Policy: IJNDB

The Bath Board of Education, hereinafter referred to as the "Board," believes that the use of the Internet in instructional programs is an educational tool which facilitates communication, innovation, resource sharing and access to information. Due to the complex nature of accessible networks and the magnitude of potential information available to students utilizing the Internet, the Board believes comprehensive guidelines in the form of administrative procedures are warranted in order to serve the educational needs of students. *

Students utilizing the Internet shall comply with the Bath School Department administrative procedures regarding Internet use. The Board, via its superintendent or designee reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by students. Privacy is not guaranteed. In addition, use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Students violating the Board's policy/administrative procedure shall be subject to revocation of privileges and potential disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action.

The Bath School Department makes no assurances of any kind, whether expressed or implied, regarding an Internet services provided. The Bath School Department will not be responsible for any damages the student/user suffers. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the student's own risk. The Bath School Department specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information or software obtained through its services.

In order for a student to gain access to the Internet, the student and student's parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign an Internet Network Access Agreement. The Superintendent is authorized to amend or revise the following Board-approved initial administrative procedures as he/she deems necessary and appropriate consistent with this policy. The Superintendent is further authorized to amend or revise the Internet Network Access Agreement with the advice of Board counsel.

*Caveat: The global and fluid nature of the Internet network's contents make it extremely difficult for the Board to completely regulate and monitor the information received or sent by students. As such, The Board cannot assure parents that students will be prevented from accessing undesirable materials or sending or receiving objectionable communications.

ADOPTED: December 9, 1996

The Bath School Department, in order to implement the Board's Student Internet and Appropriate Use policy, will enforce the following administrative procedures. Although some specific examples of prohibited use by students are stated, these administrative procedures do not attempt to state all required or proscribed behavior. Failure to comply with this policy/administrative procedure shall be deemed grounds for revocation of privileges, potential disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action.

I. ACCEPTABLE USE

Access to the school’s Internet is provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the Bath School Department's educational mission and goals. Parents shall be required to sign the Internet Network Agreement form (see Policy IJNDB-E) allowing their students to access the Internet All students shall also be required to sign said form affirming that they have read and understand the Board's policy/administrative procedure on "Student Internet and Appropriate Use" and understand the consequences for the violation of said policy/administrative procedure.

II. PRIVILEGES

Students in grades 9-12 may be granted an account for up to one academic year at a time. Students will receive account numbers and passwords which should be changed frequently.

The use of the Bath School Department's Internet is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use may result in the cancellation of those privileges. The Superintendent, Principal or designee shall make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time.

III. UNACCEPTABLE USE

The user is responsible for all his/her actions and activities involving the network. Examples of prohibited conduct include but are not limited to the following:

A. Access materials or communications that are:

1. Damaging to another’s reputation,

2. Abusive,

3. Obscene,

4. Sexually oriented,

5. Threatening

6. Contrary to the school's policy on harassment,

7. Harassing, or

8. Illegal;

B. Sending or posting materials or communications that are:

1. Damaging to another's reputation,

2. Abusive,

3. Obscene,

4. Sexually oriented,

5. Threatening

6. Harassing,

7. Illegal, or

8. Contrary to the school's policy on harassment;

C. Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts or transmitting any material in violation of U.S. and State regulation;

D. Copying or downloading copyright material on any system connected to the Bath School Department's system without the owner's permission.

Only the owner(s) or individuals the owner specifically authorizes may copy or download copyrighted material to the system;

E. Copying or downloading copyrighted material for the student's own use with the owner's permission. Students may redistribute copyrighted programs only with the owner's permission. Such permission must be specified in the document or must be obtained directly form the owner in accordance with applicable copyright laws, Board policy and administrative procedures;

F. Failing to comply with resource quotas or disk usage quotas (memory) as set by the Superintendent, Principal or designee. A user who remains in non-compliance of disk space quotas after five (5) calendar days of written notification may have their file removed the Superintendent, Principal or designee;

G. Using the network for private financial or commercial gain;

H. Wastefully using resources;

I. Utilizing any software having the purpose of damaging the Bath School Department's system or other user's system;

J. Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities;

K. Invading the privacy of individuals;

L. Using another user's account or password;

M. Posting material authorized or created by another without his/her consent;

N. Posting anonymous messages;

O. Using the network for commercial or private advertising;

P. Forging of electronic mail messages;

Q. Attempting to ready, delete, copy or modify the electronic mail of other system users and deliberately interfering with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail;

R. Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked; and

S. Using the network in a fashion inconsistent with directions from teachers and other staff and generally accepted network etiquette (see Policy IJNDB-E-2).

IV. STAFF SUPERVISION

Staff members should become familiar with this procedure and should enforce the rules concerning appropriate use when their duties include supervision of students using the Internet. When in the course of their duties staff members become aware of student violation of this policy, they should correct the student and address the matter in accordance with this procedure and the Bath School Department's general disciplinary policies and procedures.

V. COMPENSATION

The student and/or the student's parent(s)/legal guardian(s) shall be responsible for compensating the Bath School Department for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the Bath School Department relating to or arising out of any student violation of these procedures.

VI. SECURITY

Network security is a high priority. If the student identifies or perceives a security problem or a breech of these responsibilities on the Internet, the user must immediately notify the Principal or his/her designee. The student must not demonstrate the problem to other student users.

VII. VANDALISM

Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy the Bath School Department's equipment or materials, data of another student, the Internet, network, or agency. This includes but is not limited to the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

VIII. TELEPHONE CHARGES

The Bath School Department assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees including but not limited to long distance charges, per minute surcharges and/or equipment or line costs.

