Acceptable Use Policy

Student's Name: ________________________________________________

Grade: ______________

Student's User name_____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian's Name: _______________________________________

Work Phone ____________

Home Address: ________________________________________________

Home Phone ____________

ATTENTION: The following document contains important information regarding the Acceptable Use Policy for __________School. Read this document carefully with the student, complete the signature portion, and return the signature portion to the school to be kept on file. Keep the letter for your own reference. If there are any questions pertaining to any of the provided information, please feel free to contact any of the names listed at the end of the document.

Dear Parent and Student:

Welcome to Desert Horizon Elementary School. Along with the many opportunities for growth provided by computers comes a need for increased responsibilities by students, parents, and school personnel. The following is a list of rules and regulations for what is considered acceptable usage of this school's technology equipment. In order to help prevent unacceptable behavior from our students and to keep inappropriate materials out of their hands, these rules/policies will be strictly enforced.

Please remember that computers along with the Internet and its resources are for the student's benefit. For the protection of our students, it is essential that these regulations act as behavioral guidelines to prevent any misuse and to keep students safe from the dangers accessible through the new methods for using technology they are learning.

1. It is mandatory that students attend a security and ethics orientation before any student is issued an individual computer account. Parents are encouraged to attend so that they too can understand school policies regarding use of technology equipment and copyright regulations.

2. Students will be issued accounts on an individual basis. Only students and designated school officials will be allowed to access their individual accounts. Students should not allow others to use their accounts.

3. Hate mail, objectionable email messages, and questionable images are strictly prohibited from being sent or solicited at any time.

4. Anonymous messages are not permitted to be posted in any venue, nor will chain letters, computer viruses, or commercially motivated use of these facilities be acceptable.

5. Students may not for any reason offer personal information over the Internet (including the World Wide Web or Email) including but not limited to pictures, home address or telephone numbers, last names, etc.

6. Students are encouraged to both enjoy and take full advantage of the learning opportunities available through the use of school computers; however, students are expected to respect the equipment, their peers, and themselves.

Though it seems apparent that the new responsibilities of students maintaining their accounts according to this policy will take diligence and hard work, it is the belief of officials at Desert Horizon Elementary School that the advantages of computer usage far outweigh the negative aspects. If this policy is understood, maintained, and practiced by parents, students, teachers, and administrators, the negative aspects will not have to be contended with. It must be understood that the implementation of this policy will result in mutual respect among students, greater responsibility, and optimal learning to occur.

CONTRACT

By signing this contract, we agree that we have read the Acceptable Use Policy with our students, understand it, and agree to follow and support the rules listed within it regarding Desert Horizon Elementary School's Acceptable Use Policy.

Do's:

· Use appropriate language on all forms of Internet-related resources. This includes email and message boards but is not confined solely to these.

· Consider it a privilege, not a right to have access to the Internet.

· Gain permission prior to using the computers. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Do Not's:

· Do NOT use profane or abusive language on any forum.

· Do NOT reveal personal information under any circumstance, including school information. If you have a question whether or not what you want to say is considered personal, ask an instructor.

· Do NOT under ANY circumstance violate copyright law. Any deviation from this will result in suspension of computer access as well as criminal charges being levied on the culprit.

· Do NOT use someone else's account for any reason.

· Do NOT have food or beverages in the computer room at any time.

· Do NOT vandalize the computers, computer system, or computer networks.

· Do NOT intentionally waste limited resources.

· Do NOT use your account for commercial purposes.

· Do NOT use the network for purposes not academic in nature (this includes gaming).

Any student that violates this contract will lose their computer privileges.

Date: ____________

Parent/Guardian Name and Signature: _________________________________

Student's Name and Signature: _________________________________________

Teacher Name and Signature: _____________________ ____________________

Administrator Name and Signature: _____________________________________