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** Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) ** **MISSION STATEMENT**
 * Camden Cohort School Technology Policy**

The cohort is committed to the use of telecommunication networks in a responsible, efficient, courteous and legal manner. Internet access and other on-line services, provided to students and teachers, offer a multitude of global resources. Our goal in providing these services is to enhance the educational development of our students.

Acceptable uses of telecommunications are devoted to activities that support teaching and learning. The use of the computer network is limited to the exchange of academic information, research, career and professional development activities consistent with the mission of the Cohort.

Providing technology in schools is a means for students to develop research skills and to prepare for the job market. Students are expected to make responsible, ethical, and appropriate use of computers, technology (including software and hardware) and information services at all times.

**OBJECTIVE**

To govern all technologies in a manner in which all are safe and wholly reap the benefits of technology in a meaningful and academic context. The administration and teaching staff of Camden Cohort School (CCS) recognize that new technologies are necessary for progressive education practices, and its use is to be construed as a privilege worthy of respectful and appropriate usage at all times. To that end we will incorporate and use technology according to the following guidelines:
 * 1) Students and parents must submit a signed acceptable use policy before internet access is granted. This document will be updated each academic year, and will remain in each students' permanent record.
 * 2) All students will be assigned an individual network password that should remain confidential at all times. Under no circumstances should students share their password with other students.
 * 3) Technology will be integrated into each of the content areas as aligned with the NJCCCS and representative of appropriate technology applications.

**CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INTERNET USE**

__ **Privileges** __

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in the suspension of those privileges. Faculty will discuss with all students granted Internet access the proper use of the network. The superintendent or principal may request that the school deny, revoke, or suspend specific user privileges based on inappropriate use. District officials will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Teachers will be expected to monitor the student’s access for which he or she is responsible. This may include random checks of Internet history and monitoring of student access to determine whether the accounts are being used in a manner that is consistent with this agreement. Students accepting this Internet policy consent to such monitoring. Any questions pertaining to the Camden Cohort School Technology Policy should be brought to the attention of the network administrator or school principals, immediately. __**Liability Disclaimer / No Warranties**__ The CCS makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, that the functions or the services provided by or through the CCS network will be error-free or without defect. The District will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer including, but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service. The School is not responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the CCSnetwork. (dewolfG)

__**Internet Safety**__
 * 1) Users should never give personal information over the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to names, addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, parent/guardian names, club or team he/she is involved in, name of his/her school, or after-school job.
 * 2) Users should never share passwords or pass on the personal information of another user to any third party.
 * 3) If you lose or forget your password you are responsible for notifying the Network Manager/Technology Coordinator immediately.
 * 4) If you feel someone has hacked into your account it is also your responsibility to immediately notify the Network Manager/Technology Coordinator.
 * 5) Camden Cohort School will use an Internet Monitoring Software. This software will track site usage by individual users to make sure site access is appropriate. If site access is not appropriate, CCS has the right to block any site.
 * 6) Users should never arrange for meetings with anyone they meet online.
 * 7) Material relating to or in support of illegal activities or unauthorized activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Unless specifically authorized and approved, social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are not be be accessed on district servers and computers. Additionally, unauthorized blogging, video or picture sharing, instant messaging (IM), and any other electronic communication is prohibited.
 * __Social Networking__ **
 * 1) Email should be limited to your online classmates and course-related.
 * 2) Use and share computer resources courteously and efficiently.
 * 3) Any internet usage or activity not previously approved by the acceptable use policy will be subject to approval by the administration and/or board.
 * 4) Users will not repost a message that was sent to them privately without permission of the person who sent them the message.
 * 5) Users will not post private information about another person or inappropriate information about themselves.

**Unacceptable use of the Internet includes the following:**
 * 1) Students shall not use any means of technology to bring harm, whether intended or unintended, to any student or staff member of CCS or to the institution itself.
 * 2) Social-networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter are not to be accessed.
 * 3) Cyber-Bullying is a violation of the NJ State HIB law and is prohibited.
 * 4) Students will not plagiarize, which is taking someone else’s words, ideas, or findings and presenting them as your own without properly giving credit to the sources.
 * 5) Students will not create a website or webpage designed to look like an official school posting.
 * 6) On-line gambling is prohibited at all times.
 * 7) On-line gaming is prohibited at all times.

**Violations of the district's Code of Conduct for Internet Use will be handled individually, in accordance with the district's established discipline policy and are outlined below under violations.**

__**Software/Hardware**__
 * 1) Users are required to take all necessary actions to prevent virus infections on the school's equipment.
 * 2) The downloading of any software applications or files without the approval of the Superintendent and Network Manager/Technology Coordinator is strictly prohibited.
 * 3) Vandalism of any assets of district technology, including damage to computer hardware, attempts to access or destroy the data of other users, attempts to log on as a network administrator, or the uploading, creating, or spreading of computer viruses is a violation of the usage policy. **Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and possible disciplinary or legal action.**
 * 4) Users will follow proper use guidelines for all technology devices.
 * 5) Users will not use another person's computer resources without authorization.
 * 6) Deliberately trying to degrade or disrupt system performance is unacceptable use of technology.
 * 7) Copying proprietary information, including software, in violation of applicable law is prohibited.

