Welcome
This section covers key Technology-related information including:
(use the links in the list below to jump to that section)
User ID and Password
PCSB e-mail addresses, usernames, and passwords will be formatted as follows:
- E-mail address: firstname.lastname@polk-fl.net
- Username: firstname.lastname
- Password: PCSB-XXXX (XXXX is the last four of social security #)
- Domain: polk-fl
PCSB has established the following guidelines for passwords:
- Your password must be at least 8 characters and no more than 128 characters in length.
- Three out of four types of characters must be represented at least once in the password.
(For example, PCSB-1234 represents uppercase letters, symbols, and numbers.)
- Uppercase letters
- Lowercase letters
- Numbers
- Symbols
- Your password cannot contain three or more consecutive characters from your username.
- You cannot use one of your last five passwords.
Password Examples
john.smith@polk-fl.net | Good Example | Altec-1982
john.smith@polk-fl.net | Bad Example | John-1982
Default Password: PCSB-XXXX (XXXX is the last four digits of your Social Security Number)
Special Note:
- Do not write your password down anywhere! Create a password that you can memorize.
- Your password allows access to a variety of systems and applications throughout the district containing sensitive and confidential information, keep it secret.
Utilizing PCSB Email
Follow these guidelines when using PCSB E-mail.
- Check your e-mail frequently.
- Delete unnecessary e-mails to protect PCSB resources.
Special Note: If your mailbox gets too full, you will no longer be able to send or receive e-mail.
PCSB values communication and has made it easy for you to access e-mail using the following methods:
Method 1
- Access the PCSB website at www.polk-fl.net.
- Select Staff.
- Select Quick Links.
- Select Web Mail.
Method 2 - Select the Outlook icon on the desktop of your assigned computer at your work location.
Below is a quick demonstration on accessing your e-mail from the internet.
Mimosa Archive
Mimosa is the tool PCSB uses for backing up E-mail.
PCSB uses Mimosa in order to comply with:
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
- Rules of The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Florida Statutes
- District Policy
- PCSB must respond in an efficient manner to Public Records Requests and eDiscovery orders.
- eDiscovery is a term used to describe the process of gathering electronically stored information in legal investigations.
To get the most out of Mimosa Archiving remember the following:
- Your “Mimosa Archive” folder is accessible through Outlook and Webmail.
- All changes should be made to your Inbox folder and will propagate to Mimosa the next morning.
- You cannot delete messages from the Mimosa Archive.
- Do not modify this folder in any way.
- Do not create subfolders in Mimosa, these should be created under your Inbox folder.
- Do not drag and drop messages into the folder. Your messages are being archived automatically.
- Turn off Outlook Automatic Archive, this is not needed with the Mimosa Archive system.
Additional Information You Need to Know:
- Everything received or sent from your mailbox will be archived for 5 years and may become public record..
- Do not give your polk-fl.net e-mail address out for any reason other than for work-related communications.
- For more information, click here go to: www.polk-fl.net Keyword: Archive .
Technology Acceptable Use
PCSB encourages staff to use technology to enhance the Mission of PCSB. In keeping with the Technology Acceptable Use Policy:
- The use of the network and the Internet must be in support of educational and professional activities that are consistent with the policies of PCSB.
- The Superintendent or designee may examine files to determine if a user is acting in violation of any district policies.
- The user is responsible at all times for the proper use of Technology Resources.
- Failure to comply with these policies may result in disciplinary action, legal action, and cancellation of access.
- Changes in policies and guidelines will be periodically posted via e-mail.
- Employees are responsible for adhering to all changes posted to the Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Click here to view the Technology Acceptable Use Policy or visit
www.polk-fl.net Keyword: Board Policy
Websense Filtering Actions
Benefits of Websense
- Granular categorization of Web sites
- Guarding against inappropriate content from entering the network
- Preserving bandwidth by protecting against intensive web sites and applications
Reasons for Websense Filtering
- Protect our students
- Compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
- Decrease the frustration felt by students when researching a topic for class
- Decrease the frustration felt by teachers attempting to use a new tool for instructional purposes
- Save valuable time for network managers and district staff
The following are Websense filtering actions along with images of windows that may pop up from Websense:
Blocked pages – users receive a block page or block message, and are not able to view the site or use the Internet application.
Example:
- Blocked Sites Locked down, No Access: www.myspace.com
Blocked by Keyword - No Access
Examples:
- Images.google.com
- Search term = porn
Permitted pages - users view the site or use the Internet application as normal
Confirm - receive a block page, asking them to confirm that the site is being accessed for educational purposes. If a user clicks Continue, he can view the site.
Examples:
- Social Networking and Personal Sites: twitter.com
Quota - receive a block page, asking the user whether to use quota time to view the site. If he or she clicks Use Quota Time, he or she can view the site for 90 minutes per day.
Example:
Special Notes:
- Off-task students causing disruptions in the classroom should be dealt with in the same way as students displaying other classroom behavior issues
- To fill out a request to have a site Blocked or Unblocked, go to Outlook/Public Folders Information Systems & Technology/Websense.
- Login: firstname.lastname
- Password: same as e-mail password
Internet Safety Curriculum
PCSB takes Internet Safety seriously and adheres to the Federal “Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act”.
Effective October 10, 2008, the “Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act” [Title II of the “Broadband Data Improvement Act,” amending 47 U.S.C. 254 (h)(5)(b) of the Communications Act of 1934] mandates that elementary and secondary schools having computers with Internet access may not receive services at discount rates [i.e., E-Rate grants for Internet access, Internet service or Internal connections, but not grants for telecom only] unless they submit to the Federal Communications Commission a certification that as part of their Internet safety policy they are “educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response.”
The State Legislature has not set any guidelines at this time regarding how technology instruction should be implemented in Public Schools.
Courses are currently available for teachers from iSafe and School Technology in the Blackboard Learning Management System.
Technology Resources
If you have questions regarding any District Technology you should:
- Speak with the Network Manager or Technology Contact at your location.
- Click here or go to www.polk-fl.net, type keyword: Help Desk.
- Call the Help Desk at 519-8040 (56661).
Your score must be a minimum of 80% on the quiz for this section to successfully complete NEO.
