Hallett Cove South Primary School

Communications/Network Use Policy

GENERAL PRINCIPLES	STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILIT IES	ETHICAL USES
PENALTIES FOR MIS-USE OF THE COMPUTER NETWORK	NETWORK PRIVACY AND SECURITY ISSUES	SAFETY
STUDENT SECTION: Letter of Agreement	LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The Communications/Network Use Policy (“Policy”) sets out the rights and responsibilities for computer and communications network users at Hallett Cove South Primary School. It covers use of the computer network as well as E-mail and Internet facilities.

This is and important document, which students and parents should take the time to read. If there are any questions, you should refer them to Mr. Briggs, Co-ordination of Information Technology.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES:-

v As part of the curriculum, HCSPS allows students access to its computer network and certain on-line facilities such as:

v Internet.

v Electronic mail (“E-mail”) for some curriculum initiatives.

v Access to the computer network is a privilege which may be enjoyed as long as certain standards are observed. Those standards are set out in this Policy. If those standards are not observed, HCSPS may withdraw the privilege of access. The penalty for breaching this Policy is set out in Section 4 (Penalties for Mis-Use of the Computer Network) of this Policy.

v Students must understand that their access to HCSPS computer network is only allowed for acceptable and ethical purposes. By “acceptable”, we mean that use must not only be along the lines of the acceptable uses set out in Section 2 (“Acceptable Uses”) of this Policy. By “ethical”, we mean that students are not allowed to breach standards of common decency, or manners, and must not break any laws. This is explained more fully in Section 3 (“Ethical Uses”) of this Policy.

v Students are expected to be responsible and mature in their use of the computer network, at all times.

v Students who use the computer network irresponsibly or unethically will be disciplined.

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILIT IES:-

1. Access to the Computer Network Subject to complying with this Policy, all students has the right to equal access to network facilities. No student should monopolise a computer of the network used by it. Students should share all facilities on the network.

2. Students may be asked to remove personal files if total system storage space becomes too large.

3. The following uses of the Computer Network are considered acceptable by the School

v To use in connection with the subject curriculum and co-curricular activities

v To carry out school work

v To research projects or assignments

v To send and receive E-mail under teacher guidance

v To explore the Internet in connection with schoolwork and along guidelines set by the subject teacher.

A student’s use of the computer network for purposes other than those above will be considered unacceptable; the penalties in Section 4 of this Policy will apply.

ETHICAL USES:-

Students must be ethical in using the Computer Network. What constitutes ethical behaviour is an evolving concept. Listed below are some examples of behaviour, which are considered not to be ethical in the use of the Computer Network. This list is not final, and is provided by way of example only.

In its sole discretion, HCSPS may determine that other forms of behaviour not listed below are also unethical.

Where HCSPS determines that a student’s use of the computer network is unethical, the penalties in Section 4 of this Policy will apply.

For example, when using the Computer Network, students MUST NOT: -

v Be impolite, abusive or indecent toward anybody else

v Harass or be discriminatory toward anybody else (either sexually, racially or in any other way)

v Violate general standards of common sense, decency or etiquette

v Do anything illegal

v Disclose the personal details of any other student

v Access any inappropriate Internet sites eg. sites involving pornography, violence

v Breach another person’s copyright in any material

v Disrupt the use of the Computer Network by others

v Interfere in any way with the legitimate work of other Computer Network users

v Upload or download any software (without approval by the School)

v Use the Computer Network for commercial or profit-making exercises

v Purchase goods or services via the Computer Network

v Use the Computer Network to gain unauthorised access to any other Computer Network (ie “hacking”)

v Spread computer viruses

v Sue any other person’s password to access the Computer Network

v Impersonate anybody else or use pseudonyms, or gorge E-mail messages

v Disclose their passwords or accounts to anyone

When using the Computer Network, students MUST at all times:-

v Be polite and courteous

v Use appropriate language

v Notify the appropriate teacher if they have breached this Policy, or if they become aware that any other student has done so

v Comply with standards of public decency

v Respect the rights of other computer users

v Observe that copyright exists in other people’s work on the Computer Network, and

v Obey the law

v Comply with this Policy

PENALTIES FOR MIS-USE OF THE COMPUTER NETWORK

HCSPS has a responsibility toward the School and students who use the computer system properly to discipline those students who breach this Policy ENFORCEMENT OF THIS POLICY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. STUDENTS WHO BREACH THIS POLICY WILL, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, BE DISCIPLINED.

