YORKTOWN ISD ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

STUDENT AGREEMENT FOR PARTNERSHIP IN AN ELECTRONIC NETWORK SYSTEM

              The District computer network provides access to certain programs and research data from almost any room in the District.  Information that would otherwise be available only within the library to one person at a time is now available to many users simultaneously.

              It is important for students and parents to understand that permission to use this system is a privilege, not a right.  This privilege is tied to the responsibility to use it appropriately, legally, and honestly.  Appropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following guidelines:

• I understand that electronic information resources are made available by the District for education purposes.  I understand that it is impossible for the District to restrict access to all controversial materials that may be found on electronic networks.  I also agree to report any misuse of the information system to the District systems administrator or an appropriate teacher.  Misuse may come in many forms, but can be viewed as any message sent or received that indicates or suggests pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, and other issues described above.

• Electronic mail transmissions and other use of the electronic communications system by students and employees shall not be considered confidential and may be monitored at any time by designated District staff to ensure appropriate use for educational or administrative purposes.

• Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic mail messages is prohibited.  Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other system users or deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail is prohibited.

• Parental permission must be on file before an individual student’s work, name or picture can be put on the system.  At no time will the student be identified in such a way that would jeopardize his/her safety (no full name, address, phone #).

• Students should follow proper networking etiquette.

• Food and drinks are not allowed beside the computers.

• Students should respect copyright laws and refrain from making illegal copies of school-owned software.  No software may be installed on school computers without permission of the technology coordinator.

• Students should not abuse or misuse the computer, the network, or the software in any other way.  This includes intentionally wasting resources, creating inappropriate materials, tampering with computer parts, erasing programs, attempting to gain unauthorized access, or refusing to follow adult instructions.

• Student-owned USB memory devices, sometimes called Pen Drives, Thumb Drives, or a variety of other trade names, may be attached to a District computer only under direct supervision of a teacher and only as part of a school assignment.  Such devices are not to be connected to teacher computers, but only to those computers designated for student use.

• Personally owned computers, including laptops, may not be connected to the District network.  An exception to this may be granted under special circumstances, after the personally owned computer has been inspected by the Technology Coordinator, and only under direct supervision of a teacher.

• No student has authority to install software or make configuration changes on District computers.  This includes downloading and installing Internet games, adding toolbars to the web browser, changing the web browser home page, adding or changing backgrounds or screen savers, and deleting software or printers.

• Chat rooms, Instant Messaging programs, and social networking sites including but not limited to My Space and Facebook are off-limits on District computers.  Using a Proxy site in order to circumvent District Internet content filtering is not permitted.

• Peer to Peer file sharing programs, including but not limited to Limewire and Kazaa, are not permitted on District computers.

• Each Junior High and High School student will be issued a login name and password which will allow them to save their work onto a school network server.   Students will be allowed and encouraged to change their login password.  It is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy for a student to share their login information with another student.  It is also a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy for a student to attempt to login as someone else, or to copy, modify, or delete files or other data belonging to another person.  Teachers and administrators will have full access to student data files.

• Consequences – Failure to follow these guidelines will result in disciplinary action, which may include office referral and/or immediate suspension of computer privileges.  Students who deliberately cause damage to computer software, hardware, or other peripherals through abuse or misuse will be held financially liable for any repairs or replacement costs.

* * PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN AGREEMENT ON THE NEXT PAGE * *

Yorktown ISD Student Acceptable Use Policy Agreement

I have read the Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines and agree to abide by their provisions.  I understand that I am authorized to use the Yorktown ISD student computers for educational purposes, but that I am not authorized to modify the computers or their software.  I understand that computer use at Yorktown ISD is a privilege, not a right, and that violation of the provisions stated in the policy will result in the suspension or revocation of system privileges.

__________________________________________               ___________________________

                          Student Signature                                                                                 Date

I have read the Acceptable Use Student Guidelines and understand that although administrators of the system have taken responsible precautions to ensure that controversial material is eliminated, the above named student has my permission to access the Internet at Yorktown ISD with supervision of a teacher or librarian.  I understand that the misuse of this privilege can result in the revocation of system privileges.

__________________________________________               ___________________________

                             Parent Signature                                                                                Date

Form last updated 5-28-08