Student Rights and Responsibilities Appendices

The information systems and internet access available through FCPS are provided in order to support learning, enhance instruction, and support school system business and educational practices.
 
FCPS information technology systems are operated for the benefit of all users in connection with the core mission of FCPS - the education of its students. The use of the FCPS network is necessary to provide all students with access, support, and opportunities to use provided tools and resources; and for students to interact with other students, teachers, and class content to support and enrich their learning experience. Users are prohibited from taking, or attempting to take, any action that might reasonably be expected to disrupt the operation of the network or equipment and/or interfere with the learning of students or the work of FCPS employees.

All-access to the FCPS network shall be preapproved by the principal or program manager. The school or office may restrict, suspend, or terminate any user’s access, without prior notice, if such action is deemed necessary to comply with laws or regulations, protect the safety of others, or maintain computing availability and security. Disabling student access to FCPS instructional technology tools is a serious action that will be taken only when warranted.

Students are advised that the inappropriate use of FCPS technology resources is a violation of student disciplinary rules, regardless of where or when the inappropriate use occurs. As such, schools will respond to instances of inappropriate use by following normal disciplinary procedures, just as they would if the incident occurred in the physical classroom. Disciplinary action for inappropriate use of the FCPS network, systems, or devices may be imposed as stated in the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document.

FCPS implements internet filtering on all FCPS sites in accordance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act. Schools will continue to educate students on digital citizenship, personal safety practices, and effective techniques for identifying and evaluating information and its sources.

FCPS Instructional Environment

Students have the right to physical and virtual educational environments that are consistent with the characteristics outlined in the FCPS SR&R document. These rights include:

• The right to be treated with respect in online learning environments. Students who do not feel they are being treated with respect should talk to their teacher or the principal.
• The right to express beliefs and opinions respectfully in online environments without being interrupted or punished. Students may talk to their teacher or principal if they feel that a school decision is not fair.
• The right of a student to give his or her version of events when accused of violating this Acceptable Use Policy.
• The right to access, support, and opportunities to use the provided technology tools and resources that support learning.
• The right to use technology to interact with other students, teachers, and class content to support their learning in both the physical and virtual environments.

Students may exercise these rights and privileges as long as they do so in a manner that does not interfere with the rights of others or the schools’ ability to provide a safe learning environment.

Respect for Others

Users shall respect the rights of others using the FCPS network by:

• Using or not using devices as directed by the teacher.
• Being considerate when using school resources.
• Always logging off devices or apps after finishing work.
• Not deliberately attempting to disrupt system performance or interfere with the work of other users.
• Leaving equipment and rooms in good condition for the next user or class.
• Not accessing, changing, or deleting files belonging to others that are not explicitly shared with you.

Ethical Conduct for Users

It is the responsibility of the user to:

• Use only his or her account or password. It is a violation to share passwords or to otherwise give access to an account to any other user. User account access is limited to currently enrolled students. Account access is not available to former students.
• Recognize and honor the intellectual property of others; comply with legal restrictions regarding plagiarism and the use and citation of information resources.
• Cite and credit all material used, including internet material.
• Only use software or apps on FCPS devices or networks that have been approved and that the school may legally use. Duplicating or modifying copyrighted software in violation of a license agreement is a serious offense that may result in student discipline.
• Use the FCPS technology resources in a manner that is consistent with the educational mission of the school system.
• Help maintain the integrity of the school information systems. Tampering or experimentation is not allowed; this includes the use of the FCPS network and resources to illicitly access, tamper with, or experiment with systems inside and outside FCPS.
• Help maintain a safe, positive, and trusting learning environment by not using offensive, obscene, or harassing language when on the FCPS network and/or FCPS devices.

