Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools provides an electronic communications and wireless connection network (hereinafter the “CMS network”) that allows students internal access to CMS information resources and external access to the Internet. Access to the CMS network and the Internet is a privilege provided to students solely to support student education, research, and career development, and is therefore subject to certain restrictions as may be set forth by the Board of Education or the Superintendent. The provisions of this regulation apply to all students and include all aspects of network use, whether via desktop or laptop computer, or personal technology device (PTD)1 owned by CMS or the individual student, parent, or other third party. Violations of any provision of these regulations may result in cancellation of the student’s access to the CMS network and possible disciplinary actions. Disciplinary consequences for violations of this regulation will be imposed according to rules set forth in the current CMS Code of Student Conduct, as set forth in the Student Rights, Responsibilities & Character Development Handbook.

The Internet provides access to computer systems located all over the world. The District shall inform student users and the parents of minor students that CMS cannot completely control the content of the available information. The information accessed by students may be controversial and offensive to certain students and parents. However, the benefits from the valuable information and interaction available to students outweigh the disadvantages of the possibility that students may find inappropriate material. CMS does not condone the access to or use of such information and takes precautions to inhibit access to it. The responsibilities accompanying freedom of speech and access to information will be taught to all student users. Parents are encouraged to instruct their children regarding materials they do not want them to access. However, CMS does not accept responsibility for enforcing parental restrictions that go beyond those imposed by the District.

1. CMS Network Goals for Student Use
   1. To support the implementation of local curricula and the North Carolina Standard Course of Study;
   2. To enhance learning opportunities by focusing on the application of skills in information retrieval, searching strategies, research skills, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity;
   3. To encourage appropriate career development; and
   4. To promote life-long learning.
      
      
2. Access to Information

Students will be able to access information that may include:

1. 1. Information, news, and resources from businesses, libraries, educational institutions, government agencies, research institutions, CMS online school media center catalogs, online textbooks and tutorials, other digital media content, and a variety of other sources;
   2. Public domain and shareware software; and
   3. Telecommunications with individuals and groups around the world.

C. Digital Citizenship Education

CMS will provide digital citizenship education to all students that addresses appropriate online behavior, including interactions with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms, as well as cyberbullying awareness and response.

1. Purposes of Use
   All CMS network activity must have an educational purpose or further student career objectives and comply with the student behavior guidelines of the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools. Students may also, under the direction of appropriate staff, create and maintain school webpages, individual webpages, email communications, or other collaborative media sites.
   
   
2. Digital Citizenship Rules
   Students shall be taught the importance of discretion and appropriate, safe behavior when using the CMS network to access information over the Internet. Users must abide by Digital Citizenship rules, which include, but are not limited to:

1. 1. Students must be polite; rudeness will not be tolerated;
   2. Students must use appropriate language; use of profanity, vulgarities, abusive, or inappropriate language will not be allowed;
   3. Students must practice appropriate online behavior when using PTDs; cyberbullying will not be permitted;
   4. In any electronic communications, students must not reveal any personal information about others, such as full name, personal address, or phone numbers; and
   5. Students should release their own personal identification information with discretion, and only when such release supports a student’s education or career development. As set forth in Section IX, below, CMS is not responsible for any damages or injuries suffered as the result of a student releasing personal identification information.

1. Penalties for Unacceptable Uses
   Students who violate any of the following rules are subject to disciplinary consequences set forth in the Code of Student Conduct, which may include suspension or expulsion from school as well as possible criminal prosecution or civil penalties under federal or state law.
   
   
2. Unacceptable Uses
   Transmission of material in violation of any federal or state law, regulation, or CMS policy or regulation is prohibited. Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, the following types of conduct:

1. 1. Taking any actions that may disrupt the CMS network;
   2. Knowingly introducing or attempting to introduce viruses or other malware into the network;
   3. Unauthorized access (“hacking”) into computer systems or networks;
   4. Logging into the network on a personal account and allowing others to access that account, unless permitted by an instructor for collaboration purposes;
   5. Accessing proxy avoidance sites
   6. Encouraging or committing unlawful acts, violations of the CMS Code of Student Conduct, or using the CMS network to promote illegal activities;
   7. Accessing or using threatening or obscene material;
   8. Accessing pornography;
   9. Using discriminatory, defamatory, offensive, or harassing statements or language including disparagement of others based on their race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, academic status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religious, or political beliefs through any means including phone, online, or other digital communications;
   10. Sending or soliciting abusive or sexually oriented messages or images;
   11. Accessing material that is harmful to minors;
   12. Violating copyright laws, including duplication of software or plagiarism;
   13. Utilizing the CMS network for commercial purposes;
   14. Providing political or campaign information or lobbying for a political cause or candidate unless directly connected to an instructional activity;
   15. Operating a business for personal gain, sending chain letters, or soliciting money for any reason;
   16. Posting photographs or school work of an individual student on student-created web pages without confirming that a Photo and Video Release form  has been signed by the student’s parents;
   17. Posting personal information about students or staff without proper authorization;
   18. Forwarding personal communications without the author’s prior consent;
   19. Distributing material protected by trade secret;
   20. Accessing the Internet via personal Wi-Fi accounts, through individual PTD accounts, or by any manner other than connecting through the secure wireless connection provided by CMS; and
   21. Downloading, installing, or otherwise using unauthorized games, music, public domain, shareware, or other unauthorized programs on any school computer or network.

