To: Parents of Sam Rayburn Students

From: The Sam Rayburn Independent School Technology Coordinator and Administration

 

 

I. OVERVIEW:

The Sam Rayburn Independent School District is now making limited Internet access available to the staff and students in the Sam Rayburn Independent School District.

Sam Rayburn is a school that is on the forefront of educational technology. The school’s classrooms, lab and administrative computers will be networked and connected, through the Region 10 Service Center Network EdNet 10 and Northeast Texas Internet. We are very pleased to bring this access to Sam Rayburn ISD and believe the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources. Our goal in providing this service to Sam Rayburn ISD is to promote educational excellence in the Sam Rayburn schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. The Internet is a vast and rapidly growing worldwide network. No individual or group runs the Internet; it is a collective effort of thousands of information-providers: schools, governments, nonprofit groups, commercial organizations, and private individuals.

1. electronic mail communication with people all over the world;

    

2. information and news from NASA, as well as the opportunity to correspond with the scientists at NASA and other research institutions;

    

3. public domain software and shareware of all types;

    

4. discussion groups on a plethora of topics ranging from Chinese culture to the environment to music to politics etc.;

    

5. access to many University Library Catalogs, the Library of Congress, CARL, and ERIC.

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. On a global network, it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial information. Sam Rayburn ISD firmly believes 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 district.

Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users that must adhere to strict guidelines. 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 utilization of the network resources. If a SAMRAYNET user violates any of these provisions, his or her account will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied. The signature(s) at the end of this document is binding and indicates the party who signed has (have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s)their significance.

II. INTERNET - SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A. Acceptable Use - The purpose of the Higher Education Network (THENET), which is the backbone network to the Internet, is to support research and education in and among academic institutions in the U.S. by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and be consistent with the educational objectives of the Sam Rayburn Independent School District. Use of any other organization’s network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities by for-profit institutions is generally not acceptable. Use of product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

B. Privileges - The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The system administrator(s) and administration, Sam Rayburn ISD employees responsible for the operation of the SAMRAYNET network, will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the system administrator(s) may close an account at any time as required or as they deem appropriate and without notice. The administration of Sam Rayburn ISD may request the administrator(s) to deny, revoke, or suspend specific users accounts for violation of SAMRAYNET network computing regulations and guidelines, or as a result of other disciplinary action against the user.

C. SAMRAYNET Network Computing Regulations and Guidelines -

Sam Rayburn ISD is responsible for securing its network and computing systems in a reasonable and economically feasible degree against unauthorized access and/or abuse, while making them accessible for authorized and legitimate users. This responsibility includes informing users of expected standards of conduct and the punitive measures for not adhering to them. Any attempt to violate the provisions of these regulations and guidelines will result in disciplinary action in the form of temporary revocation of user accounts, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. Permanent revocations can result from disciplinary actions taken by Sam Rayburn administrators.

The users of the network are responsible for respecting and adhering to local, state, federal, and international laws. Any attempt to break those laws through the use of the network may result in litigation against the offender by the proper authorities. If such an event should occur, Sam Rayburn ISD will fully comply with the authorities to provide any information necessary for the litigation process.

1. SECTION 1: GENERAL COMPUTING

Once a user receives a userID to be used to access the network and computer systems on that network, they are solely responsible for all actions taken while using that userID. Therefore:

1. Sharing your userID with any other person is prohibited. You are solely responsible for any actions, which occur in relation to your userID number.

    

2. Revealing your personal address or phone numbers, or address or phone numbers of students or colleagues, is prohibited.

    

3. Deletion, examination, copying, or modification of files and/or data belonging to other users without their prior consent is prohibited.

    

4. Attempts to evade or change resource quotas are prohibited.

    

5. Continued obstruction of other users through mass consumption of system resources, after receipt of a request to cease such activity is prohibited.

    

6. Any unauthorized, deliberate action, which damages or disrupts a computing system, alters its normal performance, or causes it to malfunction, is a violation regardless of system location or time duration.

2. SECTION 2: ELECTRONIC MAIL

Whenever you send electronic mail, your name and userID are included in each mail message. You are responsible for all electronic mail originating from your userID. Therefore:

1. Forgery, or attempted forgery, of electronic mail messages if prohibited.

    

2. Attempts at sending harassing, obscene, and/or other threatening e-mail to another user is prohibited.

    

3. Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other users are prohibited.

