ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Employees are expected to comply with the provisions of copyrighted law related to the unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, performance, or display of copyrighted materials (i.e. printed material, videos, computer data and programs, etc.). Rented videotapes are to be used in the classroom for educational purposes only. Duplication or backups of computer programs and data must be made within the provisions of the purchase agreement.
District resources have been invested in
computer technology to broaden instruction and to prepare students for an
increasingly computerized society. Only
students who have been authorized by the district and who are under direct
supervision of designated district employees are permitted to use a district
computer or to access any local network or outside telecommunications services
such as the Internet. Prior to
such authorization, the student and the student’s parent must sign and return
the West ISD Acceptable Use Policy form acknowledging their responsibilities
and the consequences of violation.
Students are expected to observe network
etiquette by being polite and using appropriate language. Students are prohibited from pretending to be
someone else, transmitting obscene messages or pictures, revealing personal
addresses or telephone numbers - either their own or another person’s, or using
the network in a way that would disrupt use by others.
Communications Systems Policy &
Acceptable Use of Computers/Networks
Please read this document
carefully before signing.
To prepare students for an increasingly computerized society, the District has made a substantial investment in computer technology for instructional purposes. Use of these resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s supervision and for approved purposes only. Students and their parents will be asked to sign a user agreement regarding use of these resources; violations of this agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action. (See Appendix V)
We are pleased to offer access to computers, peripherals, and the Internet to the students of West ISD and believe that the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this service to students is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. West ISD recognizes that the Internet can be used to facilitate many educational activities. The Internet can be a valuable learning tool in the area of electronic-mail, research, data searches, enrichment materials, electronic field trips, and library references. On-line resources available on the Internet will allow classroom projects, scientific data collection and international cultural exchanges. News retrieval services, encyclopedias, scientific and educational databases will be instantaneously accessible to West students and teachers. Tenet, the Texas Education Networks, is a gateway to the Internet and is intended to assist in the collaboration and exchange of information between and among schools, district offices, education service centers, the Texas Education Agency, and other State and educational entities.
With this access comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. Please note that the Internet is an association of diverse communication and information networks. It is possible that your child may run across areas of adult content and some material you might find objectionable. While the district will take reasonable steps to preclude access to such material and does not condone such access, it is not possible for us to absolutely prevent such access. On a global network, it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial information. It is believed that the valuable information and interaction available on these networks far outweigh the possibility that users may locate material that is not consistent with the educational goals of West Independent School District. It is the intent of this policy to tie West ISD standards already established as part of the Student Code of Conduct.
Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. If a West ISD user violates any of these provisions, his or her account will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied. The signature(s) on the Appendix V form is (are) legally binding and indicates the party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s) their significance.
The following policy for acceptable use of computers and networks, including Tenet and the Internet, shall apply to all West ISD students. All technology equipment shall be used under the supervision of the site technology administrator.
ON-LINE CONDUCT
1. The computers/peripherals/Internet may not be used for illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities, or for any other activity prohibited by West ISD policy or guidelines.
2. Students may not distribute personal information about themselves or others by means of any electronic communication system.
3. Users may not copy or download copyrighted programs or data except with the written permission of the copyright holder or designee. Such permission must be specified in the document or must be obtained directly from the copyright holder or designee in accordance with applicable copyright laws, West ISD policy, and administrative regulations.
4. Users may not upload/install programs to the network. Users may not download/install any software to the computer system, especially those that may damage the computer or the network. (This includes all internet instant messaging systems) Users may not download/install programs for their own personal use.
5. Users may not send or post messages, pictures that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another's reputation, or illegal. A student who gains access to such material is expected to discontinue the access as quickly as possible and to report the incident to the supervising teacher.
6. Users may not purposefully access materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another's reputation, or illegal.
