Section One- Purpose
A. To better serve our students through the use of technology and provide them with the
best tools for learning, Santa Fe South provides access to one or more forms of
electronic media and services, including computers, e-mail, telephones, some online
services, intranet, internet, and the World Wide Web.
B. Santa Fe South encourages the use of these media and associated services because
they can make communication more efficient and effective and because they are
valuable sources of information to support education. However, all students connected
with the organization should remember that electronic media and services provided by
the school system are school property and their purpose is to facilitate and support
school business and learning. All computer users have the responsibility to use these
resources in an ethical and lawful manner.
C. To ensure that all students are aware of these responsibilities, the following guidelines
have been established for using e-mail and the Internet. No policy can lay down rules to
cover every possible situation. Instead, it is designed to express the Santa Fe South
philosophy and set forth general principles when using electronic media and services.
Section Two- Prohibited Communications
Electronic media cannot be used for knowingly transmitting, retrieving, or storing any
communication that is:
- Discriminatory or harassing;
- Derogatory to any individual or group;
- Obscene, sexually explicit or pornographic;
- Defamatory or threatening;
- In violation of any license governing the use of software; or
- Engaged in for any purpose that is illegal or contrary to Santa Fe South policy
or school interests.
Section Three- Personal Use
The computers, electronic media, and services provided by Santa Fe South are primarily for
educational use to assist students with their learning. Limited, occasional, or incidental use of
electronic media (sending or receiving) other than for school related activities is prohibited. It is
the responsibility of each teacher/instructor to educate minors about appropriate online
behavior (including social networking sites and cyber bullying).
Section Four- Access to Student Communications
Santa Fe South does routinely gather logs for most electronic activities and monitor
student communications directly, e.g., telephone numbers dialed and sites accessed for
the following purposes:
a. Cost analysis;
b. Resource allocation;
c. Optimum technical management of information resources; and
d. Detecting patterns of use that indicate users are violating school policies or
engaging in illegal activity.
Santa Fe South reserves the right, at its discretion, to review any student electronic files
and messages to the extent necessary to ensure electronic media and services are
being used in compliance with the law, this policy and other school directives. Santa Fe
South also has content filtering and similar measures in place that are designed to
restrict minors’ access to harmful materials.
Users should not assume electronic communications are completely private.
Users are prohibited from sharing personal information about themselves or other
students/staff members via the Internet.
Section Five- Software
To prevent computer viruses from being transmitted through the school’s computer system,
unauthorized downloading of any unauthorized software is strictly prohibited. Only software
registered through Santa Fe South, or coordinated with the IT staff, may be downloaded.
Students should coordinate related questions through their TEAMS teacher.
Section Six- Security/Appropriate Use
Users must respect the confidentiality of other individuals’ electronic communications.
Except in cases in which explicit authorization has been granted by school management,
users are prohibited from engaging in, or attempting to engage in:
a. Monitoring or intercepting the files or electronic communications of other users or
third parties;
b. Hacking or obtaining access to systems or accounts they are not authorized to
use;
c. Using other people’s log-ins or passwords; and
d. Breaching, testing, or monitoring computer or network security measures.
e. No e-mail or other electronic communications may be sent that attempt to hide
the identity of the sender or represent the sender as someone else.
f. Electronic media and services should not be used in a manner that is likely to
cause network congestion or significantly hamper the ability of other people to
access and use the system.
g. Anyone obtaining electronic access to other organizations’ or individuals’
materials must respect all copyrights and cannot copy, retrieve, modify or forward
copyrighted materials except as permitted by the copyright owner.
Section Seven- Participation in Online Forums
Students should remember that any messages or information sent on school-provided
facilities to one or more individuals via an electronic network—for example, Internet
mailing lists, bulletin boards, and online services—are statements identifiable and
attributable to Santa Fe South.
Santa Fe South recognizes that participation in some forums might be important for
school-related assignments.
Section Eight- Violations
Any student who abuses the privilege of their access to e-mail or the Internet in violation of this
policy will be subject to corrective action, including possible suspension through due process,
legal action, and criminal liability.
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