Tokoroa Intermediate School’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy

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Internet access is now available to students and teachers of Tokoroa Intermediate School.

The Internet offers vast, diverse and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence in the school and technological competence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication and emphasising the skills to meet this goal.

The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Through the Internet there is access to:

  1. Electronic mail (e-mail) communication with people all over the world.
  2. Information and news, as well as the opportunity to correspond with experts at research institutions.
  3. Public domain software and graphics of all types for school use.
  4. Access to many university library catalogues, museums, and ERIC, a large collection of information relevant to educators and students.
  5. Graphical access to the World Wide Web, the newest and most exciting access tools for the Internet.
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 setting. Tokoroa Intermediate School has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial material. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all material and an industrious user may discover controversial information. We firmly believe that the valuable information interaction available on the WWW far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the school.

These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal utilisation of the network resources. If a Tokoroa Intermediate School user violates any of these provisions, his or her access will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied.

The signatures at the end of this document are legally binding and indicate that the parties who signed have read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their significance.

Internet – Terms and Conditions of Use
  1. Acceptable Use – The purpose of the backbone of networks making up the Internet is to support research and education in and among academic institutions by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your access must be in support of education and research and be consistent with the educational objectives of Tokoroa Intermediate School. Use of the organisations network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any national regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.
  2. Privileges – The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges.
  3. Network Etiquette – You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of the network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
    a) Be polite. Do not get abusive in your messages to others.
    b) Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
    c) Do not reveal you personal name, address or phone number, phone numbers or addresses of students or colleagues.
    d) Note that all electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
    e) Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users.
    f) All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.

  4. Warranties – Tokoroa Intermediate School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Tokoroa Intermediate School will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, miss-deliveries or service interruption caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. Tokoroa Intermediate School specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
  5. Security – Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the Internet, you must notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another individual's account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to log-on to the Internet as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges.
  6. Vandalism – Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
  7. Right to Privacy – The Tokoroa Intermediate School has the right to review any material stored on any system and to edit or remove any material, provided the action taken is in accordance with the law. Accordingly, the participant waives any right, including privacy rights, which he/she may otherwise have in such material.
    8. Termination of Services – The site administrator, with the concurrence of the Principal, further reserves the right to immediately terminate the account of a participant who misuses Internet and e-mail services.

Internet Acceptable Use Policy Release Form

Dear Parents/Guardians

As teachers, we know how important a quality educational experience can be. This year we will have the ability to allow our students to have access to the Internet. The students will learn to utilise electronic mail, search for information, and retrieve that information for use with class projects. The amount of high quality information is boundless. It is possible for a student to search for information around the world, find just what they need, and bring it back to their computer for their use.

This is not without some need for care. There are places on the Internet that may not be to your personal liking. The Tokoroa Intermediate School BOT and the teaching staff understand this and feel that you should be made aware of this fact. Students will be carefully monitored and given structured lessons to follow, but it is always possible for a student to go off in their own direction to see what they can find. All possible efforts will be made to prevent this type of Internet use.

Because the Ministry of Education recognises the Importance of becoming information literate, we feel that the advantages of Internet access far outweighs the disadvantages. However, we do require your permission and support before we will give your child Internet access. Please read the attached document, sign the permission slip, and have your child return it to the school as soon as possible. If you have any further questions, please contact your child’s teacher.


Tokoroa Intermediate School’s Internet use Agreement

INTERNET USER (Student or Staff member)
I understand and will abide by the above Internet Use Agreement. I further understand that any violation of their regulations above is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken, and/or appropriate legal action taken.

Users Full Name _____________________________________________________

Users Signature _____________________________________

Date ___________________

PARENT OR GUARDIAN
As a parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Internet User Agreement. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes. Tokoroa Intermediate School has taken precautions to eliminate controversial material. However, I also recognise it is impossible for the school to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. Further, I accept full responsibility for supervision if and when my child’s use is not in a school setting.

Parent or Guardians Full Name ___________________________________________________

Parent or Guardians Signature _________________________________

Date ________________

CLASSROOM TEACHER (Must be signed if the applicant is a student)
I have read the Internet Use Agreement and agree to promote this Agreement with the student. Because the student may use the network for individual work or in the context of another class, I cannot be held responsible for the student’s use of the network. As the classroom teacher, I do agree to instruct the student on acceptable use of the network and proper network etiquette.

Users Full Name _______________________________________________________

Users Signature __________________________________________

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