Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy

Principal: Mystica Nelmes Assistant Principals: Donna Harkey & Kim Hoyle

(Please read this document carefully before signing)

Introduction Carolina International School is committed to preparing students to be literate, resourceful, and responsible citizens in our local and global communities. Our one-to-one computing initiative will immerse our students and staff into a technology-rich instructional environment. Our goal is promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. Carolina International School has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and a user may inadvertently discover controversial information. We (Carolina International School) firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the school. It is the policy of Carolina International School to (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Childrens Internet Protection Act {Pub L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)} Education, Supervision and Monitoring Students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response. It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Carolina International School staff to educate, supervise and monitor appropriate usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Childrens Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Childrens Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the IT administrator or designated representative. The guidelines in this agreement are provided so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. In general, this requires efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the network resources. If a user violates any of these provisions, his or her account will be terminated and future access could be denied.

Please note, the signature(s) at the end of this document is (are) legally binding and indicates the party (parties) who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their significance. Before obtaining Internet access on the schools network, this form must be signed and returned to the designated personnel by Friday, August 31st. All Carolina International Schools computer network and Internet users will observe the following guidelines: Acceptable Use Use of the Internet must be in support of education, research, and consistent with the educational objectives of the Carolina International School. If a user uses the laptop on a network outside of Carolina International School, they must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any national or state regulation, including school policy, is prohibited. Use of the Internet for commercial activities, political lobbying, personal shopping, and viewing social networking sites for personal reasons during the workday, and gaming is prohibited. Filtering As required by the Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA), a current filtering solution (blocking and monitoring inappropriate websites) is maintained by Carolina International School. The school cannot guarantee that access to all inappropriate sites will be blocked. It is the responsibility of the user to follow guidelines for appropriate use of the network and Internet. Carolina International School will not be responsible for any problems suffered while on the network or the Internet. Use of any information obtained through the Internet is at the users own risk. Subject to administration supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purpose. Restricted Material Users shall not intentionally access or download any text file, picture (including video), graphic, or sound clip or engage in any conference, that includes material which is obscene, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd, or which advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law. Copyright Users shall respect all copyright, trademark, and licensing agreements and laws, including seeking permission for use when required. When using information obtained from the Internet, the user will provide proper citations for all quotes, references, and sources. It is unethical to plagiarize Internet resources, just as it is unethical to plagiarize print resources. Compliance with federal copyright law must be upheld (CIPA) Copying, distributing, downloading, and uploading information on the Internet may infringe the copyright for that information Use of Email a) Email transmissions and transmitted data shall not be considered confidential and may be monitored at any time by designated staff to ensure appropriate use. b) Messages intended to injure, intimidate, bully, or harass others are not permitted.

c) Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities. Network Etiquette Users are expected to abide by the following rules of network etiquette. This includes (but is not limited to) the following: a) Be polite and use appropriate language. Language that is vulgar, profane, or lewd is prohibited. Comments that are sexually suggestive, humiliating, or threatening are not permitted. b) Illegal activities are strictly forbidden. Prohibited use includes violating any state or federal law or municipal ordinance, such as: accessing or transmitting pornography of any kind, obscene depictions, and materials that encourage others to violate the law, confidential information or copyrighted materials c) Personal information such as name, address, phone number, password or social security number, shall not be disclosed to other users when engaging in online activities including, but not limited to chat rooms, email, and social networking sites d) The network should not be used in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network for other users. Damaging computer equipment, files, data or the network in any way, including intentionally accessing, transmitting or downloading computer viruses or other harmful files or programs, or disrupting any computer system performance is not permitted. e) All communications and information accessible via the network should be considered private property that you cannot appropriate for your own use without appropriate attribution and consent. Users of any school-provided laptop have no expectation of privacy while using it or other school electronic information resources, including the contents of computer files or communication undertaken by way of the schools computers and/or network. Administration may conduct an individual search of school-provided computers, files, music, video, email or other related items. f) While Carolina International School respects the right of employees and students to use social networking sites (i.e. Facebook, Twitter) to communicate with others, any postings referencing Carolina International School shall always be professional and respectful of the school, employees, parents, and students. g) Online communication with students shall be limited to professional purposes only. Students and employees should conduct themselves online as required face to face in accordance with school policy. Security Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. To ensure accessibility of the online infrastructure to all who wish to use it: Never damage or disable computers, computer systems or networks of Carolina International School. Users are not to create, participate in, or circulate content that attempts to undermine, hack into and/or bypass the hardware and software security mechanisms that are in place.

If you feel you can identify a security problem, you must notify a school administrator or IT administrator immediately. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Attempts to logon to the Internet as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access. Users are prohibited from intentionally bypassing internet filters for any reason. Users are responsible for any and all transactions that take place under their username and password. Users are not permitted to log on other users or let others use their account. Users should not share their password or account with other staff members or students for any reason. When a student or a staff member is finished working on a public computer such as one in the lab, they must log off the network before leaving the computer. Use of unauthorized programs and intentionally downloading unauthorized software, games, graphics, or music that is not associated with learning is not permitted.

Vandalism Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and will require restitution. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user including, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Privileges The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. System administrators may close a users account at any time as required. The administration, faculty, and staff of Carolina International School may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts. Disclaimer Carolina International School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The school will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. Such damages include, but are not limited to, loss of data, resulting from delays, nondeliveries, or service interruptions whether caused by the schools system or the users own negligence, errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the risk of the user. The school specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its Internet services.

Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy

Before obtaining Internet access on the schools network, this form must be signed and returned to the designated personnel by Friday, August 31st. STUDENT I have read, understand, and will abide by the above Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy. I understand that Internet access is intended for educational purposes. I further understand that any violation of these regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked, and school disciplinary action may be taken, and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. User's Full Name: ___________________________________________________ User Signature: _____________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________________________ PARENT OR GUARDIAN As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the above referenced guidelines regarding Internet and network use. I understand that access to the Internet is intended for educational purposes. Carolina International School has taken precautions to restrict my childs access to questionable material. However, I also recognize it is impossible for schools to restrict access to all questionable materials and I will not hold the school system responsible if my child accesses or acquires such materials on the network. I accept full responsibility for supervision if and when my child's use is not in a school setting. I hereby give permission to issue an account for my child and certify that the information contained on this form is correct. Parent or Guardian's Name (please print): __________________________________ Parent or Guardian's Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ____________________________________________ SPONSORING TEACHER/STAFF MEMBER (Must be signed if the applicant is a student) I have read and understand all of the terms in the Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy. In signing below, I agree to comply and promote this agreement with the student. Because the student may use the network for individual work or in another class, I cannot be held responsible for the student use of the network. As the sponsoring teacher I do agree to instruct the student on internet safety and proper network etiquette. Teacher's Name (please print): ___________________________________________ Teacher's Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________________________