Webster County Schools

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

 

Webster County Schools offers access to the internet.  This global resource offers valuable, diverse, and unique resources to both students and staff.  The goal of Webster County Schools is to promote excellence in education by facilitating the resources of communication and information to increase academic achievement.

            The internet connects millions of computers worldwide and millions of individual subscribers.  Webster County Schools has taken precautions to restrict access to unsuitable and unacceptable materials.  However, with the global nature of the internet it is impossible to restrict access to all controversial materials.  Smooth operation of the network relies on the proper conduct of the users who must adhere to strict guidelines.  The use of the internet system is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in the cancellation of those privileges.  Each student or staff member who will have access to the internet will receive training in the proper use of the internet.  Each student shall have an acceptable use form, signed by a parent or legal guardian, on file and each staff member will execute the acceptable use form which shall be maintained on file.  No temporary accounts will be issued, nor will a student use an Internet account not specifically created for him or her.  The guidelines contained in the Internet Acceptable Use Agreement are provided so users are aware of their responsibilities of using the worldwide network in an ethical, efficient, and legal manner.  If a user violates the intended terms of the agreement, his or her privilege may be revoked or suspended.

 

Acceptable Use Guidelines

• All use of the internet must be in support of and consistent with the educational goals and purposes of the Webster County Board of Education
• The internet shall not be used to facilitate illegal activities.  This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material; threatening, abusive, or obscene material; or material protected by trade secrets.  Use for commercial activities by for-profit institutions is generally not acceptable.  Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.  Illegal activities and privacy and safety violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) are strictly prohibited.
• Internet accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account for authorized purposes
• Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network
• No use of the Internet shall serve to disrupt the use of the Internet by others.  This includes but is not limited to, destruction or modification of hardware or software
• Malicious use of the Internet to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage hardware or software components of the computer or computing system
• The Internet shall not be used for the development, distribution, collection, or modification of any type of computer virus
• The Internet shall not be used for harassment, discriminatory remarks, the distribution of hate mail, or other antisocial behaviors
• Illegal distribution of copyrighted software or other material is prohibited
• The Internet shall not be utilized to access any obscene, violent, pornographic, or illegal materials
• The Internet shall not be used to transmit material that is likely to be offensive or objectionable to the recipient
• The Internet shall not be used to request, view, download, or distribute inappropriate material
• Hacking and other unlawful online activities are strictly prohibited
• The use of the Internet requires students and staff to abide by accepted rules of network etiquette.  These include:  being polite, ethical, and considerate; using appropriate language; respecting the privacy of others; respecting access rights of others

 

Web Publishing and Home Pages

Webster County Schools recognizes the value and educational benefits of publishing information on the Internet by school personnel and students.  Webster County School provides the following guidance to address content, overall responsibility, potential contributors, quality, technical standards, and student protection.

 

• The “official” web site may be designated by the school through the faculty senate, the school improvement council, the school technology committee, or administration
• Parental permission must be obtained for student web pages published within the West Virginia public K-12 intranet and from a public K-12 site to the Internet
• All content must comply with copyright, intellectual property, state, federal (COPPA and CIPA), and international law
• Published copyrighted materials must include the permission granted statement
• Content should be appropriate, in good taste, and not harmful to any group or individual
• Text should be grammatically correct, accurately spelled, and have a pleasing appearance
• Pages must comply with State Department and Board of Education guidelines and regulations
• Information such as an e-mail address of the responsible contact person, copyright, last date updated should be included
• No personal information or likeness relating to any Webster County Board of Education employee or student may be placed on any Webster County Board of Education related website without the express written consent of the employee or the student’s parent or guardian.  Written permission for publishing any student information or likeness shall be obtained one time per school year.  The parent or guardian may rescind this permission at anytime as may be necessary by notifying the school administration in writing.
• No personal information such as student’s last name, or the home phone number, personal address of any student or Webster County Schools employee may be placed on a Webster County Schools related website. 
• Documentation shall be maintained to validate published information

 

The Webster County Board of Education makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing.  Webster County Schools will not be responsible for any damage users suffer.  This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or user errors or omissions.  Use of any information obtained through this Internet website is at the user’s own risk. 

