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 Jefferson County Schools **Policy ** **Regarding the Legal and Ethical Use ** **of Technology ** **Resources, Electronic Mail, ** (§ Denotes sections that I wasn't sure about - Maria)
 * and the Internet **


 * INTRODUCTION **

To ensure that students receive a quality education and that employees are able to work in a professional and intellectually stimulating environment, it is the policy of Jefferson County Schools to provide all students and employees with the opportunities to access a variety of technology resources.  The creation of a large and varied technology environment demands that technology usage be conducted in legally and ethically appropriate ways, consistent with the instructional goals of Jefferson County Schools.  Thus, it is the intention of Jefferson County Schools that all technology resources will be used in accordance with any and all school system policies and procedures, as well as local, state and federal laws and/or guidelines governing the usage of technology and its component parts.  Additionally, it is implied that all students and employees of Jefferson County Schools will use the provided technology resources so as not to waste them, abuse them, interfere with or cause harm to other individuals, institutions, or companies. Jefferson County School technologies may not be utilized for personal gain.


 * POLICY STATEMENT**

The primary goal of the technology environment is to support the educational and instructional endeavors of the students and employees of Jefferson County Schools. Individuals may only use accounts, files, software, and computer resources that are assigned to those individuals under their password.  Individuals must take all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access to accounts and data and any other unauthorized usage within and outside Jefferson County Schools.  Duplication of any copyrighted software is prohibited unless specifically allowed for in the license agreement. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> If a single copy of a software program is purchased, it may only be used in one computer at a time. Multiple loading or down-loading the contents of one disk into multiple computers, (1987 Statement on Software Copyright) is NOT allowed. Individuals are not authorized to make copies of any software or data without the knowledge of the building principal and/or his designee. Any questions about copyright provisions should be directed to the System Technology Coordinator. Illegal copies of software may not be created or used on school equipment. Individuals are expected to report any violations of this policy and/or problems with the security of any technology resources to the Principal or the System Technology Coordinator.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">According to the license agreement, a backup copy of all purchased software programs should be made and, thus, become the working copy. All original copies of software programs, including those purchased with departmental funds, and hardware will be stored in a secure place. For security and insurance purposes, access to original software shall be limited to the building principal and/or his designee. System wide software will be housed at the Board of Education. § **

Any use of technology resources that reduces the efficiency of use for others will be considered a violation of this policy. Students and employees of the Jefferson County Schools must not attempt to modify technology resources, utilities and/or configurations, or change the restrictions associated with their accounts, or attempt to breach any technology resources security system, including internet content filtering, either with or without malicious intent. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Network access shall not be used to affect individual computers or the network in any of the above ways. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> The Principal of each school will be responsible for establishing specific practices to enforce this policy at individual schools. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> The legal and ethical practices of software and hardware usage will be taught to all students and employees in the system (i.e. during computer lab orientation, faculty meetings, etc.). <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> This policy will be prominently displayed in all rooms throughout the system that contain one or more computers. All Jefferson County Schools technology resources, regardless of purchase date or location, are subject to this policy. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Any questions about this policy, its interpretation, or specific circumstances shall be directed to the System Technology Coordinator. Violations of this policy will be handled in a manner consistent with comparable situations requiring disciplinary action, including, but not limited to: (1) loss of access; (2) additional disciplinary action to be determined at the individual school in line with the Code of Student Conduct for Jefferson County Schools or other board policy; and (3) legal action, when applicable.


 * ELECTRONIC MAIL**

The Jefferson County School System provides access to electronic mail for many of its employees and some student classes. That access is for their use in any educational and instructional business that they may conduct. Staff personal use of electronic mail is permitted as long as it does not violate Jefferson County School System policy or adversely affect others. All contents and usage of electronic mail shall be the property of the Jefferson County School System.


 * INTERNET**

Information from electronic sources alters the educational environment by opening unlimited resources. The intent of the Jefferson County Schools is to provide access to resources available via the Internet with the understanding that faculty, staff, and students will access and use information that is appropriate for their various curricula. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The Jefferson County Schools have taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials. We believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this world-wide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the District. Internet access is provided to allow students to conduct research and to communicate with others. Students will gain access to the Internet by agreeing to conduct themselves in a considerate and responsible manner and by providing the written permission of parents. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> All school rules and guidelines for appropriate technology usage shall apply to usage of the Internet. Because communications on the Internet are, often, public in nature, all users should be careful to maintain appropriate and responsible communications.