7. Users may not gain unauthorized access to resources or information, e.g., personnel files or student records.
8. Users shall not take home ANY technology equipment (hardware or software) for any reason at any time.
9. Transmission of any material in violation of any US or state regulation is prohibited. Use for commercial activities is not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.
10. Users may not use the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked.
11. Students are not allowed to print to network resources unless approved by Lab Coordinator/Teacher.
12. Students are prohibited from participating in any chat room or newsgroup accessed on the Internet, with the exception of supervised teacher planned activities. This includes the use of Internet/Intranet mail and instant messaging.
Access to any of the West ISD computers/peripherals/Internet is a privilege, not a right. All users shall be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of all administrative regulations governing use of the system and shall agree in writing to allow monitoring of their use and to comply with such regulations and guidelines. Any system user identified as a security risk or as having violated West ISD and/or campus computer use guidelines may be denied access to the West ISD equipment/network. Noncompliance may result in suspension of access or termination of privileges and other disciplinary action consistent with West ISD policies. Violations of law may result in criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary action by the West ISD.
The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the system administrators may close an account at any time as required. The administration, faculty, and staff of West Independent School District may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user privileges.
ETIQUETTE ON THE INTERNET
All users of the West Independent School Districts computers and networks are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette (netiquette). Informal rules of behavior have evolved for the use of and communication on the Internet and other on-line services. Breaches can result in flaming \& harsh criticism by others on the Net--or restricted access to some resources on the Internet. These rules of behavior include (but are not limited to) the following:
1. Be polite. Do not become abusive in your messages to others. Messages typed in all capital letters on the computer is equivalent to shouting and are considered rude.
2. Use appropriate language.
3. Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers or that of other students or colleagues.
4. Do not pretend to be someone else when sending/receiving message.
5. The use of the West ISD equipment/network is for instructional purposes ONLY.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Students shall retain rights to work they create using the West ISD computers/peripherals/network.West ISD shall retain the right to access or use any data remaining on West ISD's network.
VANDALISM PROHIBITED
Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy West ISD equipment or data or data of another user of the district's network, or any of the agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet is prohibited. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance are violations of West ISD policy and administrative regulations and may constitute criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws. Such prohibited activity includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses. Vandalism as defined above will result in the cancellation of system use privileges and will require restitution for costs associated with system restoration, as well as other appropriate consequences.
CONSENT REQUIREMENTS
No personally identifiable information about a West ISD student will be posted on a web page under the district's control unless the district has received written consent from the student's parent. (See Appendix V)
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
West ISD shall not be liable for users' inappropriate use of computers/peripherals/network/Internet or violations of copyright restrictions or other laws, users' mistakes or negligence, and costs incurred by users. West ISD shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, age appropriateness, or usability of any information found on the Internet.
West ISD will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the district's computers/peripherals/network/Internet.
Acceptable Use of Computers/Networks
Parent’s & User’s Agreement
In order to make sure that all members of the WISD community understand and agree to these rules of conduct, WISD asks that you as a user and parent/guardian sign the following statement.
As the
parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Terms and
Conditions for
As a
student, I understand and will abide by the district guidelines
and conditions for the use of the facilities of
_____________________________
Student’s Name
_____________________________ ________________________
Student’s signature date
_____________________________ ________________________
Parent’s signature date
_______Yes, I give my permission for my child's
photograph or name (not both together) to be electronically produced and
displayed on the
_______No, I do not give my permission for my child's
photograph or name (not both together) to be electronically produced and
displayed on the
(Examples of the information or photos to be displayed
may include photographs or names
(not both together) pertaining to club membership, sports, UIL participation,
library reading programs, student of the month, and other school related
activities.)
Employees will be required to
conduct an audit of their machines yearly to ensure that the district is in
compliance with all software licenses. An audit disk will be given to the
employees to save the results and will be returned to the campus coordinator
who will then check for any infractions.
Any
additional questions should be addressed with the campus technology
coordinator. Failure to return the
signed form indicates noncompliance.