Mason County Schools
Acceptable Use Policy and Procedures
The Mason County School System provides students and staff
with network access and resources. The
Network is a computer service, which includes the use of computers, servers,
software, Internet and E-mail. These procedures also address the use of
stand-alone computers, peripherals, telephone usage and other instructional
technology equipment.
All users must sign an Acceptable Use Policy agreement
before direct access to Internet or electronic mail will be provided. Written parental consent shall be required
before any student is given direct, hands-on access to the Internet or to
teacher directed electronic mail. However, educators may use the Internet during
class directed group demonstrations with or without parental consent. Users
will be held accountable for violations of the Acceptable Use Policy agreement
and understand that disciplinary action may be taken.
The Mason County
School District:
- Reserves
the right to monitor all activity on the Network.
- Reserves
the right to monitor computer use or lack of use.
- Reserves
the right to deny access of the Network to any individual.
- Shall
establish procedures that will maximize the Network system security.
- Shall
supervise student use of the Network and Telephones.
Electronic Mail
Regulations
Students and employees of Mason County Schools are
prohibited from using district resources to establish
Internet E-mail accounts through third party providers. Only Kentucky Education
Technology Systems e-mail can be used.
- Be
polite. Do not write or send abusive messages to others.
- Messages
shall not be sent with inappropriate or insinuating comments referring to
any student, staff member, or administrator.
- You
may not use electronic mail for communications that are not directly
related to instruction or sanctioned school activities. Do not use
electronic mail for private business, or personal non-work related communications.
- You
may not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate languages. You may not send or attach documents
containing pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material.
- You
may not access, copy or transmit another user’s messages without permission.
- Do not
reveal your personal address or phone number or those of other students
unless a parent or a teacher has coordinated the communication.
- You
may not send electronic messages using another person’s name or account.
- You
may not send electronic messages anonymously or send massive amounts of
mail to other users such as “chain mail” or “chain letters.”
The electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate
the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of
illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
Network
Regulations
- The
use of your account must be in support of education and research
consistent with the educational objectives of Mason County Schools.
- Passwords
are private. Do not allow others to use your password. Do not use another
user’s password or trespass in folders, work or files of others.
- You
may not transmit obscene, abusive or sexually explicit language or other
material.
- Use of the Network that
offends or tends to degrade others will not be allowed.
- Attempting
to disrupt communication on the network by creating or downloading
computer viruses or destroying data of other users is a form of vandalism.
- The
content of any district web page is the responsibility of the sponsoring
staff member who hosts the page.
- Non-instructional
chat rooms may not be included on any school web account.
- You
may not monopolize the resources of the Mason County Schools Network by
such things as running large programs and applications over the network,
sending massive amounts of e-mail to other users such as chain mail, or
using system resources for games.
- Non-instructional
games are prohibited. You may not
use MUD (multi-user games) via the network.
- There shall
be no installation of distributed file sharing programs or instant
messenger programs.
- Do not attempt to access any
computer or network for which you are unauthorized. You may not break or attempt to break
into other computer networks.
- You
are not permitted to get from or put onto the network any copyrighted
material (including software), or threatening or sexually explicit
material. Copyrights must be respected.
- Internet
access through the school is to be used for instruction, research, and
school administration. School access is not to be used for private
business or personal, non-work related communications.
- Students
should not reveal their name and personal information to or establish
relationships with “strangers” on the Internet, unless a parent or teacher
has coordinated the communication.
- The
school should never reveal a student’s personal identity or post a picture
of the student or the student’s work on the Internet with personally
identifiable information unless the parent has given written consent. Do not post a students full name with
photo on the schools web site.
- Do not install or use any
unauthorized / unlicensed software or hardware to any district computer
system or Network.
- Do not attempt to gain
unauthorized access to resources and entities.
- Do not attempt to modify or
remove computer equipment, software, or peripherals without proper
authorization.
- Any other action deemed
inappropriate by the district administration.
As a user of this educational system, users should notify a network
administrator or a teacher of any violations of this contract taking place by
other users or outside parties. This may be done anonymously.
Telephone Usage
- Telephone
calls are available primarily to provide two-way communications with the
school office and for contact with parents.
