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 * MISSION STATEMENT**

The cohort is committed to the use of telecommunication networks in a responsible, efficient, courteous and legal manner. Internet access and other online services provided to students and teachers __offer__ a multitude of global resources. Our goal in providing these services is to enhance the educational development of our students through the use of technology.


 * OBJECTIVE**

The objective of this policy is to assure use of technologies in a manner in which all are safe and ethical at all times. It is our mission to see students use technology in a meaningful, positive and academic context. The administration and teaching staff of Bergen Cohort School (BCS) recognize that new technologies are necessary for progressive education practices, and its use is to be construed as a privilege worthy of respectful and appropriate usage at all times. To that end we will incorporate and use technology according to the following guidelines:
 * 1) Students and parents must submit a signed acceptable use policy before internet __access__ is granted. This document will be updated each academic year and will remain in each students' permanent record.
 * 2) Students and parents assume full responsibility for any unauthorized technology brought on to school grounds. The administration and faculty are not liable for any personal technology that is misplaced, stolen or damaged.
 * 3) Students must use the school's __wireless__ network to access the Internet (logging on via any other wi-fi "hot spot" is strictly prohibited).
 * 4) Students will be accountable for their online activities. Any data stored in a school workstation will not be private and can be accessed by the teacher/staff, if necessary without the student's consent.
 * 5) Antivirus software must be installed and up to date on all computers to protect the security and functionality of the school network.
 * 6) Faculty members and/or the school technology coordinator are not responsible for troubleshooting problems of personal technology devices.
 * 7) Personal technology devices brought on to school grounds are to be used for educational purposes only.
 * 8) Students are not permitted to share their personal technology devices with others.

The Bergen Cohort School (BCS) promulgates the following outcome goals:

To attain these goals, the cohort shall provide meaningful instruction, an environment conducive to learning, an opportunity for community input and a professional staff of the highest quality.
 * 1) To provide students with the skills essential for obtaining information, thinking critically, solving problems, and communicating effectively.
 * 2) To create an atmosphere which encourages students to obtain knowledge and to develop the life skills necessary __to enter__ the work force and/or pursue higher education.
 * 3) To furnish students with a basic knowledge of current and changing technologies across the curriculum.
 * 4) To encourage and enhance the school community to become effective and responsible leaders who contribute to the decision-making process.
 * 5) To develop an appreciation of the creative process through problem solving and technology.
 * 6) To foster an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for all cultures.
 * 7) To impart knowledge, practices, and perspectives that promote –personal and global health and safety.
 * 8) To nurture an appreciation for the fine, applied and performing arts.
 * 9) To reinforce 21st century life skills in the classroom to transfer for real world application.
 * 10) To provide all instructional areas with electronic access to their school library, public and college libraries, and various other sources of information.
 * 11) To provide distance Learning to grant students and staff the opportunity to exchange ideas within our community, nationally and globally.
 * 12) To teach ethical and legal behavior for technology use


 * CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INTERNET USE**

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use will result in the suspension of those privileges. Faculty will discuss proper use of the network with all students granted Internet access.

The BCS makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, that the functions or the services provided by or through the BCS network will be error-free or without defect.

__**Technology in the Classroom**__ 1. Connect students to the resources of a global world in their local environment. 2. Prepare the children to use critical thinking skills in order to effectively collaborate with others in ways that allow the community to use the school as an authentic resource.
 * 1) The use of technology in the classroom is contingent upon the discretion of the instructor.
 * 2) Students choosing to use personal technology in the classroom accept responsibility for its functionality. As such, technological problems (i.e., corrupt memory, depleted battery, etc.) are not acceptable excuses for a lack of class participation or missing assignments.
 * __The Purpose of Technology in the Classroom:__**
 * __The Purpose of Technology in the Classroom:__**

Unless specifically authorized and approved, social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Formspring are not to be accessed on district servers.
 * __Internet Safety__**
 * 1) Users should never share passwords or pass on the personal information of another user to any third party.
 * 2) If a user feels someone has hacked into his/her account, he/she is responsible for immediately notifying the Network Manager/Technology Coordinator.
 * 3) Users should never arrange for meetings with anyone they meet online.
 * 4) Students should immediately notify a teacher or school administrator if contacted by a stranger online.
 * 5) Users should not post or share personal information online, such as name, address, phone number, email addresses, school name or location, and personal photographs or video.
 * 6) Users should promptly disclose to their teacher or other school employees any message received that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
 * __Social Networking__**