1. Monitoring
   CMS will monitor the online activities of students.
   
   
2. Filtering
   CMS will maintain centralized software in order to provide Internet control and filtering. The filtering software is intended to allow valuable online Internet access while, to the extent possible, inhibiting access to content that is obscene, pornographic, harmful to minors, or whose purpose is to promote, encourage or provide the skills to commit illegal activities, including gambling, use of illegal drugs, hate speech, or criminal skills. The filtering software is also intended to prohibit access to sites for online merchandising, alternative journals, and games. CMS will make every effort to update the filtering software on a daily basis.

Use of the CMS network is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use or other violation of the provisions of this regulation may result in limitation or cancellation of user privileges and possible disciplinary actions under appropriate federal or state statutes or the CMS Code of Student Conduct. Activity by users is not confidential or private.

To encourage growth, creativity, collaboration, and higher achievement, the Superintendent may authorize the use of PTDs during school hours by students at selected schools. Students at those schools will be permitted to use PTDs for educational purposes only.10 At sites where such use is permitted, the following rules are applicable:

1. Internet Access
   Students may access the CMS wireless Internet network via PTDs while on CMS property only when authorized by the Superintendent and approved by the principal.11 Personal Internet, other Wi-Fi, or outside resources are not to be used at any time.
   
   
2. Security and Damages
   The security and maintenance of a PTD rests solely with the individual owner. CMS, employees, or staff members are not liable for any device not owned by CMS that is stolen, lost, damaged, or infected with a virus while on CMS property.
   
   
3. Student Agreement
   Possessing and using a PTD at school is a privilege. Students do not have the right to use cell-phones, laptops, or other electronic devices while at school. If these privileges are abused, they may be taken away. Students and parents must agree to the Code of Student Conduct, all CMS Board Policies (in particular S-SINT – Student Internet Use), and this regulation.

1. All PTDs:
   1. Must be in silent mode while on CMS property;
   2. May not be used to cheat on assignments or tests, to violate any provision of the Code of Student Conduct, or for non-instructional purposes (such as making personal phone calls and text/instant messaging);
   3. May not be used to record, transmit, or post photographic images or videos of any person or persons on CMS property during school activities and/or hours unless such uses are for educational purposes and with a teacher’s approval and supervision;
   4. May be used to access files on the PTD or Internet sites that are relevant to the classroom curriculum; and
   5. May not be used to access unauthorized games, movies, or other applications.
2. Students acknowledge that:
   1. The CMS network filters will be applied to their connection to the Internet. Attempts to bypass the filters are in violation of this regulation and Policy S-SINT;
   2. Bringing on premises or infecting the network with a virus, Trojan, or program designed to damage, alter, destroy, or provide access to unauthorized data or information is in violation of this regulation and Policy S-SINT;
   3. Processing or accessing information on CMS property related to “hacking,” altering, or bypassing network security policies is in violation of this regulation and Policy S-SINT;
   4. CMS has the right to collect and examine any PTD that is suspected of being used to violate the Code of Student Conduct or was the source of an attack or virus infection;
   5. Printing from a PTD is allowed on CMS property only if authorized by the supervising teacher; and
   6. A PTD must be charged prior to being brought to school and must be battery-powered while in use on CMS property. A PTD may be charged on CMS property only with prior approval from the supervising teacher.

D. Additional School-Specific Policies
Principals are authorized to develop and implement additional rules for the use of PTDs on school campuses under their control. Any such rules shall be communicated to the students.

The Board of Education is not responsible for any damages suffered, including loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, service interruptions, a student’s mistake or negligence, costs incurred by students or their parents, or the accuracy or quality of information received from the Internet. The user accepts personal responsibility for any information obtained via the CMS network. Additionally, CMS and the Board of Education are not liable for any damages occurring to PTDs on school property, regardless of whether CMS granted permission for the PTD to be brought onto school property or used in school. Students are responsible for keeping track of their PTDs. CMS will take reasonable precautions to prevent theft, loss, or damage to any PTD but such action is not an assumption of risk by the District.

Security on the CMS network is a high priority. Attempts to tamper with the network, individual user accounts, software applications, to access the network using the name and password of another user, or to share a password may result in cancellation of user privileges. Email is not guaranteed to be private; system administrators have access to all email. Email messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities, and appropriate disciplinary action will follow.

Vandalism will result in cancellation of user privileges and disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy network or computer equipment and/ or data of anyone connected to the network. This includes, but is not limited to, uploading, creating, or transmitting computer viruses or worms. Vandalism of networks and computer systems, including unauthorized access, may be a violation of criminal law.

All students must accept the terms of the Student Internet Use Agreement prior to accessing the CMS network. Parents of students younger than age 18 who do not wish for their children to be allowed to use the CMS network must make such requests in writing to the school. The Superintendent shall provide a form for this purpose.