Policy for Acceptable Use of Technology Resources and the Internet

The intent of this Acceptable Use Policy is to establish and administer guidelines for the use of the Fond du Lac Education Division technology resources by staff, students, and any other users. These guidelines set the tone to protect the rights of individuals and organizations, define appropriate and ethical uses of technology resources, and identify responsibilities.

Technology resources include all voice, video and data systems such as telephones, televisions, computers, networks, and supplies. As a learning tool, a technology resource is similar to a book, video, magazine or any other information source. Concerns about technology learning tools will be handled the same way that concerns about other educational resources are now handled, and policies now dealing with other educational resources also pertain.

Fond du Lac Education Division provides access to the Internet because it is a global electronic network with vast amounts of information and educational potential. The skills required for its use are vital to the productivity and citizenship of individuals in a democracy, higher education, and the work force.

The Internet which connects educators, businesses, the government, the military and organizations is not under the control of this Division. Making Internet access available to students carries with it the possibilities that some students might encounter information that some have identified as controversial and of potential harm to students.

Fond du Lac Education Division will actively focus on providing individual users with the understanding and skills needed to use the Internet and all technology resources in ways appropriate to educational needs and personal safety. 

 

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate or unauthorized use will result in disciplinary action, including the termination of those privileges.

 

Staff Responsibilities

  • Develop and help students develop the skills needed to discriminate among information sources, to identify information appropriate to age and developmental levels, and to evaluate and use information to meet educational goals.
  • Monitor and supervise all to whom one grants access to technology resources regarding implementation of this policy.
  • Take an active role in ensuring that students and their parents are aware of the individual student’s responsibility to use technology resources in an ethical and educational manner.

 

Student Responsibilities

  • Students must be able to demonstrate basic skills in computer use, understanding of this policy, and have parental permission before being allowed to use any school computer on the Internet without direct supervision by a teacher or member of it's educational staff.

 

Network User Responsibilities

  • Use of the Division’s technology resources must be in support of education and research consistent with the educational objectives of the Fond du Lac Education Division.
  • Comply with all rules and laws regarding access and copying of information as prescribed by either Federal, State or local law, and Internet Providers.
  • Be polite and appropriate. Adhere to all standards of courtesy, etiquette, and existing school board policies (Discipline, Harassment/Violence, etc.) as they may be interpreted to apply to technology resources.
  • Help maintain security of Division technology resources by following this policy and maintaining secrecy of all passwords. Report known breaches of security to a teacher or technology personnel.
  • Be aware that network files and electronic mail are not guaranteed to be private. Division technology personnel shall have access to all files.

 

Technology Personnel (Technical Coordinators’) Responsibilities

  • Will be covered by the job description

 

Personal Safely Guidelines

  • Never give out personal or family information such as phone numbers or addresses.
  • Never arrange for a face-to-face meeting with a stranger and never respond to abusive or suggestive messages. Report all such instances immediately to a teacher or technology personnel.
  • Do not permit others to use your account.
  • Fond du Lac Education Division makes no warranties of any kind, for the service it is providing.
  • Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at users own risk.

Unacceptable Uses include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing unauthorized or inappropriate access to Division technology resources .
  • Any attempt to harm or destroy data of another user or other networks connected to the Internet.
  • Activities involving the loss or unauthorized use of others’ work.
  • Distribution or use of obscene, abusive or threatening material.
  • Use of school resources for a commercial, political, or profit-making enterprise without administrative or Board approval
  • Knowingly wasting technology resources.
  • Physical abuse of equipment.
  • Using the technology resources in ways which violate school policies and behavior standards.
  • Degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance.
  • Installing unauthorized software on school computers.

 

Internet Account Agreement

Fond du Lac Education Division believes that the benefits to educators and students of the Internet far exceed disadvantages. But ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their child or ward should follow. To support and respect each family’s right to decide whether or not their child may have access to this resource, no child will be allowed to operate a computer to access the Internet unless all parties commit to responsibility by completing the attached Fond du Lac Education Division Internet Account Agreement.

I understand and will abide by the Fond du Lac Education Division Policy for Acceptable Use of Technology Resources and the Internet, I further understand that violation of the Policy is unethical and could cause my Internet access privileges to be revoked and school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action to be taken.

 

 

User’s Signature:___________________________________________ Date:______________

 

 

 

I have read the Fond du Lac Education Division policy for Acceptable Use of Technology Resources and the Internet and agree to promote this Policy with the student. As the sponsoring teacher, I do agree to instruct and monitor the student on acceptable use of the network and proper network behavior. Because the student may use the network for individual’ work or in the context of another class, I cannot be held responsible for students use of the network

Sponsoring Teacher Signature:_________________________________ Date:______________

User’s Signature:___________________________________________ Date:______________

 

 

 

As the parent or Guardian of this student, I have read the Fond du Lac Education Division Policy for acceptable Use of Technology Resources and the Internet. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes. I recognize it is impossible for the school to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the school’s network. I hereby give permission to issue a Account for my child to use the Internet for this school year.

Parent or Guardian’s Full Name (Please Print) :____________________________________

Parent or Guardian’s Signature:________________________________________________