A.  Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety

Introduction
It is the policy of the school to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].
 
Definitions
Key terms are as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
 
Access to Inappropriate Material
To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information.
 
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors.
 
Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled for adults or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
 
Inappropriate Network Usage
To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the school online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
 
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
 
Education, Supervision and Monitoring
It shall be the responsibility of all members of the school staff to educate, supervise and monitor appropriate usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.
 
Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the school operations manager or designated representatives.
 
The school operations manager or designated representatives will provide age- appropriate training for students who use the academy Internet facilities. The training provided will be designed to promote the academy’s commitment to:
 

1. The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in the academy Internet Safety Policy;
2. Student safety with regard to:
   1. safety on the Internet
   2. appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking Web sites, and in chat rooms; and
   3. cyberbullying awareness and response
3. Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”).

 
Following receipt of this training, the student will acknowledge that he/she received the training, understood it, and will follow the provisions of the school’s acceptable use policies.
 

B.  Protection of Student Information in Connection with Online Educational Services of the School 

This policy is implemented to comply with the requirements of Rule 6A-1.0955(9), Florida Administrative Code, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) and other relevant laws.  
 

1. Purpose.  This policy is intended to protect the personally identifiable information (“PII”) of students when students are required to use online educational services, including to provide protections against potential misuse of PII, data mining, or targeting for marketing and other commercial purposes. 
2. Review of Online Educational Services.  All online educational services that students or their parents are required to use as part of school activities must be reviewed and approved as described herein, regardless of whether the online educational service is free, whether use of the online educational service is unique to specific classes and courses, or whether there is a written agreement governing student use.  The Principal or their designee must review each online educational service’s terms of service and privacy policy to ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws, including FERPA, COPPA, 15 U.S.C. §§ 6501-6506, Section 1002.22, Florida Statutes, and all applicable implementing regulations (the “Applicable Laws”).  The Principal or designee must determine whether the online educational service provider will collect PII, how it will be used, when and how it will be destroyed, and the terms of re-disclosure, if any.  
3. Approval of Online Educational Service.  If a teacher or other employee at the School intends to utilize an online educational service as part of a school activity, they must first submit a request to the Principal or their designee for review and approval.  No online educational service may be utilized for any school activity unless it has been reviewed and approved.  Following the review described above, the Principal or their designee must approve or deny the use of the online educational service.   The Principal or designee reserves the right to deny the use of any online educational service for any reason, including if the online educational service is determined to have policies or practices that could lead to the misuse of student PII or violate the Applicable Laws.  The Principal or designee may also approve the use of an online educational service subject to parental consent, as described in more detail below.  The Principal or designee will maintain documentation related to the approval or denial of all online educational services.   Nothing herein is intended to supersede the authority of the Governing Board to approve the use of an online educational service to the extent such approval is required by any other policy of the School.
4. Parental Notification and Consent.  Parents must be notified in writing if student PII will be collected by an online educational service, including what PII will be collected, how it will be used, when and how it will be destroyed, and the terms of re-disclosure, if any.   This notification should be sent to parents at the beginning of the school year, or prior to students utilizing the online educational service if it is implemented after the start of the school year.  If during the review process or at any time thereafter it is determined that an online educational service will share or sell student PII for commercial purposes, school personnel shall be strictly prohibited from allowing students to utilize the online educational service in any school activity without having first obtained written parental consent. 
5. Notification.  For any online educational service that a student is required to use, the School will provide notice on its website of the PII information that may be collected, how it will be used, when it will be destroyed, and the terms of re-disclosure, if any. This notice will also include a link to the online educational service’s terms of service and privacy policy, if publicly available.

C.  School Calendar

Working together, the school operations manager and principal will develop a proposed school calendar. The calendar will be presented to the board for approval.

D.  Student Dress Code

A strong correlation exists between student appearance and the perception of excellence. Students are required to dress and groom themselves in a way that aligns with our philosophy of maintaining a learning environment focused on the development of each student’s academic potential, personal character and leadership skills.

Our uniform policy and dress code will promote a safe environment for students which fosters learning and improves school safety and discipline. It will support an environment in which our school virtues can thrive: Courage, Honesty, Perseverance, Self Government, Service, Courtesy, and Responsibility. Daily reinforcement of strong personal habits promotes courtesy, the honor of self and others, modesty, and discipline. Adherence to the code diminishes economic and social barriers between students; increases a sense of belonging and school pride; encourages good judgment; models good citizenship and encourages all to perform at their highest level.

All students in kindergarten through grade eight and grades nine through twelve are expected to be in school uniform during school hours and during all school activities and events unless otherwise specified. Attire which attracts undue or negative attention or which infringes on the rights or values of others is not considered to be in the spirit of the dress code not only for students, but also for staff and parents visiting the campus. Attire is expected to be clean, in good condition, business-like, and properly sized to fit.  At least one shirt shall have a logo for the purposes of pictures, assemblies, or recitations.

Students, staff and parents are to commit to the code and remain dedicated to interacting with one another as ladies and gentlemen. In doing so, we are choosing to be actively engaged in the safe and secure, nurturing environment of this exceptional learning community.

Any medical, religious concerns or disability that might preclude meeting the uniform guidelines should be addressed with the school principal to determine reasonable accommodations as necessary.

The school will not allow financial need to limit access to the school, and this includes access to uniforms.

E.  Textbook Policy

Students will be issued books in some of their classes, which remain the property of the school. Textbooks include either the physical copy of the book itself, or the digital version. Any lost, stolen, or damaged books are the sole responsibility of the student whom the book has been checked out to. If something occurs to this property, the incident must be reported immediately. Students not returning books or returning severely damaged books or digital media will be required to make payment for the replacement or repair costs to the school.

Adopted: May 5, 2020 
Amended: February 8, 2023