3. SECTION 3: NETWORK SECURITY

As a user of the network, you may be allowed to access other networks and/or the computer systems attached to those networks. Therefore:

1. Use of systems and/or networks in attempts to gain unauthorized access to remote systems is prohibited.

    

2. Use of systems and/or networks to connect to other systems, in evasion of the physical limitations of the remote system, is prohibited.

    

3. Decryption of system or user passwords is prohibited.

    

4. The copying of system files is prohibited.

    

5. The copying of copyrighted materials, such as third-party software, without the express written permission of the owner or the proper license, is prohibited.

    

6. Intentional attempts to "crash" network systems or programs are punishable disciplinary offense.

    

7. Any attempts to secure a higher level of privilege on network systems are punishable disciplinary offenses.

    

8. The willful introduction of computer "viruses" or other disruptive/destructive programs into the SAMRAYNET network or into external networks is prohibited.

D. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability - Access to the Internet is provided on an "as is, as available" basis. The Sam Rayburn Independent School District, its Board of Trustees, agents, and staff members make no representations or warranties, whether expressed or implied, of any kind with respect to THENET, SAMRAYNET, the services to be provided by SAMRAYNET, or any information or software accessed or received by the applicant or contacts made by the applicant, and disclaims any implied warranties, including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The system administrators and Sam Rayburn ISD do not warrant that the functions or services performed by, or that the information or software contained on the system will meet the user’s requirements or that the operation of the system will be corrected. Sam Rayburn ISD will not be responsible to you or liable to you for any claims, losses, or damages you may suffer as a result of these Terms and Conditions or your access to THENET or SAMRAYNET, including without limitation, any losses, claims, or damages arising from Sam Rayburn ISD’s negligence or your own errors or omissions. YOU AGREE THAT THIS LIMITATION IS INTENDED TO AND DOES RELEASE SAM RAYBURN ISD FROM ANY CLAIMS, DAMAGES, OR LOSSES THAT YOU MAY SUFFER THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SYSTEM. Use of any information obtained via your connection with SAMRAYNET is at your own risk. Sam Rayburn specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through this service.

E. 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. Attempts to login to the system using another member’s account or as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Members should immediately notify a system administrator if their password is lost or stolen, or if they have reason to believe that someone has obtained unauthorized access to their account. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to SAMRAYNET.

F. Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellations of privileges. Vandalism, as addressed in the SAMRAYNET Network Computing Regulations and Guidelines, is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of, or accessing without permission a computer of, another user or the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

G. Confidentiality - The school is one of the first schools in the area to start publishing information on the Internet. As part of the many technological applications employed across the curriculum, the school plans to publish a variety of teacher and student projects on a portion of the Internet known as the World Wide Web.

The kinds of work to be published may include but are not limited to creative writing, artwork, slide presentations, HyperStudio stacks, and audio/video productions. In addition, field trip reports and the Scottie CyberNews(Computer Camp’s World Wide Web Page) may include photographs of students.

Students’ first names only will be used. (In the event that two students in the same class have the same first name, the last initial will be included.) Students will retain copyright to their work.

We will not publish grades or student test scores, home addresses, phone numbers, the child’s e-mail address, or materials protected by federal regulation.

Should your child’s work be chosen for publication, your signature on the attached form acknowledges your permission for such work to be published on the SAM RAYBURN ISD WORLD WIDE WEB PAGE.

Requesting an Account - On acceptance for an account on SAMRAYNET, members will be given an account name. Although called a member "account", there are no charges for this service.

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User’s Full Name (please print)_____________________________________

Home Address________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Home Phone_________________________ Work Phone_____________________

Campus______________________________________________________________

I understand and will abide by the Sam Rayburn Independent School District Terms and Conditions for use of the network and use of the Internet. I further understand that any violation of the regulations and guidelines is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked with or without notice, school disciplinary action may be taken, and/ or appropriate legal action may be taken.

User Signature:_________________________________________Date______________

PARENT OR GUARDIAN: If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must also read and sign this agreement.

