(Taken from the WRSD Policy Handbook)

 

STUDENT ACCESS TO NETWORKED INFORMATION RESOURCES

 

The White River School District Board of Education 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, electronic information sources and networked services significantly alter the information landscape for schools by opening classrooms to a broader array of resources. In the past, instructional and library media materials could usually be screened prior to use. 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 not fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees during an 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. Staff will consult any guidelines set forward by the district for instructional materials and will honor the goals for selection of instructional materials contained therein.

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are in a classroom or a school library. 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 forms and agreement forms by parents or guardians of students.

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.

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to prepare appropriate procedures for implementing this policy and for reviewing and evaluating its effect on instruction and student achievement.

Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review files and communications 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.

Staff will always be present when students are using the Internet at school.

The following guidelines are provided so that students are aware of the responsibilities they are about to acquire. In general this require efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. If a user violates any of these provisions, his or her access will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied. The signature at on the attached document are legally binding and indicates the parties who signed have read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their significance.

 

 

INTERNET – TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  1. Acceptable Use – The purpose of an Inter Net Service Provider (INSP) is to support research and education in and among academic institutions by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. School use must be in support of equation and research and consistent with educational objectives. Use of other organization’s network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission or receipt of any material in violation of any U.S., state, or local regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for political lobbying is also prohibited.
  2. Privileges – The use of Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. Each student who receives access will participate in a discussion with a faculty member pertaining to the proper use of the network. The system administrators and teachers will deem what is appropriate use. The building level administrator may deny, revoke, or suspend specific user access.
  3. Nebquette – You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to the following:
  1. Be polite. Your messages should not be abusive to others.
  2. Use appropriate language. Do not swear; use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.
  3. Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers of students or colleagues.
  4. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden. And will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
  5. Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do not have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
  6. Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users. Monopolizing Internet time and consuming large areas of storage will not be tolerated.
  7. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.
  1. The White River School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The White River School District will not be responsible for any damages suffered. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence, error or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the users own risk. The White River School District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained.
  2. Security – Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users.
  1. If you feel you can identify a security problem, you must notify a teacher who will in turn notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate any problems to other users.
  2. Do not use another individual’s account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to log in, as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges.
  3. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access.
  1. Vandalism – Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware, data of another user, Internet, or any agencies or other networks. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses

 

 

 

 

As outlined in Board policy and procedures on student access of the Internet, 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 systems or computer networks

*Violating copyright laws

*Using another’s password

*Trespassing in another’s folders, work on 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.
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