Network/Internet Acceptable Use Policies

  Network/Internet - Terms and Conditions

Security

  Publishing on the Internet

Computer Software Policy

  Network Etiquette

Disclaimer

Network/Internet - Terms and Conditions

Mandatory Training:

The district will provide training in proper use of the system and will provide all users with copies of acceptable use guidelines. All training in the use of the district's system will emphasize the ethical use of this resource.
Risk: Sites accessible via the Network/Internet may contain material that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or controversial. Although the district will attempt to limit access to objectionable material by using software, controlling all materials on the Network/Internet is impossible. With global access to computers and people, a risk exists that students may access material that may not be of educational value in the school setting.
Monitored Use: 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. This monitoring may include activity logging, virus scanning, and content scanning. The district does not provide student electronic mail accounts. The district may allow secure, web-based, student accounts to support instruction. Participation in computer-mediated conversation/discussion forums for instructional purposes must be approved by curriculum and campus administration.

The district has provided students with access to “Digital Lockers,” a network storage location for files. The “digital locker” provides an area where certain school-related student products can be stored from year to year, thus creating the student digital portfolio.

To enforce the Student AUP and to maintain the integrity of the network, digital lockers, shared network space, and any district storage space will be monitored by district staff and files such as games, inappropriate images and files will be deleted. External electronic storage devices are subject to monitoring if used with district recourses. Student disciplinary action may follow.
User Responsibilities: Network/Internet users (students and district employees), like traditional library users or those participating in field trips, are responsible for their actions in accessing available resources. The following standards will apply to all users of the Network/Internet:
  • The user in whose name a system account is issued will be responsible at all times for its proper use. System users may not use another person's account without written permission from a campus administrator or district-level administrator.
  • The system may not be used for illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities, or for any other activity prohibited by district policy.
  • Users may not redistribute copyrighted programs or data without the written permission of the copyright holder or designee. Such permission must be specified in the document or must be obtained directly from the copyright holder or designee in accordance with applicable copyright laws, district policy, and administrative regulations.
  • Students are not permitted to use district technology to search the Internet for non-educational purposes. This includes “free search/surf” the Internet which is defined as unsupervised searching of the Internet without an approved educational purpose.
  • A user must not knowingly attempt to access educationally-inappropriate material. If a user accidentally reaches such material, the user must immediately back out of the area on the Internet containing educationally-inappropriate material. The user must then notify the teacher or campus/building administrator of the site address that should be added to the filtering software so that it can be removed from accessibility.

Think about it....

True or False

  • This district is HUGE. There is no way they will know where I am going on the Internet or when. False. District network activity is monitored.

  • I don't have time to help a student set her password. I'm going to log on and let her use my account today. It's my account so it's ok. False. It is against district policy to allow someone else to use your network login.

  • I can check my Hotmail email from school on my off period. True.

Hint: Check yourself by highlighting the whitespace after the statement.

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Publishing on the Internet 

Recognition:

  • First and last names and grade level may be used on the Internet to recognize personal achievements.

  • Permission for the following items is granted or denied through the initial Emergency Information & Medical/Parent Authorization Form given to each student at the beginning of the school year.

Student Work:

 Student work will only be published on a CFISD.net web page with parental permission. Examples of published work could include short stories, poems, slide shows, and/or art work. First and/or last names may be included with the student work.

Photographs:

Student photographs will be published on a CFISD.net web page only with parental permission. If a photograph of the student is included with the posting of the recognition and/or student work, only the first or last name may be included with the photograph.

Exceptions to the above:

 Any exceptions to the items above will be secured through the Communication Office. Individual campuses may elect not to publish student work and/or photographs on the campus website even though the parent has given permission to do so.

Web Authoring:

The district and each campus have an authorized web site. Students, district employees, and community members are prohibited from authoring a private website which represents itself as the official site for the district. For example, this would include, but not be limited to, campus, club, and department sites.

Think about it....

  • I am sponsoring a school club and have created a club web site on my own time and am hosting it on my own server. I want the CFISD school web site to link to my page. Will they do it? No. The district will not link to sites outside the district web site.

  • A student of mine won a writing award. I want to place a picture of her receiving the award on our CFISD school web site. I also want to publish the award-winning paper she wrote. What do I have to do to accomplish this goal? Obtain written parent permission for publishing this information.

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Network Etiquette

Students are not provided district email accounts and are prohibited from accessing unauthorized email services while using district equipment.

System users of email or other communication messaging systems are expected to observe the following network etiquette.

  • Be polite; messages typed in capital letters are the computer equivalent of shouting and are considered rude.
  • Use appropriate language; swearing, vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs, and any other inflammatory language are prohibited.
  • Transmitting obscene messages or pictures is prohibited.
  • Revealing personal addresses or phone numbers of the user or others is prohibited.
  • Using the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users is prohibited.

Inappropriate Use:

Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to, those uses that violate the law, that are specifically named as violations below, that violate the rules of network etiquette, or that hamper the integrity or security of this or any networks connected to the Network/Internet. Please refer to the Consequences of Violation section of this document.

