Student IUP

The Internet Is:

The Internet is a network of networks. It has evolved into the cooperative arrangement among thousands of university, government and corporate networks that have agreed to use a common language for communication with one another. USD 379 is committed to making advanced technology and increased access to learning opportunities available to all of our students. We are pleased to announce that we now can offer limited Internet services to our students and staff. We believe this computer technology will help propel today’s schools into the information age by allowing students and staff to access and use information sources from distant computers, communicate and share information with individuals or groups of other students and staff, and expand their knowledge base.

Proper and Ethical Use:

When using this learning tool, users must understand and practice proper and ethical use. Please read this document carefully. When signed by you and, if appropriate, your parent/guardian, it becomes binding.

Conditions and Rules for Use:

1. Acceptable Use

a. The purpose of Internet access through USD 379 is to facilitate communications in support of research and education by providing access to unique resources and an opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of USD 379. Access to the Internet is made possible through an appropriate provider to be designated by USD 379 at its sole discretion. All users of the Internet must comply with this Acceptable Use policy, which is available upon request from USD 379.

2. Unacceptable Use

a. Use for commercial activities is generally not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.
b. Transmission of any material in violation of any United States or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.
c. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm, modify, and destroy data of another user or other networks that are connected to the Internet backbone, and will result in loss of privileges. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses. Computer viruses are programs designed to spread themselves that can destroy valuable programs and data. To reduce the risk of spreading a computer virus, do not import files from unknown or disreputable sources. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance of any computer system or network on the Internet by spreading computer viruses is considered criminal activity under state and federal law.
d. Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user or the interference of another user’s work and is not acceptable. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the repeated sending of unwanted mail.
e. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems, may be denied access to Internet by USD 379.

Access to the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use, including any violation of these conditions and rules, may result in cancelation of the privilege. USD 379 may deny or revoke user privileges at any time based upon its determination of inappropriate use.

3. Network Etiquette
All users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Be polite. Good manners and good taste are the rule no matter what environment you find yourself in. Take pride in how you appear to others. Check your spelling and grammar before you post. Never post inflammatory messages. If you make a mistake, apologize!
b. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.
c. Although anonymous messages may not be posted, do not reveal your name, address, or phone number or those of other students or colleagues.
d. Note that electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities and may result in the loss of user privileges.
e. Use the network in such a way that you do not disrupt the use of the network by other users.

4. No Warranties
USD 379 makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the service it is providing. It will not be responsible for any damages a user suffers. This includes loss of data for any reason. All users need to consider the source of any information they obtain and consider how valid that information may be.

5. Procedures

a. Student users must always get permission from their instructors before using the network or accessing any specific file or application.
b. Student users must sign in and out legibly on the appropriate log each time they use the Internet.
c. All users have the same right to use the equipment. At the same time, some types of use may have more educational value than others; therefore, academic purposes have priority over all other uses.

6. Intellectual Freedom

a. The Internet is a free and open forum for expression, including viewpoints that are unusual, unorthodox, or unpopular. The computer administrators will place no official sanctions upon the expression of personal opinion on the network.
b. Any statement of personal belief is implicitly understood to be representative of the author’s individual point of view, and not that of USD 379, or its employees.

7. Encounter of Controversial Material
Users may encounter material, which is controversial, and which users, parents, teachers, or administrators may consider inappropriate or offensive. However, on a global network it is impossible to control effectively the content of data. It is the user’s responsibility not to initiate access to such material. USD 379’s attempts to restrict access to Internet material shall not be deemed to impose any duty on these bodies to regulate the content of material on the Internet.

8. Penalties for Improper Use
Any user violating these rules, applicable state and federal laws or posted classroom and USD 379 rules is subject to loss of network privileges and any other disciplinary options or legal actions.

9. Web Photo Posting Policies
The USD 379 website may post photos, videos, or podcasts of students on the USD #379 web site. The names of the students may be listed, but may or may not be specific to the order in which they appear in the picture.

USD 379 INTERNET PERMISSION FORM

USER: I understand and will abide by the USD 379 Internet Acceptable Use
Policy. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be
revoked, and disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

DATE: ______________________

USER: (print) ___________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________________________

PARENT OR As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the USD 379
GUARDIAN: Internet Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that this access is
Designed for educational purposes. I also recognize that it is impossible
for USD 379 to restrict access to controversial materials, and I will not
hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. Further, I
accept full responsibility for supervision if and when my child’s use is not
in a school setting. I hereby give permission to issue an account to my
child and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

DATE: ______________________

PARENT OR
GUARDIAN’S
SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________________

USD 379, 807 Dexter Street, P.O. Box 97, Clay Center, KS 67432
Approved:
Dec 2, 1996
May 4, 2009