Acceptable Use in the Greenfield Public Schools
Children's Internet Protection Act Reminders
Public School Districts must put measures in place to provide for student safety on the Internet. Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is also a requirement for federal grant eligibility and E-RATE Internet access reimbursements.
CIPA has three basic requirements:
1. Internet Safety Policy
Schools and libraries are required to adopt and enforce an internet safety policy that includes a technology measure five specific elements and a technology protection measure or filter (see Item 2 below). The policy must address the following:
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Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the internet or World Wide Web;
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Safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
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Unauthorized access including "hacking" and other unlawful activities by minors online;
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Unauthorized disclosure, use, dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
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Measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.
"Minor" is defined as any individual who has not attained the age of 17 years.
For schools, the policy must also include monitoring the online activities of minors. As of July 1, 2012, as part of their CIPA certification, schools also certify that their internet safety policies have been updated to provide for educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, cyberbullying awareness, and response.
2. Technology Protection Measure
A technology protection measure is a specific piece of hardware or software that blocks or filters internet access. GPS firewalls are equipped with that content filtering technology. The filtering serves as a protection for all district devices with internet access. The filter protects against access by adults and minors to visual depictions of material inappropriate for viewing by minors.
3. Public Notice and Hearing or Meeting
Public notice and at least one public hearing or meeting were required to address our technology protection measures and Internet safety policy. GPS held this required hearing in 2002. According to CIPA, additional meetings were not necessary – even if though our Acceptable Use Policy for Students has been updated over the years to take new technologies into account (e.g., social media, texting, chat, Chromebooks, iPads, etc.)
Source: CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act), Universal Service Administrative Co., https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/starting-services/cipa/ and Schools and Libraries Program News Brief, May 7, 2021, https://apps.usac.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/preview.aspx?id=1008
Language Translation Assistance
The Greenfield Public Schools will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in our schools, educational programs, and activities. All interpreters, translators and other aids needed to provide language access for students and families will be provided without cost to the person being served.
Language assistance will be provided through use of competent bilingual staff, district language interpreters, and/or contracts or formal arrangements with local organizations providing interpretation or translation services.
Please contact the student services office by calling 413 772-1320 if you would like a translated copy of any district communication to include our student handbook, district policies, or forms.