To maintain system integrity and to insure that the system is being used responsibly, the Jefferson County Schools reserve the right to review files and network communications. Users should not expect that files stored on the Jefferson County Schools servers will always be private. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> All home pages (starting point for a group or individual directory of Internet sites and/or other information) will be reviewed by the System Technology Coordinator for approval before being publicly posted. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Students will be allowed to conduct independent research and communicate on the Internet upon the receipt of the appropriate permission forms. Permission is not transferable, and therefore, may not be shared. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 1. sending, displaying, or downloading offensive messages or pictures 2. using obscene language 3. harassing, insulting, or attacking others 4. damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks (this includes changing workstation and printer configurations) 5. violating copyright laws 6. using other user passwords 7. trespassing in other user files, folders, or work, 8. intentionally wasting limited resources, or 9. plagiarizing. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Definition: To steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source. <span style="font-family: 'CourierNewPSMT','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(n.d.). Retrieved Dec. 15, 2005, from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Web site: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?ook=Dictionary&va=plagiarized. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Internet access is a privilege, not a right. All Internet users are expected to act in a considerate and responsible manner **.
 * The following are not permitted on any Jefferson County Schools Network or the Internet:**
 * PLAGIARISM**

Plagiarism is expressly prohibited by students and staff of the Jefferson County Schools.


 * INTERNET SAFETY**

1. Students are not to access inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 2. Students are not to use school system equipment or resources to electronically communicate with individuals for non-instructional purposes. This includes e-mail correspondence, chat rooms, instant/real time messenger services, or any other form of electronic direct communication. Such contacts may only be made with the approval and supervision of school system personnel and be conducted solely for instructional purposes. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 3. Students are prohibited from participating in any unauthorized access ('hacking') of computer systems or any other unlawful technological activities. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 4. Students and school system employees are prohibited from the unauthorized electronic disclosure of personal student information such as name, home address, phone number, age, or race. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 5. The Jefferson County Schools have taken filtering and supervisory precautions to restrict intentional or accidental access to inappropriate sites on the internet. Ref: TITLE XVII--Children's Internet Protection Act.


 * TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AGREEMENT**

STUDENT NAME: _ __ SCHOOL:__

__The Jefferson County School System provides access to electronic mail for many of its employees and some student classes. That access is for their use in any educational and instructional business that they may conduct. Staff personal use of electronic mail is permitted as long as it does not violate Jefferson County Schools policy or adversely affect others. All contents and usage of electronic mail shall be the property of the Gadsden City School System.__ <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> I understand that Internet access is provided for educational purposes. The Jefferson County Schools have taken precautions to eliminate controversial material. However, I also recognize it is impossible to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">I understand, that as an Internet user, I am responsible for my actions and that I am responsible for acting considerately and appropriately, in accordance with the following rules. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">When using any Jefferson County Schools Technology Resources, including the Internet, I will not: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 1. send, display, or download offensive messages or pictures 2. use obscene language 3. harass, insult, or attack others 4. damage computers, computer systems, or computer networks (this includes changing workstation and printer configurations) 5. violate copyright laws 6. use other user passwords 7. trespass in other user files, folders, or work, 8. intentionally waste limited resources, or 9. plagiarize //**<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRoman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. **//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">

I understand that any or all of the following sanctions could be imposed if I violate any of the policies and procedures regarding the use of Jefferson County Schools Technology Resources, including the Internet. 1. Loss of access 2. Additional disciplinary action to be determined at the individual school in line with existing practice regarding inappropriate language or behavior. 3. Legal action, when applicable.

PARENT NAME: _ __PARENT SIGNATURE:__ _ __STUDENT SIGNATURE:__ <span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRoman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AGREEMENT

I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the above policies of the Jefferson County Schools regarding the Legal and Ethical Use of Technology Resources, Electronic Mail, and the Internet.

_ _ Name (Printed) Signature l System <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Jefferson County School System