__**Unacceptable use of the Internet includes, but is not limited to the following:**__ __**Software/Applications**__ __**Software and Network configurationis are protected by Federal Law under copywrite**__ **__Infringement-__** __**violation of these laws are prohibited**__
 * 1) Cyber-Bullying is a violation of the NJ State HIB law and is prohibited.
 * 2) On-line gambling
 * 3) Playing video games (Non educational)
 * 4) Chatting/instant messaging during class or gaining access to a chat room.
 * 5) Posting of anonymous messages without permission from a faculty member
 * 6) Accessing inappropriate material such as violence, profanity, drug or alcohol related sites, etc.
 * 7) Plagiarism of others' works.
 * 8) Using obscene language
 * 9) Violating copyright laws
 * 10) Damaging computers, computer systems and computer networks.
 * 11) Illegally downloading or sharing music, movies or other media content.
 * 12) Sending or forwarding unauthorized material over the internet including mass emails is prohibited
 * 13) Intentionally disrupts network traffic or crashes the network
 * 14) Uses the computing resources of the school district for commercial purposes, financial gain or fraud.
 * 15) Entering or viewing any site that shows, refers to or has any connection to pornography.
 * 16) Using another student or staff user name or ID is prohibited
 * 17) Using the District system for any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of another person, etc.
 * 18) Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the District system or to any other computer system through the District system, or go beyond the authorized access.
 * 19) Access material that advocates discrimination towards other people. If a student inadvertently accesses such information, they should immediately disclose the inadvertent access to a teacher or other school employee.
 * 1) Students are not allowed to install or download software or other applications on school-owned technology without permission from faculty or administration.
 * 2) Proxy servers are not permitted on school equipment.
 * 3) Students who download software on their personal pieces of technology take full responsibility for any damage that software may cause.
 * 4) Students will follow all virus protection procedures when installing or downloading approved software or applications.

BCS has employed varied levels of data filtering to exclude access or availability to web pages, email and any other data access that can violate this contract such as a site with pornographic, violence or hate oriented contents. Students may not change the filtering features on any web browser without permission from a faculty member. However, filtering cannot make perfect determinations of acceptability. Therefore, if a student feels that a particular site should not be blocked, the following steps should be followed to request a modification of the filters: **__Publishing__**
 * __Filtering__**
 * 1) Verify authenticity of the site.
 * 2) Consult it with others to get feedback about the site.
 * 3) Go to our school home web page to submit an online Request Form. You must enter your student ID, email and provide supporting reasons. Failure to submit all above items may result to an instant denial.
 * 4) Final decision will be made by the Technology Department within 2-3 weeks. You will be notified by email.
 * __E-mail__**
 * 1) E-mail is provided for the purpose of exchanging information consistent with the educational objectives of the BCS. The School reserves the right to view any e-mails sent from or received by personnel or students using our server.
 * 2) Transmitting e-mail for personal use is prohibited, including but not limited to distribution of "chain letters" or inappropriate "broadcast messages" that may cause undue congestion on networks.
 * 3) When students are uncertain about the appropriateness of the content of an e-mail; either sending or receiving; they should ask their teacher or an administrator.
 * 4) Sending inappropriate, harassing, obscene prejudicial, discriminatory or threatening e-mail to another user or the attempt to do so.
 * 5) Forging or attempting to forge electronic mail messages.
 * 6) Reading, deleting, copying, modifying or viewing without permission, other user’s e-mail or the attempt to do so.
 * 7) Students are not permitted to open any e-mails sent to them by an unknown source.
 * 8) Posting information that, if acted upon, could cause property damage, pose a danger to others, or cause other distuptions
 * 9) Knowingly or recklessly posting false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
 * __Cell Phones__**
 * 1) The acceptable use policy applies to cell phone usage, and the terms will be strictly enforced by the district Board of Education and Superintendent of schools.
 * 2) Schools are not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage of students' cell phones while they are on school grounds.
 * 3) School employees are asked to use cell phones in a responsible and professionally ethical fashion when appropriate.
 * 4) Upon arriving at school, students must turn their cell phones off and store them appropriately throughout the course of the day**.**
 * 5) Unless permitted by an instructor or administrator, students may not use their cell phones to take pictures or videos of themselves or each other during the school day.
 * 6) Cell phones are not to be used by students as a means of communication with parents during the school day. All contact between students and parents during the school day must be routed through the main office.
 * __Personal Computers, Tablets and Music Devices__**
 * 1) Personal computing devices must have antispyware and antivirus software.
 * 2) Personal computers are to be used at the discretion of the instructional staff and school administration.
 * 3) The school administration is not responsible for any damage or loss of personal technology.
 * 4) Students may not listen to music on iPods, MP3 players or other music devices during class without the consent of a teacher. If permitted, head phones must be worn so as not to disturb other students and the volume must be kept at an appropriate level in order to hear announcements or directions during class.
 * 5) While on school grounds all use of personal technology must conform with guidelines set in the Acceptable Use Policy.
 * 1) Students can not publish directly to the internet; they must submit their work to the teacher for approval prior to any information being placed on the internet.
 * 2) When publishing original work publicly on the internet, students must use only their initials as identification.
 * 3) Any work that is being submitted for publishing must have an appropriate citation for sources that were used.
 * 4) Work that is submitted cannot negatively affect anyone either through slander, bullying, gossip, etc.

__**Disciplinary Action**__ Any violation of the //Technology Acceptable Use Policy// may result in loss of provided access to internet and/or other technology devices, to include but to not be limited to the above named devices, as well as possible expulsion from school. Disciplinary action will be determined at the administrative level in keeping with existing policies regarding appropriate language, behavior, etc. When and where appropriate, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

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