Digital Citizenship and Security

• Students are responsible for complying with all cybersecurity policies set-forth by the Office of Cybersecurity (OCS).
• Students are prohibited from tampering with FCPS technologies and attempting to circumvent security policies and controls enforced by the Office of Cybersecurity (OCS), such as, but not limited to, accessing the internet via proxy or unauthorized VPN services.
• Students are prohibited from posting information if it violates the privacy of others, jeopardizes the health and/or safety of students, is obscene or libelous, intended to be threatening, bullying or hateful in nature, or causes disruption of school activities.
• Students may not access social media sites during school hours except where allowed by school administration. If allowed, social media activity must be limited to academic activities.
• Students are prohibited from accessing any portion of the internet that is inconsistent with the educational mission of FCPS.
• Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.
• Students may utilize real-time messaging and online chat only within approved instructional apps or with the permission of the teacher or principal.
• Students are not to record electronically instructional programs, the classroom environment generally, or any conversation involving a school official, without the official’s advance permission to do so.
• Students may not take photographs or videos of others without consent during school hours while on school property, unless for academic use. School administration may allow limited non- academic use of photography on a case-by-case basis.
• Students, under five years of age, are required to have adult-supervision while using FCPS technologies.
• Parents and/or guardians should ensure that use of student assigned devices is limited to supporting the educational outcomes of the student at home and the device not be used by anyone else for non-educational purposes.
• Students are not to reveal personal information (last name, home address, phone number) in correspondence with unknown parties.
• Students shall accept the responsibility for all material they access.
• Students are responsible for reporting any inappropriate material they receive.
• All student-produced web pages are subject to approval and ongoing review by responsible teachers and/or principals. All publicly-accessible web pages shall reflect the mission and character of the school.
• Students are prohibited from viewing, sending, and accessing illegal material.
• Students are prohibited from downloading inappropriate or illegal material on FCPS computers or networks.
• Students may not modify or rearrange keyboards, monitors, printers, or any other peripheral equipment.
• Students should report equipment problems immediately to a teacher, technical support staff, or principal.
• Students should leave desktop workstations and peripherals in their designated places.
• To ensure student safety and compliance with this Acceptable Use Policy, FCPS reserves the right to monitor and investigate students’ online activities as needed. This includes accessing, reviewing, copying, storing, or deleting any communications or files so they can be shared with adults as necessary and as permitted or required by law. Students should have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of FCPS equipment, network, internet access, files, or email access.

Personally-Owned Computing and/or Network Devices (BYOD)

Students using personally-owned electronic devices must follow the policy stated in this document while on school property, attending school-sponsored activities, or using the FCPS network.

• Students using a personally-owned device with a wireless connection are only permitted to connect to the FCPS Wi-Fi network (not private cellular services) while on FCPS premises.
• When applicable, appropriate virus-checking software must be installed, updated, and made active prior to any personally owned device being placed on the FCPS network.
• No device placed on the FCPS network can have software that monitors, analyzes, or may cause disruption to the FCPS network.
• FCPS is not responsible for any device or data loss, theft, damage, or other associated costs of replacement or repair of a personal device as a result of a student participating in the BYOD initiative.
• FCPS staff will not be responsible for storing, supporting, or troubleshooting personal devices.
• Students will take full responsibility for any personally-owned device and will appropriately secure all devices when not in use.
• FCPS reserves the right to monitor and investigate all devices and activities on the FCPS network. The device may also be confiscated by school officials in accordance with the SR&R.

See also the current versions of:    
Regulation 6410, Appropriate Use of Fairfax County Public Schools' Network and Internet Resources
Regulation 2601, Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Book

CONDUCT ON THE BUS

Students Must:

• Recognize that the bus driver is the authority on the bus and obey and be courteous to them and fellow students.
• Go directly to a seat and remain seated unless otherwise directed by the driver.
• Not tamper with the emergency door.
• Not slap others or wave or shout at pedestrians or other vehicles.
• Not throw objects about the bus or from a window (or throw objects at the bus from outside).
• Carry onto bus only unbreakable objects that can be safely held in pupil’s lap.
• Not share, sell, or consume food or beverages.
• Not talk on the cell phone, except in the case of an emergency situation.
• Present written request from parents or guardians, subject to approval of school principal, to go home on an alternate route.

LEAVING THE BUS

Students Must:

• Remain seated until bus comes to a full stop.
• Exit bus in an orderly manner.
• Leave bus stop area only when safety permits; that is, when crossing a roadway, cross at a distance of approximately ten feet from the front of the bus after the driver signals it is safe to do so.

Parents or guardians are encouraged to walk with students to and from bus stops or school. Special education students and students in designated programs, (such as FECEP and Preschool/PAC) must be met at the bus by responsible adults. Kindergarten students riding the afternoon school buses will be returned to school unless they are met at the bus door by a parent, a guardian and/or caregiver, or sibling, middle school or higher and asked for by name.

Current version of the Code of Virginia § 22.1-254 Compulsory School Attendance

Every parent, guardian, or other person in the Commonwealth having control or charge of any child who will have reached the fifth birthday on or before September 30 of any school year and who has not passed the eighteenth birthday shall, during the period of each year the public schools are in session and for the same number of days and hours per day as the public schools, send such child to a public school or to a private, denominational, or parochial school or have such child taught by a tutor or teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education and approved by the division superintendent, or provide for home instruction of such child as described in § 22.1-254.1. For additional details on the Virginia Compulsory School Attendance Law, refer to section 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia.

Current version of the Code of Virginia § 22.1-279.4 Information Regarding Prosecution of Juveniles as Adults

As required by section § 22.1-279.4 of the Code of Virginia, FCPS provides its students with information developed by the Virginia Attorney General regarding the laws governing the prosecution of juveniles as adults for the commission of certain crimes and that information can be found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2012/057-12a.pdf/

This copy of regulation 2601 has been specially formatted for this website. The official and current version of this regulation is available through the FCPS website, which includes changes that may be made between printings. (www.fcps.edu/srr)

View Regulation 2601.37P