Student Technology and Internet Use
NEPN/NSBA Code: IJNDB
The Yarmouth School Department provides technology, networks, and Internet access to support the educational mission of the school and to enhance teaching and learning opportunities for students and school staff. The School Committee believes that the resources available through the Internet are of significant value in the learning process and preparing students for future success. At the same time, the unregulated availability of information and communication of the Internet requires that schools establish reasonable controls for lawful, efficient and appropriate use of this technology.
Student use of school technology, networks and Internet services is a privilege and not a right. Students are required to comply with this policy and the accompanying rules (IJNDB-R). Students who violate the policy and/or rules may have their technology privileges revoked and may also be subject to further disciplinary and/or legal action.
All Yarmouth School Department technologies remain under the control, custody, and supervision of the school unit. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all technology and Internet activity by students. Students should have no expectation of privacy in their use of school technology.
While reasonable precautions will be taken to supervise student use of the Internet, the Yarmouth School Department cannot reasonably prevent all inappropriate uses, including access to objectionable material and communication with persons outside of the school, in violation of Board policies/procedures and school rules. The school department is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information that students obtain through the Internet.
In the interest of student Internet safety, Yarmouth School Department also educates students about online behavior, including, but not limited to interacting with other people on social networking sites and in chat rooms, the dangers of engaging in “hacking” and other unlawful online activities, and issues surrounding “sexting” and cyberbullying awareness and response.
The Superintendent /designee shall be responsible for integrating age-appropriate Internet safety training and “digital citizenship” into the curriculum and for documentation of Internet safety training.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and accompanying rules and for advising the School Committee of the need for any future amendments or revisions to the policy/rules. The Superintendent may develop additional administrative procedures/rules governing the day-to-day management and operations of the school's computer system as long as they are consistent with the School Committee's policy/rules. The Superintendent may delegate specific responsibilities to building principals and others, as he/she deems appropriate.
Cross Reference:
GCSA Employee Technology and Internet Use
IJNDB-R Student Technology and Internet Use Administrative Procedure
JICK - Bullying
Approved: August 29, 1996
Revised: January 13, 2000, December 12, 2002, January 10, 2008, June 28, 2012 July 12, 2018