READING
SCHOOL DISTRICT
ACCEPTABLE
USE OF INTERNET
The
Board supports the use of the Internet and other computer networks in the
district’s instructional program in order to facilitate learning and teaching
through interpersonal communications, access to information, research and
collaboration.
The
use of network facilities shall be consistent with the curriculum adopted by
the school district as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles,
abilities, and developmental levels of students.
The
electronic information available to students and staff does not imply
endorsement of the content by the district, nor does the district guarantee the
accuracy of information received on the Internet. The district shall not be
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.
The
district shall not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees
resulting from access to the Internet.
The
district reserves the right to log network use and to monitor fileserver space
utilization by district users. When
using the District’s network facilities, users understand that there is no
expectation of privacy and that all use may be monitored by the District.
The
Board establishes that use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right;
inappropriate, unauthorized and illegal use will result in the cancellation of
those privileges and appropriate disciplinary action.
Prior
to its use, staff, parents and students must read and sign the Reading School
District Internet and Acceptable Use Policy Registration. Completed forms will
be maintained by the Building Principal.
The
district shall make every effort to ensure that this educational resource is
used responsibly by students and staff.
Administrators,
teachers and staff have a professional responsibility to work together to help
students develop the intellectual skills necessary to discriminate among
information sources, to identify information appropriate to their age and
developmental levels, and to evaluate and use the information to meet their
educational goals.
Students
and staff have the responsibility to respect and protect the rights of every
other user in the district and on the Internet.
The
building administrator shall have the authority to determine what is inappropriate use, and his/her decision is final.
Prohibitions
Students
and staff are expected to act in a responsible, ethical and legal manner in
accordance with district policy, accepted rules of network etiquette, and
Federal and State law. Specifically, the following uses are prohibited:
1. Use of the
network to facilitate illegal activity.
2. Use of the
network for commercial or for-profit purposes.
3. Use of the
network for non-work or non-school related work.
4. Use of the
network for product advertisement or political lobbying.
5. Use of the
network for hate mail, discriminatory remarks, and offensive or inflammatory
communication.
6. Unauthorized or illegal installation, distribution,
reproduction, or use of copyrighted materials.
7. Use of the
network to access obscene or pornographic material.
8. Use of
inappropriate language or profanity on the network.
9. Use of the
network to transmit material likely to be offensive or objectionable to
recipients.
10. Use of the
network to intentionally obtain or modify files, passwords, and data belonging
to other users.
11. Impersonation
of another user, anonymity, and pseudonyms.
12. Use of
network facilities for fraudulent copying, communications, or modification of
materials in violation of copyright laws.
13. Loading or
use of unauthorized games, programs, files, or other electronic media.
14. Use of the
network to disrupt the work of other users.
15. Destruction,
modification, or abuse of network hardware and software.
16. Quoting
personal communications in a public forum without the original author’s prior
consent.
Security
System
security is protected through the use of passwords. Failure to adequately
protect or update passwords could result in unauthorized access to district
files. To protect the integrity of the system, the following guidelines shall
be followed:
1. Employees
and students shall not reveal their passwords to another individual.
2. Users are
not to use a computer that has been logged in under another student’s or
teacher’s name.
3. Any user
identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other
computer systems may be denied access to the network.
4.
All passwords
must be provided to the Building Administrator and kept current.
Safety
To
the greatest extent possible, users of the network will be protected from
harassment or unwanted or unsolicited communication. Any network user who
receives threatening or unwelcome communications shall immediately bring them
to the attention of a teacher or administrator.
Network
users shall not reveal personal addresses or telephone numbers to other users
on the network.
Consequences For
Inappropriate Use
The
network user shall be responsible for damages to the equipment, systems, and
software resulting from deliberate or willful acts.
Illegal
use of the network; intentional deletion or damage to files of data belonging
to others; copyright violations or theft of services will be reported to the
appropriate legal authorities for possible prosecution.
General
rules for behavior and communications apply when using the Internet, in
addition to the stipulations of this policy. Loss of access and other
disciplinary actions shall be consequences for inappropriate use.
Vandalism
will result in cancellation of access privileges. Vandalism is defined as any
malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet or other
networks. This includes but is not limited to the uploading or creation of
computer viruses.
Copyright
The
illegal use of copyrighted software by students and staff is prohibited. Any
data uploaded to or downloaded from the network shall be subject to “fair use”
guidelines.
INTERNET & COMPUTER ACCEPTABLE USE
POLICY
READING SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGISTRATION FOR INTERNET USE
I
agree that I will use the Internet for educational, informational, and
vocational purposes only. I have read, I understand, and I will abide by the INTERNET & COMPUTER ACCEPTABLE USE
POLICY whether I have read it or not. I
understand that any violation of law while using the computers may subject me
to criminal prosecution. I further
understand that if I violate any rule, my Internet access privileges may be
revoked and/or appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action taken.
_______________________________________
Please Print Name
_______________________________________ ______________________________
Signature of User Date
If
user is under the age of 18 years, the parent or legal guardian must read and
sign this Agreement.
As
the parent or legal guardian of the above minor child, I agree that the minor child will abide by the INTERNET & COMPUTER
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY whether I, the parent or guardian have read it or
not. I understand that this access is for educational, informational, and
vocational purposes only. I recognize
and agree that it is impossible for the Reading School District to restrict
access to controversial and/or inappropriate materials on the Internet, and I
agree that they are not responsible in any way for any such materials acquired
or viewed by my child. I understand that any violation of law while using the
computers may subject me, on behalf of my child, to criminal prosecution. I further understand that if my child
violates any rule, his or her Internet access privileges may be revoked and
appropriate disciplinary action taken. I
hereby accept full responsibility for my child(ren) at
all times during his/her/their use of the Internet and release the Reading
School District, its officers, administrators, and employees from any liability
related thereto.
PARENTAL WAIVER FORM
I agree to allow my child (under 18 years of age) to access the
Internet without my supervision.
_____________________________________ ______________________________
Parent or Legal Guardian Date