District 186 has a policy regarding student and teacher uses of telecommunications. The policy states that all teachers and students will have access to the Internet through the school district. The District Discipline Handbook provides guidelines for the use of the Internet. It is not allowed for users within the district to put copyrighted materials on anything without the prior approval by the originator of those materials. It is not permissible for any district materials or systems to be used for commercial benefit. Creation, publication, or submission of "defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, threatening, or illegal information" is also not allowed. In addition, it is stated that acts of vandalism are not permitted on any district systems. Finally, use of the District's systems must be in conjunction with assignments that pertain to instructional programs of District 186. As a system of checks, every teacher is expected to go over the District Discipline Handbook with his/her class and log this day and time in his/her lesson plan book. Further, students and their guardians are expected to sign and return a form stating that they have read and understand the District's Discipline Policies.
I feel that the District's personnel has put a lot of thought and effort into the policy for telecommunications. I do, however, see the need to address the issues involving the Internet. I know that my school has experienced concerns from parents regarding the use of simple photographs and publications involving photographs of the children. I know many parents are concerned about the safety, security and privacy of their children. Placing photos on the web must be an issue addressed. Students and parents should be expected to sign a waiver in order for District personnel to use photos of students on the Internet. It is also helpful to have a classroom policy for telecommunications use. I make sure that I also incorporate expectations for the use of technology. Students and their parents are made aware of rewards and consequences for choices made with any materials in the classroom in my opening letter and later during my Open House presentation. Again, every child must return a form signed by the child and legal guardian(s). This assures that everyone is clear on expectations and limitations involving use of any materials in the district.
While my school holds no site licenses, the District currently holds 32 site lisences. The following is a list of the District's site licenses:
I. All Apple IIe Mecc products--over 250 titles--used for drill and practice of basic math and language arts skills
II. Mecc Software for the Mac:
III. Software Available from Computer Services--Prices Reduced because of a Purchasing Agreement with the Software Companies.
There are currently 23 site licensed programs intended for students, 11 site licensed programs intended for teachers, and 4 site licensed programs for secretaries and/or administrators.