Technology and Internet: Use Policies and Guidelines

FRCS provides students and staff with access to the internet and technology. Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

To that end, FRCS provides reliable wireless internet access which is filtered. While it is impossible for any system to absolutely guarantee blocking all objectionable material, FRCS’s filtering system is the best filter/firewall system we can obtain. This filter blocks sites that are objectionable due to content, language, and more. It also protects our internet connections from uninvited intrusion, and it records all internet activity by each user. For more information about our filtering system and how parents can protect students even while off campus, please refer to our website.

It is our goal to train students as to what is appropriate internet behavior in conjunction with parents/guardians. Students are given general instructions on internet usage and how they can find what they are looking for through searches. They also receive instruction in proper evaluation and citing of sources. Students are given clear objectives for internet use, are held accountable for their actions whenever using the internet on campus, and will be educated in taking responsibility for internet access.

All students must agree to uphold the FRCS Internet & Computing Devices Acceptable Use Policies.

Code of Ethics

Internet access for students is a privilege, not a right. All users of the internet while on the FRCS campus or an FRCS-provided device agree to adhere to the following Code of Ethics:

“I will strive to act in all situations with honesty, integrity, and respect for the rights of others and to help others behave in a similar fashion. I will make a conscious effort to be a good witness to others with whom I communicate over the internet. I agree to follow FRCS’s rules as listed in the Parent/Student Handbook. I will strive to apply Philippians 4:8 to my electronic communication: “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Internet Terms & Conditions of Use

Privacy and Monitoring: The user understands and agrees that he/she shall not have an expectation of privacy in the use of FRCS technology. By using FRCS technology, the user consents to monitoring of device use and internet access in order to maintain security and integrity. At FRCS’s discretion, backup files or archives of user activity may be maintained.
Acceptable use:
- The use of a student’s user account, school-provided email address, and school supplied devices must be in direct support of education and research consistent with the educational objectives of FRCS.
- Students are expected to follow the same rules for good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline.
- Users should recognize that along with valuable content online, there is also unverified, incorrect, and inappropriate content. Users should use trusted and verifiable sources when researching via the internet.
- Students should remember not to post anything online that they wouldn’t want parents, teachers, or future colleges or employers to see. Once something is online, it can sometimes be shared and spread in ways you did not intend. Remember that your online activity should honor the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Students should immediately bring to the attention of a trusted adult any message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes them concerned for their personal safety or the safety of fellow students.
Unacceptable use:
- Games, instant messaging apps or utilities, ICQ, chat rooms, chain letters, and social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) during school hours
- Using devices for commercial activity or product advertisement
- Cyber bullying or posting rude or inappropriate messages and/or graphics
- Downloading or attempting to download viruses or attempting to circumvent virus protection, monitoring, and filtering programs
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to FRCS technology, and using FRCS technology to attempt to gain unauthorized access to another computer system or network; attempting to “hack” or access sites, servers, or content that isn’t intended for use by that user
- Violating any local, state, or federal statutes in regard to the internet, participating in illegal activities, or pursuing information on such activities
- Plagiarizing or using as their own content, including words or images, from the internet. Users should not take credit for things they didn’t create themselves or misrepresent themselves as an author or creator of something found online.
- Using chat rooms, sites selling term papers or book reports, and other sites that grant access to another student’s work
- Sharing personal information, including, but not limited to, phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information over the internet without adult permission
- Sending mass or inappropriate emails; sending, accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing offensive, profane, threatening, pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit materials
Consequences: Inappropriate use will result in several consequences, including, but not limited to, a loss of internet or device privileges and disciplinary action tailored to meet the specific violation. The Administration of FRCS, at the request of a teacher or staff member, may request that the system administrator deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.
Network Connectivity: FRCS makes no guarantee that the school’s wireless network will be up and running 100% of the time.