 

 

Webster County Schools

Student Internet Access Agreement

 

In support of the Webster County Board of Education’s mission of providing outstanding learning opportunities, the Webster County Board of Education provides computing, networking, and information resources to the public schools in Webster County.  This access is a privilege.  It requires individual users to act responsibly and consider the rights and privacy of others.  All existing federal, state, and international laws, board regulations and policies apply, including laws and regulations that are specific to computers and networks, as well as those that are applicable to personal conduct.

 

The signatures at the end of this document are legally binding and indicate the parties who signed have read the terms and conditions of the Webster County Schools Internet Use Policy carefully and understand their significance.

 

By signing this agreement, I                                                                   , and my parent or guardian,                                                      , have read and agree to the following:

 

1. I will limit my use of the Internet in school to the educational objectives established by my teachers.
2. I will not retrieve or send unethical, illegal, immoral, or otherwise inappropriate information of any type.
3. I will not use abusive language of any type including swearing and name calling in my Internet telecommunications.
4. I will not share my home address or phone number with other users online.
5. I understand that the information received online is private property, unless specified otherwise, and I will not copy or plagiarize this material in any manner.
6. I will not use another individual’s Internet or e-mail account or password, nor will I share my password or account.
7. I will not attempt to bypass security built into the internet or telecommunications systems, and I realize that this may result in the immediate cancellation of my access privileges.
8. I will not interfere with or disrupt other network services or equipment.  Disruptions include, but are not limited to, the propagation of computer viruses, tampering with data stored in the network, using a computer to gain unauthorized access into accounts or other computers accessible through the network.
9. I will not use telecommunications equipment owned by Webster County Schools for illegal activities of any kind or for financial gain.
10. I will not use telecommunications equipment to transmit threatening, obscene, or harassing material.

 

I certify that I have read the above rules and the Internet Acceptable Use Policy of the Webster County Board of Education.  I understand my responsibilities as a user of Webster County Schools’ telecommunications equipment and networks.  I realize that an infraction of these rules may result in the loss of my Internet and telecomputing privileges and may further result in other disciplinary actions, including liability for damage to data or equipment.

 

Student Name                                                                                      Grade                          

 

Parent/Guardian Name                                                                         Phone              

 

Address                                                                                                          

 

Signature

 

Student                                                                                                 Date                            

 

Parent/Guardian                                                                                    Date                            

 

Teacher/Administrator:

 

I certify that I have explained the rules and responsibilities of Internet and telecommunication privileges to the student named above.  Further, I will record and report infractions to the appropriate school personnel for resolution.

 

Teacher/Administrator Name                                                                                       

 

Signature                                                                                              Date                            

 

 

 

Webster County Schools

Staff Internet Access Agreement

 

In support of the Webster County Board of Education’s mission of providing outstanding learning opportunities, the Webster County Board of Education provides computing, networking, and information resources to the public schools in Webster County.  This access is a privilege.  It requires individual users to act responsibly and consider the rights and privacy of others.  All existing federal, state, and international laws, board regulations and policies apply, including laws and regulations that are specific to computers and networks, as well as those that are applicable to personal conduct.

 

I certify that I have read and understand the Webster County Board of Education Internet Acceptable Use Policy.  I agree to abide by all the terms and conditions stated in the policy.  I understand that if I violate any terms or conditions set in this policy, my Internet access privilege may be revoked or suspended and I may be subjected to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.   I will use the school’s computer network entirely at my own risk, and I hereby release Webster County Schools from any claims arising from my use of the Webster County Schools’ network services.

 

 

Name                                                                                                                                      

 

Signature                                                                                              Date