What is the AUP?
The AUP or Acceptable Use Policy is a Board policy that is also mandated
by federal law and state regulation to maintain our eligibility for federal and
state technology grants and discounts on telecommunication services. It states
the primary purpose of the school district network, details the allowable activities
on the network and extends to any device, either district-owned or personal,
that accesses the network. It is designed to be a statement of ethical use but
it is also designed to protect the network from use for illicit purposes or in
any manner that poses risks to the network. Further, it defines potential
sanctions for misuse of the network. It is important to review this policy with
your child/ren and to discuss appropriate and ethical use of technology. We
also discuss these issues in age appropriate ways throughout our K-12
technology and library curricula. A copy of the AUP is available at http://www.psba.org/districts_policies/p/489/POLPTSG815_1.pdf
Does Pottsgrove have a policy governing student use of student-owned electronic devices?
Yes, Pottsgrove
also has an electronic devices policy that governs the use of
student-owned hand-held devices such as cell and smart phones in our
schools. The policy recognizes the ubiquitous nature of these devices
and the growing body of literature
and case studies on potential for their effective use in instruction.
The policy creates an environment that
encourages innovative and appropriate use but balances the potential
offered with the need for rules of etiquette, age-appropriate rules and
procedures, and to maintain a safe and secure environment for students
and
staff. Click here to download the policy. Click here to download the guidelines for their use in the high school and here to download the guidelines for their use in the middle school.
Why do we filter web content?
The primary purpose of our computer network and Internet connectivity is
to serve the educational mission of the school district. In order to maintain
eligibility for federal and state technology and telecommunications grants, we
are obligated under the 
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to filter Internet
content for material inappropriate for minors and to have a system in place for
monitoring online activity. Consistent with our educational mission and CIPA
regulations, we do filter and block some web content. The Internet is
constantly growing and changing and web blocking technology is much more of a
blunt instrument than a surgical tool. It relies on continuously updated databases
divided into broad categories. We block categories such as gambling,
pornography and hate sites, as examples. We keep most broad categories open,
however. Within any category we can enter exceptions and often do based on
legitimate academic purposes. For example, gaming is a category we block,
however, there are many games with educational value and support instruction.
We open those sites on request of a teacher once the educational value is
confirmed. Social networking is also a category where we selectively open
sites. Faculty access a less restrictive tier should there be something we
block that is needed for classroom demonstration or preview. In short, we do
our best through technology and human intervention to balance the legitimate
academic needs of our students and faculty while honoring the spirit and intent
of CIPA.
What is Pottsgrove's policy on use of social media? Pottsgrove School District recognizes the potential instructional value of social media, as well as the power of social media to engage the community in dialogue. The District respects student and staff rights to free expression. We encourage innovative use of social media technologies in ways that preserve student and staff safety, privacy rights, and advance the educational mission of the School District. In this context, the District’s social media policy establishes the parameters for use of social media tools in the District’s instructional program. Consistent with the current legal framework, the social media policy also seeks to balance the freedom of expression rights of those in the District’s employ with the District’s need to preserve a healthy, safe, and productive work and learning environment. Like all District policies, this policy will be reviewed periodically for efficacy and in the context of changes in technology and in the relevant legal framework.