Acceptable Use Policy

Applicability

These policies shall apply to all users, students, teachers and administrators, of computer/telecommunications systems which are entered via equipment and access lines located at Hilldale Public Schools, or who obtain their access privileges through association with this school.

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. Hilldale Public Schools has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a worldwide network it is impossible to control all materials and an industrious user may discover controversial information. We (Hilldale Public Schools) firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this international network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the District.

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 computer/network resources.

The signature(s) on the “User Agreement” document is (are) legally binding and indicated the party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s) their significance.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to insure school-level compliance with policies and guidelines concerning the use of computers and the Internet which may be generated at state, national and international levels, and to help assure the school’s opportunity to access the Internet, other existing computer sites, and those telecommunications and networking programs which may be developed in the future.

Acceptable Use

The use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Hilldale Public Schools. Use of other organization’s network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network.

Consequences of Inappropriate Network Behavior

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The Hilldale Public Schools administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. The administration, faculty, and staff of Hilldale Public Schools may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user privileges. Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to steal, harm or destroy computer hardware, system software, data of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to the NSFNET Internet backbone. This includes, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

Any user who does not comply with Policies and Guidelines will lose computer/network privileges. Student infractions may result in appropriate disciplinary action in addition to suspension or termination of access privileges. Unauthorized use of the network, intentional deletion or damage to files and data belonging to Hilldale Public Schools or to other users, and /or copyright violations may be termed theft as defined under Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Access to the System
1. Governance. Hilldale Public Schools Internet Acceptable Use Policy, will govern all use of the District Internet access and e-mail system by employees and students. Student use of the system will also be governed by the Student Internet User Agreement found in the Student Handbook.
2. Internet Access. All District employees and students will have access to the Internet through the District’s system of networked computers. Parents may specifically request that their child(ren) not be provided such access by notifying the District in writing.
3. Individual E-mail Accounts for District Employees. District employees with access to a computer on the District’s system of networked computers completing (1) a signed application and Internet agreement form and (2) a site-based e-mail training session will be provided with an individual Internet e-mail account.
4. Classroom E-mail Accounts. Students will be granted e-mail access only through a classroom e-mail account under direct teacher supervision. Teachers desiring to have their students participate in on-line collaborative classroom activities may apply for a classroom e-mail account. The teacher will be directly responsible for all activities conducted using the classroom e-mail account.
5. Maintenance. The Director of Technology will be responsible for maintaining Internet access and will also be charged implementing rules and procedures necessary for providing access to District users.
Parental Notification and Responsibility
1. The District will notify the parents about the District network and the policies governing its use through the Student Handbook. Parents must sign Student use Internet Agreement to allow their student to access the Internet. Parents may request alternative activities for their child(ren) that do not require Internet access.
2. Parents have the right at any time to investigate the Internet activities of their child(ren).
3. The Internet Acceptable Use Policy contains restrictions on accessing inappropriate material. There is a wide range of material available on the Internet, some of which may not be fitting with the particular values of the families of the students. It is not practically possible for the District to monitor and enforce a wide range of social values in student use of the Internet. Further, the District recognizes that parents bear primary responsibility for transmitting their particular set of family values to their children. The District will encourage parents to specify to their child(ren) what material is and is not acceptable for their child(ren) to access through the District Internet system.
District Limitation of Liability
The District makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, that the functions or the services provided by or through the District Internet system will be error-free or without defect. The District will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the District Internet system.
Due Process
1. The District will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning to or relating to any illegal activities conducted through the District Internet access and e-mail system.
2. Employee violations of the District Internet Acceptable Use Policy will be handled in accord with Hilldale Public Schools Policies and Regulation of the Board of Education.
3. In the event there is an allegation that a student has violated the District Internet Acceptable Use Policy, disciplinary actions will be tailored in accordance with the rules and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
Search and Seizure
1. System users have a limited privacy expectation in the contents of their personal files on the District Internet system.
2. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the system may lead to discovery that the user has or is violating the District Acceptable Use Policy, board Policy or the law.
3. An individual search will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has violated the law or Board Policy. The nature of the investigation will be reasonable and in the context of the nature of the alleged violation.
Copyright and Plagiarism
1. District policies on copyright will govern the use of material accessed through the District Internet system. Because the extent of copyright protection of certain works found on the Internet is unclear, employees will make a standard practice of requesting permission from the holder of the work if their use of the material has the potential of being considered an infringement. Teachers will instruct students to respect copyright and to request permission when appropriate.
