Internet Use

Overview:

The Internet is an electronic communications network which provides vast, diverse, and unique resources. In providing this service to teachers, staff, and students, the Clearview Regional Board of Education seeks to continue to promote educational excellence in the Clearview Regional Schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

With access to computers and people all over the world, also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. The Clearview Regional High School District firmly believes that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility of unacceptable use to procure material not acceptable with the educational goals of the District. While it is impossible to control all that is accessible on the network, the District has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials, and has identified acceptable use guidelines for those who are permitted to use the network.

Guidelines:

Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies and regional networks. The operation of the Internet relies heavily on the proper conduct of the users who must adhere to strict guidelines. Internet access is a privilege, not a right. If a district user violates any of the acceptable use provisions outlined in this document, his/her account will be terminated, and future access will be denied. Some violations may also constitute a criminal offense, and may result in legal action. Any user violating these provisions, applicable state and federal laws, or posted classroom and district policies, is subject to loss of access privileges, and any other District disciplinary options.

1. Acceptable Use:

Acceptable use guidelines for the Internet include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Use of the Internet must be in support of education and research consistent with the educational objectives of the Clearview Regional High School District.

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. Use of the network for religious or political messages is prohibited.

d. Use of the Internet for commercial, personal, or for- profit business is prohibited.

e. Use of the network to access, process, or transmit, pornographic or text files deemed inappropriate for school use is prohibited.

f. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are unacceptable.

g. All illegal activities are forbidden.

2. Network Etiquette:

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. Do not get abusive in your messages to others.

b. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, discriminatory remarks, ethnic slurs, racial epithets, or other inappropriate language.

c. Do not reveal your personal address, or the telephone numbers and addresses of students and colleagues.

d. Assume all communication and information accessible via the network to be private property. Users should not seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network. Note, however, that electronic mail and the Internet are not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all files and messages. Messages relating to, or in support of, illegal activities may be reported to authorities.

3. Security:

Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. All users have a vested interest in protecting the security of the system, and the responsibility of notifying a teacher, or system administrator, immediately of a potential security problem. Do not demonstrate the problem to others. No one should use another individual's account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to logon as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges and possible disciplinary action. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the Internet.

4. Vandalism:

Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy the data of another user, the Internet, or any of the agencies or networks that are connected to the Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Vandalism will result in the cancellation of privileges and possible disciplinary/legal action.

5. Legal Issues:

All copyright laws concerning printed media will apply to the use of materials found on the Internet.

6. Fair Use:

Staff and students can make limited use of some text and graphics within their own classrooms. Those same text and graphics should not be published to other classrooms by posting them on a LAN (Local Area Network) or to other buildings posted on a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the World Wide Web. The moment the works of staff and students move out of the classroom, they fall under a "public performance" clause of the copyright law which imposes much greater restrictions and fees.

a. Students and Staff are prohibited from using materials (graphics, text, etc.) found on the Internet when publishing on the district Web Site unless formal permission from the author or photographer has been requested and received.

b. If permission is requested and granted to republish text or graphics by the author or artist, always provide a credit line near the item or at the bottom of the page.

7. Use of Clip Art, Web Art and Photos:

Clip Art collections are purchased by the school district for use within the classroom. Those same images may not be published on a LAN, WAN or the World Wide Web. Web Art refers to any image found on a web site other than your own. Unless there is a clear statement that the art or photo is "Public Domain" and available for free use, it will be assumed that the image is copyrighted and should not be taken and used for republication on a LAN, WAN or the World Wide Web.

a. Students and Staff are prohibited from using "clip art, Web art and photos" when publishing on the district Web Site unless formal permission from the company or person who created the image has been requested and received.

b. If permission is requested and granted to republish text or graphics by the author or artist, always provide a credit line near the item or at the bottom of the page.

8. Publication of Student Art and Writing:

Student work to include written text and art work may not be published on the district network or Web site unless both the student and the parent or guardian sign the Clearview Regional School District Internet Use Agreement. If the student and parent agree to the Internet Use Agreement, permission is therefore granted to display student work. To protect the identity of students, only the first name and last initial will be used to identify students work and no individual pictures will be published. The district will be responsible for posting copyright notices at the bottom of all staff and student work that is published on the district Web site.

9. Publication of district documents:

All district documents including board policies, curriculum documents and other items published on the district Web site must strictly adhere to the aforementioned internet use guidelines.

10. Enforcement:

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of the privilege. School disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action, may also be taken. Serious violations of the appropriate use agreement will be dealt with to the full extent of the law. The school administrators will determine what constitutes serious inappropriate use. Their decisions are final.

The Clearview Regional High School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The Clearview Regional High School District will not be responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data. The District will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through this Internet connection.

Adopted - December 19, 1996

Revised - September 24, 1998

Internet Use Agreement

Student

As a student of the Clearview Regional High School District, I have read the Internet Use Policy and will abide by its guidelines. I understand that the display or transmission (E-Mail and files) of pornographic materials, hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behavior, including ethnic slurs or racial epithets, is prohibited. I further understand that any violation of the above regulations is unethical, and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked. School disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action, may be taken.

Furthermore, I hereby grant permission for my work to be posted to the district Web site. I understand that all work posted to the district Web site is available for inspection by users of the World Wide Web.

Parent or Guardian

(If you are under the age of eighteen, a parent or guardian must also read and sign this agreement.)

As a parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Internet Use Policy. I understand that Internet access is designed for educational purposes. Clearview Regional High School District has taken precautions to eliminate controversial material. However, I also recognize it is impossible for Clearview Regional High School District to restrict access to all controversial materials, and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. I understand that the display or transmission (E-Mail and files) of pornographic materials, hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behavior, including ethnic slurs and racial epithets, is prohibited. Further, I accept full responsibility for supervision, if and when my child's use is not in a school setting. I hereby give permission for my child to access the Internet, and certify that the information contained on the form is correct.

Furthermore, I hereby grant permission for my child’s work to be posted to the district Web site. I understand that all work posted to the district Web site is available for inspection by users of the World Wide Web.

Staff

As a staff member of the Clearview Regional High School District, I have read the Internet Use Policy and will abide by its guidelines. I understand that the display or transmission (E-Mail and files) of pornographic materials, hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behavior, including ethnic slurs or racial epithets, is prohibited. I further understand that any violation of the above regulations is unethical, and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked. School disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action, may be taken.

Furthermore, I hereby grant permission for my work to be posted to the district Web site. I understand that all work posted to the district Web site is available for inspection by users of the World Wide Web.