MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT NO. 50

INTERNET USE AGREEMENT
Please read this document carefully before signing

Internet access is now available to students, teachers, and the communities of MSAD #50. We are very pleased to bring this access to our district, and believe the Internet offers vast, diverse and unique resources to all of us. Our goal in providing this service to teachers, students and community is to promote educational excellence in our schools by facilitating resource sharing, communication and access to information.

The Internet connects thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Students and teachers have access to:

  1. Electronic mail communication with people all over the world
  2. Information and news from many research institutions like NASA, and the opportunity to communicate with them
  3. Public domain software and shareware
  4. Discussion groups on a myriad of different topics
  5. Access to many library catalogs, such as MaineCat, the Library of Congress, and the Educational Resource and Information Center
With access to the computer 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. MSAD #50 has taken steps to discourage the access of controversial materials. However, on a global network, it is impossible to control all materials and some students may discover controversial information. We, at MSAD #50, firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweigh the possibility that users may access material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the district. Further, each student who uses the Internet will receive the training and supervision necessary to keep such access to a minimum.

Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government, educational, and commercial agencies. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users, who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. When you have read and accepted the provisions of this agreement, and completed the district training in the use of the Internet, MSAD #50 will issue you with a user account. If you violate any of these provisions, your account may be terminated and future access through MSAD #50 could 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.

The use of your Internet account through MSAD #50 must be in support of education and research, and be consistent with the educational goals of the 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 of your account for commercial activities is not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in curtailment or cancellation of that privilege. Each student who receives an account will first complete appropriate training in the acceptable use of the Internet. The student will then be recommended for an account by an MSAD #50 faculty member, and will receive a card, dated, with his or her account number. System administrators may close an account at any time for inappropriate behavior. The administration, faculty, and staff of MSAD #50 may request the system administrators to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.

Network Etiquette

You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Be polite. Use appropriate language. Do not be abusive in your messages to others.
  2. Don't reveal your personal address or phone number, or those of other students or colleagues.
  3. Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail.
  4. Do not use the network to disrupt other's use.
  5. All information accessible over the Internet is private property.
MSAD #50 makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. MSAD #50 will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. MSAD #50 specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system includes many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the Internet, please notify a system coordinator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. User accounts and passwords are to be kept confidential. Any student identified as a security risk may be denied access to the system.

Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is any deliberate attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, or any of the networks connected to the Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

AGREEMENT

Student - I understand and will abide by the Internet use conditions specified in this document. I understand that any violation of the preceding regulations is unethical. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked and school disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

_________________________ _________________________ _________________

      Printed Name........................... Signature ...........................Date
Parent/Guardian - I have read the Internet Use Agreement and I understand that Internet access is designed for educational purposes. I realize that MSAD #50 has taken steps to discourage access to controversial material. However, I also recognize that it is not practicable for MSAD #50 to restrict access to all controversial material and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. Further, I accept full responsibility if and when my child's use is not in a school setting. I hereby give permission to issue an account for my child.

_________________________ _________________________ _________________

      Printed Name........................... Signature ...........................Date