File: EDE

COMPUTER/ON-LINE SERVICES

Access and Use of Networked Information Resources and Communications Acceptable Use

1. Purpose

The purpose of this acceptable use policy is to set forth guidelines for access to the District computer system and acceptable use of the Internet.

2. General Statement of Policy

In making decisions regarding student access to the District computer system and to the Internet, the District considers its own stated educational mission, goals, and objectives. Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees. Access to the District computer system and to the Internet enables students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources while exchanging messages with people around the world. The District expects that faculty will blend thoughtful use of the District computer system and the Internet throughout the curriculum and will provide guidance and instruction to students in their use.

3. Limited Educational Purpose

The District is providing students and employees with access to the District’s computer system, which includes Internet access. The purpose of the system is not merely to provide students and employees with general access to the Internet. The District system has a limited educational purpose, which includes use of the system for classroom activities and professional and/or career development. Users are expected to use Internet access through the District system to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission of the District and school policies. Uses that might be acceptable on a user’s private personal account on another system may not be acceptable on this limited purpose network.

4. Use Of System Is A Privilege

The use of the District system and access to use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Depending on the nature and degree of the violation and the number of previous violations, unacceptable use of the District system or the Internet may result in one or more of the following consequences: suspension or cancellation of use of access privileges; payments for damages and repairs; discipline under other appropriate school District policies, including suspension, expulsion, exclusion or termination of employment; or civil or criminal liability under other applicable laws.

Based on the acceptable use guidelines outlined in this policy, school administrators may deem what is appropriate use of the network and take appropriate action. The system administrator may suspend or close an account immediately and without warning as required. The administrator must notify the user of the reason for termination in writing within two weeks of the action. The administration, faculty and staff of the District may also request the system administrator deny, revoke or suspend specific user accounts. Students whose accounts are denied, suspended or revoked have the following rights: a) to request in writing a written statement justifying the actions of the system or building administrator; b) to submit a written appeal to the system or building administrator and to meet with the designated administrator. Students under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at the meeting.

5. Unacceptable Uses

A. The following uses of the District system and Internet resources or accounts are considered unacceptable:

1) Users will not use the District system to access, review, upload, download, store, print, post, or distribute pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material.

2) Users will not use the District system to transmit, receive, or store items containing obscene, abusive, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, disrespectful or sexually explicit language.

3) Users will not use the District system to access, review, upload, download, store, print, post or distribute materials that use language or images that are inappropriate to the educational setting or disruptive to the educational process and will not post information or materials that could cause damage or danger of disruption.

File: EDE

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Westlake City School District

4) Users will not use the District system to access, review, upload, download, store, print, post or distribute materials that use language or images that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination. All provisions of the District’s antiharassment/discrimination policies apply.

5) Users will not use the District system to knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization, to harass another person, or to engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.

6) Users will not use the District system to engage in any illegal act or violate any local, state or federal statute or law.

7) Users will not use District system to vandalize, damage or disable the property of another person or organization, will not make deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt equipment, software or system performance by spreading computer viruses or by any other means, will not tamper with, modify or change the District computer of server system software, hardware or network infrastructure or take any action to violate the District system’s security, and will not use the District system in such a way as to disrupt the use of the system by other users.

8) Users will not use the District system to gain unauthorized access to information resources or to access another person’s materials, information or files without the implied or direct permission of that person.

9) Users will not use the District system to post private information about another person or to post personal contact information about themselves or other persons including, but not limited to, addresses, telephone numbers, school addresses, work addresses, identification numbers, account numbers, access codes or passwords, and will not repost a message that was sent to the user privately without permission of the person who sent the message.

10) Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the District system or any other system through the District system, attempt to log in through another person’s account, or use computer accounts, access codes or network identification other than those assigned to the user.

11) Users will not use the District system to violate copyright laws or usage licensing agreements, or otherwise to use another person’s property, without the person’s prior approval or proper citation, including the downloading or exchanging of pirated software or copying software to or from any school computer, and will not plagiarize works they find on the Internet.

12) Users will not use the District system for the conduct of a business, for unauthorized commercial purposes or for financial gain unrelated to the mission of the District. Users will not use the District system to offer or provide goods or services or for product advertisement. Users will not use the District system to purchase goods or services for personal use without authorization from the appropriate District official.

13) Students may not use the District system to access personal communication software including web-based e-mail, messaging, paging, Internet telephone, or other like systems. In fact, users should realize that accessing the e-mail, files, etc. of another user may constitute a violation of federal and state wiretap laws, bringing potential criminal and civil liability.

