Williams Bay Jr./Sr. High School
Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Rationale: The reasons for using the Internet as an instructional resource are:

• access global resources
• enter into partnerships to enhance learning options
• broaden problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• broaden research capabilities by using appropriate materials
• develop higher level thinking skills
• gain employability skills needed for the 21st century
• utilize electronic communication for educational purposes.

Internet access will be provided for students and staff for the purpose of conducting research and communicating with others. Independent student access to the Internet will be provided only to students who have agreed to act in a considerate and responsible manner.

Communication on the Internet is often very public in nature. Students are responsible for good behavior in the use of computers and the Internet, just as they are in a classroom or on school property. All users should be aware that inappropriate use of electronic information resources could be a violation of local, state, and federal laws. Violations can lead to prosecution. Unacceptable uses of the system will result in the suspension or revocation of Internet use and/or appropriate disciplinary actions. The user will be held responsible for his/her actions using the Internet. When using the district's access to the Internet, users are expected to abide by the policies established by the district, which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to the following:

Acceptable Use-Responsible users:

• will follow rules of common sense or etiquette
• may use the Internet to research classroom projects and electronic mail for educational purposes only
• may use the Internet to explore other computer systems
• will respect and uphold copyright laws and all other applicable laws or regulations
• will respect the rights and privacy of others by not accessing private files
• will use the Internet in accordance with district policies relating to harassment
• may download only with permission of the computer director to avoid overtaxing the network
• shall use the network in such a way that would not disrupt the use of the network by others
• will follow the regulations posted in the computer lab or other areas where computers are in use
• will follow the directions of the adult in charge of the computer lab or other areas where computers are in use

Unacceptable Use-Responsible users:

• shall NOT use the Internet for any illegal purpose
• shall NOT use profane, impolite, or abusive language
• shall NOT access any computer files that do not belong to the user
• shall NOT use another person's password
• shall NOT use the system for commercial or profitable purposes
• shall NOT use the network to access, transmit, or download pornographic, offensive, harassing, or other inappropriate material.
• shall NOT use computers to access or lead to unauthorized access into accounts or other computer networks.
• shall NOT use computers to pursue "hacking" internal or external to the district, or attempt to access information that is protected by privacy laws.
• shall NOT create and/or distribute a computer virus over the network
• shall NOT use the system to illegally transfer software, otherwise known as pirating
• shall not use the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by others
• shall NOT deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer equipment, system, or network or assist others in doing the same
• shall NOT deliberately access materials that are inconsistent with the school's code of conduct or the district's educational goals or show others how to do the same
• shall NOT violate copyright or otherwise use another person's intellectual property without his or her prior approval and proper citation
• shall NOT use the Internet and electronic mail for personal communication or to access chat lines
• shall NOT use the Internet to harass, insult, or threaten others

Security and Safety

In compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the district will implement filtering/and or blocking software to restrict access to Internet sites containing child pornography, obscene depictions, or other materials harmful to minors under 18 years of age. While the district has installed Internet blocking software, it is impossible to control all material on this global network. Williams Bay School District staff members do not control the content of information available on the Internet. In fact, some of the information available on the Internet is controversial, offensive and/or inaccurate. The School District of Williams Bay does not condone the use of such material. Students must have a specific information objective in mind before they will be allowed to use Internet resources.

• Shall NOT use an account other than their own or misrepresent their identity.
• Shall NOT reveal addresses, phone numbers, images, or any other personal information about self or others when using the Internet or communicating electronically.

Access to the Internet via the Williams Bay Public Schools is a privilege, not a right. This privilege may be restricted at any time for use not consistent with the educational goals of the district.

Students who commit any of the above listed acts of misconduct will be disciplined in one or more of the following ways:

• the student's parents will be contacted
• the student will be given limited access to school telecommunications equipment, networks, and service
• the student will be denied access to school telecommunications equipment, networks, and services
• the student will be required to pay for all property damage
• the student will receive an in-school suspension
• the student will receive an out-of-school suspension
• the student will be denied access to all district owned computer equipment, networks, and services
• the appropriate law enforcement agencies will be notified
• the student will be recommended for expulsion

Board of Education Policy 363.2
Williams Bay, WI