Appropriate Use of Forsyth County Schools'
Computers and Network Resources

It is the belief of the Forsyth County Board of Education that the use of technology for the purpose of information acquisition, retrieval, manipulation, distribution and storage is an important part of preparing children to live in the 21st century. This technology includes computer hardware, software, local and wide area networks and access to the Internet. Due to the complex nature of these systems, and the magnitude of potential information available to students accessing the Internet, the Forsyth County Board of Education believes guidelines regarding appropriate use are warranted in order to serve the educational needs of students.

Students accessing any network services from any school computer shall comply with the district's appropriate use policy. Administrative staff and teachers reserve the right to monitor all use of network resources by students, including e-mail.

It must also be understood that the Internet is a global, fluid community, which remains largely unregulated. While it is an extremely valuable tool for educational research, there may be sections that are not commensurate with community, school, or family standards. It is the belief of the Board that the Internet's advantages far outweigh its disadvantages. The Forsyth County Board of Education will, through its administrative staff, provide an Internet screening system which blocks access to a large percentage of inappropriate sites. It should not be assumed, however, that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications.

Additionally, access to the Internet and computer resources is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, users violating the Forsyth County Board of Education's appropriate use policy shall be subject to revocation of these privileges and potential disciplinary action.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Access to the school's computer hardware, software, network and Internet link is provided for educational purposes consistent with the school system's instructional goals.

Any student who utilizes the computer lab(s) or any computer equipment at this school must be aware of certain policies for use of the equipment and/or facilities. These procedures are in place for the protection of the student and equipment. The student will be held accountable for any violation of the following policies (as he/she would be for any classroom disciplinary matter). Students and their parents will be responsible for damages and liable for costs incurred for service or repair.

Students are only allowed to utilize the computers and network to retrieve information and run specific software applications as directed by their teacher. Students are not permitted to go into the operating system to look around, run programs, or attempt to do something they are not authorized to do.
Students bringing diskettes from outside the school must have them scanned for viruses by an authorized teacher prior to their use on a computer or the network.

Examples of prohibited conduct include but are not limited to the following:

1. Accessing, sending, creating or posting materials or communications that are:

1. Damaging to another person's reputation,
2. Abusive,
3. Obscene,
4. Sexually oriented,
5. Threatening or demeaning to another person's gender or race,
6. Contrary to the school's policy on harassment,
7. Harassing, or
8. Illegal

2. Using the network for financial gain or advertising.
3. Posting or plagiarizing work created by another person without their consent.
4. Posting anonymous or forging electronic mail messages.
5. Attempting to read, alter, delete, or copy the electronic mail messages of other system users.
6. Giving out personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, driver's license or social security numbers, bankcard or checking account information.
7. Using the school's computer hardware or network for illegal activity such as copying or downloading copyrighted software or violation of copyright laws.
8. Loading or using games, public domain, shareware or any other unauthorized program on any school's computer or computer system.
9. Purposely infecting any school computer or network with a virus or program designed to damage, alter, destroy or provide access to unauthorized data or information.
10. Gaining access or attempting to access unauthorized or restricted network resources or the data and documents of another person.
11. Using or attempting to use the password or account of another person or utilizing a computer while logged on under another user's account.
12. Using the school's computers or network while access privileges have been suspended.
13. Using the school's computer hardware, network, or Internet link in a manner that is inconsistent with a teacher's directions and generally accepted network etiquette.
14. Altering or attempting to alter the configuration of a computer, the operating system, or any of the software.
15. Attempting to vandalize, disconnect or disassemble any network or computer component.
16. Utilizing the computers and network to retrieve information or run software applications not assigned by their teacher.
17. Providing another student with user account information or passwords.