SOUTH HAMILTON SCHOOL 
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY 

2002-2003 

I. General Statement - Internet access is available to the students and teachers in the South Hamilton Community School District. South Hamilton is very fortunate to be able to provide this service. South Hamilton believes the Internet provides vast, diverse, and unique resources. The goal in providing Internet access is to promote educational excellence in our school by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY

The data published on the Internet is not censored. By design there is no single authority nor technology that monitors and censors contributions made to Internet data banks. Thus, there are databases on the Internet that would be considered by most prudent and discerning adults as unsuitable for use by elementary and secondary students. South Hamilton chooses to respond by establishing policy that outlines the appropriate use of the Internet by students. K-8 students will have access to Internet and e-mail only through a classroom account. This account allows Internet use to sites bookmarked by the teacher or sites found by a student searching eh Internet under the direct supervision of the teacher. Students in the high school may be granted individual Internet and e-mail accounts. Access will be authorized by the District Technology Director upon completion of South Hamilton's Internet instruction and completion of an Educational Internet Account application.

II. Students have the right:

1. To apply for an individual Internet account only after Internet instruction at South Hamilton and with parental permission in grades 9-12.

2. To use a classroom account in grades K-8.

3. Under certain conditions, to sign up for LISTSERVs or newsgroups on the Internet. (See Section VIII, number 14)

III. Parents have the right:

1. To approve or deny their child's independent internet access account.

2. To be notified of any violations of the Acceptable Use Policy made by their child.

IV. The district has the right:

1. To determine what constitutes appropriate use of the Internet.

2. To close an account at any time.

3. To determine all the policies, rules, and regulations for Internet and e-mail use.

4. To establish the procedure for disciplinary action for misuse of the Internet or e-mail.

V. Students have the responsibility:

1. To use the Internet as a class-related educational resource.

2. To keep software of ANY KIND from entering the school via the Internet unless special permission is granted by Mr. McLuckie.

3. To report all violations of the Acceptable Use Policy to teachers and/or admininistrators.

4. To observe all copyright stipulations when using information from the Internet or when creating web pages that contain copyrighted material.

5. To read and delete all materials received under their user account.

6. To be fully aware of all rules and regulations governing the use of the Internet. (See Rules & Regulations Part VIII)

VI. Parents have the responsibility:

1. To be fully aware of all rules and regulations governing the use of the internet. (See Rules & Regulations Part VIII)

2. To report violations of the Acceptable Use Policy to teachers and/or administrators.

VII. The district has the responsibility:

1. To develop an acceptable use policy for students' Internet and 3-mail access.

2. To inform teachers, students, and parents of the contents of the most current policy regarding use of the Internet and e-mail at South Hamilton Community School District.

3. To maintain the integrity of the district's e-mail service.

4. To provide training to teach proper techniques and standards for participation and safety when using the Internet.

5. To monitor Internet usage through electronic logging.

6. To establish a procedure for handling complaints by students, faculty, or community.

7. To provide alternative assignments for students denied access to the Internet.

8. To observe all copyright stipulations when using information from the Internet or when creating web pages that contain copyrighted material.

VIII. Rules and Regulations. 

This is not an all-inclusive list. The district has the right to enforce any other rule or regulation deemed necessary.

1. Internet and e-mail accounts are to be used ONLY by the owner of the account. Passwords are not to be given to anyone else to use. The owner will be held responsible for everything in his/her account. If a student suspects someone else is using his/her account or password, a teacher or administrator should be notified.

2. Use of the Internet to obtain materials which are obscene, profane, or advocate violence is not allowed.

3. Using e-mail to send hate mail, to harass, to make discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited.

4. E-mail may not be used to send chain letters.

5. Use of the Internet for commercial purposes or product advertisement is prohibited.

6. Participating in chat groups is not allowed unless approved by a teacher for a classroom assignment.

7. Students using the Internet for class assignments have priority. Extensive use of the Internet for personal use is prohibited (i.e. e-mail and surfing the Net) and has no priority over class-related work.

8. Students must honor the hours for computer lab usage which are posted or announced.

9. Users shall not intentionally seek information about, modify data of, or use the names of other users.

10. No use of the Internet shall serve to disrupt the use of the network .

11. Carelessness with hardware or software may result in cancellation of privileges. 

12. Vandalism to or modification of software or hardware will result in cancellation of privileges.

13. Violators of state or federal laws will lose privileges.

14. Users must secure permission from the classroom teacher or Mr. McLuckie before acquiring subscriptions to newsgroups and LISTSERVs and to furnish Mr. McLuckie with a list of all such subscriptions.

15. Users must secure permission from Mr. McLuckie before publishing web pages as part of the South Hamilton Community School District web sight.

IX. Disciplinary Action for Violation of Acceptable Use Policy

Procedures for dealing with inappropriate behavior as outlined in the student handbook in the section "Student Conduct at School and School Activities" will be applied to violations of the Acceptable Use Policy. In addition, the following procedures may be applied:

1. Inappropriate item(s) may be confiscated.

2. Students may be banned from access to their e-mail or from using all computer equipment, networks, or Internet.

3. Violations/violators of state or federal regulations will be reported.

4. Parental notification will occur upon all violations of lthe Acceptable Use Policy.

This document approved September, 1998
by the board of directors, South Hamilton School