ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY: K-8

The HCZ Promise Academy School District employs computers as a tool in the fulfillment of its mission to teach the skills, knowledge and behaviors students will need to participate meaningfully in our technological, information-based global world.

The district's computers provide unique opportunities to explore and use a varied and exciting set of resources, including computer programs, CDs, and the Internet. In order to make these resources available to everyone, the district expects that students within the school community who use the school's computers will do so in a way that is consistent with its educational mission. Specifically, we expect that when using or accessing the school's computers:

 

·         No student or faculty or both will deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer equipment or software or assist others in doing the same.

·         No person will deliberately access educationally inappropriate materials or show others how to do the same. This is particularly important in light of the fact that the very strength of the Internet - its largely unregulated offering of thousands of different places to visit - means that some Internet sites contain sexually explicit or other material that is clearly unrelated to the school's educational mission.

·         Students will respect the rights of others to the privacy of the files stored on a computer or a disk and not view those files without the owner's permission or alter or damage such files.

·         Each person will respect and uphold copyright laws.

·         Each person will follow any other regulations posted in the computer lab or other rooms where computers are in use.

·         Each person will follow the directions of the adult in charge of the computer lab or other rooms where computers are in use.

·         Use the Internet only for educational purposes related to the curriculum.

·         Use proper etiquette (appropriate language, keeping home information private, etc.)

·         Be conscientious about using network storage space, periodically deleting   unimportant or obsolete files.

Privacy

Users should be aware that network administrators will review logs and may access data stored on the network to maintain system integrity.

Illegal copying

Users should never download or install any software -- commercial, shareware, or freeware on any computers or network drives, unless they have written permission from the network administrator. Nor should users copy other people's work or intrude into other people's files.

Succinct Advice

These are guidelines to follow to prevent the loss of network privileges at the HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District:

1.   Do not use a computer to harm other people or their work.

2.   Do not damage the computer or the network in any way.

3.   Do not install or download any programs.

4.   Do not violate copyright laws.

5.   Do not download, view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures.

6.   Do not share your password with another student.

7.   Do not waste limited resources such as disk space, printing capacity or Internet bandwidth.

8.   Do not trespass in another's folders, work, or files.

9.   NOTIFY an adult immediately if, by accident, you encounter materials that violate the rules of appropriate use.

10. BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your actions and for the loss of privileges if the Acceptable Use Policy is violated.

Disclaimer of Liability

The HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District disclaims all liability for the content of material that a student may access on the Internet, for any damages suffered in the course of, or as a result of, the student's Internet use, and for any other consequences of a student's Internet use.

Changes in the Guidelines

The Promise Academy Charter School District reserves the right to change these Guidelines at any time.

The Internet

The HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District provides access to the Internet to support education and research. The Internet provides unique resources to students and teachers and offers an opportunity for collaborative work with other users. Any use of Promise Academy's Internet access must be in support of and consistent with these educational objectives. All students who use Promise Academy's Internet access are expected to read these Guidelines and to take part in a discussion of the Guidelines with a teacher. Adherence to the Guidelines is a condition for a student to have the privilege of Internet access.

The Internet is a vast, global network, linking computers at universities, schools, laboratories and other sites. Through the Internet, one can communicate with people all over the world through discussion forums and electronic mail. In addition, many educationally valuable files may be downloaded from the Internet. Because of its enormous size and resources, the Internet's educational potential is boundless. Because of its broad reach, however, the Internet also contains the potential for abuse. These Guidelines are intended to help ensure that students use this valuable resource in a safe and appropriate manner.

Student's Responsibility

All student use of the Internet is to be conducted under faculty supervision. It is not possible, nor is it expected that faculty will monitor student use at every moment. Every student is expected to take individual responsibility for his or her appropriate use of the Internet.

Student Access

Before students in Grades K-4 will be authorized to access the Internet and World Wide Web, they will take part in a discussion of these Guidelines with their teacher. Teachers will be asked to sign a statement indicating that they have had such a discussion with their class. Students will be asked to sign a statement that they understand and agree to abide by the Guidelines.

Network Etiquette

Students are expected to learn and to abide by generally accepted rules of Internet network etiquette, as well as rules of school decorum. These include common courtesy, politeness and the avoidance of inappropriate language.

Personal Safety

The Internet is accessible to the public. Unfortunately, this includes people who want to make contact with students for inappropriate purposes or under false pretenses. Although the HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District tries its best to screen the Internet for such inappropriate uses via the use of filtering software, students must be cautious and prudent about supplying personal information and arranging personal meetings. In particular, students should never arrange a personal meeting with a person who was met on-line without their parents' or guardians' knowledge and approval. Students should promptly inform their teacher or school administrator of any on-line communication that the student feels is threatening, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate.

Internet Access Is a Privilege

Internet access through the HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District is a privilege, not a right. School officials may cancel a student’s access if this privilege is abused.  Students demonstrating inappropriate conduct may be subject to other disciplinary action.

Administrators' Access to Student Files

All student e-mail files and other Internet files and records may be accessed and examined by administrators for educational and administrative purposes, including the need to ensure that these Internet Guidelines are being followed. Administrators will also cooperate in providing access to student e-mail and Internet files and records to law enforcement authorities. Students should not assume that uses of the HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District's Internet access will be private.

HCZ PROMISE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

User Agreement and Parent Permission Form 2008-2011

 

Teacher Declaration

I have discussed the HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District Guidelines for Computer and Internet Use with my class on________ [date]

Teacher’s Name: _________________________________________ School_______________________   Grade:___________________

Signature: ______________________________________

Today's Date: ___________________

User Agreement and Parent Permission Form – 2008-2011

As a user of the HCZ Promise Academy Charter School District' s computer network, l hereby agree to comply with its Guidelines and rules and to communicate over the network in a responsible fashion, while honoring all relevant laws and restrictions.

Student Signature: ____________________     Print Name:______________________

As the parent or legal guardian of the minor signing above, I grant permission for my son or daughter to access networked computer services such as electronic mail and the Internet. I understand that the rules and Acceptable Use Guidelines have been discussed with my child and that individuals and families may be held liable for not adhering to these guidelines. I understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable, but I accept responsibility along with my child's teacher for guidance of Internet use, including setting and conveying standards for my daughter or son to follow when selecting, sharing or exploring information and media.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________ Date: ____________

Print Name:_____________________    Relationship to child:______________________

Name of Student: ____________________________ Grade: ___________

School: ______________________________________________________

Street Address: ___________________________ City:________________

State: ___________________ Zip:_____________

Home Telephone: ______________________