District 94

Computer and Internet Use Agreement

Dear Parent and Student:

Please read this document carefully. Both the student and a parent/legal guardian must sign this agreement and return it to your school before computer and Internet access will be allowed.

The goal of Internet services at Community High School is to facilitate access to online information resources and reference materials for educational purposes, to create innovative learning environments for classes, and to prepare students for life in the technology-rich twenty-first century.

The Internet is a vast electronic network of millions of computers and users all over the world. In addition to access to legitimate sources of information for academic purposes, the Internet makes available materials that may not be educational. While Internet filtering security measures have been installed on the high school’s network, the structure of the Internet makes it impossible to control all materials that a student may view, and some of these materials may be controversial or inappropriate for Community High School students. The District 94 Board of Education, administration and staff, however, believe that the vast amount of valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may discover 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. The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. This requires efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. A list of guidelines is provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities that you or your son/daughter are about to acquire. Additional guidelines may be provided to students by the school from teachers and other staff from time to time. All rules and regulations must be strictly followed when working on the high school computers, network and Internet in completing assignments, doing research, and telecommunicating on the Internet. Non-class Internet activities are not permitted at any time.

If a student violates any of the general or specific guidelines and rules provided here or by a teacher or staff member at the high school, they will immediately lose access privileges and future access may be denied. It will be the responsibility of the student to do appropriate substitute work in lieu of their online work as assigned by their teacher.

The signatures at the end of this document are legally binding and indicate that the parties who signed this agreement have read the terms and conditions carefully and understand the agreement.

Internet Guidelines, Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptable Use — The use of school computers, the network and Internet access must at all times be in support of education and research consistent with the educational objectives of Community High School. Use must comply with all rules, regulations, guidelines, terms, conditions and instructions supplied both here and at school by teachers and school staff members. Accessing, transmitting to others or downloading to any school computer of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation or school policy is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening, obscene or pornographic material (including child pornography), information which is inaccurate, illegal, indecent, harmful to minors, inappropriate for minors, defamatory, likely to result in harassment of another student or staff member, likely to cause material disruption in the schools, inconsistent with the District's educational mission, hacker sites and files, passwords, a users full name, home address or phone number or that of another student or teacher. File transfers of any software to or from a school computer and installing of any software onto a school computer or the school network is prohibited. Downloading of any files larger than 1 megabyte is prohibited. Use with for-profit commercial activities, including advertising and sales, or political lobbying, is also not acceptable. The use of school Internet accounts to make purchases or place orders of any kind is prohibited.

2. Privileges — Internet access is provided as a privilege by the District and may be revoked at any time the school deems appropriate. Access to the Internet and the District’s network is part of the District’s curriculum and is not a public forum for general use. Inappropriate use will result in loss of these privileges and may result in school suspension or expulsion. The administration, faculty and staff of Community High School may request the system administrators to deny, revoke or suspend specific users Internet access at any time. The District 94 Board of Education, school administration and the system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Students and their parents shall be solely responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from a student’s access to the Internet.

3. Network Etiquette — Students are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Be polite and do not get abusive in your messages to others. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.

• Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.

• Students are not to reveal any personal information such as address, phone number, full name or such information about any other students, teachers or staff members while online.

• Note that e-mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail, and messages may also be intercepted by others on the Internet. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities. Chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications such as instant messaging are not permitted on the school network.
• A student may not use the Internet, the school network or any computer at school in such a way that would disrupt the use of them by other users. Accessing hacking materials and attempting to use any such items or procedures on the school network is strictly prohibited. Use of the school’s network bandwidth for multimedia access or downloads such as streaming audio and video or mp3 files not related to class educational activities is prohibited.
• Any attempt to electronically break into the school’s network, computers, Internet access, codes, security and passwords shall result in the loss of all Internet privileges, immediate disciplinary action, and possible legal action.

4. Warranty — Community High School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. CHS will not be responsible for any damages suffered, including the loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s own risk. Community High School denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained by Internet users.

5. Security — Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If a student feels that he/she can identify a security problem or way to get past security, or if he/she sees or hears that someone else can or has done so, the student must notify a school staff member immediately.

Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the school’s network and the Internet.

Students are never to give their login id or password to anyone, except that they must provide their password to the system administrator. Any attempt to log in as a system administrator or another individual will result in immediate cancellation of Internet access privileges.

6. Vandalism — Any vandalism or attempted vandalism (physical or electronic) to school computers, the school network, files of others or to the Internet in any way will result in immediate cancellation of computer access privileges, disciplinary action and possible legal action. This includes, but is not limited to, the downloading, uploading, or creation of computer viruses, and modifying or disabling, or attempting to modify or disable any filtering or blocking software installed in District computers or the District’s computer system.

7. Filtering — In compliance with the "Children’s Internet Protection Act," District 94 has implemented technology protection measures. These measures are designed to restrict, block and filter Internet access to items that may include obscene, child pornographic and other materials deemed inappropriate for minors.

PARENTS PLEASE SIGN THE FORM BELOW AND RETURN

AT REGISTRATION

COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 94

West Chicago, IL

PARENT PERMISSION FORM

Computer and Internet Use Agreement

I have read, understand and will abide by this Computer and Internet Use Agreement. I consent to monitoring and inspection by school staff and the administration of my use of the District computers and the District means of access, including any and all electronic mail communications I make or attempt to make or I receive, and all materials I upload, install, download, transmit or access. Should I commit any violation of this policy, I understand that my privileges will be revoked and that school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

Student I.D. #

Student Name:

Student Signature:

Date:

As parent or legal guardian to the above named student, I have read and understand the above Computer and Internet Use Agreement. I will hold harmless the School District, its employees, agents, or Board members for any harm caused by materials or software transmitted or obtained by using District computers and/or District means of access to the Internet.

I hereby authorize my son/daughter to use the Internet at school.

Circle one: Yes / No

Parent or Legal Guardian Name:

Circle one: Mother Father Legal Guardian

Signature:

Date:

This form is to be signed and returned during registration, or to the Principal’s Office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Principal’s Office at Community High School District 94,

326 Joliet St., West Chicago, IL 60185 Phone: (630) 876-6300.