Parents and students are required to agree to Metro's Acceptable Use Policy each year during registration. A downloadable copy of this policy is located in the left Related Documents area of this web page. The content of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is provided on this web page to review for agreement through our registrations system.
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Metro Early College High School (the “School”) computers, personally-owned devices that access the School’s Network, and the use of the School Network, Internet access, the electronic communications system and/or online services (collectively, the “Network”) support learning and enhance instruction, as well as assist in administration. All students and staff members must have a signed AUP form on file before they have access to technology and Internet services.
The equipment is the property of Metro, and there is no right to privacy with regard to the equipment. The equipment and its contents, including browsing history, documents, pictures, files, and any other information or content on the equipment may be monitored and/or inspected at any time by Metro.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
Purpose: To establish the School’s vision and the basic structure for the use of technology resources.
ACCEPTABLE USE
The School’s Chief Academic Officer or his/her designee will implement, monitor and evaluate electronic media resources for School purposes.
The purpose of the School’s Network is to support research and education in and among institutions by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. All use of the Internet and Network must be in support of education and research and be consistent with the educational objectives of the School. Use of other networks or computing resources must comply with the rules governing those networks. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state laws or regulations and FERPA rules are prohibited; this includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Access to computer Networks and Networks owned or operated by the School is subject to internal policies and local, state, and federal laws.
Acceptable use is always ethical, reflects honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of information, Network security mechanisms, and the individual’s rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and unwarranted annoyance.
The School will have the following in continuous operation, with respect to any computers belonging to the School and having access to the Internet:
A qualifying technology protection measure, as required by CIPA. The protection measures are designed to block or filter internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors; and
Procedures or guidelines that provide monitoring the online activities of users and the use of the chosen technology protection measure to protect against access through such computers to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors, as those terms are defined in CIPA.
Such procedures or guidelines will be designed to:
Provide for monitoring the online activities of users to prevent, to the extent practicable, access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and the World Wide Web;
Promote the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
Prevent unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unauthorized activities by minors online;
Prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
Restrict minors' access to materials "harmful to minors," as that term is defined in CIPA.
Pursuant to Federal law, students shall receive education about appropriate online behavior, including: (a) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet; (b) the safety and security of minors while interacting with other individuals on social Networking websites, using e-mail, chat rooms, other forms of direct electronic communications, and cyberbullying awareness and response; (c) unauthorized access (e.g., "hacking") and other unlawful activities by minors online; (d) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and (e) measures restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them.
AVAILABILITY OF ACCESS
The School will make access to the School’s Network, including the Internet, available to students and employees exclusively for instructional and administrative purposes and in accordance with administrative rules.
Access to the School’s Network is a privilege, not a right. All users will be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of all administrative rules governing use of the Network and will agree in writing to comply with rules and guidelines. Noncompliance with applicable administrative rules will result in disciplinary action consistent with School policies and administrative rules up to and including termination of employment or expulsion of students. Violations of law may result in criminal prosecutions, as well as disciplinary action by the School and/or its affiliates.
In order to enhance the learning experience, students may bring personally-owned computers or other web-enabled devices to school for use in curricular and extra-curricular activities (“Bring Your Own Devices” or “BYOD”) as approved by a teacher, coach and/or administrator (a “School Official”). Pursuant to BYOD, students will be allowed to access the Network for approved activities, projects and/or assignments. Because the Network is meant to support your educational progress, you are not allowed to access it for personal uses.
The School reserves the right to approve the types of devices that it will allow to access the Network. The approval is subject to change at the School’s sole discretion at any time. All approved devices must allow access to the Internet through a fully functional web browser and be capable of accessing the MHS Network. All Internet access shall occur using the MHS Network. Cellular Network adapters are not permitted to be used by students to access the Internet at any time.
The use of personal technology to provide educational material is not a necessity but a privilege. A student does not have the right to use his or her laptop, cell phone or other electronic device while at school. When abused, privileges will be taken away. When respected, privileges will benefit the learning environment. The School will establish rules governing when and where Technology may be used.
The School accepts no responsibility for personal property brought to the school. Personally-owned laptops or other devices that are stolen or damaged are the responsibility of the student and their parents/guardians. The School’s information technology personnel are not responsible for repairing and/or maintaining privately-owned devices. The owner of the device is solely responsible for ensuring that the device is in good working order.
Students and parents/guardians participating in BYOD must adhere to all School policies and the Acceptable Use Policy. Additionally:
The device will not be used in the hallways, bathrooms or parking lots unless otherwise directed by a School Official. Students are prohibited from using head phones or ear buds in the hallways, bathrooms or parking lots unless otherwise directed by a School Official.
The device must be in silent mode while on school campuses unless otherwise directed by a School Official.
The device may not be used to cheat or assist cheating on assignments or tests or for non-instructional purposes during instructional time.
The device may not be used to record, transmit or post photographic images or video of a person, or persons on campus during school activities and/or hours unless assigned by a School Official as allowed by the Acceptable Use Policy.
The device may only be used to access files or internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum. Non-instructional games are not permitted.
Students must comply with a School Official’s request to turn off the device.
Students acknowledge and agree that:
The School's Network filters will be applied to all access to the internet and should not be circumvented. Any attempt to circumvent the filters is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy and will subject the user to loss of privileges, discipline and/or referral to law enforcement.
The School may take possession of and examine any device when School personnel observe or reasonably suspect that a device is being used in violation of these rules or that a search is required to discover evidence of a violation of law or other School rules, including but not limited to the Acceptable Use Policy.
Personal technology must be charged prior to bringing it to school and the device must run off its own battery while at school.
The students remain subject to all other School behavior rules and the Code of Conduct. Violation of the BYOD provisions of this policy may lead to discipline under the Code of Conduct and/or confiscation of the device. The device may be confiscated even if the student does not own the device. Confiscated devices will be released to the parent of the student upon request. Confiscated devices will be released to the student when the disciplinary consequences have been served or at the end of the school year, whichever is sooner.