*********************************************************************

As a parent or guardian of the person above, I have read the Terms and Conditions for Internet and SAMRAYNET access. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes. I also recognize that it is impossible for SAMRAYNET and the Sam Rayburn Independent School District to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for controversial materials acquired on the network. I do understand that Sam Rayburn ISD has firewalls or software installed on the network that limits the topics that a student can access and that there all precautions taken to see that a student does not have access to any controversial materials. I hereby give permission to issue an account for my child and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

Parent or Guardian (please print)_____________________________________

Signature___________________________________Date______________________

Sam Rayburn School plans to publish a variety of teachers and student projects on an independent portion of the Internet called the World Wide Web. Should your child’s work be chosen for publication, your signature below acknowledges permission for such work to be published on the Sam Rayburn ISD World Wide Web Home Page.

My child’s work, which may or may not be accompanied by his/her first name (and last initial in the event of two children in the same class with the same first name) may be electronically displayed and produced by Sam Rayburn School.

Yes_____ No_____

Photographs of my child, which may or may not be accompanied by his/her first name (and last initial in the event of two children in the same class with the same first name) may be electronically displayed and produced by Sam Rayburn School.

Yes_____ No_____

I hereby give the above permissions and release Sam Rayburn Independent School District from any liability resulting from or connected with the publication of such work:

___________________________________________

Child’s Name

____________________________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature

_____________________________________________

Date

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Copyright law and district policy do not allow the re-publishing of text or graphics found on the Web on district Web sites or file servers without explicit written permission.

1. Student work may only be published if there is written permission from both parent and student with the Acceptable Use Policy Form.

    

2. For each re-publishing (on a Web site or file Server) or a graphic or a text file, which 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. In many cases, that notice should also include the URL (Web address) of the original source.

    

3. Students and staff engaged in producing Web pages must provide library media specialists with E-mail or had copy permissions to file before the Web pages are actually published. In case of "public domain" documents, printed evidence must be provided to document the status of the materials.

    

4. The failure of a site to display a copyright notice may not be interpreted as permission to copy the materials. Only the copyright owner may provide the permission. If the materials have been improperly and illegally displayed by a Web site, the manager of that Web site may not be considered a source of permission.

Staff members and students with questions regarding these guidelines are advised to check with Technology Coordinator in their building before proceeding with the collection of images and text.

Schools and non-profit organizations may copy and make use of these materials within their own school districts or may republish the pages on their Web sites provided that a clear notice of source is included on the Web page.

DIRECTIONS: Whenever a student or staff member wishes to "re-publish" someone else’s writing or graphics on the Sam Rayburn ISD’s Web site, explicit permission must be obtained from the owner of copyright or evidence must be provided that the materials are "in the public domain." The form below may be copied and pasted into an E-mail message sent to the owner of the site and/or the owner of copyright. An E-mail reply which answers all questions fully and grants permission should be printed out and presented along with any Web pages being submitted to the Technology Coordinator for publication. Every Web page containing such items must provide full credit to the source, indicate that permission was granted and include a notice clarifying that all right are still reserved by the copyright owner.

**********Copy the letter below and e-mail to Site Owner********

(Type Name of Site Here)

(Type Name of Site Manager here)

(Type e-mail address of the Site Manager here)

Dear (insert name of Site Manager)

I am a (insert either "student" or "teacher") in the Sam Rayburn Independent School Districts creating Web pages for a school project. My school is (insert name of school). My E-mail address is (insert full E-mail address).

We are currently engaged in a project, which (insert description of the project and its goals here).

While doing research for this project, I visited your excellent site and was very much impressed with what you have done.

I am interested in gaining permission to "re-publish" the following material from your Web site on our school’s Web site:

(Describe first item)

(Describe additional items)

Are you the holder of a copyright for these materials? ____ Yes ____ No

If you are not the holder of a copyright, can you identify the owner and supply an E-mail address so that I may contact the owner?

If you are the holder of copyright, may we "republish" these items, including at the bottom of the Web page a clear notice that we are "re-publishing" the item with your permission, with all rights reserved?

___I give my permission ___I do not give my permission

Please write the words you wish for us to place at the bottom of the page describing your copyright restrictions.

Thanks so much for your time and assistance. We appreciate your contribution to the development of excellent content on the Web.

Please send back this whole message with your name and title at the bottom so that we can identify the source of permission.

Sincerely,

(Insert your name)