2016-2017 Student Handbook | Page 37

Rights & Responsibilities The district will monitor network activity, in any manner necessary, to maintain the integrity of the network(s) and ensure proper use. Users should not expect that files stored on school-based computers, including electronic messages sent to or from school- based computers, will be private. The contents of files, including electronic messages sent or received shall be reviewed by a network system operator or other designated personnel. Outside of school, families 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. Responsibilities User: Any member of the District Community who is given access to district-managed electronic information resources. Network System Operator (s): The staff member(s) responsible for the operation and maintenance of districtmanaged information resources. The use of the LAN, WAN, or Internet must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of the District. Internet users must comply with the guidelines of this Policy and Regulations and the standards of conduct and other standards established by the Board of Education. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising from unauthorized use of the system. The District cannot guarantee that information or other content accessed via the Internet is not harmful, nor is the District liable if the accessed content should be harmful. The District cannot guarantee that files accessed from the LAN, WAN, or Internet are free of viruses, nor is the District liable for any harm that viruses acquired from District-provided technology cause to non-District technology. All users are prohibited from the following use/misuse of District-Provided Access to Electronic Information: violating any local, state, federal, or international law or regulation; gaining unauthorized access to any computer system or going beyond authorized access; vandalizing, damaging, or otherwise impairing computers, networks, or related materials or products, including the creation of viruses or other damage to software/hardware; downloading, uploading, or installing software without permission from network system operator; abusing resources by sending chain or pyramid letters or “spamming”. Spamming is defined as sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people; accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material; transmitting obscene, abusive, sexually explicit, or threatening language or images; using the network to access material that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). An exception may be made for such material if the purpose is to conduct approved research and with teacher and parent permission; vandalizing, damaging, or disabling the property of another individual or organization; accessing another individual’s materials, information, or files without permission; violating copyrights or otherwise using the intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission;  Plagiarizing work found on the LAN, WAN, or Internet; using the Internet for product advertisement or commercial activities; using the Internet to purchase products or services, with the exception of staff members who have received prior permission from their supervisors; encouraging the sale or distribution of controlled substances or alcohol; posting personal contact information about yourself or other people. Using a false identity or impersonating another person; and any other conduct or activity that violates the rights of others or does not advance the educational/management purposes for which computer network(s) /computers are provided. Student users are responsible for: Notifying a teacher, network system operator, or other responsible school professional of possible security problems; promptly disclosing, to teacher or other responsible school professional, information concerning any message he/she receives that is inappropriate or causes discomfort; notifying responsible school professional if he/she mistakenly accesses inappropriate information; and notifying responsible school professional of other user’s access of inappropriate information. Communication Parents need to be aware that the Internet is an open system containing material that may be deemed objectionable. The information may be defamatory, offensive, pornographic, controversial, discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate. The District cannot guarantee that such information will not be accessed by students. 37| P a g e