Clearwater Schools USD#264

Acceptable Use Agreement
for Internet and Other Electronic Resources

(BOE approved August 2021)

Clearwater Unified School District 264 recognizes the value of computer and other electronic resources to improve student learning and enhance the administration and operation of its schools. To this end, USD 264 encourages the responsible use of computers; computer networks, including the Internet; and other electronic resources in support of the mission and goals of USD 264 and its schools.

USD 264 Rights and Responsibilities

It is the policy of USD 264 to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible conduct in all online network activities. It shall be a violation of this policy for any individual to engage in any activity that does not conform to the established purpose and general rules and policies of the network. Within this general policy, USD 264 recognizes its legal and ethical obligation to protect the well-being of students. To this end, USD 264 retains the following rights and recognizes the following obligations:

To log network use.
To remove a user account on the network.
To monitor the use of online activities. This may include real-time monitoring of network activity and/or maintaining a log of Internet activity for later review.
To provide internal and external controls as appropriate and feasible. Such controls shall include the right to determine who will have access to USD 264-owned equipment and, specifically, to exclude those who do not abide by USD 264's acceptable use policy or other policies governing the use of school facilities, equipment, and materials. USD 264 reserves the right to restrict access to online destinations through software or other means.
To provide guidelines and make reasonable efforts to train staff and students in acceptable use and policies governing online communications.

Staff Responsibilities

Staff members who supervise students, control electronic equipment or otherwise have occasion to observe student use of said equipment online shall make reasonable efforts to monitor the use of this equipment to assure that it conforms to the mission and goals of USD 264.
Staff should make reasonable efforts to become familiar with the Internet and its use so that effective monitoring, instruction and assistance may be achieved.
Staff will ensure that software that requires consent for users under the age of 13 is adequately vetted and deemed appropriate for educational use.
In order to maintain the privilege, staff agree to learn and comply with all of the provisions of this policy and policies of the district including the Board Policy Book.

Student Responsibilities

Use of the electronic devices and Internet provided by USD 264 is a privilege that offers a wealth of information and resources for research and learning.
In order to maintain the privilege, students agree to learn and comply with all of the provisions of this policy and policies of the district including the Student Handbook.

Acceptable Use

All use of the Internet must be in support of educational and research objectives consistent with the mission and objectives of USD 264.
Proper codes of conduct in electronic communication must be used. Giving out personal information is inappropriate.
Network accounts (Gmail, etc.) are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account for the authorized purpose.
All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be property of USD 264.
All users will exhibit exemplary behavior on the network as a representative of your school and community.
Occasionally in the classroom, staff may use software that requires consent for users under the age of 13. Such software is vetted, chosen and approved at the discretion of teachers and the Director of Technology.
From time-to-time, USD 264 will make determinations on whether specific uses of the network are consistent with the acceptable use practice.

Unacceptable Use

Giving out personal information about another person, including home address and phone number, is strictly prohibited.
Any use of the network for commercial or for-profit purposes is prohibited. Excessive use of the network for personal use shall be cause for disciplinary action.
Any use of the network for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.
Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network. Staff will not share staff passwords with students.
No use of the network shall serve to disrupt the use of the network by others. Hardware and/or software shall not be destroyed, modified, or abused in any way.
Malicious use of the network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage the software components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.
Harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited on the network.
The unauthorized installation of any software, including shareware and freeware, for use on USD 264 computers is prohibited.
Use of the network to access or process pornographic material, inappropriate text files (as determined by the system administrator or building administrator), or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network is prohibited.
USD 264 network may not be used for downloading entertainment software or other files not related to the mission and objectives of the USD 264 for transfer to a user's home computer, personal computer, or other media. This prohibition pertains to freeware, shareware, copyrighted commercial and non-commercial software, and all other forms of software and files not directly related to the instructional and administrative purposes of the USD 264.
Downloading, copying, otherwise duplicating, and/or distributing copyrighted materials without the specific written permission of the copyright owner is prohibited, except that duplication and/or distribution of materials for educational purposes is permitted when such duplication and/or distribution would fall within the Fair Use Doctrine of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, USC).
Use of the network for any unlawful purpose is prohibited.
Use of profanity, obscenity, racist terms, or other language that may be offensive to another user is prohibited.
Playing games is prohibited unless specifically authorized by a teacher for instructional purposes.
Establishing network or Internet connections to live communications, including voice and/or video (relay chat), is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the system administrator.
Attempts to circumvent district filtering systems via a proxy or any other methods are prohibited.

Disclaimer

USD 264 cannot be held accountable for the information that is retrieved via the network.
Pursuant to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (18 USC 2510 et seq.), notice is hereby given that there are no facilities provided by this system for sending or receiving private or confidential electronic communications. System administrators have access to all mail and will monitor messages. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
USD 264 will not be responsible for any damages you may suffer, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by our own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained is at your own risk.
USD 264 makes no warranties (expressed or implied) with respect to:
1. the content of any advice or information received by a user, or any costs or charges incurred as a result of seeing or accepting any information; and
2. any costs, liability, or damages caused by the way the user chooses to use his or her access to the network.
USD 264 reserves the right to change its policies and rules at any time.