Acceptable Use Policy

REGULATION 6-3.15(A) HAN - ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

This regulation governs the use of the Hanover Academic Network (HAN). The goal of Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) in providing computer network access is to support instructional programs and administrative operations. In support of this goal, connections to local, regional, and worldwide resources are provided. The HAN is established solely to support the mission of the school division. This regulation provides general guidelines, but does not attempt to address all acceptable or prohibited uses. Questions regarding the appropriateness of a particular activity or use must be directed to the Director of Technology.

A. Access to the HAN

1. Access to the HAN is permitted to the extent that available resources allow.
2. The level of access that users have to the HAN is based upon specific employee job requirements or student school related needs.
3. User access to the HAN is provided for administrative, educational, communication, and research purposes consistent with the school division’s educational mission and curriculum and instruction goals. General roles and expectations for professional behavior and communication apply to the use of the HAN.

B. Acceptable Use

1. Any HAN user’s traffic that traverses another network may be subject to the HAN acceptable use policy.
2. Photographs, artwork, writing, or other original works of HAN users may be included in official HCPS Internet documents. The unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of any personal identification information regarding students is prohibited. School personnel are expected to review the school list before using a student image in a publication or in media. Parents and eligible students must annually notify the office of the student’s school in writing if they do not want the school division or media to have access to or use of the student’s image.
3. Users are to utilize the HAN for school-related purposes and performance of job duties.
4. HAN users are responsible for all activities under the user’s account. The School Board is not responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the HAN.
5. Given the fluid nature of many network resources, staff must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of a particular resource for a given assignment or application.

C. Prohibited Use

HAN users are responsible for all activities in or from the user’s account. Users are prohibited from using the HAN for any purpose other than for student academic assignments or to promote the instructional programs or administrative operations of HCPS. General examples of prohibited HAN uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Sharing of Named User Credentials
   To safeguard HAN user accounts, passwords may not be shared, logged-in workstations must be locked when unattended, and access may not be provided to another person by the account owner.
2. Use of the HAN for Personal Gain
   Activities such as operating a business, soliciting money, or product advertising are prohibited. Political lobbying also is prohibited.
3. Obscenity, Material That Is Harmful to Juveniles and Other Illegal Material
   Any use involving the sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading from the Internet of any illegal material, including material that is obscene, sexually explicit, or sexually suggestive, including “child pornography,” as defined in Va. Code §18.2-374.1, and material that is “harmful to juveniles,” as defined in Va. Code § 18.2-390, is prohibited.
4. Inappropriate Communication
   Any communication that is in violation of generally accepted professional rules of network etiquette and/or professional conduct is prohibited. Examples include harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications or behavior.
5. Digital Impersonation
   Use of the HAN to impersonate other individuals in electronic communication such as, but not limited to forging electronic mail is prohibited.
6. Hacking
   Any attempt to circumvent security safeguards, guess passwords, or otherwise gain unauthorized access to any system or files is prohibited.
7. Hardware
   Tampering with or modifying HCPS wiring, computer hardware, and software is prohibited.
8. Downloading
   Downloading or loading software or applications without permission from the Director of Technology is prohibited.
9. Reporting Responsibilities
   Concealing information stored on a school computer with the intent to violate this regulation is prohibited. HCPS employees have the responsibility to report promptly any unacceptable use of the HAN to their immediate supervisor or the Director of Technology.
10. Compromising Student Personal Identification Information
    The unauthorized disclosure, use or dissemination of student personal identification information is prohibited.

Violations

HAN Users shall have no expectation of privacy in their accounts. The network is solely the property of the School Board. The School Board retains the right to audit, inspect, and/or monitor the user's internet/intranet access at any time. The online activities of students will be monitored by the School Board. Software has been installed on the HAN to filter or block internet access through such computers to child pornography, obscenity or material that is harmful to or otherwise inappropriate for minors. This technology protection measure will be enforced during any student’s use of the HAN. HAN users who violate any provisions of this Acceptable Use Policy shall be subject to discipline including loss of HAN privileges, appropriate discipline under the Code of Student Conduct, and termination of employment, and appropriate legal action; however, all students, educators, and parents have the responsibility to contact the school administrator as they become aware of unacceptable usage. Periodically, Hanover County Public Schools will make decisions on whether specific uses of the HAN are consistent with this Policy. The Hanover County Public Schools shall remain the final authority on use of the network and the issuance of user accounts.

Internet Safety Curriculum

A component on Internet safety for students, which is consistent with guidelines issued by the Virginia Department of Education, shall be integrated in the Division’s instructional program.

Guidelines for HAN Access and Accounts

1. Access to the HAN is considered a privilege and is permitted to the extent that resources are available.
2. All Hanover County Public School personnel are eligible for a HAN account.
3. Students in grades 6-12 will have access to the HAN through a classroom account managed by school personnel. Each student may also be granted an individual email account held jointly by the student and parent/guardian.

Amended: October 9, 2001, June 19, 2007, August 11, 2015