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Internet Acceptable Use Policy 17 Main Road tel 508-636-1140 fax 508-636-1145 |
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INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY WCS Education Policy IJKA-R(1) The Internet is a vast electronic network linking computers at universities, high schools, science labs, and other sites throughout the world. Use of the Internet provides the opportunity for students and staff to research and support educational and curriculum initiatives by enabling users to explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other repositories of information and to exchange communications with other Internet users around the world. Because of its enormous size, the Internet's potential is boundless. However, with such great potential for education also comes some potential for abuse. It is the purpose of the Acceptable Use Policy as well as the associated Contract for Internet Use, to ensure that all who use the Internet through the Westport Community Schools use this valuable resource in an appropriate manner. The Westport Community Schools offer students and staff access to the Internet through their classrooms, libraries and school computer labs. To gain access, all Internet users must agree to abide by the guidelines set forth in the Acceptable Use Policy. Students will be required to have parental permission for Internet access. Should a parent prefer that a student not have Internet access, she/he will have use of the computer for traditional educational purposes. To use the Internet through the Westport Community Schools, the user agrees to take full responsibility for his or her own actions. The Westport Community Schools, along with the other organizations sponsoring this Internet link-up, will not be held liable for the actions of anyone connecting to the Internet through this hook-up. Therefore, all users shall assume full liability, legal, financial, or otherwise, for their actions. Due to the manner in which information can readily be placed on the Internet, the school system will not be held responsible for the accuracy or the quality of the information obtained by the user through the Internet. System and building facilitators will make reasonable efforts to maintain reliable service and user privacy, but they cannot absolutely guarantee that the system will always be available, that files will always be saved, and that privacy will be completely guaranteed. The Westport Community Schools' Internet connection is provided to further the educational goals of the school system and those of the students and staff using the service. In keeping with the educational purposes intended with its use, the Internet connection is not to be used for any non-educational purposes such as commercial solicitations, product advertisement, political lobbying, etc. No attempt will be made to obtain computer software illegally, known as pirating, through the provided Internet connection. The user of the Internet connection becomes an extension of the Westport Community Schools throughout the Internet. Westport Community Schools Internet users are expected to abide by the rules of the Student or Staff Handbook where applicable, and follow accepted network etiquette. Inappropriate behavior will not be condoned. The use of vulgar, profane or obscene language is not to be used. Threatening or sexually harassing language is unacceptable and against school rules as well as the law.
The safety of the Internet user as well as the system itself is of utmost concern. Personal safety of the user means never giving out personal information such as home addresses or telephone numbers for yourself or others. A user must never agree to meet with someone contacted through the Internet. The safety of the system is also a concern of the Westport Community Schools. Users will not give out their passwords or anyone else's nor attempt to gain access to any files for which the user is not authorized. Users will not download software (Freeware, Shareware), files or documents which may compromise the system by means of a virus, tying up the Internet connection for extended periods of time or some other activity which places the server system at risk. With all the information available to the Internet user, the temptation to use obtained or uncredited information is great. The user agrees not to plagiarize the works, ideas or thoughts of others, and abide by the Copyright Infringement Laws.
The manner in which information is placed on or accessed through the Internet allows for the possibility of the user to encounter inappropriate material. The user agrees not to access material that is obscene, advocates illegal acts of violence or discriminates toward other people. Should a user encounter an unacceptable or inappropriate Web Site, the user will immediately close the connection to the site and refrain from downloading any material. The user will not identify or share the Web Site address with anyone and will report the access of the site to the person in charge of the Internet hook-up site where the violation took place. The Westport Community Schools reserve the right to periodically review the Web Sites accessed by individual users. These reviews will help to assure that the educational purposes for which the Internet connection is provided are being followed.
Violations of
the Acceptable Use Policy carry serious consequences and will result in
the immediate suspension of the users' Internet privileges. Further
disciplinary actions may be taken by the Administration of the Westport
Community Schools and/or Town, State, or Federal authorities. Any
questions or allegations concerning adherence to the Acceptable Use
Policy should be brought to the attention of the Education Technology
Coordinator,
Principal
or a faculty member immediately.
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