FAQ
Computing and Network Resource Acceptable Use Policy
The Ladue School District recognizes the educational and professional value of electronic-based information technology, both as a means of access to enriching information and as a tool to develop skills that students need.
The district’s technology exists for the purpose of maximizing the educational opportunities and achievement of district students. The professional enrichment of the staff and Board, and increased engagement of the students’ families and other patrons of the district are assisted by technology, but are secondary to the ultimate goal of student achievement.
Use of technology resources in a disruptive, manifestly inappropriate or illegal manner impairs the district’s mission, squanders resources, and shall not be tolerated. Therefore, a consistently high level of personal responsibility is expected of all users granted access to the district’s technology resources. Development of students’ personal responsibility is itself an expected benefit of the district technology program.
The Board directs the Superintendent to develop acceptable use regulations for the district’s computing and network resources.
Computing and Network Resource Acceptable Use Regulation
All Ladue School District computer users should be aware of the following:
- Maintenance and supervision of the network sometimes requires review, capture, and inspection of information on the network or network systems. As such, all computer activity including email is subject to being monitored by Ladue School District technology staff and is therefore not guaranteed to be private. Any discovered computer activity including an email message that deals with inappropriate or illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authority. Personal information and personal data files from individuals suspected of committing a crime may also be turned over to investigators by administrators at the district. The district will comply with any search warrants including those issued under the USA Patriot Act of 2001 which targets terrorist offenses.
- Passwords are not to be used by unauthorized individuals. Individuals given the district's passwords will assume responsibility for proper use of those passwords. If a staff member feels that there is a security problem on the network, misuse of a district password, or a compromised password the matter should be reported to the building principal or the instructional technology coordinator in the building.
- All must abide by existing Federal and State laws regarding electronic communication. This includes accessing information without authorization, giving passwords out, or causing a system to malfunction.
- Teachers wishing to link outside sites to district servers must thoroughly check all material and links prior to submission. All contents of each school's server must be first approved by the building technology coordinator, building principal or the public relations director.
- Student projects posted on school district servers must be approved by the building technology coordinator, building principal or the public relations director.
- The Ladue School District filters internet web content. This places limits on what internet sites can be visited by all network computer users including students, teachers, staff, and the public. Because e-rate funds are used to provide the district's internet access, the district must comply with CIPA, the Children's Internet Protection Act by using a CIPA compliant content filtering system. These technical limits do not provide a foolproof filter to limit access to controversial material and the Ladue School District is not liable for any damages as a result of accessing objectionable material.
- The following activities are not allowable on district networks and constitute a violation of the Ladue School District acceptable use policy:
- Sharing confidential information on students or employees
- Giving out personal information to anyone via the network without their consent
- Trying to compromise security systems by any means or technology
- Distributing or copying copyrighted software in violation of copyright laws
- Distributing or copying copyrighted music, videos, or any type of data in violation of copyright laws
- Downloading or Installing any software package without the approval of the local tech coordinator
- Downloading onto district computers music or video files that are not related to school assignments
- Use of streaming media players (audio or video) that are not related to school assignments
- Attempting to destroy or damage the data files of others
- Using obscene language
- Violating any copyright laws
- Using or capturing others’ passwords
- Giving your password to others
- Harassing, threatening, insulting, or harming others in any way
- Sending anonymous email
- Accessing pornographic material
- Utilizing the network including the email system for any commercial purposes
- Utilizing the network including the email system for any political or political campaign activity
- Using the district network for gambling, casino gaming, wagers, online betting books
- Running packet capture / network sniffer systems without approval from the Network Administrator
- Running network discovery or monitoring systems without the approval of the Network Administrator
- Running peer to peer file sharing systems or any servers not approved by the building tech coordinator
- Intentionally distributing a computer virus or trojan horse on district networks or computers
- Downloading, filing, relaying or running any game or entertainment software or game server software, including games that run inside of web browsers
- Running programs designed to disrupt the network or create a denial of service of any district system
- Bypassing or defeating the web content filtering system without authorization to do so
- Intentionally running programs that crash or destabilize Ladue School District systems
- Accessing Internet E-mail (Students Only)
- The Ladue School District is not liable for any of the following:
- Information retrieved through the Ladue School District's computers or networks
- Information stored by users on the Ladue School District's diskettes, hard drives, or file servers
- Damage to personal property as a result of accessing the Ladue School District's network and computers
- Controversial information and materials that were not screened out by the Ladue School District's filtering systems
- User financial obligations caused by the authorized purchase of goods or services via the Ladue School District's network
All network computer users will be given copies of this policy and must sign this Acceptable Use Policy before receiving an ccount. District networks are to be used primarily for school and educational purposes.
Web Publishing Guidelines
The web publishing guidelines below serve as the Ladue School District practice when web pages are used as a district source of information. They are intended to safeguard your child as well as the district. In turn, the release form will be used to help implement some of the practice specifics.
- First names of students and group photos will be published only with a signed release form from parent/guardian (as used for other district projects).
- Pictures and other personal information of staff members require prior permission.
- Pages residing on Ladue Schools' servers shall not contain material violating copyright and permission laws in accordance with our district Copyright policy.
- No product or business service endorsements.
- All district affiliated web pages shall reside on the district Web server.
- All web pages residing on the district Internet servers shall be approved by the building instructional technology coordinator and/or principal.
- Web pages and all links shall be curriculum or school-related.
