Terms and Conditions for Use

Purpose:

Clarendon School District One provides technology to support the educational objectives of the district. The following terms and conditions for the acceptable use of computers and networks shall apply to all employees of the district, to all students, and to citizens utilizing the technology under the supervision of an employee. Users of this technology are expected to use the system in accordance with the educational objectives of the district and in accordance with the law.   The district has the right to restrict access.

1)      Technological devices such as computers, printers, software, networks, scanners, cameras, fax machines, laser disks, and copiers may be used only for educational purposes.  These purposes include classroom instruction, research related to class instruction, job/career/scholarship searches, supervised communication related to classroom instruction or administrative school management, school/district publications, and educational professional development.  

2)      Games, except when incorporated in an instructional lesson plan, and use of the computer or Internet for personal use or profit are in violation of this policy.

3)      Illegal copying of materials, downloading restricted information without permission, installing personal software on district computers and illegal distribution of software are forbidden.

4)      Using district technology for accessing, producing, copying or disseminating information for political, religious, another organization or personal purposes is not permitted unless authorized in writing by the Superintendent.

 ACCESS:

1)      All students and staff will have access to computers. Internet access will be provided to students who have parent permission (indicated on this policy) and direct supervision of a teacher, media specialist, or an administrator. Parent permission is required annually and can be revoked at any time the parent submits a written request to the administrator of the school. Staff shall have access to the Internet and E-mail after signing this acceptable use policy and demonstrating understanding on how to use the software. Permission forms shall be filed at the school or district office.

2)      All technology equipment shall be used under the supervision of an administrator, classroom teacher or media specialist. Use of any technological tools/equipment will be granted when a signed acceptable use form is on file and the user demonstrates understanding of how to use the technology.

LOSS OF PRIVILEGES: The use of the technology system is a privilege, NOT A RIGHT.  Violation of the policies and procedures as listed in this document on appropriate use will result in disciplinary action for both students and staff.

Level One Offenses (If repeated they become a Level Two Offense):

Any use of the technology system of Clarendon School District One that is not in accordance with the outlined educational objectives of the district listed above or results in one of the following abuses will result in, unless stipulated as an automatic Level Three offense, loss of technology privileges until a conference is held with the parent (for students) or supervisor (employee) and a warning is given.  The length of time of loss of privileges can be extended by the administration, depending on the offense.

1)      Users shall not allow other persons to use their logon name, password, or files, except in collaborative research and approved by the teacher/administrator.

2)      Users shall not give out personal information—including, but not limited to pictures, address, phone number, social security number, etc.--on the Internet. This includes unauthorized disclosure, use or dissemination of personal information regarding minors.

3)      Users must list the educational purpose for use of the Internet or other technological equipment/ tools on the forms supplied by the media specialist, teacher, or administrator.

4)      Users shall not try to discover another user’s password, view another user’s files (including so-called “hacking),” erase, rename, or make unusable anyone else’s files, programs, or disks. 

5)      Users are not allowed to produce a web page without the approval of the technology coordinator.  The web page must be consistent with the educational objectives of the district.

6)      Users (students) will not agree to meet with someone they communicated with on the Internet without being accompanied by their parent.  Users should report any questionable, impolite, or intimidating messages to their teacher or supervisor.

7)      Users shall show courtesy and respect in communication on the Internet and networks.

Level Two Offenses:

(Level One offenses that are repeated after a warning)

Any student/staff member who after a warning (Level One Offense) continues to engage in serious or persistent disregard for the appropriate use of the technology may be recommended for suspension (student) or, in the case of an employee, recommended for disciplinary action by his supervisor.

Level Three Offenses:

Items noted as a Level Three offenses are flagrant violations that blatantly corrupt the educational value of computers, computer networks, printers and Internet access and contain the elements of criminal mischief as defined by local, State and Federal law. Students and staff will lose the privilege of using the technology. Recommendation for expulsion from school (student), and legal action by local, state or federal authorities can result from these violations.

1)      Users shall not obtain unauthorized access (including “hacking”) to another person’s or district files nor write, produce, copy or attempt to introduce any computer code (virus) designed to self-replicate, damage or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer’s memory, file system, or software.

2)      Users shall not deliberately use the school district’s system to access, review, create, download, upload, store or print any obscene or objectionable information, language, or images--such as indecent, vulgar, profane, lewd, rude, disrespectful, sexually explicit—or information about a person that may be considered potentially harmful or unsafe.

3)      Users shall not send unauthorized E-Mail or E-Mail that is considered threatening, intimidating or harassing to any other user, locally or globally.  Users in receipt of such information shall report it immediately to an administrator, teacher or media specialist.

4)      Users shall not download files from the Internet without permission from an administrator or teacher/media specialist.

5)      Users shall not access “Chat Rooms” on the Internet without the permission of an administrator and shall only do so when related specifically to school/staff development projects. Students are not allowed to access electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communication except in special projects under direct supervision of a teacher who has secured the written permission of the principal.

6)      Users shall not tamper with or attempt to make repairs on any computer, network, printer or other technological tools/equipment, unless authorized by the Director of Technology.

7)      Users shall not intentionally damage or remove the system or components of the system, damage information belonging to others, or misuse system resources.

8)      Users shall not copy, change, install or transfer any software or documentation provided by the district, teacher or another student without permission of the district technology coordinator.

9)      Users shall not use the computers, networks, printers, scanners, cameras or Internet access for any non-instructional or non-administrative purposes without written permission of an administrator.

10)  Users shall not use the computers, networks, printers, scanners, faxes/copiers for unlawful purposes, such as illegal copying, distribution of software, threatening the safety of others, sale of drugs/alcohol, accessing obscene or profane (pornography) material, harassment, etc.

11)  Users will be considerate and polite and will not use obscene, profane, rude, disrespectful or otherwise inappropriate communication through text, images or language in messages.

12)  Users shall abide by the copyright laws and seek permission to use materials (text, graphics—including student or staff photos--databases, etc.) obtained from the Internet or through the network.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Users agree to report any inappropriate information accessed mistakenly, any violations of this policy, and any security problems.

RIGHTS:

Because the School District is providing access to the local network and to global communication through the Internet for limited educational purposes, the district may restrict your right to free speech for valid educational reasons only, but not because of your opinions.   The district also assumes the right to search your files and the system if there is suspicion that you have violated this policy.  Your parents have the right to request to see the contents of your E-Mail files. The District will not be responsible for any data loss, interruptions of service, accuracy of information received, or financial obligations incurred by you for unauthorized use of the system. If you violate this policy, a written disciplinary report will be presented to the administration. You have the right to appeal. 

Limitations

Clarendon School District 1 has taken precautions to greatly reduce and eliminate access to controversial material on the Internet. However the Internet spans the entire globe making it nearly impossible to prohibit everyone access to all objectionable materials.  The District shall not be held liable should the occurrence arise. As a parent you should assume personal responsibility to talk to your child about any objectionable material you would not want them to access and as a student you should follow your parent’s advice. Parents may revoke these privileges for your child by sending this request in writing to the school principal.  Staff members and citizens are to only access sites related to instruction or administrative management and may not disclose unauthorized personal information regarding students or staff.

ACCEPTANCE:

I, ________________________________, hereby accept responsibility to abide by the Acceptable Use Policy of Clarendon School District One as outlined in this agreement.  I further understand that any conduct in conflict with these responsibilities may result in loss of use of the technology system and possibly further disciplinary action.

Student/Staff’s Signature:___________________________________Date:______________________

Parent’s

Signature: __________________________________ Date: ______________________