Internet Acceptable Use

Board Policy Descriptor Code: IFBG

Internet Acceptable Use

Student Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources

1. Summary

The White County School System is pleased to provide our students with electronic resources for the purpose of supporting the school system and its educational mission. To gain access to the Internet, all students under the age of 18 must obtain parental permission by signing and returning an Acceptable Use form to the school. This policy establishes the boundaries of "acceptable use" of these limited electronic resources, including computers, networks, e-mail and other electronic information and services. Authorized users of these electronic resources assume personal responsibility for their appropriate use and agree to comply with this policy, other related school policies, and state and federal laws and

regulations. While our sole intent is to make Internet access available as another means to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. We strongly believe that the benefits of the Internet and the wealth of information that is accessible, exceeds any disadvantages.

2. Acceptable Use:

The purpose of the White County School's provision of access to the Internet is to support research and education in and among the system's academic institutions by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of White County School System. Transmission of any materials in violation of any U.S. or state organization is prohibited. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or materials protected by trade secrets. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.

3. Responsible Use

As outlined in Board policy on student rights and responsibilities, copies of which are available in school offices, the following are not permitted: Students shall not send, create post or access material that is:

  • obscene

  • pornographic

  • trespassing in another's folders, work or files

  • a violation of copyright laws

  • abusive, harassing, or insulting

  • damaging to another person's reputation

  • threatening or demeaning to another person

  • illegal

  • inappropriate for educational purposes

  • unauthorized downloading of music or streaming radio

  • using school resources to engage in "hacking" to bypass filters, run unapproved programs, to gain access to unauthorized material or applications, using any form of DOS commands or unauthorized scripting or written programs.

School level administration and classroom teachers shall approve the use of cell phones and other electronic devices for instructional purposes. Students using cell phones or Internet enabled electronic devices not according to school policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Any violation of school system policy and procedures may result in loss of our system access to the Internet. Additional disciplinary action may be determined in keeping with existing procedures and practices regarding inappropriate language or behavior. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

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4. Privacy Expectations

The school system's network resources are the property of the school system. There is no guarantee of privacy associated with the use of school technology resources. These resources include networking, computer hardware and software, connection to the Internet, e-mail, telephone equipment, voice mail and other services.

5. Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Compliance

It is the policy of White County Schools to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via the Internet; (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) monitor the online activities of students and instruct them about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response; (e) comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].

To the extent practical technology protection measures (or "Internet filters") will be used to block or filter Internet 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 pornographic, or to any material deemed harmful to minors.

7. Security

Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem within the network, you must notify a system administrator. Do not use another individual's account or password. Attempts to access the system as any other user may result in cancellation of user privileges. Network administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and insure that users are utilizing the system responsibly.

8. Vandalism

Vandalism may result in cancellation of privileges and/or criminal prosecution. This definition includes, but is not limited to, contamination, deletion or reconfiguration of data or degradation of system performance in any way.

User Agreement and Parent Permission Form

As a user of the computer network of the White County School System, I hereby agree to comply with the above stated rules. I certify that I have read and understand these regulations and understand that if I violate these rules, my network/Internet access privileges will be revoked and I will be subject to disciplinary action. I further understand that a violation may subject me to criminal and/or civil liability.

_____________________________Student Name ______________Date

As a parent or legal guardian of the minor student signing above, I grant permission for my son or daughter to access a networked computer and the

Internet. (Please be aware that the White County School System does have an Internet Filtering System in place as mandated by law.) I

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understand that some material on the Internet may be objectionable, but I accept responsibility for guidance of Internet use for my child.

I also give permission for my child's photograph, likeness, or voice to be used by the internal/external news media and/or on the school or system's web page in relation to any and all coverage of the White County School System.

_____________________________Parent/Guardian Name ______________Date

I hereby certify that I have read and understand the rules stated above. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the White County School District, its employees and agents, from all claims arising from or related to my child's use or misuse of the network/Internet, and waive any and all claims I may have against the District for such use or misuse.

____________________________Student Name _________________Date

April 23, 2009.

Teacher Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources

1. Summary

The White County School System is pleased to provide our students with electronic resources for the purpose of supporting the school system and its educational mission. To gain access to the Internet, all students under the age of 18 must obtain parental permission by signing and returning an Acceptable Use form to the school. This policy establishes the boundaries of "acceptable use" of these limited electronic resources, including computers, networks, e-mail and other electronic information and services. Authorized users of these electronic resources assume personal responsibility for their appropriate use and agree to comply with this policy, other related school policies, and state and federal laws and

regulations. While our sole intent is to make Internet access available as another means to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. We strongly believe that the benefits of the Internet and the wealth of information that is accessible, exceeds any disadvantages.

2. Purpose

A. White County Schools' technology resources are provided to students, faculty and staff in order to support the school system and its educational mission. These resources include networking, computer hardware and software, connection to the Internet, e-mail, telephone equipment, voice mail and other services. The Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources applies to all users of the school system's network or equipment.

B. Electronic resources provided by the system are limited. When demand for these resources exceeds available capacity, priorities for their use will be established and enforced. Authorized faculty and staff may set and change the priorities for these resources. The highest priority for use of system-wide electronic resources will include uses that support the educational and business mission of the school system, purchased services and online testing.

3. Staff

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a. Staff shall not send, create, post or access material that is:

  • obscene

  • pornographic

  • child pornography

  • harmful to minors

  • abusive

  • damaging to another person's reputation

  • threatening or demeaning to another person

  • illegal

  • inappropriate for educational purposes

  • unauthorized downloads of music streaming or streaming radio

b. Staff shall not use school resources to engage in ‘hacking" or attempts to otherwise compromise system security.

c. E-mail accounts are provided to employees for educational purposes. School e-mail should not be used to advertise or solicit business for private entities.

d. All staff members should obtain permission from the Technology Director before sending any messages to the entire school system staff.

Any violation of school policy may result in loss of school-provided access to the Internet. Additional disciplinary action may be determined in keeping with existing procedures and practices. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

4. Privacy Expectations

The school system's network resources are the property of the school system. There is no guarantee of privacy associated with the use of school technology resources. These resources include networking, computer hardware and software, connection to the Internet, e-mail, telephone equipment, voice mail and other services. Do not reveal the personal address or phone numbers of yourself or any other person.

5. Children's Internet Protection (CIPA) Compliance

It is the policy of White County Schools to: (a) prevent user access through its computer network, or transmission of, inappropriate material via the Internet; (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) compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].

To the extent practical technology protection measures (or "Internet filters") shall be used to block or filter Internet 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.

4 of 5 1/19/2012 12:11 PM

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