Network Access General Use Policy for Students
Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Del Valle
Technology Resources
The Del
Valle Independent School District provides technology resources to its students
and staff for educational and administrative purposes. The goal in providing
these resources is to promote educational excellence in the District’s schools
by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication with the support
and supervision of parents, teachers and support staff. The use of these
technology resources is a privilege, not a right.
With
access to computers and people all over the world comes the potential
availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value
in the context of the school setting. Del Valle ISD firmly believes that the
value of information, interaction, and research capabilities available
outweighs the possibility that users may obtain material that is not consistent
with the educational goals of the district.
Proper behavior,
as it relates to the use of computers, is no different than proper behavior in
all other aspects of Del Valle ISD activities. All users are expected to use
the computers and computer networks in a responsible, ethical, and polite
manner. This document is intended to clarify those expectations as they apply
to computer and network usage and is consistent with District Policy.
DEFINITION
OF DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
The District's
computer systems and networks are any configuration of hardware and software.
The systems and networks include all of the computer hardware, operating system
software, application software, stored text, and data files. This includes
electronic mail, local databases, externally accessed databases (such as the
Internet), CD-ROM, optical media, clip art, digital images, digitized
information, communications technologies, and new technologies as they become
available. The District reserves the right to monitor all technology resource
activity.
ACCEPTABLE USE
The District's
technology resources will be used only for learning, teaching and
administrative purposes consistent with the District's mission and goals.
Commercial use of the District's system is strictly prohibited.
The District will
make training available to all users in the proper use of the system and will
make copies of acceptable use guidelines available to all users. All training
in the use of the District's system will emphasize the ethical use of this
resource.
Software or external
data may not be placed on any computer, whether stand-alone or networked to the
District's system, without permission from the Executive Director of Technology
or designee.
Other issues
applicable to acceptable use are:
1.
Copyright: All users are expected to follow existing copyright
laws, copies of which may be found in each campus library.
2.
Supervision and permission: A staff member only allows student
use of the computers and computer network when supervised or granted
permission.
3.
Attempting to log on or logging on to a computer or email system by using:
Another's
password is prohibited: Assisting others in violating this rule by sharing
information or passwords is unacceptable.
4. Improper
use of any computer or the network is prohibited. This includes the following:
• Submitting, publishing or displaying any defamatory,
inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented,
or threatening materials or messages either public or private
• Using the network for financial gain, political or commercial
activity
• Attempting to or harming equipment, materials or data
• Attempting to or sending anonymous messages of any kind
• Using the network to access inappropriate material
• Knowingly placing a computer virus on a computer or the
network
• Using the network to provide addresses or other personal
information that others may use inappropriately
• Accessing of information resources, files and documents of
another user without authorization
SYSTEM ACCESS
Access to the District's network systems will be governed as
follows:
1. Students will have access to the District's resources for
class assignments and research with their teacher's permission and supervision.
2. Teachers with accounts will be
required to maintain password confidentiality by not sharing the password with
anyone.
3. With the approval of the immediate
supervisor, district employees will be granted access to the District's system.
4. Any system user identified as a
security risk or having violated District Acceptable Use Guidelines may be
denied access to the District's system. Other consequences may also be
assigned.
5. Any system user having been denied
access rights may be reinstated with a limited access account to reduce the
level of security risk to the system. Limits on this type of account may
include time limitations, station access limitations, file access restrictions,
and a revocation of Internet access privileges.
CAMPUS LEVEL
RESPONSIBILITIES
The campus principal or designee will:
1. Be
responsible for disseminating, collecting signed permission forms, and
enforcing the District Acceptable Use Guidelines for the District's system at
the campus level.
2. Ensure that employees supervising
students who use the District's systems provide information emphasizing the
appropriate and ethical use of this resource.
INDIVIDUAL
USER RESPONSIBILITIES
The following standards will apply to all users of the
District's computer network systems:
1. The individual in whose name a
system account is issued will be responsible at all times for its proper use.
2. The system may not be used for
illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities, or for any other activity
prohibited by district guidelines.
3. System users may not use another
person's system account.
4. System users are asked to delete
electronic mail or outdated files on a regular basis.
5. System users will be responsible for
the care and maintenance of their systems. Maintenance issues should be
reported to the campus computer facilitator.
6. System users will be responsible for
following all copyright laws.
VANDALISM
PROHIBITED
Any attempt to harm or destroy District equipment or
materials, data of another user of the District's system, or any of the
agencies or other networks to which the District has access is prohibited.
Intentional attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance may be viewed as
violations of district guidelines and, possibly, as criminal activity under
applicable state and federal laws, including the Texas Penal Code, Computer Crimes,
Chapter 33. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of
computer viruses, system break-in utilities such as Sub-7 or system hacking
programs.
Vandalism as defined above will result in the cancellation
of system use privileges and possible prosecution. The party will be
responsible for restitution of costs associated with system restoration,
hardware, or software costs.
FORGERY
PROHIBITED
Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic messages is
prohibited. Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of
other system users or deliberate interference with the ability of other system
users to send/receive electronic mail is prohibited.
INFORMATION
CONTENT/THIRD PARTY SUPPLIED INFORMATION
System users and parents of students with access to the
District's system should be aware that use of the system may inadvertently
provide access to other electronic communications systems outside the
District's networks that may contain inaccurate and/or objectionable material.
The District will maintain an Internet filtering software package to attempt to
minimize the access to objectionable material. Any attempt to circumvent the
filtering software will be viewed as an attempt to disrupt the system.
