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WALPOLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

FOR STUDENT USE OF NETWORKED EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

 

 

I.  Explanation of Networked Educational Resources

 

The Walpole Public Schools has actively pursued making advanced technology and increased access to learning opportunities available to our students and staff.  Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication.  While we support and encourage student access to a wide variety of information resources, we recognize the responsibilities for using the networked resources appropriately, legally, and ethically.  Networked resources include, but are not limited to, cd-rom materials, on-line library catalog systems, the Internet, electronic mail, bulletin-board conferencing systems and information stored on the schools’ servers, such as student and teacher data files and applications.

 

The Internet

 

The Internet is a vast, global network, linking computers at universities, schools, laboratories and other sites.  This exciting technology allows for communication and access to information on a global scale including but not limited to:

 

• World Wide Web sites that offer thousands of educational resources.
• Access to university library catalogs, the Library of Congress and ERIC.
• Information and news from research institutions as well as the opportunity to correspond with researchers and educators.
• Discussion groups on a variety of topics.
• Electronic mail communication with people all over the world.

 

II.  Disclaimer of Liability

 

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 Walpole Public Schools has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials.  However, on a global network, it is impossible to control all materials.  The Walpole Public Schools believes that the valuable information and interaction available to this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the district.  The Walpole Public Schools cannot be held responsible for the accuracy and quality of information obtained on the Internet.  In addition, electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private.

 

All students will be given instruction through Media Services on the use of networked resources as part of the educational program incorporating technology into the curriculum.  Before students will be authorized to access the networked resources, they will be clearly made aware of this policy by their teacher.  This policy is intended to help ensure that students use this valuable resource in a safe and appropriate manner.

 

The Walpole Public Schools disclaims all liability for the content of material that a student may access on the Internet, for any damage suffered in the course of, or as a result of, the student’s Internet use, and for any other consequences of a student’s Internet use.

 

Walpole Public Schools Acceptable Use Policy                                                                     Page 2

For Student Use of Networked Educational Technology Resources

 

 

III.  Networked Educational Resources Access Is a Privilege

 

The Walpole Public Schools offer networked resource access at each school.  The sole purpose of this networked resource access is to support education and research by providing students and teachers with access to unique resources and an opportunity for collaborative work.  All uses of Walpole’s networked resources must be in support of, and consistent with, these educational objectives.

 

Network access through the Walpole Public Schools is a privilege, not a right.  Unacceptable uses of the network will result in suspension or revocation of these privileges, the enforcement of school disciplinary rules as applicable to each building’s code of conduct and/or possible legal action.

 

All parents/legal guardians of students who use Walpole’s networked resources are expected to read this policy.  Adherence to the policy is a condition for a student’s privilege of networked resources access.  All student users of the networked resources must read, sign and agree to the terms of the following Acceptable Use Policy.  Students who have not returned the signed form with their parent’s/legal guardian’s signature will not be given network access.

 

IV.       Listing of Acceptable and Unacceptable Uses

 

Appropriate use of technology in the school environment is the joint responsibility of students, parents, administration and staff.  All student use of the network is to be conducted under adult supervision.  Every user is expected to take individual responsibility for appropriate use of the network when selecting, sharing or exploring information and media.

 

Acceptable Uses

 

Acceptable uses of the Walpole Public Schools’ networked educational resources include, but are not limited to, information/resource sharing and materials that:

 

• Achieve and support instructional goals and classroom learning.
• Reflect academic honesty, and high ethical and moral responsibility.
• Show restraint in the consumption of shared resources.
• Promote innovation and educational excellence through research, worldwide resource sharing and communication.
• Demonstrate respect for intellectual property and ownership of data.

 

Unacceptable Uses

 

The following uses of the Walpole Public Schools’ networked educational resources are not permitted:

 

• Accessing, sending, or displaying offensive, obscene, sexually explicit, defamatory, or harassing messages or materials, from school, or from home to school.
• Trespassing in another’s folders, work or files.
• Plagiarizing, i.e., taking material created by others and presenting it as one’s own.
• Sharing your password with anyone or using another person’s password.
• Damaging computers, systems, or networks.

 

Walpole Public Schools Acceptable Use Policy                                                                     Page 3

For Student Use of Networked Educational Technology Resources

 

• Tampering with, making changes to, or altering systems folders or files.
• Uploading or creating computer viruses.
• Violating copyright laws and illegal distribution of software.
• Intentionally wasting limited resources.
• Using school resources for personal, commercial, political or religious purposes.
• Sharing written or graphic information that identifies specific students using e-mail or the Internet.
• Revealing any personal addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers or other private information of any individual.

 

Network Etiquette

 

Staff are expected to learn and to abide by generally accepted rules of network etiquette, as well as the rules of school decorum.  These include, but are not limited to:

 

• Being polite.
• Using appropriate language.
• Being considerate of others’ use of the system.
• Adhering to the general rules and standards for professional behavior and communications.

 

The goal of network etiquette is to encourage the efficient use of a shared resource.

 

V.        Changes in the Guidelines

 

The Walpole Public Schools reserve the right to revise this policy at any time.

 

08/20/01

 

STUDENT NETWORK USER AGREEMENT FORM

 

 

(Please Print)

Student Name:                                                                                                                       

 

Current School:                                                                                   Current Grade:           

 

I have read, understand, and will abide by the Student Access to Networked Information Resources Policy for the Wide Area Network and Internet access provided by the Walpole Public Schools.  I also recognize it is impossible to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will NOT hold the Walpole Public Schools responsible for materials acquired or sent on the network.  IN addition, I will not hold the Walpole Public Schools responsible for any other actions that may result from the use of the network.  I further understand that any violation of the regulations (Walpole Public Schools’ policies, federal and state law) is a breach of this contract and may constitute a criminal offense.  Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked and school disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

 

 

User Signature:                                                                        Date:                                      

 

If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must also read this policy and sign this agreement.

 

As the parent/guardian of this student, I have read the Student Access to Networked Information Resources Policy for Internet and network access in this document.  I understand  that this access is designed for educational purposes.  I also recognize it is impossible to restrict access to all controversial materials, and I will NOT hold the Walpole Public Schools responsible for materials acquired or sent on the network.  In addition, I will not hold the Walpole Public Schools responsible for any other actions that may result from the use of the network.

 

I hereby give permission to allow individual access to the network for my child and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

 

 

Parent/Guardian’s Name (please print):                                                                                

 

 

Signature                                                                                             Date:                            

 

 

I hereby authorize the Walpole Public Schools to disseminate written or graphic information of this student as long as student is not identified by name.

 

 

Parent/Guardian’s Name (please print):                                                                                

 

 

Signature                                                                                             Date:                          

 

 

08/20/01