The Children’s Internet protection Act, PL 106-554, The School Code of Illinois 720 ILCS 135/0.01, and School District 88 require parental permission for student Internet usage.  Under no circumstances is staff to allow a student to use the Internet without this form on file.  Doing so may result in loss of privileges, and/or disciplinary action as outlined in the District 88 Access to Electronic Networks Policy. Each staff member must sign this Authorization for Electronic Network Access form as a condition for using the District 88 Electronic Network connection.  Each student and his/her parent/guardian must sign the Authorization for Electronic Network Access form before being granted access.  Please read the document carefully before signing.  It is legally binding, and misuse of the District 88 Electronic Network and equipment, or violations per the Authorization for District 88 Electronic Network Access & Use of Equipment form will result in disciplinary action, loss of privileges, possible referral for legal action, possible suspension, possible expulsion, and/or termination of employment. While the Authorization for District 88 Electronic Network Access & Use of Equipment form provides many examples of appropriate electronic network behaviors, it is not all-inclusive.  

 Terms and Conditions

·         Acceptable Use --Access to the District's electronic networks & equipment must be (a) for the purpose of education or research, and be consistent with the educational objectives of the District, or (b) for legitimate business use.

·         Privileges - The use of the District's electronic networks & equipment is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The system administrator will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time; his or her decision is final.

·         Unacceptable Use - The user is responsible for his or her actions and activities involving the District network & equipment. Some examples of unacceptable uses are:

·         Using the District network and/or equipment for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any U.S. or State law;

·         Unauthorized downloading of software, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or virus free;

·         Downloading copyrighted material for other than “fair use”;

·         Using the District network and/or equipment for private financial or commercial gain according to the fair use agreement. Wastefully using resources, such as file space, bandwidth, or paper;

·         Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities;

·         Invading the privacy of individuals;

·         Using another user's account or password; or allowing someone to use your account;

·         Posting material authorized or created by another without his/her consent;

·         Posting anonymous messages;

·         Using the District network and/or equipment for commercial or private advertising;

·          Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing, or illegal material using the District network or equipment; and

·          Using the District network or equipment while access privileges are suspended or revoked.

·         Network Etiquette - The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

·         Be polite. Do not become abusive in messages to others.

·         Use appropriate language. Do not swear, or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.

·         Do not reveal the personal addresses or telephone numbers of students or colleagues.

·         Recognize that electronic mail (E-mail) is not private. People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

·         Do not use the District network or equipment in any way that would disrupt its use by other users.

·         Consider all communications and information accessible via the District network or equipment to be District 88 property.  Any attempt to access; store; distribute; capture; and/or copy District communications; copyrighted materials; and/or information will be subject to disciplinary action.

·         No Warranties - 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 any damages the user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or the users' errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

·         Indemnification - The user agrees to indemnify the School District for any losses, costs, or damages, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the District relating to, or arising out of, any violation of these procedures.

·         Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or any other network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

·         Security - Network security is a high priority. If the user can identify a security problem on the District network or equipment, the user must notify the system administrator or Building Principal. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Keep your account and password confidential. Do not use another individual's account. Long-term substitute teachers will be given their own account; they should not access the teacher’s files or passwords. Attempts to log-on the Network as a system administrator will result in disciplinary action and cancellation of user privileges. Students who gain access to administrative files, grades, attendance etc., will be subject to disciplinary action and possible suspension and or expulsion.  Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network.  No logged-on computer should be left unattended; log-off must occur upon leaving the computer.

·         Telephone Charges - The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees, including telephone charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs.

·         Copyright Web Publishing Rules - Copyright law and District policy prohibit the re-publishing of text or graphics found on the Web or on District Web sites; file servers or District equipment without explicit written permission.

·         For each re-publication (on a Web site or file server) of a graphic or a text file that was produced externally, there must be a notice at the bottom of the page crediting the original producer and noting how and when permission was granted.  If possible, the notice should also include the Web address of the original source.

·         Students and staff engaged in producing Web pages must refer to the reference publishing standards, and provide the District 88 Webmaster with e-mail or hard copy permissions before the Web pages are published.  Printed evidence of the status of “public domain” documents must be provided.

·         The absence of a copyright notice may not be interpreted as permission to copy the materials.  Only the copyright owner may provide the permission.  The manager of the Web site displaying the material may not be considered a source of permission.

·         The “fair use” rules governing student reports in classrooms are less stringent and permit limited use of graphics and text.