B. If a user inadvertently accesses unacceptable materials or an unacceptable Internet site, the user shall immediately disclose the inadvertent access to an appropriate District official. This disclosure may serve as a defense against an allegation that the user has intentionally violated this policy. A user may also in certain rare instances access otherwise unacceptable materials if necessary to complete an assignment and if done with the prior approval of and with appropriate guidance from the appropriate teacher.

6. Consistency With Other School Policies

Use of the District computer system and use of the Internet shall be consistent with District policies and the mission of the District. It is the duty of teachers and staff serving in positions where students access technology to monitor student use of computer systems.

File: EDE

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Westlake City School District

7. Waived Expectation Of Privacy

A. By authorizing use of the District system, the District does not relinquish control over materials on the system or contained in files on the system. Users should not expect privacy in the contents of personal files on the District system.

B. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the District system may lead to a discovery that a user has violated this policy, another District policy or the law.

C. An individual investigation or search may be conducted at any time by school authorities or contracted service providers.

D. Parents have the right at any time to investigate or review the contents of their child’s files and e-mail files. Parents have the right to request the termination of their child’s individual account at any time.

E. Each user should keep passwords secure and unknown to others and refrain from sharing.

F. District employees should be aware that data and other materials in files maintained on the District system may be subject to review, disclosure or discovery.

The District will cooperate fully with local, state, and federal authorities in any investigation concerning or related to any illegal activities and activities not in compliance with District policies conducted through the District system.

8. Limitation On School District Liability

Use of the District system is at the user’s own risk. The system is provided on an "as is, as available" basis. The District will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on District diskettes, tapes, hard drives or servers, or for delays or changes in or interruptions of service or misdeliveries or non-deliveries of information or materials, regardless of the cause. The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of any advice or information obtained through or stored on the District system. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through unauthorized use of the District system or the Internet.

9. Parent Responsibility; Notification Of Student Internet Use

A. Outside of school, parents bear responsibility for the same guidance of Internet use as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, radio, movies and other potentially offensive media. Parents are responsible for monitoring their student’s use of the District system and of the Internet if the student is accessing the District system from home or a remote location.

Parents may be notified that their students will be using District resources/accounts to access the Internet and that the District may provide parents the option to request alternative activities not requiring Internet access.

10. Internet Use Agreement

A. The proper use of the Internet, and the educational value to be gained from proper Internet use, is the joint responsibility of students, parents and employees of the District.

B. By inclusion within the student handbook and/or through direct receipt, it is understood by the student, parent or guardian and District staff that these guidelines, as with all guidelines contained within the student handbook, are agreed upon. Parents or guardians who do not agree with this computer use policy may elect to have their child excluded from all activities involving the use of the Internet by completing an Internet exclusion form.

C. By inclusion within the staff handbook and/or through direct receipt, it is understood by the District staff that these guidelines, as with all guidelines contained within the staff handbook, are agreed upon.

File: EDE

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Westlake City School District

Application and Release

In consideration for using the Westlake City School computer network, and in consideration for having access to the information contained on it, each account user releases the Westlake City Schools, its operators and administrators from any and all claims of any nature arising from his/her use or inability to use, the Westlake computer network. Any violation of any of the specific terms and conditions of this agreement will result in the termination of the account and the possible denial of future access. The signatures at the conclusion of this document indicate the parties who have signed have read the terms and conditions carefully, understand their significance and agree to follow them.

I hereby apply for a student account on the Westlake City Schools Computer Network.
 
  
  
  
(Please Print) First Name Middle Initial Last Name Grade
I understand and will abide by the provisions of the Westlake City Schools Acceptable Use Policy and conditions of this agreement. I understand that any violations of the above provisions may result in disciplinary action, the revocation of my user account, and appropriate legal action. I also agree to report any misuse of the information to a Westlake City School District Administrator.
 
  
Student’s Signature  Date
Parent or Guardian: If the applicant is under the age of 18 a parent or guardian must read and sign this agreement.

Parent Release

As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the attached terms and conditions for Westlake City Schools Networked Information Policy and agree to its conditions. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes. I recognize that it is impossible for Westlake City Schools to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold the school responsible for materials acquired on the Network. I confirm my child’s intention to abide by the terms and conditions herein.

 
  
  
(Please Print) Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian Signature Date
 
  
  
(Please Print) Student's Name Student's Signature Date

 

Adoption Date:

May 23, 2002

Legal Refs.:

U.S. Const. Art. I, § 8

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; 20 USC 1232g et seq.

ORC

1329.54-1329.67

3313.20

3319.321

Cross Refs.:

AC, Nondiscrimination

ACA, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex

ACAA, Sexual Harassment

IB, Academic Freedom

JFC, Student Conduct

 

File: EDE

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Westlake City School District