Maud Independent School District

 

POLICY FOR ACCEPTABLE USE OF

COMPUTERS AND NETWORKS

 

The following policy for acceptable use of computers and networks, including the Internet, shall apply to all District administrators, faculty, staff, and students.  All technology equipment shall be used under the supervision of the site administrator.

 

1.     Users shall not erase, rename, or make unusable anyone else’s computer files, programs, or disks.

2.     Users shall not let other persons use their name, logon, password, or files for any reason (except for authorized staff members).

3.     Users shall not use or try to discover another user’s password.

4.     Users shall not use a computer for unlawful purposes, such as the illegal copying or installation of software.

5.     Users shall not copy, change, or transfer any software or documentation provided by MISD, teachers, or another student without permission from the technology coordinator.

6.     Users shall not write, produce, generate, copy, propagate, or attempt to introduce any computer code designed to self-replicate, damage, or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer’s memory, file system, or software.  Such software is often called a bug, virus, worm, Trojan Horse, or similar name.

7.     Users shall not deliberately use the computer to annoy or harass others with language, images, or threats.  Users shall not deliberately access or create any obscene or objectionable information, language, or images.

8.     Users shall not intentionally damage the system, damage information belonging to others, misuse system resources, or allow others to misuse system resources.

9.     Users shall not tamper with computers, networks, printers or other associated equipment except as directed by the teacher or technology coordinator.

10. Users shall not take home technology equipment (hardware or software) without permission from the technology coordinator.

11. Access to the District’s network, including the Internet, shall be made available to employees and students for primarily instructional and administrative purposes.  Limited personal use of the system shall be permitted if the use:

a.      Imposes no tangible cost to the District;

b.     Does not unduly burden the District’s computer or network resources;

c.      Has no adverse effect on an employee’s job performance or on a student’s academic performance.

12. Electronic mail transmissions and other use of the electronic communications system by students and employees are not private and may be monitored at any time by designated District staff to ensure appropriate use.

13. Students shall retain all rights to work they create using the District’s electronic communications system.

14. As agents of the District, employees shall have limited rights to work they create using the District’s electronic communications system.  The District shall retain the right to use any product created for its use by an employee even when the author is no longer an employee of the District.

15. The District shall not be liable for users’ inappropriate use of electronic communication resources or violations of copyright restrictions or other laws, users’ mistakes or negligence, and costs incurred by users.  The District shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, age appropriateness, or usability of any information found on the Internet.

 

 

 

16. No original work created by any District student or employee will be posted on a web page under the District’s control unless the District has received written consent from the student (and the student’s parent) or employee who created the work.

17. No personally identifiable information about a District 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maud Independent School District

 

NETIQUETTE ON THE INTERNET

 

All users of MISD 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 online 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.

2.     Use appropriate language.  Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.

3.     Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers or that of other students or colleagues.

4.     Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.  People who operate the system do have access to email.  Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

5.     All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property of Maud  ISD .

6.     Do not place unlawful information on any network system.

7.     Keep paragraphs and messages short and to the point.  Focus on one subject per message.

 

 

 

CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATION

 

All of the policies and procedures for acceptable use of computers and networks are intended to make the computers and networks more reliable for the users.  They are also intended to minimize the burden of administrating the networks, so that more time can be spent enhancing services.

 

Use of the computer to access telecommunications resources is a privilege and not a right.  Violation of the policies and procedures of MISD concerning the use of computers and networks will result in disciplinary actions similar to other Code of Conduct violations:

 

Level 1.            Warning:  Student would lose computer privileges/Internet access until a

                        parent conference.  Further loss of privilege and length of time will be

                        determined by the administration.

 

Level 2.            Pattern of abuse or flagrant violations:  Any student who, after Level 1

                        warning, continues to engage in serious or persistent misbehavior by

                        violating the district’s previously communicated written standards of

                        conduct may be removed from class and recommended for suspension.

 

Level 3.            Expellable offense:  Student could be expelled from school if he or she

                        engages in conduct on the Internet that contains the elements of the

                        offense of criminal mischief, as defined by State and Federal law. 

                        Expulsion may be considered in flagrant violations that blatantly corrupt

                        the educational value of computers or the Internet, or instances when

                        students have used MISD Internet access to violate the law or to

                        compromise another computer network.

 

 

 

 

 

Maud Independent School District

 

ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTERS AND NETWORKS

 

STUDENT’S AGREEMENT

 

In order to make sure that all members of the MISD community understand and agree to these rules of conduct, MISD asks that you as a student user sign the following statement.

 

I understand and will abide by the district guidelines and conditions for the use of the computer/network facilities of Maud Independent School District and access to the Internet.  I further understand that any violation of the district guidelines is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense.  Should I commit any violation, my access privileges will be revoked.  School disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action will be taken.

 

I agree not to hold MISD nor any of its employees nor any of the institutions for networks providing access to MISD responsible for the performance of the system or the content of any material accessed through it.

 

Date _______________________________

 

 

Student Name____________________________________________________________

 

 

Student Signature_________________________________________________________

 

 

PARENT’S AGREEMENT

 

In order to make sure that all members of the MISD community understand and agree to these rules of conduct, MISD asks that you as parent/guardian sign the following statement.

 

I agree not to hold MISD nor any of its employees nor any of the institutions or networks providing access to the Internet responsible for the performance of the system or the content of any material accessed through it.

 

The MISD computer/network facilities use and Internet access is located on the District’s website at www.maud.esc8.net. Please view the MISD computer/network facilities use and Internet access on-line. If you do not have access to the internet or can not view the document, a copy is available in the Maud Middle/High School and Elementary Offices.

 

As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Terms and Conditions for MISD computer/network facilities use and Internet access.  I understand that this free access is designed for educational purposes.  However, I also recognize that it is impossible to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold MISD responsible for materials acquired or sent via the network or Internet.

 

Student Name___________________________________

 

 

Parent Signature                                                                      ­­   Date ________________________