Cyber Bullying and Digital Technology

Cyber bullying is unacceptable at Front Range Christian School, whether it is performed on a school device or other digital technology (e.g., phones). In some cases, cyber bullying may be a crime. For more information, please refer to the Bullying Policy.

Computing Devices Use and Expectations

School Provided Computing Devices

Devices provided by the school are intended for use at school each day for junior high students and when scheduled for elementary students. All students are expected to treat school-provided devices with care.

Junior high students may only use school-provided devices while on campus; they may not bring personal computer devices from home.

Family Provided Computing Devices

Students grades 9-12 must have their own portable computing device for use at the school. Devices must be wi-fi capable and be able to use Google Classroom for access to online resources and turning in assignments. Acceptable devices include: an up-to-date iPad (must be able to run at least the second most recent iOS); an up-to-date Chromebook; a laptop running Windows; or a MacBook. Students may not use a smartphone or smart wearable device for classroom instruction. Senior high students are expected to bring their device, fully charged, to school each day.

Personal Computing Device Acceptable Use:

I Will:

Bring my device to school each day—fully charged and ready to use
Never leave my device unattended; I will know where it is at all times. I will place some form of name identification on the device and/or its case in the event it is lost and then found
Set a passcode or password on my device
Use my device for school-related activities
Use the device or other technologies at appropriate times, in approved places, for educational purposes
Choose wallpaper and backgrounds for my device which are consistent with my commitment to love God and others
Keep the sound muted on my device when at school, unless permission is obtained from the teacher for instructional purposes
Use AirPrint or bluetooth printing with teacher permission only; I understand that I may be fined if I use AirPrint or bluetooth printing excessively
Give my device to staff if selected at random for an inspection

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use good judgment when using technology at school.

Computing Device Unacceptable Use

I will not:

Connect to the internet using a wireless hotspot while at school
Share passcodes or passwords with other students; gain access to another student’s accounts, files, or data
“Jailbreak” a school-owned device
Vandalize school equipment (including malicious attempts to harm or destroy hardware, software, or data)
Bypass the FRCS web filter through a web proxy or hotspot and otherwise try to find ways to circumvent the school’s safety measures and filtering tools
Use another student’s computing device without permission
Use a computing device to violate existing school policy or public law
Play games during classes or chapel

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Users should exercise good judgment when using school technologies.

Other Electronic Devices

Please refer to campus-specific policies regarding student phones, tablets, mp3 players, smart watches, etc.

School-Provided Email Addresses

Front Range Christian School provides students with a Gmail account (@myfrcs.org) for purposes of school-related communication. Availability and use may be restricted based on school policies (typically based on grade). Users must follow all guidelines when sending or receiving email with their student accounts.

Students are expected to use their school-provided email accounts for any and all business related to the school, including email communication with their teachers. Students are therefore encouraged to check their school email frequently so that they do not miss important communication about assignments or upcoming events.

School provided email addresses remain available to students once they graduate from FRCS, and we encourage them to continue to use it to stay in touch with the school, former classmates, and more.

Collaboration

Recognizing the benefits collaboration brings to education, FRCS may provide users with access to websites or tools that allow communication, collaboration, sharing, and messaging among users (e.g., Google Classroom, Google Docs). Activity in these tools may be monitored.

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 or mobile device you are using might be infected with a virus, please alert FRCS IT. Do not attempt to remove the virus yourself.

Limitation of Liability

Front Range Christian School is not responsible for damage, harm, or theft to student-owned iPads. While Front Range Christian School employs filtering and other safety and security mechanisms, and attempts to ensure their proper function, it makes no guarantees as to their effectiveness.

Front Range Christian School will not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for unauthorized transactions conducted over the school network.

Violations

Violations of this acceptable Use Policy may have disciplinary repercussions, including but not limited to: suspension of network, technology, or computer privileges; loss of iPad use (student is still responsible for all work); notification of parents; detention or suspension from school and school-related activities; and legal action or prosecution.