Department of Education

Hancock County

P.O. Box 629

Sneedville, TN  37869

Phone: (423) 733-2591

Mike Antrican, Director of Schools

 

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)

of Electronic Media

I. ACCEPTABLE USE: The purpose of Hancock County's AUP provision of access to the Internet is to support research and education in and among schools and academic institutions in the U.S. by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Hancock County School System. Transmission of any materials in violation of any U.S. or state organization is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or materials protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities by for-profit institutions is not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

II. PRIVILEGES: The use of Hancock County School's network services is a PRIVILEGE, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a cancellation of those privileges for faculty as well as students. The network administrator, Director of Schools, and school board will deem what is inappropriate use, take appropriate action and determine consequence. Also, the network administrator may close an account or deny access at any time as required. The Director of Schools and/or school board may request the network administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.

III. NETIQUETTE (NETWORK ETIQUETTE): The use of an account/access requires that you abide by accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

BE POLITE. Do not send abusive messages to ANYONE.

USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE. In all messages, do not swear or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. Anything pertaining to illegal activities is strictly forbidden. (Note that the school network and email is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail and activity on the network. Conduct relating to or in support of illegal activities must be reported to appropriate authorities.)

PRIVACY. Do not reveal the personal address or phone numbers of yourself or any other person. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed private property. Do not forward/distribute an email message without permission from the author.

While electronic information resources offer tremendous opportunities of educational value, they also offer persons with illegal or unethical purposes avenues for reaching students, teachers, and others, including parents. The following represent some of the inappropriate uses that may occur:

  • using copyrighted material in reports without permission
  • using "Chat" (IRC) without prior approval in writing from the principal, Director of Schools, or Technology Coordinator. The teacher then assumes responsibility for proper conduct!
  • using the network to access a file that contains pornographic pictures or other inappropriate material
  • using the network to send/receive messages that are racist
  • using the network to send/receive inflammatory messages
  • creating a computer virus and placing it on the network
  • using the network to send/receive a message with someone else's name on it
  • using the network to send/receive a message that is inconsistent with the school's code of conduct
  • using the network to access data that may be considered to be vulgar and/or obscene
  • using the network to request home phone numbers and, later, making obscene phone calls to the numbers
  • using the network to provide addresses or other personal information that others may use inappropriately
  • using the network for “hacking” or other unlawful activities
  • using the network for “bullying” or harassment
  • using the network for business transactions
  • using the network for gambling

IV. SERVICES: Hancock County Schools provide filtered Internet access to every school for instructional and administrative purposes.  Although filtered Internet is provided and is deemed sufficient to protect minors, it is possible for students to access inappropriate material.  Therefore, students are responsible for appropriate conduct using the Internet.  Students are permitted  access to the Internet only with a signed Acceptable Use Policy. Hancock County Schools will not be responsible for any damages you may suffer. Use of any information obtained via Hancock County School's network services is at your own risk. We deny any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through network services.

V. VANDALISM: Vandalism may result in cancellation of privileges and/or criminal prosecution. This includes, but is not limited to, contamination, deletion or reconfiguration of data or degradation of system performance in any way.

VI. SANCTIONS OR CONSEQUENCES:

  • 1st Offense - Banned from Internet for a period of six months. After the first offense, parents/guardian must meet with the Principal, Director of Schools, and Technology Coordinator prior to students receiving Internet access.

 

  • 2nd Offense - Banned from Internet access for a period of one calendar year.  After the 2nd offense, parents/guardian must meet with the Principal, Director of Schools, and Technology Coordinator prior to students receiving Internet access again.

 

  • 3rd Offense -  Banned from Internet access forever (through Hancock County Schools).

 

"I understand and will abide by the above Terms and Conditions. I further understand that any violation of the regulation 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 pursued."

Student Name:(please print)____________________________________

Student Signature:______________________________ Date :___/___/___

Parent or Guardian Network Responsibility Contract

(If user is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must also read and sign this agreement.)

As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Terms and Conditions for use set forth above pertaining to accessing the Internet and using the Internet work services. I understand that these privileges are designed for educational purposes. I will not hold Hancock County Schools responsible for material acquired or problems related to the use of the material acquired on the network.

I hereby give my permission for my child to utilize the Internet and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

Parent or Guardian Name(please print):_______________________________________

Signature:_________________________________________ Date :___/___/___

SPONSORING TEACHER

I have read this contract and agree to promote this agreement with the student. As the sponsoring teacher, I agree to instruct the student on acceptable use of the network and proper network etiquette. I also agree to report any misuse of the information system to the Hancock County School's network administrator. Misuse can come in many forms, but can be viewed as any messages sent or received that indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, and other issues described above.

Teacher's Name (please print):__________________________________________

Signature ____________________________________________ Date _____/__/___

 

 

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