Commercial Use: 

Use for commercial, income-generating or "for-profit" activities, product advertisement, or political lobbying is prohibited. Sending unsolicited junk mail, or chain letters, is prohibited.

Vandalism/Mischief:

Vandalism and mischief are prohibited. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Network/Internet, or any networks that are connected to the Network/Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation or propagation of computer viruses. Any interference with the work of other users, with or without malicious intent, is construed as mischief and is strictly prohibited.
Playing Games and Downloading Music or Video Files: These activities are prohibited unless approved for educational purposes.

Electronic Mail Violations:

Forgery of electronic mail messages is prohibited. Reading, deleting, copying, or modifying the electronic mail of other users, without their permission, is prohibited.

File/Data Violations:

Deleting, examining, copying, or modifying files and/or data belonging to other users, without their permission, is prohibited.

System Interference/ Alteration:

Deliberate attempts to exceed, evade or change resource quotas are prohibited. The deliberate causing of network congestion through mass consumption of system resources is prohibited.

Unauthorized Disclosure:

Unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding students and employees is prohibited.

Think about it....
  • Some of my advanced students have completed their assignments and have free time in the computer lab. I want to let them find and play games on the web. That's ok, isn't it? No. Students may only visit instructionally-sound, teacher-approved sites.
  • I AM TO BUSY TO USE THE SHIFT KEY WHEN TYPING EMAIL MESSAGES. IS THIS A PROBLEM? Yes, typing an email message in all caps is considered shouting and is rude.

Hint: Check yourself by highlighting the whitespace after the statement.

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Security

Reporting Security Problems:

If a user identifies or has knowledge of a security problem on the Network/Internet, such as filtering software not working, the user should immediately notify a teacher, administrator or the System Administrator. The security problem should not be shared with others.

Impersonation:

 Attempts to log on to the Network/Internet impersonating a system administrator or CFISD employee may result in revocation of the user's access to the Network/Internet.

Other Security Risks:

Any user identified as having had access privileges revoked or denied on another computer system may be denied access to the CFISD Network/Internet.

Violations of Law:

Transmission of any material in violation of any US or state law is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening, harassing, or obscene material; or material protected by trade secret. Any attempt to break the law through the use of a CFISD Network/Internet account may result in litigation against the offender by the proper authorities. If such an event should occur, CFISD will fully comply with the authorities to provide any information necessary for the litigation process.

Consequences of Violations:

Any attempt to violate the provisions of these guidelines may result in revocation of the user's access to the Network/Internet, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. In addition, disciplinary action consistent with the district discipline policy and/or appropriate legal action, which may include restitution, may be taken. District administrators will make the final determination as to what constitutes inappropriate use. With just cause, the System Administrator or other administrator may deny, revoke, or suspend Network/Internet access as required, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Think about it....

If I violate the provisions of the district acceptable use policy and am caught, what can the district do to me? Any attempt to violate the provisions of these guidelines may result in revocation of the user's access to the Network/Internet, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt.

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Computer Software Policy

In accordance with Board Policy EFE (local) and Administrative Regulation EFE-R, it is the practice for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD to respect all computer software copyrights and to adhere to the terms of all software licenses to which Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is a party. Technology Services is charged with the responsibility of enforcing these guidelines.

All computer software installed on district equipment must be purchased, reported to, and installed by Technology Services or its designee. Software acquisition is restricted to ensure that the school district has a complete record of all software that has been purchased for district computers and can register, support, and upgrade such software accordingly. Software on district computers used for instructional and/or administrative purposes must be approved by a district curriculum coordinator and Technology Services.

Students, district employees, and volunteers may not duplicate any licensed software or related documentation for use either on the district’s premises or elsewhere unless Technology Services is expressly authorized to do so by agreement with the licenser. Unauthorized duplication of software may subject the employee and/or the school district to both civil and criminal penalties under the United States Copyright Act.

Students, district employees, and volunteers may not give software to any third party including relatives, clients, contractors, etc. District employees, students, and volunteers may use district-approved software on local area networks or on multiple machines only in accordance with applicable license agreements.

For further information regarding the purchase and installation of computer software, please call the district's HELP Desk at (281) 897-HELP (4357).

 Think about it....

  • I have a great piece of educational software that I bought over the weekend for my students to use. It is perfect for my class! I want to install it on my minilab. Does the district allow me to load my own software? No.

  • If I have a question regarding software or any other computer issues, who do I call? The Help Desk at 4357 (HELP)

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Disclaimer

These guidelines apply to stand-alone computers as well as computers connected to the Network/Internet. The district makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the services it is providing and is not responsible for any damages suffered by users. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or user errors or omissions. The district is not responsible for phone/credit card bills or any
other charges incurred by users. Use of any information obtained via the Network/Internet is at the user’s own risk. The district specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services. Opinions, advice, services, and all other information expressed by system users, information providers, service providers, or other third party individuals in the system are those of the providers and not the District. The district will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the district’s electronic communications system.

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