2. District Board policies on plagiarism will govern use of material accessed through the District Internet system. Teachers will instruct students in appropriate research and citation practices.
Academic Freedom, Selection of Material, Student Rights to Free Speech
1. District Board policies on Academic Freedom and Free Speech will govern the use of the Internet.
2. When using the Internet for class activities, teachers will select material that is appropriate in light of the age of the students and that is the relevant to the course objectives. Teachers will preview the materials and sites they require or recommend students access to determine the appropriateness of the material contained on or accessed through the site. Teachers will provide guidelines and lists of resources to assist their students in channeling their research activities effectively and properly. Teachers will assist their students in developing the skills to ascertain the truthfulness of information, distinguish fact from opinion, and engage in discussions about controversial issues while demonstrating tolerance and respect for those who hold divergent views.
District Acceptable Use Policy
The following uses of the District Internet system are considered unacceptable:
1. Personal Safety (Restrictions are for students only)
  1. All Student Internet activity is to be planned, approved and supervised by the Teacher.
  2. Student users will not post personal contact information about themselves or other people. Personal contract information includes address, telephone, school address, work address, etc.
  3. Students users will promptly disclose to their teacher or other school employee any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
2. Illegal Activities
  1. Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the District Internet system or to any other computer system within the District, or go beyond their authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or access another person’s files. These actions are illegal, even if only for the purposes of “browsing”.
  2. Users will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system performance or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. These actions are illegal.
  3. Users will not use the District Internet system to engage in any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of person, etc.
3. System Security and Student Safety
  1. Users are responsible for the use of their individual account and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their account. Under no conditions should a user provide their password to another person.
  2. Users will immediately notify Director of Technology if they have identified a possible security problem. Users will not go looking for security problems, because this may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain access.
  3. Users will not download software of any kind using the schools network. Such an act will be viewed as a potential attack and will result in suspension or revocation of access to Hilldale’s network.
  4. Oklahoma Law 1996 H.C.R. 1097 which directs all state agencies and educational institutions to keep computer systems free from obscene materials. Any student purposely attempting to gain access to such material will be suspended from network access or have their network privileges revoked.
  5. In compliance with the Protecting Children in the 21^st Century Act section 254(h)(5) We are educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response."
4. Inappropriate Language
  1. Restrictions against Inappropriate Language apply to public messages, private messages, and material posted on sites found on the Internet.
  2. Users will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language.
  3. Users will not post information that, if acted upon, could cause damage or a danger of disruption.
  4. Users will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
  5. Users will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If a user is told by a person to stop sending them messages, they must stop.
  6. Users will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
5. Respect for Privacy
  1. Users will not re-post a message that was sent to them privately without permission of the person who sent them the message.
  2. Users will not post private information about another person.
6. Respecting Resource Limits.
  1. Users will use the system only for educational and professional or career development activities (no time limit), and limited, high-quality, self-discovery activities.
  2. Users will not download large files unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, users will download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used and immediately remove the file from the system computer to their personal computer.
  3. Users will not post chain letters or engage in “spamming”. Spamming is sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people.
  4. Users will check their e-mail frequently, delete unwanted messages promptly, and stay within their e-mail quota.
  5. Users will subscribe only to high quality discussion group mail lists that are relevant to their education or professional/career development.
7. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement
  1. Users will not plagiarize works that they find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were original to the user.
  2. Users will respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement occurs when an individual inappropriately reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright. If a work contains language that specifies acceptable use of that work, the user should follow the expressed requirements. If the user is unsure whether or not they can use a work, they should request permission from the copyright owner.
8. Inappropriate Access to Material
  1. Users will not use the District Internet system to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). For students, a special exception may be made for hate literature if the purpose of such access is to conduct research and access is approved by both the teacher and the parent. District employees may access the above material only in the context of legitimate research.
  2. If a user inadvertently accesses such information, they should immediately disclose the inadvertent access in a manner specified by their school. This will protect users against an allegation that they have intentionally violated the Acceptable Use Policy.
9. Commercial Use.
  1. Users may not use the District Internet system for commercial purposes, defined as offering or providing goods or services or purchasing goods or services for personal use. District acquisition policies will be followed for District purchase of goods or services through the District Internet system.
10. Political Use.
  1. Users may not use the system for political lobbying, as defined by Oklahoma state statutes. District employees and students may use the system to communicate with their elected representatives and to express their opinion on political issues.