Weldon City
Schools
Policy Code
6605: Acceptable Use Policy
The Internet provides access to computer
systems located all over the world. Users (and parents of users, if the user is
younger than age 18) must understand that Weldon City Schools cannot control the
content of the information available. Some of the information is controversial
and sometimes offensive. However, the valuable information and interaction
accessible on this worldwide network outweigh the possibility that users may
find inappropriate material. The Weldon City School
District does not condone the use of such materials
and takes reasonable precautions to filter access to these materials. The school
employees, students, and parents must be aware that access to the Internet will
be withdrawn from users who do not respect the rights of others and who do not
follow the rules and regulations established by the Weldon City School
Board.
Access to and use of the Weldon City Schools
Internet Program is intended solely to further the educational objectives of the
Weldon City Schools, to supplement and enrich existing curricula, and to be
utilized in accordance with the Board’s policies and
procedures.
The following is a listing of Weldon City
Schools’ goals and the types of information students will be able to
access:
Weldon City Schools
Goals:
To support the implementation of Weldon City
Schools’ Performance Standards and the North Carolina Standard Course of
Study.
To enhance learning opportunities by focusing
on the application of skills in information retrieval, searching strategies,
research skills, critical thinking and to promote life-long
learning.
Access
Includes:
l Information, news, and resources from
business, libraries, educational institutions,
government agencies, research institutions, and a
variety of other sources.
l Telecommunications with individuals and
groups around the world, and public domain and shareware
software.
The Weldon City Schools Internet Program will
be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner and must be in
support of the educational objectives and the student behavior guidelines of the
Weldon City Schools. Transmission of material in violation of any federal or
state regulations is prohibited. Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited
to the following:
A. Violating copyright
laws
B. Forwarding personal communications without
the authors prior consent
C. Using threatening or obscene
material
D. Distributing material protected by trade
secret
E. Utilizing Weldon City Schools Internet
Program for commercial
purposes
F. Providing political or campaign
information
G. Using offensive or harassing statements or
language including
disparagement of others based on their race, national origin,
sex,
sexual orientation, age, disability, and religious or
political beliefs
H. Sending or soliciting sexually oriented
messages or images
I. Operating a business for personal gain,
sending chain letters, or
soliciting money for any
reason
J. Posting personal contact information about
yourself or other people
K. Attempting to log in through another
person’s account or access
another person’s file
L. Deliberate attempts to disrupt the
computer system or destroy data
RESTRICTIONS
Weldon City Schools has installed a
centralized software solution that provides Internet control, monitoring, and
filtering. This software is the critical component of the Internet protection
package since it allows valuable on-line Internet access while restricting
access to specific unwanted categories, including pornography, gambling, illegal
drugs, online merchandising, hate speeches, criminal skills, alternative
journals, and games. The program will be updated on a regular
basis.
NETIQUETTE
RULES
A. Users must abide by network etiquette
rules. The do’s and don’ts of
online
communications. These rules include, but are not limited to
the following:
B. Be polite; rudeness is never
acceptable.
C. Use appropriate language; do not swear, or
use vulgarities or any other abusive or inappropriate
language.
D. Do not use a computer to harm other
people.
E. Do not interface with other people’s
computer work or snoop around in other people’s files.
F. Assume all communications and information
accessible via the network is private property.
PRIVILEGES
Use of the Weldon City Schools District’s
Internet Program is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use will result in
limitation or cancellation of user privileges and possible disciplinary
actions.
DISCLAIMER
Weldon City Schools Internet Program will not
be responsible for any damages suffered, including loss of data resulting from
delays, non-deliverables, service interruptions, or inaccurate information. The
District makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or
through the Weldon City School
District system will be error-free or without defect.
The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information
obtained through or stored on the system. The user accepts personal
responsibility for any information obtained via Weldon City
Schools Internet Program and for financial obligations arising through the
unauthorized use of the system.
SECURITY
Security on any computer system is a high
priority, especially when the system involves many users. Attempts to tamper
with the program, to access the system as any other user, or to share a password
will result in the cancellation of user privileges. Electronic mail is not
guaranteed to be private; system operators have access to all mail. Messages
relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the
authorities, and disciplinary action will follow.
VANDALISM
Vandalism will result in cancellation of user
privileges and disciplinary action.
Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt
to harm or destroy equipment and/or data of anyone connected to the Internet.
Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, uploading, creating, or transmitting
computer viruses. Vandalism of computer systems, including unauthorized access,
is a violation of the criminal law.
AGREEMENT
Students must sign the Weldon City Schools
Agreement Form prior to accessing the Weldon City Schools Internet Program.
Parent or Guardian must sign the Weldon City Schools Agreement Form, prior to
students under the age of 18 accessing the Weldon City Schools Internet
Program.
Other users must sign the designated Weldon
City Schools’ Agreement Form, prior to accessing the Weldon City Schools
Internet Program.