__** Network **__
 * 1) Accessing the accounts and files of others.
 * 2) Changing, editing or deleting the files of others.
 * 3) Attempting to subvert network security, to impair functionality of the network, or to bypass restrictions set by the administrator.
 * 4) The downloading and storage of files, which consume system resources, without the expressed approval of the Network Manager/Technology Coordinator is strictly prohibited.
 * 5) Engaging in other activities which do not advance the educational purposes for which computer network(s)/computers are provided.
 * 6) Employing the network(s)/computers for commercial purposes.

__** Copyright/Plagiarism **__
 * 1) Work designed by other people may not be used within your work and stated as your own.
 * 2) Infringement on copyrights is not tolerated (no making illegal copies of music, games, or movies.
 * 3) Plagiarism is a behavior that will not be tolerated and disciplinary actions outlined by the Camden County Cohort School will be taken.
 * 4) Users may replicate copyrighted works within fair use limits, using proper citations. [].

**__E-mail__** 7. When students are uncertain about the appropriateness of the content of an email; either sending or receiving; they should ask their teacher or an administrator.
 * 1) E-mail is provided for the purpose of exchanging information consistent with the educational objectives of the CCS. The School reserves the right to view any e-mails sent from or received by personnel or students using our server.
 * 2) Transmitting E-mail for personal use is prohibited, including but not limited to distribution of "chain letters" or inappropriate "broadcast messages" that may cause undue congestion on networks.
 * 3) While engaged in activities on the school computer network, users are prohibited from transmitting E-mail to others which includes material that is vulgar, rude, obscene, pornographic, inflammatory, threatening, harassing, disrespectful or which uses sexually explicit language. Users agree to notify school officials should they receive E-mail containing such content.
 * 4) Transmission of material that is protected by national or state regulations, such as materials which are copyrighted or protected by trade secret, is strictly prohibited.
 * 5) Immediately notify a teacher or administrator of any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
 * 6) Students should remember to write as if others are certain to read what is written. E-mail communication can easily be shared with others for whom the communication was not intended.

__**Cell Phones**__ The acceptable use policy applies to cell phone usage, and the terms will be strictly enforced by the district Board of Education and Superintendent of schools.
 * 1) Use of cell phones for any personal use, such as personal calls, texts, or checking personal e-mails during instructional time by students is strictly prohibited. Use of cell phones to access the internet, such as social networking, is prohibited during school hours. Student cell phones should remain stowed and powered off at all times during the school day, unless otherwise permitted under special circumstances by administration. Students may not use cell phones to take pictures or videos of other students or staff during school hours or on school property.
 * 2) Schools are not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage of students' cell phones while they are on school grounds.
 * 3) School employees may use cell phones to make phone calls only during lunch and preparation periods.
 * 4) Student cell phones may be allowed at the teachers discretion, pending administrative approval, during instructional time for educational and research purposes ONLY!
 * 5) Parents are strongly discouraged from contacting students during school hours on their cell phones. If a parent needs to get in contact with their son or daughter they must notify the main office for assistance.
 * 6) Cell phones found to be used during instructional time will be confiscated by a school staff member and handed into the main office for safe keeping. Refusal to hand over cell phone to a staff member will result in in-school suspension. A parent or guardian will be required to sign off and pick up the device in person from the school principal.

**__Violations__** The Camden Cohort School has the right to review any material accessed, created, or shown by users of the school's technology equipment. Students should recognize that there is no privacy for any of this material and that it can be viewed by appropriate school personnel at any given time.

Individuals violating this policy will be subject to the consequences and appropriate discipline decided upon by a school administrator. The disciplinary actions are indicated below, which include but are not limited to:
 * 1) Any appropriate action that may be deemed necessary as determined by the Superintendent and approved by the Board of Education.
 * 2) Requirement of participating in learning the proper procedures of using technology and demonstrating capabilities of proper use under direct supervision of a school/staff member before resuming computer privileges.
 * 3) Restitution/restoration.
 * 4) Use of technology only under direct supervision of a school/staff member.
 * 5) Suspension or revocation of computer and technology privileges.
 * 6) Suspension or expulsion from school.
 * 7) Legal action and prosecution by the proper authorities.

I agree to the above acceptable use guidelines and understand and agree to the aforementioned consequences.

STUDENT: DATE:

PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN: DATE:

TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR APPROVAL: