Acceptable Use Policy
The Traverse City Area Public Schools acquires and makes available certain materials, in the category of technology hardware and software, to aid in the effective conduct of teaching, learning and non-instructional operations. These technologies are acquired with the understanding that they contribute access to information, methods of presentation, and communication. Staff and students as well as interested persons outside of the Traverse City Area Public Schools recognize that these technologies are a productive means of carrying out the mission and instructional goals of the Traverse City Area Public Schools.
Listed below are specified responsibilities and limitations which must be observed by any person using technology owned by the Traverse City Area Public Schools or on the Traverse City Area Public Schools premises. These apply to any use of technology, whether owned by the Traverse City Area Public Schools or the personal property of the user. Violations can lead to the denial of network services.
A. The user is responsible for his/her behavior and communication on the Internet. Users are responsible for compliance with existing laws while using technology. The Board of Education Policies and Administrative Regulations apply to the use of technology.
B. Users are responsible for reporting the misuse of technology.
C. The user may only access the TCAPS network and Internet by using their assigned network login and password. Use of another persons’ login and password is prohibited.
D. The user may not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, data or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network.
E. Users have full responsibility for the confidentiality of any accounts or passwords related to the use of technology. Circumventing passwords and/or security is not allowed. All violations of this regulation that can be traced to an individual’s account name will be treated as the responsibility of the owner of that account.
F. The user may not use the Internet to engage in "hacking", "phishing", or pursue any method of identify theft or other unlawful activities.
G. Malicious use of the Board’s computers/network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computer system and/or damage the software components of a computer or compiling system is prohibited.
H. Transmission of any material in violation of any State or Federal law or regulation, Board Policy or Board Guidelines is prohibited.
I. Use of Internet to access, process, distribute, display or print any type of pornography and other material that is obscene, objectionable, inappropriate and/or harmful to minors is prohibited. As such, the following material is prohibited: material that appeals to an interest in nudity and/or sex, material that depicts, describes or represents in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and material that lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value as to minors. Offensive messages and pictures, inappropriate text, files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the Board’s computers/network (e.g., viruses) are also prohibited.
J. Any use of the Internet for commercial purposes, advertising, or political lobbying is prohibited. Any and all uses of technology are for instructional, operational and administrative functions of the District.
K. The Traverse City Area Public Schools’ network is intended for curricular and administrative use. Access to games is not appropriate or acceptable.
L. Users are expected to follow proper network etiquette when using email, social networking sites, and other Internet communications.
1. Cyberbullying or personal attacks are an unacceptable use of technology.
2. Never post personal information about yourself or anyone else.
3. Diligently delete old files and email on a regular basis.
4. Minimize spelling errors and make sure your message is easy to understand and read.
5. Users must use language appropriate for school situations as indicated by the school’s code of conduct, and avoid offensive or inflammatory speech, obscene, profane, vulgar, sexually explicit, defamatory, or abusive language.
M. All content accessible via the Internet should be assumed to be private property (i.e., copyrighted and/or trademarked). All copyright issues regarding software, information, and attributions of authorship must be respected. Information (including text, graphics, audio, video) obtained from Internet sources should be cited in references,
N. Use of the Internet and any information procured from the Internet is at the user’s own risk. The Board is not responsible for any damage a user suffers, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, miss-deliveries, or service interruption. The Board is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
O. Disclosure, use and/or dissemination of personal identification information of minors via the Internet is prohibited, except as expressly authorized by the minor student’s parent/guardian.
Q. An Internet Filtering Service will provide a level of protection to all stations connected on the Traverse City Area Public Schools’ network. This does not absolve the user from attempting to access inappropriate sites on the Internet as stated in the Technology Acceptable Use Guidelines.
R. Proprietary rights in the design of web sites hosted on the Board’s servers remains at all times with the Board without prior written authorization.
S. Students utilizing technology provided by the Traverse City Area Public Schools must have the permission of and be supervised by the Traverse City Area Public Schools’ staff.
T. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that transmission and/or reception of information by means of technology is appropriate. Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who manage the system do have access to all mail. Inappropriate or illegal use of e-mail may subject the individual to consequences stated elsewhere.
U. All activity on the network is traceable to each user. Misuse of technology will not be tolerated.
V. Only authorized users may install, remove or relocate, software. All software must be approved and original media with licensing documents are to be maintained by the Technology Department.
Failure to comply with this regulation may result in loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or civil or criminal action against the user.
H.R. 4577, P.L. 106-554, Children & Internet Protection Act of 2000
47 U.S.C. 254 (h), (1), Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
20 U.S.C. 6801 et seq., Part f, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended.
18 U.S.C. 2256
18 U.S.C. 1460
18 U.S.C. 2246
Approved May 2009