Introduction to the Computer and
Network/Internet Acceptable Use Policy
All student rights and responsibilities as well as offenses and consequences previously stated in this Code of Conduct also apply to network use.
Computer and network access, including Internet access, is available to students and staff in Reynoldsburg City Schools. Please read this document carefully.
Our goal in offering these services to our school community is to promote educational excellence in schools by providing resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
Technology offers the potential of access to such services as:
* Computer-based tools and applications;
* Instructional resources and materials;
* Networked references, research sources, and library catalogs;
* Electronic mail services;
* Global information and news;
* Correspondence with other institutions;
* Online publishing and information sharing;
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. However, on a global network it is impossible to control access to all materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial information. Reynoldsburg City Schools firmly believes that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweigh the possibility that users may procure material inconsistent with the educational goals of the District. The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users that must strictly adhere to the following guidelines and conditions of use. 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 computer and network resources.
This Acceptable Use Policy is binding to all users of Reynoldsburg City Schools SchoolNet site as a matter of law, whether this agreement is signed or not.
Signing this agreement will help each school determine whether students, parents, and staff are familiar with the responsibilities of using technology and help each school grant technology privileges consistent with each individual's understanding of these responsibilities.
The guidelines and conditions outlined in this policy in no way limit the school district�s prerogative to manage its technology systems as it sees fit, or restrict its authority to take any actions it deems necessary to adequately supervise, protect, and if necessary, discipline its students and staff.
The district reserves the right to revise this policy at any time, and all revisions will take effect immediately upon approval by the Reynoldsburg City Schools Board of Education.
Acceptable Use Policy
Computer and Network/Internet Guidelines and Conditions of Use
Acceptable Use - The purpose of educational technology in Reynoldsburg City Schools is to support its educational goals. Your use of technology must be consistent with the educational objectives of Reynoldsburg City Schools. Use of computer systems and networks imposes certain responsibilities and obligations on users and is subject to INSERT DISTRICT NAME policies and local, state, and federal laws. Acceptable use always is ethical, reflects honesty, and shows courtesy in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of information and system security mechanisms.
Privileges/Consequences - The use of technology is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in restriction of privileges and other disciplinary action. The principal or his/her designee will deem what is inappropriate use and his/her decision is final. The principal, or his/her designee, retains the right to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user privileges or restrict access to technology resources, require payment for any damage, and bring criminal charges if deemed necessary. Any material used, generated or stored by any users is subject to review. Reynoldsburg City Schools reserves the right to examine, restrict, or remove any material that is on or passes through its technology systems. Access to electronic information related to any student or staff member will be governed by the same policies that would apply to that information if it were not in electronic form. Parents, or legal guardians, may request to see the content of any material created or accessed by their child/children, if technically possible.
Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you have identified a security problem on the network, you must notify a staff member or building network system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Attempts to log on to any network as a system administrator will result in penalties up to expulsion. Attempts to compromise the security, integrity, the functionality of any INSERT DISTRICT NAME technology system, or possession of tools, which are designed to so, while on school property, is a violation of this policy. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses, deletion or alteration of other user files or applications removing protection from restricted areas, or the unauthorized blocking of access to information, applications, or areas of the network. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of
problems with other computer systems may be subject to severe restriction or cancellation of privileges. It is a violation of this policy to introduce or attach any software or hardware to technology used in Reynoldsburg City Schools, which is not owned or specifically authorized by the system administrator. No modification to any hardware or software owned or managed by INSERT DISTRICT NAME may be made without specific authorization by the system administrator.
Reynoldsburg City Schools reserves the right to examine, restrict, or remove any material that is on or passes through its technology systems. Access to electronic information related to any student or staff member will be governed by the same policies that would apply to that information if it were not in electronic form.
A few examples of user activities that violate this policy:
* Commercial advertising, or unethical/illegal solicitation.
* Accessing a file or web site that contains pornographic or obscene pictures, videos, stories, or other material; making copies of such material, or distributing or exposing others to such material.
* Using copyrighted material without permission.
* Sending or receiving messages that are obscene, profane, racist, sexist, inflammatory, threatening, or slanderous toward others.
* Creating and or placing a computer virus on the network or any workstation.
* Sending messages or information with someone else�s name on it or misrepresenting the source of information you enter or send.
* Harassing others or requesting or distributing addresses, home phone numbers, or other personal information, which could then be used to make inappropriate calls or contacts.
* Sending chain letters or engaging in "spamming" (sending an annoying or unnecessary message to large numbers of people).
* Purchasing something, which requires you to submit a credit card number, or obligates the student or school to another party.
* Revealing home addresses, e-mail addresses, or phone numbers of other students or colleagues.
* Sharing passwords. The only person to ever use a password is the person to whom it belongs.
* Attempting to access and/or alter information in restricted areas of any network or in any way violate the confidentiality rights of other users on any network.
* Failing to report violations of this plan or other conditions that may interfere with the appropriate and efficient use of school resources. Users are required to report any of the following to his/her teacher or the building network administrator as soon as the following are discovered:
* Any messages, files, Web sites, or user activities that contain materials that are in violation of this policy.
* Any messages, files, Web sites or user activities that solicit personal information about you or someone else, or request a personal contact with you or another user. (Asks for your address, phone number, credit card number, Social Security number, or to meet you.)
* Attempts by any user to abuse or damage the system or violate the security of the network and its resources.
* Any illegal activity or violation of school policy.
Network Etiquette - The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Users are expected to be polite and use appropriate language. Swearing and vulgar language are considered inappropriate and are a violation of this agreement. Users need to be certain that they do not reveal home addresses, e-mail addresses, or phone numbers of other students or colleagues. Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.
Messages relating to, or in support of, illegal activities may be reported to the authorities. Please remember that communications and information belong to other people, and should be treated as private property. Please report computers that seem to have a problem, or that are displaying an error message, to a teacher or system administrator.
Web Publishing Guidelines: Employees and students, under the direction of a teacher, may publish materials on the Internet that support INSERT DISTRICT NAME�s educational goals and are relevant to school-related activities. In publishing information on the Internet, users must adhere to all previously stated conditions and guidelines as well as the following:
An Internet web page may include pictures of students or items of student work, identified by first name only, if the parent/guardian has indicated his or her permission below.
No web page will be linked to the student�s personal web address on another server.
Copyright law and District policy do not allow the re-publishing of text or graphics found on the Internet, on District web sites or file servers without explicit written permission.
The failure of a site to display a copyright notice may not be interpreted as permission to copy the materials. The creator/owner of a web site that improperly or illegally presents copyrighted material may not grant permission for the use of that material. Only the copyright owner may provide the permission.
Downloading, printing or uploading of files to laptop or school computers, a floppy disk, or a server at school must be approved by a teacher and must be related to school work.
Warranty - Reynoldsburg City Schools makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Reynoldsburg City Schools will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdirected deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. Reynoldsburg City Schools specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
I have read and understand, and will abide by the above Acceptable Use Policy. I further understand that violation of the regulations above is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit a violation, my access privileges may be revoked and I may be subject to other disciplinary actions prescribed by law or other school policies.