Acceptable Use Policy
"District staff and students will have access to the Internet and other networks by and through systems established and maintained by the District's Instructional Program Leader for Technology." The acceptable use policy (AUP) of District 186 states that placing copyrighted material without prior approval of the author or using copyrighted material that violates Board policy will not be tolerated. Students and staff may not use any system for commercial benefit. Abusive, inaccurate, obscene, threatening, illegal or defamatory information can not by submitted, published, or displayed. The policy also discusses vandalism to the system. Staff must obtain parental/guardian approval in advance of showing non-District owned videos or any other telecommunication material of a controversial nature.
Electronic mail (e-mail) guidelines were adopted by District 186 in October, 1995. They refer to Administrative Rules and Regulations Section 645.06R about the appropriate use of e-mail. E-mail is to be considered the same as a phone message. Instruction should not be interrupted to transact e-mail business. E-mail can not be used to survey staff, except by the Director of Research, Assessment and Development. Staff members are not required to respond to e-mail messages from outside the district. Mention is made concerning e-mail not being a totally secure form of communication. Staff are reminded that hard copies of important information should be kept.
An AUP blends a school or district's policies for selecting instructional materials. It also defines acceptable use of electronic information and minimizes institutional liability. It is a good idea, when writing the AUP to work with a broad school community. The greater the involvement of appropriate stakeholders, such as teachers, students, parents, administrators and staff, the grater the likelihood of ownership and adherence to the policy. In writing a AUP, the basic elements should include an introduction that explains what the AUP covers and the reasons for having it. It should identify who is covered by the policy, provide specific examples of acceptable and unacceptable use, along with potential consequences for violations. The process for reporting inappropriate use should also be clearly states in the policy. Teachers will be most responsible for implementing and enforcing AUPs, so they should not just be compliant with the policies, but understand the concepts sufficiently to guide their students.
Software in District 186
Claris Works for Kids
Disinfectant
Flash-It
KidPix 2
Microsoft Office '98
Netscape 2.0
Power Point
Stuff-It Expander
Updated: June 19, 1998