Series 6000: Instruction

6141.321 Telecommunications/Internet Acceptable Use

The school district believes in the educational value of communications, the Internet, and electronic information services, and recognizes their potential to support its educational program, the curriculum and student learning. Resource sharing, communications, and innovation capabilities for both students and teachers have been increased with access to telecommunications and to the Internet. The district will make every effort to protect students and teachers from any misuses or abuses as a result of experience with an electronic information service. It is therefore imperative that members of the school community conduct themselves in a responsible, decent, ethical, and polite manner while using any network. Further, they must abide by all local, state and federal laws.

Guidelines for General Use

It is important to recognize that with increased access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of controversial material that may not be considered of educational value in the context of the school setting. Further, the school district recognizes the importance of each individual's judgment regarding appropriate conduct in maintaining a quality resource system. While this policy does not attempt to articulate all required or proscribed behavior, it does seek to assist in such judgment by providing the following guidelines.

1. All use of the Internet, electronic services or any telecommunications network must be support of educational objectives or research.

2. Any electronic mail accounts shall be used only by the authorized owner of the account. Account owners are ultimately responsible for all activity under their account.

3. All communications and information accessible via a network should be assumed to be private.

4. Any use of the district's computing resources or networks for illegal or inappropriate purposes accessing materials that are objectionable in a public school environment, or supporting such activities, is prohibited. Language that is deemed to be vulgar is also prohibited. Illegal activities shall be defined as a violation of the intended use of the service or network. Inappropriate use shall be defined as a violation of the intended use of the service or network. Objectionable is defined as materials that are identified as such by the rules and policies of the Board of Education that relate to curriculum materials and textbook adoption.

5. Any use of telecommunication opportunities for commercial purposes financial gain, product advertisement, political lobbying, or attempt to disrupt the use of the services by others, is prohibited.

6. The Board of Education has no control of the information on the Internet. Other sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people.

7. Violations of the provisions stated in this policy may result in suspension or revocation of access privileges to the   Internet, electronic services or district networks.

Please read this document carefully before signing.

Internet access is available to students and teachers in the School District.

The Board of Education is pleased to allow this access to Thomaston Public Schools and believes the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. The School District has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and an industrious user may discover controversial information. We firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the district.

Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. If a district user violates any of these provisions, his or her privileges/account will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied. The signature(s) at the end of this document is (are) legally binding and indicates the party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s) their significance.

STUDENT

I understand and will abide by the above Internet Use Agreement. I further understand that any violation of the regulations above 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

Student Signature ___________________ Date __________

School ____________________________ Grade ____________

PARENT OR GUARDIAN

As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Internet Use Agreement. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes. The School District has taken precautions to eliminate controversial material. However, I also recognize it is impossible for the district to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. Further, I accept full responsibility for supervision if and when my child's use is not in a school setting. I hereby give permission for my child to access the Internet, to have an account and certify that the information contained on this form is correct. 

Parent or Guardian's Name (Please Print) __________________________________

Signature _______________________ Date ____________________

Policy Adopted: July 14, 2014

Policy Revised: August 21, 2023 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Thomaston, Connecticut