This Acceptable Use Policy outlines the guidelines and behaviors that students are expected to follow when using school technologies on the school campus. 

• Technology and the network are intended for educational purposes.

• All activity over the network or using school technologies may be monitored and retained.

• Access to online content via the network may be restricted in accordance with our policies and federal regulations, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

• Students are expected to follow the same rules for good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline.

• Engaging in dishonorable content will not be tolerated.

• Misuse of school resources may result in disciplinary action.

• We make a reasonable effort to ensure students’ safety and security online but will not be held accountable for any harm or damages that result from the misuse of school technologies.

Users of the network or other technologies are expected to alert The Homeschool Experience (THE) staff immediately of any concern for safety or security.

 

Usage Policies 

All technologies provided by The Homeschool Experience (THE) are intended for educational purposes at all times. All users are expected to use good judgment and to follow the specifics of this document as well as the spirit of it: be safe, appropriate, careful, and kind; do not try to get around technological protection measures; use good common sense; and ask if you do not know. As a general rule, do not access any application or website without explicit instructor directions. 

 

Network Access

The Homeschool Experience (THE) provides its students with access to the Internet, including websites, resources, content, and online tools. That access will be restricted in compliance with FERPA regulations and school policies. Web browsing may be monitored, and web activity records may be retained indefinitely. 

 

While every effort has been put in place to block and filter internet access to visual depictions that are obscene, violent, pornographic, or of a harmful nature to minors, The Homeschool Experience (THE) cannot be held liable for materials accessed online. Students shall not intentionally access or attempt to access these sites. Users are expected to respect that the web filter is a safety precaution and should not try to circumvent it when browsing the internet. 

 

Students should not log into personal accounts on The Homeschool Experience (THE) laptops so that their files, passwords, and network access are protected from abuse by others. THE is not responsible for any personal data loss or thief. 

 

Recognizing that collaboration is essential to education, if a The Homeschool Experience (THE) instructor provides students access to websites or tools that allow communication, collaboration, sharing, and messaging among users, users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Posts, chats, sharing, and messaging may be monitored. Users should be careful not to share personally identifying information online. 

 

Students should use common sense when using and caring for their laptops. Laptops must not be left unattended. Found laptops should be returned to THE staff immediately. See Laptop Care section in this document.

 

Students must contact THE staff for repairs and refrain from attempting to do so on their own. Repairs to a student-issued laptop made necessary by inappropriate handling or treatment will be billed to the student/parent/guardians based on the severity of the situation. Repair costs vary and will range up to the total replacement cost of the unit as determined by THE staff. 

 

Security 

Users are expected to take reasonable safeguards against the transmission of security threats over the school network. This includes not opening or distributing infected files or programs and not opening files or programs of unknown or untrusted origin. If you believe a computer you are using might be infected with a virus, please alert The Homeschool Experience (THE) staff. Do not attempt to remove the virus yourself or download any programs to help remove the virus. 

 

Downloads 

Users should not download or attempt to download or run .exe programs over the school network or onto school laptops without express permission from The Homeschool Experience (THE) staff. You may be able to download other file types, such as images or videos, with explicit permission from THE staff. For the security of our network, download such files only from reputable sites and only for educational purposes. 

 

Netiquette

• Users should always use the internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful manner. 

• Users should also recognize that among the valuable content online is unverified, incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should use trusted sources when conducting research via the internet. 

• Users should also remember not to post anything online they wouldn’t want parents, teachers, future colleges or employers to see. Once something is online, it is out there—and can sometimes be shared and spread in ways you never intended. 

• Students shall not deliberately use the computer to annoy or harass others with language, images, innuendoes, or threats. The user shall not deliberately access or create obscene or objectionable information, language, or images. 

Laptop Care

Students are responsible for the general care of the laptop they have been issued by THE during their course. Laptops must remain free of any writing, drawing, or adhesive stickers (non-removable stickers). 

 

General Laptop Care

• Make sure your hands are clean before using the laptop. 

• No food or drink should be next to or around the laptop. 

• Do not place the laptop on uneven or unstable work surfaces. 

• Do not place the laptop on the floor where it can be stepped on or kicked. 

• Keep the laptop centered on your desk. It should not hang off the edge.

• Cords, cables, USB thumb drives, or USB flash drives must be inserted carefully into laptops and removed carefully from laptops. 

• Do not insert items (especially metal objects) into the openings of the laptop that are not intended for those parts.

• Always transport the laptop with care. 

• Never carry laptops with the screen open. 

• Never lift laptops by the screen as this could damage the display or the hinges attaching the display to the base. 

• Never lift laptops by the corner of the palm rest. This can put unnecessary pressure on the palm rest or touchpad, causing damage. 

• Before carrying or transporting your laptop, remove any devices that are plugged in, such as USB drives or the AC adapter. If the laptop is accidentally hit, any remaining devices that are plugged in can cause damage to the laptop ports or the devices themselves.

 

Screen Care 

• The laptop screen can be damaged if subjected to heavy objects, rough treatment, some cleaning solvents, and other liquids. 

• The screens are susceptible to damage from excessive pressure. Do not place other items on a laptop (opened or closed). 

• Do not lean on top of the laptop or place anything near or on the laptop that could put pressure on the screen, such as books or other heavy objects. Unnecessary pressure can push the LCD screen into the keyboard and may eventually damage the laptop’s screen. 

• Do not drop objects on top of a laptop. 

• Do not store a laptop with the screen open. 

• The screen is also easily scratched or damaged by direct pressure, so take care not to place pressure on it. 

• The laptop’s screen could break if the device is dropped or receives a significant impact. 

• Make sure there is nothing on the keyboard before closing the lid, such as pens, pencils, papers, and so on. 

• Only clean the screen with a soft, dry microfiber cloth or anti-static cloth. 

• Do not rotate or open the LCD screen beyond its design limit. Laptops have a design limit regarding how far the LCD screen can be tilted open. If the LCD is tilted beyond this limit, damage to the LCD, hinges, or laptop will occur. Avoid forcing the LCD screen beyond this limit once resistance is felt. 

• Close the laptop carefully - from the center top front edge of the screen. Closing the lid using only one side causes pressure on that hinge and over time, can cause it to bend and snap. 

• Avoid excessive force when closing the LCD screen. 

• Avoid touching the screen with sharp or pointed objects such as pencils, pens, and so on.