Regulation#1970 ACCEPTABLE INTERNET USE

1. Purpose

Internet access is now available in all schools of the Woodbridge Township School District. The district believes the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to students and teachers alike. Our purpose in providing this service to students and teachers is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, communication, and authentic learning.

B. Definitions and Terms

1. Internet: An electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Through the Internet students and teachers have access to:

a. Communication with people all over the world;

b. Information and news from government agencies, universities, professional organizations and special interest sites as well as opportunities to correspond with professionals at these organizations;

c. Public domain software and shareware of all types;

d. Discussion groups on a plethora of topics ranging from world cultures, to the environment, to music, to politics, to children's literature;

e. Increased access to retrieve information through University Library Catalogs, the Library of Congress, ERIC, and ICONnect.

2. Network Etiquette Certain rules and customs to enable everyone to get along and share the resources without negatively affecting each other. These rules apply to Internet activities such as e-mail, usenet, and listservs. They are accepted social behavior on line.

C. Acceptable Internet Use

1. With access to computers and people all over the world, comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of appropriate educational value in the context of the school setting. However it is impossible to control all materials on a global network, and an industrious and creative 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.

2. 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 regulations are provided so that users are aware of the responsibilities they are about to acquire. In general, this requires efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. If a user violates any of these provisions, his or her account will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied. The signature(s) on the Internet User’s Contract (an example of which follows this regulation) is(are) legally binding and indicates the party(parties) who signed has(have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their significance.

D. Conditions of Use

1. Purpose of Use: The Woodbridge Township School District has made the Internet available to the students and teachers of this district to support a thorough and efficient education, research, and authentic learning. The use of the Internet must be in support of these activities. Transmissions of any material in violation of any United States regulation or New Jersey State regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities is generally not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

2. Privileges: The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges. The building principal has final determination on what is appropriate and inappropriate. Should inappropriate use of the Internet take place, the library media specialist, or faculty member in charge, shall initiate a discussion with an administrative representative of the school facility and a representative from central administration to determine if an account should be denied, revoked or suspended.

3. Network Etiquette: Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

a. Be polite: Be brief, get to the point and save bandwidth, quote original material in your replies;

b. Use appropriate language: Do not use profanity, avoid “flaming” (a message written in anger) and avoid shouting (MESSAGES WRITTEN IN ALL UPPERCASE LETTERS);

c. Privacy should be respected: Do not reveal your personal address, phone number or those of other students or colleagues, be discreet – e-mail is not always private;

d. Disruptions: Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users;

e. Other considerations: Be sure to fill in the subject line, don't get involved with chain letters, keep the lines inserted at the end of your e-mail messages brief.

4. Position of the School District: The Woodbridge Township School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The Woodbridge Township School District will not be responsible for any damages a user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or the user’s errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk. The Woodbridge Township School District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

5. Responsibility of the User: Responsible use of computing and communications facilities and services require that the user:

a. Respect the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data;

b. Respect the rights of others by complying with all district policies regarding intellectual property;

c. Respect the rights of others by complying with all district policies regarding sexual, racial and other forms of harassment, and by preserving the privacy of personal data to which you have access;

d. Respect the privacy of others by not tampering with their files, tapes, password, or accounts, or representing others when messaging or conferencing.

e. Do not misuse the facilities and services. “Misuse” includes, but is not limited to, the following: (a) use of the district’s access to the internet for other than educational purposes; (b) accessing, displaying or distributing materials which are offensive, inappropriate, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, or pornographic; (c) using the internet for any illegal activity, including computer hacking and copyright or intellectual property law violations; (d) accessing “chat lines” unless authorized by the instructor for a class activity directly supervised by a staff member; (e) using abusive or profane language in private messages on the system; or using the system to discriminate against others, harass, insult, or verbally attack others; (f) posting anonymous messages on the system; (g) using encryption software; (h) wasteful use of limited resources provided by the school including paper; (i) causing congestion of the network through lengthy downloads of files, or by engaging in idle activities; (j) vandalizing data of another user; (k) obtaining or sending information which could be used to make explosives or fireworks; (l) gaining unauthorized access to resources or files; (m) identifying oneself with another person’s name or password or using an account or password of another user without proper authorization; (n) using the network for financial or commercial gain without district permission; (o) theft or vandalism of data, equipment, or intellectual property; (p) invading the privacy of individuals; (q) attempting to gain access to or gaining access to student records, grades, or files; (r) introducing a virus to, or otherwise improperly tapering with the system; (s) degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance; (t) creating a web page or associating a web page with the school or school district without proper authorization; (u) providing access to the District’s internet access to unauthorized individuals; (v) failing to obey school or classroom internet use rules; or (w) taking part in any activity related to internet use which creates a clear and present danger of the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the district or any of its schools.

6. Security: Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If a user identifies a security problem on the Internet, he/she must notify the Media Specialist or faculty member in charge. Attempts to enter the Internet as the person in charge will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the Internet.

7. Vandalism: Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of the agencies connected to the Internet network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

8. Network administrators can review e-mail, file folders, and communications to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are using the systems responsibly. Files stored on district servers are not private and are subject to review.

9. Consequences: Depending on the seriousness of the situation, misuse/abuse of the Internet will result in disciplinary actions that may include combinations of the following:

a. Warning;

b. Loss of credit for the assignment;

c. Loss of privilege to use the Internet;

d. Loss of computer privileges in the Woodbridge Township School District;

e. Referral to administration for disciplinary action;

f. Referral to authorities for filing of charges against the offender.

10. Terms and Conditions:

a. The media specialist or teacher in charge must carry out the log on procedure before any student gains access;

b. Students must be supervised at all times;

c. Unauthorized attempts to gain privileged access or access to an account not belonging to the user is not permitted;

d. Individual accounts cannot be transferred. Passwords may not be shared;

e. No district system may be used as a vehicle to gain unauthorized access to other systems;

f. No district system may be used through unauthorized dial-up access;

g. No district system may be used for unethical, illegal, or criminal purposes;

h. Any user who finds a possible security lapse on any district system must report this to the media specialist or teacher in charge;

i. Obstructing others from using the system is prohibited;

j. Unauthorized attempts to read the e-mail of another or other protected files is prohibited;

k. Use of the district system for commercial use, except when approved, is prohibited;

l. Frivolous, disruptive, or inconsiderate conduct at the terminal is not permitted;

m. No district system may be used to send nuisance messages such as chain letters and obscene or harassing messages;

n. No district system may be used for playing video or arcade-like games.

11/99

Revised:5/01

(NOTE: Accompanying forms follow this regulation.)