If in the school’s opinion a student has used the Computer Network: -

v For an unacceptable purpose

v Unethically; or

v Otherwise inappropriately (including violating any part of this Policy),

The student will immediately have his Internet access removed and may also lose his/her rights to use the School network. Further action will be taken at the discretion of the school.

Students should be aware that breaches of the criminal law using the Computer Network might be a matter for the police.

Students should also be aware that HCSPS will co-operate with the police, and other authorities, in any investigation relating to the illegal uses of the Computer Network.

NETWORK PRIVACY AND SECURITY ISSUES

Students should be aware that their electronic communication and work created via the School’s Computer Network is not private, and that HCSPS may access their work.

This extends to:-

v Files

v Incoming and outgoing E-mail communications:

v Sites accessed on the Internet

So that HCSPS can comply with its obligations under law, HCSPS reserves the right to screen students’ files and work to ensure that the Computer Network is being used for acceptable purposes and in accordance with this Policy.

In addition, HCSPS’s system administrators as part of normal maintenance procedures may access students’ files. “Normal maintenance” includes spot checks to ensure those inappropriate materials, or works subject to another person’s copyright, is not being kept in private folders and inappropriate Internet sites have not been visited.

SAFETY

Students should not do anything via HCSPS’s Computer Network, which may possibly jeopardise their personal safety either at school or outside school.

In particular, students:-

v MUST NOT give out any identifying details such as their home address or telephone number, school name in a public chat or bulletin board. Students should only disclose those details to people personally known to them, and those they trust.

v MUST NOT give out personal information such as age or financial position.

v MUST NOT arrange a meeting in person with another person they have “met” or only communicated with by computer, without prior parental approval. If a meeting is arranged, it should be in a public place in the presence of a parent or responsible adult.

v MUST NOT respond to messages or bulletin board items that are indecent, suggestive, belligerent, discriminatory, threatening, or which make the student feel uncomfortable or unsafe in any way.

In addition, students:-

v MUST tell HCSPS, the system administrator or their parents if an indecent, suggestive, discriminatory or threatening message is encountered. HCSPS will then make a copy of that message and refer it to the appropriate authorities, including the police if necessary.

v SHOULD be aware that people they “meet” or communicate with on-line may pretend to be someone else.

v SHOULD remember that everything they read on-line may not be accurate.

v SHOULD avoid offers, which involve either financial transactions or personal meetings.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

Students will be allowed access to the Computer Network as part of supervised curriculum work. It is not practical that every student will be supervised individually when using the Computer Network, and HCSPS expects students to act responsibly and sensibly when using the Computer Network.

HCSPS does not accept any liability, which may result from any student’s unacceptable or unethical uses of the Computer Network.

STUDENT SECTION

I have read the Computer Network Use Policy. I agree to follow the rules and etiquette as found in this Policy.

I understand that if I break the rules my account will be cancelled and I may face other disciplinary actions as outlined in the Hallett Cove South Primary School Behaviour Management Policy.

Student Name ______ Class _

Student Signature _ Class

PARENT/CAREGIVER SECTION

As the parent/caregiver of this student, I have read the Computer Network Use Policy. I understand that this access is designed for education purposes. Hallett Cove South Primary School (H.C.S.P.S.) has taken precautions to eliminate controversial material. However, I also recognise it is impossible for H.C.S.P.S. to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. I hereby give permission to issue an account for my child and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

Parent Name: __________________________

Parent Signature: _ Date:

Thanks for visiting! Do you have any questions? Comments?

E-mail to Darrin Briggs darrinb@hcsps.sa.edu.au