Acceptable Use Policy

Information Retrieval Systems

Blue Valley U.S.D. 384 is working to provide access to information retrieval systems for all students, faculty, and staff. Information retrieval systems is a term which includes all existing technologies related to computers and the Internet. Students must have permission from their parents or legal guardian to access information retrieval systems at school.

Inappropriate use of information retrieval systems will result in the loss of privileges and/or disciplinary action. Student's use of an information retrieval system in school must be in support of education and research, and consistent with the curricula outcomes of the Blue Valley School System.

The following actions constitute unacceptable use of an information retrieval system:

• using impolite, abusive, or otherwise objectionable language in either public of private messages.
• using an information retrieval system for non-school related activities.
• using an information retrieval system illegally in ways that violate federal, state, or local laws.
  • examples of illegal activities either by law or statue:
    • placing unlawful information
    • sending messages likely to result in the loss of the recipient's work, and
    • sending chain letters or pyramid schemes to lists or individuals.
• using for commercial purposes.
• using for political lobbying.
• changing any file that does not belong to the user.
• sending or receiving copyrighted materials without permission.
• knowingly giving one's password to others.
• using another's password.
• sending or receiving pornographic material, inappropriate text files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the network.
• circumventing security measures on school or remote computers or networks.
• attempting to gain access to another's resources, programs, or data.
• vandalizing or any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, which includes the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
• falsifying one's identity to others.
• downloading or installing any commercial software, shareware, or freeware unless directed to do so by school personnel.
• subscribing to Listservs, UseNet news, and discussion groups unless allowed by school personnel.

Consequences

Three levels of punishment may be enforced by the administration. While the levels may be implemented in order, nothing prevents the administration from selecting any step on the facts and the severity of the violation.

Level 1: Warning

Student would lose access to the information retrieval system until a parent conference is held. Any additional loss of privileges as determined by the administration will be discussed in this conference.

Level 2: Pattern of abuse, repeated abuse, or flagrant violations

Student who, after a Level 1 warning, continues to engage in serious or persistent misbehavior by violating the district's previously communicated written standards of conduct may be removed from any information retrieval system privileges for the remainder of the school year or remaining school years and recommended for suspension.

Level 3: Expellable offense

Student could be expelled from school if he/she engages in conduct on an information retrieval system that contains the elements of the offense of criminal mischief, as defined by state and federal law. Any student expelled for misuse of technology will also lose computer privileges for the remainder of the school year or school years.