/OR DAMAGES

18.1. The student and their parent(s)/guardian(s) is/are responsible for compensating Wyoming Seminary for any losses, costs, or damages incurred for violations of Wyoming Seminary policies, procedures, and/or school rules while the student is using Wyoming Seminary computers, including the cost of investigating such violations. Wyoming Seminary assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by a student while using school unit computers.

19. Evidence of illegal activities involving electronic devices may be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities and a building administrator may give a device to law enforcement authorities upon request.