A student bringing prohibited materials into the school's
electronic environment will be subject to a suspension and/or a revocation of
privileges on the District's system and will be subject to disciplinary action
in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. An employee knowingly bringing
prohibited materials into the school's electronic environment will be subject
to disciplinary action in accordance with District policies. This could result
in loss of credit for students or termination of employment for employees.
NETWORK ETIQUETTE
System users are expected to observe the following network
etiquette (also known as netiquette):
1. Use appropriate language: swearing,
vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs, and any other inflammatory language is
prohibited.
2. Pretending to be someone else when
sending or receiving messages is prohibited.
3. Submitting, publishing or displaying
any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane,
sexually oriented, or threatening materials or messages either public or
private.
4. Revealing such personal information
as addresses or phone numbers of users or others is prohibited.
5. Using the network in such a way that
would disrupt the use of the network by other users is prohibited.
6. Be polite.
For example, messages typed in capital letters are the computer equivalent of
shouting and are considered rude.
SUSPENSION/REVOCATION
OF SYSTEM USER ACCOUNT
The
District will suspend or revoke a system user's access to the District's system
upon violation of District policy and/or administrative regulations regarding
acceptable use.
Termination
of an employee's account or of a student's access will be effective on the date
the principal or campus coordinator receives notice of user withdrawal or of
revocation of system privileges, or on a future date if so specified in the
notice.
CONSEQUENCES
OF IMPROPER USE
Improper or unethical use may result in disciplinary actions
consistent with the existing Student Discipline Policy and, if appropriate, the
Texas Penal Code, Computer Crimes, Chapter 33, or other state and federal laws.
This may also require restitution for costs associated with system restoration,
hardware, or software costs.
DISCLAIMER
The District's system is provided on an "as is, as
available" basis. The District does not make any warranties, whether
expressed or implied, including, without limitation, those of fitness for a
particular purpose with respect to any services provided by the system and any
information or software contained therein. The District uses a variety of
vendor-supplied hardware and software. Therefore, the District does not warrant
that the functions or services performed by, or that the information or
software contained on the system will meet the user's requirements. Neither
does the District warrant that the system will be uninterrupted or error-free,
nor that defects will be corrected.
Opinions, advice, services, and all other information
expressed by system users, information providers, service providers, or other
third party individuals in the system are those of the providers and not
necessarily the District.
The District will cooperate fully with local, state, or
federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the
District's computer systems and networks.
TERM
This
policy is binding for the duration of the student's enrollment in Del Valle
ISD.
STUDENT
AGREEMENT FOR ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
You are being
given access to the District’s electronic communications system. Through this
system, you will be able to communicate with other schools, colleges,
organizations, and people around the world through the Internet and other
electronic information systems/networks. You will have access to hundreds of
databases, libraries, and computer services all over the world. With this
educational opportunity comes responsibility. It is important that you read the
Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Del Valle Independent School District
Technology Resources, and the agreement form. Ask questions if you need help in
understanding the documents.
Inappropriate
system use will result in the loss of the privilege to use this educational
tool. Please note that the Internet is a network of many types of communication
and information networks. It is possible that you may run across areas of adult
content and some material you (or your parents) might find objectionable. While
the District will use filtering technology to restrict access to such material,
it is not possible to absolutely prevent such access. It will be your
responsibility to follow the rules for appropriate use.
RULES FOR APPROPRATE USE:
• You may be assigned an individual
account, and you are responsible for not sharing the password for that account
with others.
• The account is to be used only for
identified educational purposes.
• You will be held responsible at all
times for the proper use of your account, and the District may suspend or
revoke your access if you violate the rules.
INAPPROPRIATE USES:
• Using the system for any illegal
purpose
• Disabling or attempting to disable
any Internet filtering device
• Encrypting communications to avoid
security review
• Borrowing someone’s account without
their permission
• Posting personal information about
yourself or others (such as addresses and phone numbers)
• Downloading or using copyrighted
information without permission from the copyright holder
• Intentionally introducing a virus to
the computer system
• Posting messages or accessing
materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing,
damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal
• Wasting school resources through the
improper use of the computer system
• Gaining unauthorized access to
restricted information or resources
CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE USE:
• Suspension of access to the system
• Revocation of the computer system
account; or
• Other disciplinary or legal action,
in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and applicable laws
STUDENT AGREEMENT:
Grade______________________________________
School
____________________________________
I understand
that my computer use is not private and that the District will monitor my
activity on the computer system. I have read the District’s electronic
communications system policy and administrative regulations and agree to abide
by their provisions. I understand that violation of these provisions my result
in suspension or revocation of system access.
__________________________________________
Student’s
signature
__________________________________________
Date
PARENT AGREEMENT:
I have read
the District’s Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Del Valle Independent School
District Technology Resources, and this agreement form. In consideration for
the privilege of my child using the District’s electronic communications
system, and in consideration for having access to the public networks, I hereby
release the District, its operators, and any institutions with which they are
affiliated from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from my
child’s use of, or inability to use, the system, including, without limitation,
the type of damage identified in the District’s policy, and administrative
regulations.
_____ I give
permission for my child to participate in the District’s electronic
communications system and certify that the information contained on this form
is correct.
_____ I do not
give permission for my child to participate in the District’s electronic
communications system.
_________________________________________
Parent’s
Signature
______________________________________________________________________
Home Address
_________________________________________
Date
________________________________________
Home Phone
Number