"Share Our Pride" Our Mission Statement "To educate students for the future through collaborative efforts of students, families, staff and community."

Acceptable Use of Technology/ Internet Adapted from the MASD website: and the MASD Technology Handbook Founders’ Hall Technology Coaches January 2008

Prohibited use of Technology/Internet within the district. Product advertisement. Gang-related language, profanity, hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or offensive antisocial communications. The illegal installation, distribution, reproduction, or use of copyrighted software or computers. Modifying or using any passwords without district authorization. Use of the Technology/Internet to access obscene or pornographic material. No one may deliberately modify or sabotage programs or computer set-ups, including security, screen savers, icons, backgrounds, data, and printer or network settings.

Fraudulent copying, communications, or modification of materials. Installation or use of unauthorized games, programs, files by disk, or by downloading from the internet or other electronic media. Use of CD-ROMS for playing audio music is prohibited except when following guidelines. Any attempts to modify, damage, disassemble, misuse, abuse equipment, software, or network. Intentional deletion or damage to files belonging to others. Copyright violations Prohibited use

Consequences for Inappropriate Use The user shall be responsible for damages to the equipment, system, and software resulting from deliberate or willful acts. Loss of access and other disciplinary actions shall be consequences of inappropriate use. Vandalism will result in cancellation of access privileges: Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or other networks; this includes, but is not limited to uploading or creating computer viruses.

Offenders may also be subject to criminal prosecution: Under Pennsylvania law it is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $15,000 and imprisonment of up to seven (7) years for any person to access, alter or damage any computer system, networking, software or database, or any part thereof, with the intent to interrupt the normal functioning of an organization. Knowingly and without authorization, disclosing a password to a computer system, network, etc., is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to five (5) years, as is unauthorized access to a computer, or alteration of computer software.

Search and Seizure An individual search may be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has violated the law or the district policies. The nature of the investigation will be reasonable and in the context of the nature of the alleged violation.

Cyber Bullying: What is it? Willful and repeated harm inflicted through the medium of electronic text. One major medium is personal computers ( s or instant messaging, posting obscene, insulting, or slanderous messages to online blogs or bulletin boards, or develop Web sites to promote or disseminate defamatory content. The other major medium is through harassing text messages that can be sent via cellular phones.

Examples of Cyber Bullying: Sending, cruel, vicious, and sometimes threatening messages. Creating Web sites that have stories, cartoons, pictures, or jokes ridiculing others. Posting pictures of classmates or adults online. Breaking into an account and sending vicious or embarrassing material to others. Engaging someone in IM (Instant Messaging) and tricking them into sharing personal information that gets sent to other users. Taking a picture of a person without their knowledge on a cell phone or other device and distributing that picture.

The Effects of Cyber Bullying on Students: Drop in grades Low self-esteem Change in student interests Depression Violence

What to do to Help with Cyber Bullying: Educate students about cyber bullying Educate staff about cyber bullying Educate parents about cyber bullying Inform parents of students that are suspected of cyber bullying Report incidents to school administration, school security, and/or local police as necessary Supervise students that are using computers in school very closely

The Children’s Internet Protection Act CIPA Link to information about the federal law enacted by Congress to address concerns about Internet safety in schools for our children.

"Share Our Pride" Our Mission Statement "To educate students for the future through collaborative efforts of students, families, staff and community."