ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

GRADY MUNICIPAL SCHOOL

The Grady Municipal School District provides students and staff with a service called the Network.  The Network is a computer service that includes the use of computers, servers, and the Internet.

Learning is enhanced through technology’s endless possibilities.  Students and teachers have opportunities to gather information, communicate with people all over the world, and created their own products.  However, some of the Network’s systems may contain offensive material.  Even though it is impossible to have control over all of the information on the Network, the District has in place several ways to prevent access to inappropriate materials and to provide for a positive, productive education experience.

The District:

¨          Filters out most of the inappropriate material.

¨          Supervises and monitors students.

¨          Provides students with the understanding and skills needed to use computer network

                        services in an appropriate manner.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS MAY SIGN A FORM, WHICH REQUESTS THAT THE STUDENT NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE USE OF THE NETWORK.

Acceptable Use of the Network

¨          The use of the District’s network is a privilege not a right.

¨          The Network is designed to be used as a tool to assist with the 

                         instructional objectives of the District.

¨          Students and Staff shall use the Network efficiently to minimize 

                         interference with others.

Prohibited uses of the network include, but are not limited to:

1.                  Sending receiving, displaying, or accessing defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, 

            obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing, or  

            illegal materials.

2.                  Encouraging the use of or promoting the sale of controlled substances or drugs.

3.                  Any attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Network, or any of the agencies or other computer network services that are connected to the Internet.  this includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

4.                  Any attempt to sell or offer for sale any goods or services that could be construed as a commercial enterprise, unless approved by the Board or their designee.

5.                  Redistributing a copyrighted program or copyrighted material without the express written permission of the owner or authorized person or as provided by the fair use exception.  This includes uploading and downloading of materials.

6.                  Revealing personal information of others or themselves, such as home address,

            phone number, etc.

7.                  Logging into the system using another’s account.

8.                  Leaving an account open or unattended.

9.                  Downloading of any kind, including music, is not allowed.  Music can be played only if a teaching is monitoring.

District Rights and Responsibilities

1.                  The District reserves the right to monitor all activity on the Network.

2.                  The District reserves the right to block any material on the Internet.

3.                  The District reserves the right to deny access of the Network to any individual.

4.                  Security on the Network is a high priority.  The Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures, which will maximize the computer system security.

5.                  No warranties are made or given with respect to any service, any information, or any software contained within the Network.

6.                  Opinions, advice, services and all other information expressed by students, staff, information providers, service providers, or other third party personnel on the Network provided by the District are those of the individual and do not represent the position of the District.

7.                  Accounts which are inactive for more than 30 days may be removed by the District along with the user’s files without prior notice.

8.                  District staff is responsible for supervising student use of the Network.

Discipline

Student discipline for violation of any part of this policy shall be based on the student’s age and 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 Network account, removal from class at the secondary level with a failing grade, or suspension and/or expulsion.  Discipline of staff may involve actions up to and including termination.  Parents/guardians or perpetrators may be billed for damages to equipment.  Illegal activities will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency.