ACS Acceptable Use Policy

Acceptable Use Policy

(For Use of District Computer Network and Systems

By Students)

I. Goal Statement

Internet access is now available to teachers and students in theArgyleCentralSchool District. We at Argyle are very pleased to bring this service to the school district and believe that the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources for both teachers and students. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

II. Privilege vs. Right

Access to the district computer network and systems (including the Internet) must be considered a privilege and not a right.

III. Type of Access

The district’s Acceptable Use Policy will govern all use of the district computer network and systems (including the Internet). All users will be required to sign an agreement for access to the Internet.

Students will have access to the internet through the district computer network. The district will offer three levels of Internet use:

Level 1 - Grades K-2

Students have limited access to teacher selected web sites under direct supervision of the teacher.

Level 2 - Grades 3-6

Students use the Internet under direct supervision of the teacher.

Level 3 - Grades 7-12

Students have full Internet access to sites that are appropriate for student research and that in no way violate Argyle’s Acceptable Use Policy.

IV. Permitted Educational Purposes

The use of the district computer network and systems (including the Internet) should be consistent with the educational objectives of theArgyleCentralSchool District. Use of the district computer network and systems should be for appropriate purposes and not for the prohibited uses that are listed below.

V. Prohibited Uses

It is imperative that students conduct themselves in a responsible, ethical, decent, and polite manner when using the district computer network and systems. Prohibited uses of the district computer network and systems shall include, but not be limited to:

  • Unauthorized hosting of listservs, news groups, blogs, and chatrooms
  • Commercial or “for-profit” activities
  • Product advertising
  • Political lobbying
  • Utilization for the purpose of discriminating, harassing or threatening others
  • Transmission or storage of material that is profane, obscene, or inappropriate
  • Transmission or storage of material that advocates or promotes hatred, discrimination, racial superiority, violence, or destruction of property
  • Transmission or storage of material that is pornographic or sexually explicit
  • Utilization for the purpose of plagiarizing materials
  • Any unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials including, but not limited to, software
  • Any installation of illegal or unlicensed software onto the district computer network and systems
  • Any unauthorized access to the district computer network and systems using the login and/or password of another user
  • Any unauthorized attempts to access the password of another user
  • Unauthorized distribution of the personal information of another user
  • Unauthorized distribution of the personal information of a student
  • Unauthorized installation of software
  • Any attempt to access, modify, damage, or destroy the data of another user
  • Any attempt to damage or destroy district computer resources including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software, and data
  • Any attempt to access or modify without authorization district computer resources including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software, and data
  • Any attempt to waste district computer resources
  • The introduction or any attempt to introduce to the district computer network and systems any computer virus, worm, Trojan horse, etc.
  • The willful transmission or storage using the district computer network and systems of any material that violates any district rules or any existing local, state, or federal laws including, but not limited to, copyrighted software or material, threatening or obscene material, material protected by trade secret

VI. Sanctions for Misuse of System

The district will make every effort to monitor the use of the district computer network and systems (including the Internet), but students should be warned that some materials accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people. Students who willfully use these sites will be subject to disciplinary action.

Students who violate the provisions of the district Acceptable Use Policy will first be subject to a warning, and a letter will be sent home to the student’s parents. Students who violate the provisions of the policy a second time will be subject to loss of access to the district computer network and systems for a period of one (1) year from the date of the incident.

Repeated violations of the district Acceptable Use Policy may result in permanent loss of access to the district computer network and systems.

VII. Security

Students are responsible for their own account security and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from gaining access to their account. It is therefore recommended that students use passwords that are easy to remember without being easy for someone to figure out. Under no condition should a student provide his or her password to someone else. If a student feels that their password or their account has been compromised in any way, the district network coordinator/system administrator should be contacted.

Students should use caution when sending or posting personal contact information about yourself, including social security number, home address, telephone number, credit card numbers, school address, etc.

Students should use caution when using removable media or downloading data to avoid introducing computer viruses of any sort onto the district computer network and systems.

VIII. Privacy

Students should expect only limited privacy with regard to the content of any files on the district computer systems. All information stored on any district computer is the property of the district. Information stored on the district computer systems may be accessed during routine maintenance, system monitoring, and the investigation of system abuse. It is therefore recommended that students do not store information of a personal nature on district computer systems.

IX. Limitation of Liability

TheArgyleCentralSchool Districtmakes no guarantee or warranty that the functions or services provided by or through the district computer network and systems will be error-free or without defects. The district will not be responsible for any damages suffered including, but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service. The district is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the district computer network and systems. The district will not be responsible for financial obligation arising through the unauthorized use of the district computer network and systems.

Argyle Central School District

Acceptable Use Policy

Agreement Form

(For Students)

Name _____________________________________

New Student

Kindergarten

Third Grade

Seventh Grade

Ninth Grade

I have read the Argyle Central School District Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that access to the district computer network and systems is a privilege and not a right. I agree to follow the rules contained in the Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that violations of the Acceptable Use Policy will be dealt with as specified in the policy.

I hereby release theArgyleCentralSchool Districtand its personnel from any and all claims or damages of any nature arising from my access, use, or inability to access or use the district computer network and systems.

Student Signature __________________________ Date _______

As the parent/legal guardian of the above student, I have read and agree to the Argyle Central School District Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that access to the district computer network and systems is a privilege and not a right. I understand that violations of the Acceptable Use Policy will be dealt with as specified in the policy and that I may be held responsible for violations by my child.

I understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable. Therefore, I agree to accept responsibility for guiding my child and for conveying to my child appropriate standards for selecting, sharing, and/or exploring information and media.

I hereby release theArgyleCentralSchool Districtand its personnel from any and all claims or damages of any nature arising from my child's access, use, or inability to access or use the district computer network and systems.

I grant permission for my child to access the district computer network and systems and to access any services provided by the district through the computer network and systems.

Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________ Date _______

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

Home Telephone: ___________________ Day Telephone: