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The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Students and staff members have access to:

1. Outside business, local and national government and educational facilities that provide unlimited information and resources.

4. Access to many university library catalogs and government agencies such as the Library of Congress and the White House.

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 settings. On a global network it is impossible to control all materials. An industrious user may discover controversial information. We 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 community.

II. FILTERING

Filtering the Internet simply means trying to block out certain types of sites from the viewer. This is typically used to block inappropriate material from students. All students pass through the filtering software when accessing the internet. Filtering software does not block everything inappropriate and does block some information you may find not to be inappropriate.

III. INTERNET USE

Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of federal, state and regional agency networks. Smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users that must adhere to strict guidelines. Guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. Use of the Internet requires efficient, responsible, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. If a student violates any of the provisions of the attached agreement, privilege to access the Internet at school will be terminated and future access could be denied.

A. A PRIVILEGE

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a legal right. Inappropriate use shall result in cancellation of such privilege for any student who violates this agreement.

Each student who has signed this agreement, and thereby has access to the Internet, shall participate in classroom and/or individualized instruction with a school faculty member regarding appropriate use of the Internet.

Access to the Internet shall not be allowed, except upon specific permission from a staff

member. E-Mail access shall not be provided to students unless students are participating in a class that requires instruction on e-mail, or a teacher directed activity such as a classroom based e-pal program. Attempts to gain access to the Internet without permission of the supervising staff member shall result in cancellation of an individual’s privilege to access the Internet.

B. NO WARRANTIES

Parents and students who sign this agreement assume responsibility to use the Internet in accordance with the terms of this agreement and all attachments, exhibits, rules, policies and regulations of DACS. Dickinson Area Catholic School shall not be responsible for the accuracy, truth or quality of any information obtained from, by or through the Internet. DACS shall not be responsible for delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries or service interruptions caused by any reason.

III. INAPPROPRIATE USE OF INTERNET

A staff member shall determine consistent with this agreement and DACS policies, procedures, guidelines and rules, what is appropriate, and what constitutes inappropriate use of the Internet in relation to educational goals. A staff member who determines that a student is making inappropriate use of the Internet shall submit a Usage Violation Form to the principal. A staff member shall have the discretion and right to suspend a student’s Internet use privileges at any time for conduct, which in the staff member’s judgment, is inconsistent with this agreement.

IV. VIOLATION GUIDELINES

VIOLATION	FIRST OFFENSE	SECOND OFFENSE
Using Internet without permission or staff member’s knowledge and supervision.	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Access Internet without a signed and processed Internet Use Agreement Form.	Will not be given access for the remainder of the year. Parent/Guardian notified.	N/A
Allowing illegal access to the Internet by letting someone login and use your Internet.	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Accessing the Internet using someone else’s account (login).	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Accessing inappropriate material such as (violence, profanity, sex, drug and alcohol related sites, etc).	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Accessing a chat room.	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Sending, receiving, reading e-mail not associated with a school- related project.	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Inappropriate or offensive language associated with any Internet site or e-mail.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.	N/A
No purchasing, trading, or requesting items on the Internet.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.	N/A
No playing games on the Internet of a non-educational nature.	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Deliberate downloading of virus or other damage to computer files	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.	N/A
Transmitting confidential information (phone numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers, addresses, photographs, or making arrangements to meet anyone) for self or others.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.	N/A
No downloading of programs or games from the Internet	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.	N/A
No downloading of pictures, sound clips, etc. without staff permission.	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
No wallpapers, screen savers, icons, etc saved to the local workstation.	2 weeks loss of access. Parent/Guardian notified.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.
Putting inappropriate or negative content on a school web-site.	Loss of access for remainder of year. Parent/Guardian notified.	N/A

V. Internet Use Agreement Sign-Off Sheet

This page must be signed and returned to your classroom teacher. If you wish to change your child’s status to this agreement, a new agreement form must be completed.

This form must be completed before any student is granted access to the Internet. Students are NOT required to have Internet access but must return the form regardless of status. Internet access is a privilege and can be revoked at any time.

______ Yes, I have read the agreement and want my child to use the Internet for educational use and research at Dickinson Area Catholic School.

______ No, I do not want my child to use the Internet for educational use and research at Dickinson Area Catholic School.