COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS

 

ACCESS TO NETWORK AND INFORMATION RESOURCES

The Board recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the ways that information may be accessed, communicated and transferred by members of the society, those changes may also alter instruction and student learning.  The Board generally supports access by students to rich information resources along with the development by staff of appropriate skills to analyze and evaluate such resources.  In a free and democratic society, access to information is a fundamental right of citizenship.

Telecommunications, because they may lead to any publicly available fileserver in the world, will open classrooms to electronic information resources, which have not been screened by educators for use by students of various ages.

Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees during the Age of Information.  The Board expects that staff will blend thoughtful use of such information throughout the curriculum and that the staff will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of such resources.

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway.  Communications on the network are often public in nature.  General school rules for behavior and communications apply.  The network is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others.  Access to network services will be provided to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.

Independent student use of telecommunications and electronic information resources will be permitted upon submission of permission forms and agreement forms by parents of minor students (under 18 years of age) and by students themselves.

Access to telecommunications will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with people throughout the world.  The Board believes that the benefits to students from access in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed the disadvantages.  But ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources.  To that end, the Egyptian School supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for independent access.

 

 

DISTRICT INTERNET AND E-MAIL RULES

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway.  Communications on the network are often public in nature.  General school rules for behavior and communications apply.

The network is provided for students to conduct research and communicate with others.  Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.  Parent permission is required.  Access is a privilege, not a right.  Access entails responsibility.

Individual users of the district computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over those networks.  It is presumed that users will comply with district standards and will honor the agreements they have signed.  Beyond the clarification of such standard, the district is not responsible for restricting, monitoring or controlling the communications of individuals utilizing the network.

Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers.  Network administrators may review files and communication to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system responsibly.  Users should not expect that files stored on district servers will always be private.

Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored.  During school, teachers of younger students will guide them toward appropriate materials.  Outside of school, families bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media.

 

As outlined in Board policy and procedures on students rights and responsibilities copies of which are available in school offices, the following are not permitted:  

◊        Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures

◊    Using obscene language

◊    Harassing, insulting or attacking others

◊    Damaging computers, computer system or computer networks

◊    Violating copyright laws

◊    Using another’s password

◊    Trespassing in another’s folders, work or files

◊    Intentionally wasting limited resources

◊    Employing the network for commercial purposes    

 

Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action.

 

 

 

GUIDELINES FOR INTERNET ACCESS    - The Internet is an electronic communication network, which provides a vast amount of diverse and unique world resources.  With this access also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting.  Although, the Internet provides increased access to learning opportunities to our students and staff, with this new learning tool students and staff must understand and practice proper and ethical use.  Our goal in providing Internet access is for the purpose of sharing resources and for the communication of ideas aimed at facilitating educational excellence. 

The use of the District’s Internet is a privilege, not a right.

Failure of any user to follow the terms of the Guidelines for Internet Access policy will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, monitory cost for repair (including labor), and/or appropriate legal action.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

1)       Acceptable Use

·         Access to the Internet must be for the purpose of education and/or research and be consistent with the educational objectives of the District

·         Must be consistent with the rules appropriate to any network being used/accessed

·         Unauthorized use of copyrighted material is prohibited

·         Threatening or obscene material is prohibited

·         Distribution of material protected by trade secret is prohibited

·         Use for commercial activities is not acceptable

·         Product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited

 

2)       Privileges   

·         Access to the Internet is not a right, but a privilege

·         Unacceptable usage will result in cancellation of network privileges

·         The principal will make the final decision regarding whether of not a user has violated the Acceptable Use Policy and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time

 

3)       Etiquette

·         Be polite

·         Do not use vulgar or obscene language

·         Obey copyright laws

·         Do not reveal personal information, such as address or telephone number

·         Do not intentionally disrupt the network or other users

·         Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private, but is subject to District regulations

 

 

 

4)       Unacceptable Use

          Some examples of unacceptable uses are, but not limited to, the following:  

·         Using the network for any illegal activity

·         Using another user’s account or password

·         Invading the privacy of others

·         Accessing another user’s files and information

·         Posting material authored or created by another without his/her consent

·         Accessing, downloading or posting defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing, or illegal material

·         Using the network for private financial or commercial gain

·         Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked

 

5)       Security

·         If you identify a security problem, notify a teacher or administrator immediately

·         Do not show or identify a security problem to other users

·         Do not reveal your account password or allow another person to use your account

·         Do not use another individual’s network logon account

·         Attempts to log on as another user will result in cancellation of privileges

·         Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other network systems may be denied access

·         User must notify the technology coordinator of any change in account information

·         User may be required to update registration, password and account information

 

6)       Vandalism/Harassment

·         Vandalism and/or harassment will result in cancellation of network privileges and other disciplinary action

·         Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet or other networks.  This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or uploading computer viruses

·         Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user or the interference in another user’s work.  This includes, but is not limited to, the sending of unwanted mail

 

7)       Penalties

·         Any user violating the Acceptable Use Policy, applicable state and federal laws or posted classroom and district rules is subject to loss of network privileges and any disciplinary action, including criminal prosecution

·         School and district administrators will make the final determination as to what constitutes unacceptable use and their decision is final

 

 

The Egyptian Community Unit School District No. 5 makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing.  The Egyptian Community Unit School District No. 5 will not be responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data.  The District will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the District’s Internet.

 

All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to all users of the network.  These provisions reflect an agreement of the parties and shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois and the United States of America.

 

I understand and will abide by the Egyptian Community Unit School District No. 5 Acceptable Use Policy.  I further understand that any violation of this Acceptable Use Policy is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense.  Should I commit any violation, my Network/Internet access privileges may be revoked, district disciplinary action/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

 

 

User Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ________________

 

 

Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________________