Skip to main content

Acceptable Use Policy

Weber School District Acceptable Use Policy

 

Dear Parent and Student:

Weber School District is committed to providing students and staff with access to technology and resources that provide the most effective educational experiences possible. The School District firmly believes that the valuable information and interactions available through computer network communications are fundamental to these experiences and far outweigh the small percentage of materials that are not consistent with educational goals.

It is imperative that individual users understand the benefits and responsibilities of accessing a growing collection of resources. Although the School District has taken precautions to restrict access to inappropriate materials, it is impossible on a global network to control all access. Furthermore, as students may have access to the communications network at home, the School District cannot be responsible for supervising or restricting access to inappropriate materials on the network.

Before any student will be given access to the School District’s computer resources, the student must present the "User Application and Waiver Form:, properly signed by a parent or guardian and teacher, which Waiver Form acknowledges that the School District is not responsible for unauthorized or improper access or use of the District’s Computer Network Communications services. To maximize the benefits of these tremendous new resources, and to avoid abuse or access to inappropriate information and services, the Weber School District Board of Education has adopted the following "Acceptable Use" policy.

POLICY

Acceptable Use for Computer Network Communications

 

Definition:

Computer Network Communications include, but are not limited to, the use of local area networks, wide area networks, internet, online commercial communications, and all other computer communications provided by Weber School District.

Purpose:

The purposes of computer network communications are to:

1. "Support research and education in and among academic institutions … by providing access to unique resources and

the opportunity for collaborative work." (National Science Foundation’s NSFNET)2.

"Advance and promote a world class public education in Utah." (Utah Education Network)

The following conditions are imposed on the use of the computer network and violation of these conditions is cause for revoking the privilege of access to the network. These conditions apply whether the user accesses the network during school time and on school property or at a remote location.

1. Computer networks are to be used for the educational purposes stated above.

2. Computer network use in the School District is a privilege and not a right.

3. Use of computer networks to support illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes, is expressly prohibited and is grounds

for disciplinary or legal action, account termination and monetary reimbursement for expenses incurred due to such

activities.

 

Illegal activities are defined as violations of local, state, or federal law.

Inappropriate use is defined as violation of the intended use or purpose of the network such as the use of recreational games or chain letters, attempts to gain unauthorized access, harassment, threats, racial slurs or epithets directed to any racial group, or advocacy of the supremacy of any racial group, or any other actions that are disruptive to the network or network users.

Obscene activities are defined as violations of generally accepted social standards for use of a publicly owned and operated communication system. Such obscene activities include, but are not limited to, the receipt, storage, or distribution of profanity or other offensive language and sexually explicit materials including nudity and other graphic or textual depictions of sexually explicit activities.

4. Commercial use, product advertisement or political lobbying activities on computer networks are prohibited.

5. Each individual computer network account will be issued to one designated user only. Each user is ultimately

responsible for all activity in the use of the account and will keep the password confidential.

 

6. Computer network users shall be committed to the efficient use of computer networks and use all practical measures to

conserve time and storage space in their use of these resources.

7. Users who connect with other computer networks may also be subject to the acceptable use policies of those networks.

It will be the responsibility of the Instructional Services Department to keep district users informed of applicable

Operational procedures related to these policies.

8. The Superintendent or designee of the School District is the final authority on the acceptable use of the networks and

accounts under its jurisdiction.

9. Copyright law is strictly adhered to within the School District. Any violation of copyright law is prohibited.

10. Resources obtained through computer network communications shall be treated as confidential and private, and

reasonable measures will be taken to protect the privacy rights of users. However, the School District cautions users

that no computer network communications should ever be considered as completely private, and are subject to

monitoring by local, state, and federal agencies.

11. Weber School District will take reasonable precautions to insure the security and appropriate use of the computer

networks. However it accepts not responsibility for harm caused directly or indirectly through its use.

Weber School District is not liable for and disclaims any liability arising from any injury or damage caused by or stemming from unauthorized access to the network or inappropriate use of authorized access to the network. A student and the student ’s parents or guardians, by submitting the User application and Waiver Form with their respective signatures in order to gain access to the computer network, agree to release the District from any liability for physical or emotional harm or damage resulting to the student that is caused by or related to the inappropriate use of the computer network.

 

 

USER APPLICATON AND WAIVER FORM

for Computer Network Communications

 

STUDENT

Applicant Name _______________________________________________ Grade Level_____________

School _______________________________________________________________________________

School Address ________________________________________________________________________

School Phone _____________________________

I have read the Weber County School District Acceptable Use Policy and agree to abide by its provisions. I understand that violation of the acceptable use provisions stated in the policy may result in suspension or revocation of network privileges or other appropriate disciplinary actions.

Applicant Signature _______________________________________________________ Date ___________________

SPONSORING TEACHER

I have reviewed the Weber County School District Acceptable Use Policy with the above applicant.

Teacher’s Signature _______________________________________________________ Date ____________________

 

PARENT OR GUARDIAN ( if student is under 18)

I have read the Weber County School District Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that I am ultimately responsible for my child’s actions on the district’s computer networks, and release Weber County School District from any liability for harm or damages incurred through inappropriate or prohibited use. I hereby give my permission to issue an account for my child and certify that the information on this form is correct. Parent’s Signature _________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

Home Address ____________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________