Weymouth Township School District
1202 Eleventh Avenue
Dorothy, NJ  08317
609-476-2412

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

For the 2007-2008 School Year

The Weymouth Township School District wishes to enable its students and staff to access curriculum based information resources.  To this end, we permit our students to access the Internet.  The responsible use of the Internet is most important.  To access the Internet, each user MUST sign this ACCEPTABLE USE Policy to acknowledge acceptance of this process.  Students are also required to have their parent/guardian sign this form.

This interconnected worldwide web of computers can provide us with access to the most recent research and the most up-to-date statistics and opinions.  However, the Internet can also provide students and staff with access to less than desirable information.  While it is in fact impossible to completely protect users from accidental exposure to inappropriate materials, it is important that the district have an acceptable use policy to provide guidelines for the use of this vital informational resource by its students and staff.  We believe that the benefits from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed any disadvantages.  Ultimately, parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources.

With this in mind, it is expected that students and staff will conduct themselves according to the social and cultural norms of the community.  This includes the following points:

1. School use of the Internet is under the direction/supervision of school staff and students are obligated to use it appropriately.  Everyone should conduct themselves responsibly, ethically and politely while on line.
2. Inappropriate use of the Internet is prohibited.  Use of obscene or illegal material, or indulging in activities in support of such activities is prohibited.
3. Users should not allow themselves to become involved in activities or discussions which are illegal or ill-suited and that might include opening themselves to access by people wishing to make inappropriate contacts with students or staff.
4. Network storage areas may be treated as school lockers.  Network administrators and designated staff may review files and communications to maintain systems integrity and ensure that users are using the system responsibly.  Users should not expect that files stored on district servers would always be private.
5. While freedom of speech and access to information is a reasonable expectation, during school the teachers and media specialist will guide students toward appropriate materials.
6. When in the course of instruction, a teacher recommends an Internet site as a resource for home use, it is done so with the expectation that the student is always supervised by a parent or guardian while accessing the Internet.
7. As outlined in board of education  policy and procedures on students rights and responsibilities (#6165), copies of which are available in the school office, the following are not permitted for all users:
1. Sending or displaying offensive pictures or messages
2. Using obscene language
3. Harassing, insulting, or attacking others
4. Violating copyright laws
5. Using others’ passwords
6. Trespassing in others’ folders, work, or files
7. Intentionally wasting limited resources
8. Employing the network for commercial purposes
9. Chat rooms or e-mail without teacher approval
8. To protect the network from any outside virus, students may not use any of the following with school owned computers:
1. disks form home
2. personal cameras
3. personal ipods

 

Please complete below and return to the school office.  No student will be permitted to access the school computer network until a completed form is received.

USER AGREEMENT AND PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION FORM

As a user of the Weymouth Township Public School computer network, I hereby agree to comply with the above stated rules—communicating over the network in a reliable fashion while honoring all relevant laws and restrictions.

STUDENT’S SIGNATURE:_________________________________________

HOMEROOM:__________________________________________________

As the parent/guardian of the student signing above, I grant permission for my son/daughter to access networked computer services such as the Internet and electronic mail if applicable.  I understand that individuals and families may be held liable for violations.  I understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable, but I accept responsibility for guidance on Internet use—setting and conveying standards for my son/daughter to follow when selecting, sharing, or exploring information and media.

NAME OF STUDENT (PLEASE PRINT):______________________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN’S SIGNATURE:________________________________DATE:___________