Policy: IJNDB-E2

The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include but are not limited to the following:

A. Be polite. Do not become abusive in messages to others.

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

C. Do not reveal the personal addresses or telephone numbers of students.

D. Recognize that electronic mail (E-mail) is not private. People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

E. Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt use by other users.

F. Consider all communications and information accessible via the network to be private property.

 

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Due to the nature of the Internet, it is neither practical nor possible for the Bath School Department to enforce compliance with user rules at all times. Accordingly, parents and students must recognize that student will not be required to make independent decisions and use good judgment in their use of the Internet. Therefore, parents must participate in the decision whether to allow their children access to the Internet and must communicate their own expectations to their children regarding its use.

As a parent/guardian of this student, I have read the Student Internet and Appropriate Use policy and administrative procedure and this Internet Network Access agreement.

I understand that Internet access is designed for educational purposes and that the Bath School Department will attempt to discourage access to objectionable material and communications that are intended to exploit, harass or abuse students. However, I recognize it is impossible for the Bath School Department to restrict access to all objectionable material, and I will not hold the Bath School Department responsible for materials acquired or contacts made on the network.

I understand that a variety of inappropriate and offensive materials are available over the Internet and that it may be possible for my child to access these materials is he/she chooses to behave irresponsibly. I also understand that it is possible for undesirable or ill-intended individuals to communicate with my child over the Internet, that there is not practical means for the school to prevent this from happening, and that my child must take responsibility to avoid such communications if they are initiated. While I authorize the staff to monitor any communications to or from my child on the Internet, I recognize that it is not possible for the school to monitor all such communications. I have determined that the benefits of my child having access to the Internet outweigh potential risks.

I understand that any conduct by the above-named student that is in conflict with these responsibilities is inappropriate, and such behavior may result in the termination of access and possible disciplinary action.

I have reviewed these responsibilities with my child, and I hereby grant permission to the Bath School Department to provide Internet network access.

I agree to compensate the Bath School Department for any expenses or costs it incurs as a result of my childís violation of the Internet policy or administrative procedure.

Parent/Guardian Name(s): (please print)____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature(s)___________________________________Date: _____________

___________________________________Date: ____________

ADOPTED: December 9, 1996

Policy: IJNDB-E2

Name:_____________________________________School:_______________________

Home Address________________________________________________________________

I accept responsibility to abide by the Bath School Department's Internet Network Access policy and procedures as stated in this agreement. I understand the use of the Internet and access to the Bath School Department's network is a privilege not a right, and I agree:

· To use the Internet network for appropriate educational purposes and research;

· To use the Internet Network only with the permission of designated school staff;

· To be considerate of other users on the network and use appropriate language for school situations;

· Not to intentionally degrade or disrupt Internet network services or equipment. This includes but is not limited to tampering with computer hardware or software, vandalizing data, invoking computer viruses, attempting to gain access to restricted or unauthorized network services, or violating copyright laws;

· To immediately report any security problems or breeches of these responsibilities to the responsible computer teacher;

· To comply with all of the rules with expectations included in the student Internet Appropriate Use Administrative Procedure and Network Etiquette; and

· Not to divulge personal information such as addresses and telephone numbers over the Internet.

I understand that any conduct that is in conflict with these responsibilities is inappropriate and may result in termination of network access and possible disciplinary action.

Student Name: (please print)______________________________________

Student Signature___________________________________________________Date_________

The Bath School Department make no assurances of any kind, whether expressed or implied, regarding any Internet services provided. The Bath School Department will not be responsible for any damages the student/user suffers. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the student's own risk. The Bath School Department specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy of quality of information or software obtained through its serves.

The guidelines below are the Bath School Department's policy in deciding acceptability of content on school web pages.

1. Reflects excellence at appropriate grade level.

2. Serves Bath School Department's purpose as an institution; i.e., curriculum and student activities.

3. Does not violate copyright laws.

4. Adheres to School Publication Guidelines.

5. Does not violate student or staff confidentiality.

The following is allowed on web pages using Bath School Department hosts:

· Pictures of students work with or without the student's first name.

· Examples of students writing with or without student's first name

· Group pictures of students engaged in educational and school related activities without any student names.

The following is not allowed on web pages using Bath School Department hosts:

· Individual pictures of students.

· First and last names of any student.

Appropriate permission forms will be developed to secure parents permission to display their child's work, writing or to have their children appear in group pictures or to use their child's first name on displayed work.

Adopted: June 8, 1998

FILE: IJNDA-R

Our school has a home page at (www.col.k12.me.us/ ). During the year we will be displaying student work on our home page. We can have your child's work identified by a first name or with no name at all. Group pictures will not include names. Below are a variety of options to have your child participate. Please choose the ones with which you are comfortable. If you view our home page, it may answer some of your questions. If you do not have a computer you can view the page at our school during the day or at Morse. You can view our pages and use the Internet for Free on Mondays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 or 8:30 PM. Please call first and there will be someone to assist you. The Patten Free Library also has the Internet available.

Please read all of the options before making your selection. Thank you.

Permission for

Circle your choice

Written work to be put on the Internet	Yes	No
Art work to be put on the Internet	Yes	No
Student to assist with organizing projects for use on the School Web Page	Yes	No
Name use on students art or written work
Anonymous	Yes	No
Initials only	Yes	No
First name only	Yes	No
Group photo participation with no names or initial
Small group ( less than ten people)	Yes	No
Large group (eleven or more people)	Yes	No

Please feel free to contact your student's teacher, principal, or the Superintendent's office if you have any questions.

Parent or Guardian: _______________________________________Date: ______________

· You should be aware that once this information is put on the Internet, it is no longer private, and is not kept only within the school system, anyone can access our home pages.

· Parents may change their permission at any time by notifying the school in writing.

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