Acceptable Use Policy

Acceptable Use of the Internet

All use of the Internet shall be consistent with the Paris Union School District 95 goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. These procedures do not attempt to state all required or proscribed behavior by users. However, some specific examples are provided. The failure of any user to follow these procedures will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/ or appropriate legal action.

Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptable Use- Access to the Paris Union School District 95 Internet must be for the purpose of education or research, and be consistent with the educational objectives of the District.

2. Privileges- The use of the Paris Union School District 95 Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The system administrator will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time; his or her decision is final.

3. Unacceptable Use- The user is responsible for his or her actions and activities involving the network. Some examples of unacceptable uses are:

a. Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any U.S. or State regulation;

b. Unauthorized downloading of software, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or devirused;

c. Downloading copyrighted material for other than personal use;

d. Using the network for private financial or commercial gain;

e. Wastefully using resources, such as file space;

f. Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities;

g. Invading the privacy of individuals;

h. Using another user's account or password;

i. Posting material authorized or created by another without his/her consent;

j. Posting anonymous messages;

k. Using the network for commercial or private advertising;

l. Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing, or illegal material; and

m. Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked.

4. Network Etiquette - The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Be polite. Do not become abusive in messages to others.

b. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.

c. Do not reveal the personal addresses or telephone numbers or students or colleagues.

d. Recognize that electronic mail (E-mail) is not private. People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported the authorities.

e. Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt its use by other users.

f. Consider all communications and information accessible via the network to be private property.

5. No Warranties - The Paris Union School District 95 makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages the user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or the users' own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

6. Indemnification - The user agrees to indemnify the School District for any losses, costs, or damages, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the District relating to , or arising out of, any violation of these procedures.

7. Security - Network security is a high priority. If the user can identify a security problem on the Internet, the user must notify the system administrator or Building Principal. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Keep the user's account and password confidential. Do not use another individual's account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to log-on to the Internet as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network.

8. Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or any other network. This includes, but is limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

9. Telephone Charges - The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees, including telephone charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs.

Instruction
Access to the Internet

The Paris Union District 95 goal is to include the Internet in the District's instructional program in order to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. The Superintendent or designee shall develop an implementation plan for this policy and appoint a system administrator.

Paris Union District 95 is not responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable when using the network, or for any information that is retrieved via the Internet. Furthermore, the District will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the Internet.

Individual School Board members and administrative staff members shall be treated like teachers. "Internet" includes all information accessed by Internet sites, E-Mail, on-line services, and bulletin board systems.

Curriculum

The use of the Internet shall be consistent with the curriculum adopted by the District as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of the students. The Internet shall comply with the selection criteria for instructional materials and library-media center materials. Teachers may, consistent with the Superintendent's implementation plan, use the Internet throughout the curriculum. The Internet is part of the curriculum and is not a public forum for general use.

Acceptable Use

All use of the District's connection to the Internet must be in support of education and/or research, and be in furtherance of the School Board's stated goal. Use is a privilege, not a right. General rules for behavior and communications apply when using the Internet. The District's Authorization for Internet Access contains the appropriate uses, ethics, and protocol for the Internet. Electronic communications and downloaded material may be monitored or read by school officials.

Authorization for Internet Access

Each teacher must sign the District's Authorization for Internet Access as a condition for using the District's Internet connection. Each student and his or her parent(s) / guardian(s) must sign the Authorization before being granted unsupervised use.

The failure of any student or teacher to follow the terms of the Authorization for Internet Access, or this policy, will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.

Letter to Parent(s) / Guardian(s) Regarding Student Use of the Internet

Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),

We now have the ability to enhance your child's education through the use of the Internet. The Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources. The District's goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Your authorization is needed before your child may use this resource.

The Internet electronically connects thousands of computers throughout the world and millions of individual subscribers. Students and teachers may have access to: Limited electronic mail communications with people all over the world; Information from government sources, research institutions, and other sources; Discussion groups; Many libraries, including the catalog to the Library of Congress, and the Educational Resources Information Clearinghouses (ERIC).

With this educational opportunity also comes responsibility. You and your child should read the enclosed Authorization for Internet Access and discuss it together. The use of inappropriate material or language, or violation of copyright laws, may result in the loss of the privilege to use this resource. Remember that you are legally responsible for your child's actions.

The Paris Union District 95 takes precautions to prevent access to materials that may be defamatory, inaccurate, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate in the school setting. On an unregulated network, however, it is impossible to control all material and a user may discover inappropriate material. Ultimately, parent(s) / guardian(s) are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their child or ward should follow. To that end, the Paris Union School District 95 supports and respects each family's right to decide whether or not to authorize Internet access.

Please read and discuss the Authorization for Internet Access with your child. If you agree to allow your child to have an Internet account, sign the following Authorization form and return it to your school.

Authorization for Internet Access

Each teacher/student must sign this Authorization as a condition for using the District's Internet connection. Please read this document carefully before signing.

All use of the Internet shall be consistent with the District's goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. This authorization does not attempt to state all required or proscribed behavior by users. However, some specific examples are provided. The failure of any user to follow the terms of the Authorization for Internet Access will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and /or legal action. The signature(s) at the end of this document is legally binding and indicates the party who signed has read the terms and conditions carefully and understands their significance.

Students, parent(s) / guardian(s), and teachers need only sign this Authorization for Internet Access once while enrolled or employed by the School District.

I understand and will abide by the above Authorization for Internet Access. I further understand that should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked, and school disciplinary action and / or appropriate legal action may be taken. In consideration for using the District's Internet connection and having access to public networks, I hereby release the School District and its Board members, employees, and agents from any claims and damages arising from my use, or inability to use the Internet.

DATE_______________

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User Signature

The following is required if the user is a student:

I have read this Authorization for Internet Access. I understand that access is designed for educational purposes and that Paris Union District 95 has taken precautions to eliminate controversial material. However, I also recognize it is impossible for Paris District 95 to restrict access to all controversial and inappropriate materials. I will hold harmless Paris Union District 95, its employees, agents, or Board members, for any harm caused by materials or software obtained via the network. I accept full responsibility for the supervision if and when my child's use is not in a school setting. I have discussed the terms of this Authorization with my child. I hereby request that my child be allowed access to the Paris Union District 95 Internet.

Date:___________________

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Student Name (Please print)

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Student Signature

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Parent/Guardian Name (Please print)

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Parent/ Guardian Signature