ROCKPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

STUDENT INTERNET ACCESS  - ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Computers with Internet Access are available for all students and staff in the Rockport Public Schools (RPS). We strongly believe in the educational value of the Internet, and see the potential of computers and the Internet as a productivity tool to support curriculum and student learning.  Use of the Internet has been established at RPS for educational purposes only, not for personal entertainment, as a public access service/forum, for commercial use, political lobbying or other use that is inconsistent with this acceptable use policy.  Internet access for students is provided to promote educational excellence by facilitating research, communication, resource sharing, and innovation.

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.

RPS students will have filtered access to the Internet and the various other resources on the World Wide Web.  Electronic mail and access to newsgroups, forums, etc will be available on a limited basis for school-related purposes only.  All of these services are available to students only under the direct supervision of a RPS staff member.  Students must obtain the written 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.  Computer activity on the RPS network is recorded and may be monitored in certain circumstances.  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 Network Administrator, Principal or Superintendent;

                -connecting non-school computers to the RPS network with prior approval of the network administrator;

                - unauthorized use of chat, instant messaging or other forums without permission

- 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, if necessary

                - 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.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

(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.|span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  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