Email/Internet Use Policy

Computer, Email and Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Grades K-6
Grades 7-Post Secondary

Grades K-6

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The use of the Internet and computer networks is increasing in our classrooms as computers become another tool in the learning and instructional process. Much of the information that is used in school is no longer coming from textbooks. Information is now available and being delivered by computers over networks such as the Internet. As with all classroom assignments and projects, the students are guided and monitored in their work by the teacher.

The Internet is a resource with access to other networks and people around the world; therefore, it is very possible that students may have access to information which may not be appropriate for their age level. The school district has taken measures to monitor this with an Internet filtering system. It is still also very important to discuss the appropriate use of the internet with your child. The responsibility for appropriate use rests with the student.

At a suitable time, your child’s teacher will discuss the importance of using the Internet and other computer resources appropriately with his/her students. We want to make you familiar with our expectations as well. Because as mentioned above: the responsibility for appropriate use of the computer information system rests with the student during school sessions. Please review the following with your child.

Computer and Internet Rules

I understand that as I use computers, email and the Internet under the direction of a teacher I will follow these rules:
I will use computers and the Internet in an appropriate and safe way. I may use the Internet for finding information, to communicate with others, and to do assignments from my teachers.
I will not send information that does not belong to me or inappropriate material over school networks.
I will never harm or destroy computers or the work of another person
I will be polite.
I will use appropriate language.
I will use my school email for school projects and with friends; I will never give out personal information with my email account.
I will respect my privacy and not tell my home address, phone number, names or addresses of family members, or the addresses or phone numbers of other students.
My teachers will set rules for using school computers and the Internet and I agree to follow them.

Grades 7-Post Secondary

To the Student

The Novi Community School District (NCSD) provides technology resources to its students and staff for educational and administrative purposes. The goal in providing these resources is to promote educational excellence in the Novi schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication with the support and supervision of parents, teachers, and support staff. The use of these technology resources is a privilege, not a right. With access to computers and people all over the world comes the potential availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. NCSD firmly believes the value of information, interaction, and research capabilities available outweighs the possibility that users may obtain material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the district. The district has implemented an Internet Filtering System; however, we cannot control all of the information available on the Internet. Although student use of the Internet while at school will be supervised by staff, we encourage parents to have a discussion with their children about values and how those beliefs should guide student activities while using the Internet. All users are expected to use the computers and computer networks in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner. The following guidelines are intended to help you use the network and its resources appropriately. If you do not follow our user policies listed here, your privilege of using the network and its resources will be withdrawn.

User Agreement

The use of school and district networks and resources must be in support of education, research, and the educational goals and objectives of the Novi Community School District. You are personally responsible for this provision at all times when using building and district networks and their resources on the premises of the school district. The use of another organization's networks or computing resources must comply with rules appropriate to the network. Transmission of any material in violation of any United States statutes is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to; copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secrets, and may extend to Internet access for commercial or financial gain. You are advised to be familiar with all rules and how to use the Internet and Email before getting on-line. If you have any questions about these rules, please ask your teacher so you can understand. Be aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of school rules, local, state, and federal laws and that you can be prosecuted for violating laws like credit card fraud, electronic forgery, threats, or other forms of illegal behavior. The district is not responsible for other people's actions or the quality and content of information available through this service. We trust students to know what is appropriate and inappropriate.

Network and Email Etiquette and Privacy

You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network and Email etiquette. These rules include but are not limited to:

BE POLITE: Never send, or encourage others to send abusive messages.
USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE: You are a representative of your school and your district on a public system. Never swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language.
PRIVACY: Do not reveal your home address, phone number, names or addresses of family members, or the addresses or phone numbers of other students or colleagues. Be cautious. Email is not private and you should have no expectation that information sent can be kept private.
DISRUPTIONS: Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt the use of the network by others.
REPRESENTATION: Do not send anonymous messages or represent a message as having been written by another. All correspondence should be clearly identifiable as to its originator.

Student Responsibilities

It is the user's responsibility to respect the privacy of others and to report violations of privacy. A user is responsible for reporting, to a teacher or administrator Email received by him/her which contains pornography, or inappropriate information or attachments that contain viruses or are dangerous to the hardware or software of the network.

Security

If you identify a security problem in the building or district networks, notify the system administrator at once. Never demonstrate the problem to other users. Never use another individual's account. Never tell anyone else your password. Any user identified as a security risk will be denied access to the network and may be liable for disciplinary action or prosecution.

Vandalism

Vandalism is defined as: any malicious attempt to physically deface, disable, or destroy computers, peripherals, or other network hardware or to harm or destroy data of another user or any other agencies or networks that are connected to the system. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation or transmission of computer viruses. Any vandalism will result in loss of network privileges, disciplinary action, or possible legal referral.

District Rights

It is to be understood that there is no expectation of privacy on the district network and computers, and that the district has the right to review any material stored in files to which users have access, to edit or remove any material which the district, in its sole discretion, believes is unlawful, obscene, abusive or objectionable, and to take appropriate legal action. The district makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The district will not be responsible for loss of data, service interruptions, or for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through Internet services

Disciplinary Action

Use of the Internet, Email and District hardware and software is subject to all rules and regulations set forth in the Student Code of Conduct. Enforcement is the responsibility of the Staff and Administration.