Mt. Hope Elementary School

Acceptable Use Policy

I. GENERAL: Telecommunication network (Internet) access provides potential opportunities for educational benefit.  However, Fayette County Schools has no reasonable means to totally control the content of communications or information disseminated on the Internet or other on-line services.  Moreover, Fayette County Schools lack the ability to completely monitor the dissemination of communication to and from students.

 Fayette County Schools, through the West Virginia State Department of Education filters Internet content in compliance with CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act). Even so, it is possible that, defamatory or inaccurate information, or information that is offensive may be accessed through the Internet or other on-line services, and because unlawful or inappropriate student communication may serve as a basis for criminal and/or civil liability, it is necessary that parents or other responsible adults provide informed consent for student access to telecommunication network.

 II.  SCHOOL CONTROL:  The administrator will afford students and staff telecommunication network access and maintain accurate records that will include; a Consent and Waiver Form signed by a parent or other responsible adult for each student that has telecommunication access; all relevant passwords, codes, account numbers, etc. provided to each student and staff in connection with telecommunication access; and the initiation and termination dates of individual students and staff telecommunication access.

 The following are examples of actions not permitted on the school network:

1. Using impolite, abusive, or objectionable language in either private or public messages.
2. Violating copyright laws.  Documents on the Internet that are copyrighted may not be copied without permission.
3. Downloading programs that may threaten the network (virus programs, files containing viruses, non-curricular Internet game software, or any software that siphons excessive bandwidth).
4. Sending or displaying harassing or offensive messages.
5. Introducing problems on the network for the purpose of disruption.
6. Using the Internet for political lobbying.
7. Using another person’s name or/and password.
8. The use of “chat rooms” is forbidden for students.
9. Students cannot disclose personal information, such as address, phone number, age on the Internet.

III. TERMINATION OF ACCESS:  The principal and administrator of each school that affords students telecommunication access shall cause the termination of individual students access if a student transfer to another school or violates the consent or waiver agreement.  In addition the principal shall cause the termination of an individual staff member’s access if the staff member transfers, retires, or violates the acceptable use agreement.

IV. PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT/CONSENT AND WAIVER:  Prior to affording individual student and staff telecommunication access, the Consent and Waive Form must be signed by parent/guardian, student and sponsoring teachers.