ROCKPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STUDENT INTERNET ACCESS - ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The Internet is available for students in the Rockport Public Schools (RPS).
RPS strongly believes in the educational value of the Internet, and sees the
potential of the Internet to support curriculum and student learning and in
this way to support its educational mission. Use of the Internet has been
established at RPS for educational purposes only, not as a public access
service, a public forum, for commercial use or for political lobbying.
Internet access for students is provided to promote educational excellence by
facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
RPS realizes that while the Internet can provide many opportunities of sound
educational value, the Internet also offers persons with illegal or unethical
purposes another way to reach students, teachers and others, including
parents. RPS has taken, and will continue to take, all reasonable
precautions to restrict access to inappropriate materials that may not be
considered to be of educational value in the context of a school setting.
However, RPS also realizes that access to a global network makes it nearly
impossible to control all materials, and a user may discover inappropriate
information when accessing such a network. RPS believes that the advantage
of obtaining materials from the Internet outweighs the possibility that users
may obtain material that is not consistent with the educational goals of RPS.
Students at the RPS will have access to the Internet, including World Wide
Web resources. Electronic mail and access to newsgroups will be available on
a limited basis. All of these services are available to students only under
the direct supervision of a RPS staff member. Students must obtain the
approval of their parent(s) or guardian(s) before access to the school's
Internet resources can be granted. Students and parents must also read and
sign the "Acceptable Use Policy" form below to indicate an understanding and
acceptance of its contents. Students are responsible for appropriate
behavior on the RPS computer networks. The use of RPS networks is a
privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused. Students are advised
never to access, keep or send anything that they would not want their parents
or teachers to see.
By signing the "Acceptable Use Policy" form the student agrees that the
following actions (which are not inclusive) constitute unacceptable use of
the RPS technology facilities, whether that use is initiated from school or
any other site:
- using impolite, abusive or otherwise objectionable language
in either public or private messages;
- using the Internet for non school-related activities;
- changing any computer file that does not belong to the user;
- knowingly giving one's password to others;
- using another person's password;
- using Internet access for sending or retrieving
pornographic materials,inappropriate text files, or files
dangerous to the integrity of the network;
- circumventing security measures on school or remote
computers or networks;
- downloading or installing any commercial software,
shareware, or freeware onto the network drives or
disks without written permission from the building
Principal or Superintendent;
- violating your or another's personal safety by posting
personal contact information such as an address,telephone
number, school address, work address, etc.
- failing to promptly disclose to an appropriate person any
message that you receive which is inappropriate;
- going beyond authorized access to the school's computer
system;
- posting any private information about another person;
- plagiarizing any works you find on the Internet.
If a student violates any of the above guidelines, automatic notification
will be made to the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) of the infraction(s).
Depending on the severity of the infraction, ANY of the following
consequences may be imposed:
- Conference with parent or guardian;
- Loss of network use for a determined period of time;
- Individual access privileges will be revoked;
- Appropriate legal action will be taken;
- School disciplinary action according to school regulations.
All students who use the RPS computer systems are solely responsible for
their actions and will be held accountable for them. RPS makes no guarantee
that the services provided by or through its computer systems will be error-
free or without defect. RPS will not be responsible for any damage which may
be suffered by those using the RPS computer systems, including, but not
limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. RPS cannot be
responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of
its systems.
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(Tear off and return this portion of the form to your child's school office -
keep the above policy for reference.)
STUDENT'S AGREEMENT
I have read the RPS "Acceptable Use Policy" above. I understand it fully and
I agree to abide by the principles and guidelines it contains. In addition,
I have read and agree to refrain from those actions which are considered
unacceptable to the proper use of Internet resources.
__________________________________________ ________________________
______________________
Student's Name
Student ID # Year of Graduation
PARENT'S AGREEMENT
As the parent or guardian of the above student, I have read the RPS
Acceptable Use Policy for Internet Access above. I understand that this
access is designed for educational purposes only. I also recognize that
employees of the RPS may not be able to restrict access to all controversial
materials on the Internet. I will not hold employees of the RPS responsible
for materials my son/daughter acquires or encounters as a result of the use
of the Internet from school facilities.
I hereby GIVE my permission to the RPS to permit my son/daughter to access
the Internet on equipment provided on the school site.
________________________________________________________
_________________________
Parent/Guardian's
Signature
Date
I DO NOT GIVE my permission to the RPS to permit my son/daughter to access
the Internet on equipment provided on the school site except for limited
access to specific resources available on the Internet within a supervised
classroom environment.
________________________________________________________
__________________________
Parent/Guardian's
Signature
Date