- Staff
will refrain from using telephones during instructional time.
- Students
may use the telephones under staff supervision when there is a legitimate need
such as: calling parents to arrange transportation, delivery of medicine
or clothes, or similar rare circumstances.
- Instruction
time will not be interrupted to transfer calls except in emergencies.
- All
guidelines contained within this AUP governing inappropriate language
apply to telephone usage. The
procedures in this AUP governing telephone usage also apply to district
cellular phones and other wireless telecommunication systems.
Disciplinary Action
Access
is a privilege, not a right.
Students are responsible for appropriate behavior when using the Mason County
Schools network. Therefore, general school rules for behavior apply. Access to network services is offered to
students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner, and parent
permission is required. Based upon the
acceptable use guidelines outlined in this document, the system administrators
will deem what is inappropriate use, and their decisions are final. The administration and staff may revoke or
suspend user access when these terms are violated.
- Student
discipline for violation of any part of these procedures shall be based on
the severity of the infraction.
- Student
disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, the loss of any or
all computer privileges, termination of the user’s account, removal from the class with a failing grade and/or
suspension/expulsion. Privileges will be reinstated at the discretion of
the district administrators.
- Discipline
of staff may involve actions up to and including termination of
employment.
- Parents,
guardians and/or perpetrators may be billed for damages to technology
resources.
- Illegal/criminal
activities will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Revised: 7/1/08
Mason County Schools
Board of Education - 7/10/08
Mason County Schools
Acceptable Use Agreement Form for Students
The attached agreement form is to be distributed to all Mason County Schools
students. A signed agreement form must be on file at the school for each user
who wishes to use the Network and must be signed by a parent or guardian. Any
district staff member must also sign a form to utilize the Network.
By signing the user agreement and/or parent permission form, the student or
staff member has agreed to abide by Board policy governing access.
Student Users – Please sign and
return
I understand and will abide by the Mason
County School District’s
Acceptable Use Procedures for the Network and Telephone Usage. I further
understand that any violation of the regulations stated in these procedures is
unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation,
my access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken,
and/or appropriate legal action may be pursued.
Student Name (Please print):________________________________________________
(Last)
(First)
(Middle Initial)
Signature: ______________________________________Graduation Year:___________
Parent Signature Required by
Student Users – Please sign and return
I, the parent/guardian of ___________________________________ have read and
discussed the district Acceptable Use Procedures for the Network and Telephone
Usage with my child. I understand that access to the Network is designed for
educational purposes. The district/school has taken precautions to eliminate
controversial material; however, I recognize it is impossible to restrict
access to all controversial materials. I will not hold the district/school
responsible for materials my child acquires on the Network. Further, I accept
full responsibility for supervision when my child’s use is not in a school
setting. I hereby give permission to issue an account for my child and certify
that the information contained on this form is correct.
Parent or Guardian’s Name (Please
Print):______________________________________
Signature:______________________________________________
Date:___________
Do you have high speed
Internet access at your home such as cable modem or DSL? Circle yes or no below.
YES NO
Mason County Schools
Acceptable Use Agreement Form for Staff
The attached agreement form is to be distributed to all Mason County Schools
staff. A signed agreement form must be on file at the school for each user who
wishes to use the Network. Any district staff member must sign a form to
utilize the Network.
By signing the user agreement form, the student or staff member has agreed
to abide by Board policy governing access.
Staff Agreement – Please sign and
return
I understand and will abide by the Mason
County School District’s
Acceptable Use Procedures for Network Access and Telephone Usage. I further
understand that any violation of the regulations stated in this policy is
unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation,
my access privileges may be revoked, disciplinary action may be taken, and/or
appropriate legal action may be pursued.
Staff Responsibility – if working with students and the network
I agree to promote the Acceptable Use Procedures with each of my students.
I agree to instruct students on acceptable use of the network and proper
network/telephone etiquette. During the times students are assigned to my care,
I agree to direct students to acceptable network/telephone resources and
monitor their use at all times. Neglect in my responsibility as an instructor
could result in disciplinary action.
Personnel Name (Please print): ___________________________________________
School Assignment: ____________________________________________________
Job Title: ____________________________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________ Date: _____________________