Acceptable Use Policy
Internet Use Agreement for Pre-K-8 Students, Diocese of Savannah School System.
- Introduction
The use of computers, indeed the use of any form of technology, is a means, not an end to education. Teachers and students have a responsibility to use the tools at hand to enhance education. We believe the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. 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 school setting. The Diocese of Savannah has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial information. We firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on the worldwide network far outweigh the possibility that users may obtain material that is not consistent with the educational and moral goals of the Diocese.
- Educational Goals
- To provide a variety of information to enhance the curricula areas.
- To help students work effectively with various forms of telecommunication tools.
- To prepare students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.
- To teach skills that are needed in the electronic and global society.
- Terms and Conditions
Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, regional and state networks. 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 so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. In general this requires efficient, ethical, and legal use of the network resources. If a Diocese of Savannah user violates any of these provisions, his or her privileges will be terminated and future access could be denied. Violations of this agreement will be referred to appropriate school officials for disciplinary action. Violations of state or federal law will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The signatures at the end of this document are legally binding and indicate parties who signed have read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their significance.
Parents: It is important that you and your child read this agreement and discuss it together. When your child is allowed to use the computers it is extremely important that the rules are followed. As a parent, you are legally responsible for your child’s actions. You are responsible for supervision of you child’s Internet use when not in a school setting.
- Acceptable Use
The use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Diocese of Savannah. Use of other organizations’ network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulations is prohibited. This includes, but not limited to: copyrighted material, or material protected by trade secret.
- Privileges
The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in the cancellation of those privileges. (Each student who accesses the Internet will be a part of a discussion with a Diocese of Savannah faculty member about the proper use of the network.) Diocese of Savannah officials will deem what is inappropriate use, and their decision is final. Also, Diocese of Savannah officials may request that the school deny, revoke, or suspend specific user privileges. Diocese of Savannah expects the co-signing teacher to monitor the student’s access for which he or she is responsible. This may include random checks of Internet history and monitoring of student access to determine whether the accounts are being used in a manner that is consistent with this agreement. Students accepting the Diocese of Savannah access to the Internet consent to such monitoring.
- Responsibilities
All persons accessing the Internet from the school/parish locations must accept the responsibility of using the Internet wisely and correctly. Access to the Internet by students will be monitored by faculty member at all times. You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network use. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
- There must be a clear academic purpose for accessing the Internet at the school location.
- Do not use the network for any illegal activity (e.g. violating copyright or other contracts, gaining illegal access or entry into other computers).
- Do not use the network for financial or commercial gain.
- Do not interfere with the proper operation of school systems and networks accessible through the Internet.
- Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the facilities by other users.
- Do not use school computing and network resources in a wasteful or frivolous manner (e.g. tying up resources with computer-based game playing such as MUD, sending trivial or excessive messages, downloading excessively large files).
- Do not reveal your personal address/phone number or the personal address/phone number of another.
- Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
- If you feel you can identify a security problem on the Internet, you must notify a system administrator or your Diocesan official. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users.
- Respect the privacy of other individuals.
- Files/data belonging to others are to be considered private property unless explicit authorization is given by the owner of the files.
- Be polite. Do not be abusive in your messages to others. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.
The Diocese of Savannah makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service that is provided. The Diocese of Savannah will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors of omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. No guarantee of complete privacy is made. The Diocese of Savannah specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the access of their network facilities.
- Consequences of Violations of the AUP and Agreement to Comply
User: I understand and will abide by the Diocese of Savannah Internet Use Agreement. Any violation of the school’s posted rules will result in any or all of the following consequences. I further understand that any violations of the regulations above are unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, (1) my access privileges may be revoked and (2) school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.
I have reviewed my Internet-Use responsibilities, specifically, the co-signing teacher has discussed each of the following points with me.
- Only students having permission and who have reviewed the Internet-Use responsibilities with the system administrator or his/her designee may use the school’s computers to access the Internet.
- Access to the Internet by students is viewed as a privilege, not a right.
- Access is to be used for educational and research purposes only, consistent with educational objectives of the Diocese of Savannah. Misuse will result in loss of access.
Diocese of Savannah asks that the co-signing teacher monitor access, including e-mail, to see that the access is being used for the stated purpose. For this and other reasons, e-mail is not private. Violations that may lead to revocation of Internet access include:
- Transferring copyrighted material to or from the Internet without express permission of the owner is a Violation of Federal Law.
- Plagiarism
- Playing MUDs or other network intensive games, or using IRC.
- Downloading excessively large or unauthorized files.
- Subscribing to inappropriate newsgroups.
- E-mail correspondence inappropriate to educational purposes and access to personal e-mail accounts is prohibited.
- Any activity posing potential risks to others or myself.
- Harassing other users (e.g., with unwanted e-mailmessages).
- Illegal Activity
- Revealing my or other’s home address/phone number or other personal information.
- Vandalism of accounts or systems.
- Using abusive, vulgar, or other inappropriate language or sending or displaying offending messages or images.
- Activities that would violate the schools handbook policy.
- Failure to report known security problems.
- Any other inappropriate use or misuse of the Internet.
- Diocese of Savannah officials will deem what is inappropriate use, and their decision is final. Access is monitored, and use of the Internet implies Agreement to such monitoring. The Diocese of Savannah may restrict access an any time for violations.
I understand the conditions for accessing the Internet.
Parent or Guardian: (Parents/guardians of Pre-K-8 student users must also read and sign this agreement.) As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Internet Use Agreement. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes. The Diocese of Savannah has taken precautions to eliminate controversial materials, and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. Further, I accept full responsibility for supervision if and when my child’s use is not in a school setting. I hereby give permission for my child to access the Internet and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.
Sponsoring Teacher: (Must be signed if the applicant is a Pre-K-8 student.) I have read the Internet Use Agreement and agree to promote this agreement with the student. Because the student may use the network for individual work or in the context of another class, I cannot be held responsible for the student’s use of the network. As the sponsoring teacher I have instructed the student on acceptable use of the network and proper network etiquette (see checklist).
Release to Display Student Work Electronically
During the course of the school year your child will be participating in projects and publishing their work or photographs of themselves on the Internet. There could be millions of readers since anyone with access to the Internet will be able o view your child’s work we publish. This is an exciting chance to extend our audience, work with partner classes around the globe, and communicate more closely with other “netizens.”
By signing the release form, you give permission for your child’s work to be published and or picture to be published on the Internet. We are all concerned about privacy and safety of our students. Because of this we will honor any and all limitations that you may place on this consent to publish.
