Internet Safety and Technology Policy

A. Prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmissions of, inappropriate materials via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; 

B. Prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; 

C. Prevent unauthorized online discourse, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and 

D. Comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

Compliance with CIPA

Compliance with CIPA includes measures such as: 

• Filters blocking access to inappropriate material 
• Inappropriate network usage
• Education, supervision, and monitoring

The chief school administrator or his or her designee shall ensure that students and staff who use the school internet facilities receive appropriate training, including the following: 

School District Provided Technology Devices to Pupils

The Chester Board of Education may provide technology devices to pupils in the district for school district authorized use only.  The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and protocols for the issuance of these devices on a 1:1 basis for students in grades 2 – 8.  Technology devices, at this time, are generally characterized, but not limited to Chromebooks.

In order to participate in the Chester School District 1:1 Chromebook Program, parents and students must read and sign the Chester School District Technology Device Form requiring them to comply with certain guidelines that can be found on the district’s web site under the 1:1 Chromebook tab.  This form must be returned to your child’s school.

The district may offer an insurance program to cover the cost of repairs and damage to the devices.  If so, it is strongly recommended that parents enroll their student in our insurance program. This program will cover certain losses or damage to the technology device while in the student’s possession rather than paying for the full cost of repairs.

Students shall comply with all school district policies for the use of a school district provided technology device.  A student shall be subject to consequences in the event the student violates any school district policy, including the district’s Acceptable Use Policy, Pupil Code of Conduct, Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policy, this Policy and/or any provision of the Chester School District Provided Technology Device Form. 

Acceptable Uses of the Internet

The Internet constitutes an unregulated collection of resources that changes constantly, so it is not possible to totally predict or control the resources that users may locate. The board cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information or the appropriateness of materials that a user may encounter. Furthermore, the board shall not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. Nor shall the board be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system. 

The computer system is the property of the district, and all computer software and hardware belong to it.  Therefore, the district retains the right to monitor all access to and use of the Internet.

The board designates the chief school administrator as the coordinator of the district system.  He/she shall recommend to the board of education qualified staff persons to ensure provision of individual and class accounts necessary for access to the Internet, designation of quotas for disk usage on the system, establishment of a document retention schedule, establishment of a virus protection process and coordination of other activities as required to maintain the system.

Each principal shall coordinate the district system in his/her building by approving all activities for that building; ensuring that teachers receive proper training in the use of the system; ensuring that students are adequately supervised when using the system; maintaining executed user agreements; and interpreting this acceptable use policy at the building level. 

This acceptable use policy shall govern all use of the system. Sanctions for student misuse of the system shall be included in the disciplinary code for students, as set out in regulations for policy 5131 Conduct/Discipline.  Employee misuse may result in appropriate discipline in accord with the collective bargaining agreement and applicable laws and regulations. The board shall ensure the acquisition and installation of blocking/filtering software to deny access to certain areas of the Internet.