COMPUTER/INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

We are pleased to offer students and employees of the School Division with access to divisional computer networks for Internet, electronic mail and other services. We believe that the use of such services in the School Division will greatly enhance the ability of teachers and staff to provide new and exciting learning opportunities for our students. Access is a privilege and not a right. To gain access all students under the age of 18 must obtain parental permission and must have their parent/guardian sign and return this Acceptable Use Policy to the school. School Division employees and students over the age of 18 may sign their own forms.

SCHOOL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Regular instruction should provide orientation and information to students regarding web awareness, web safety and acceptable use of computers and the Internet.

School Division Computer Network and Internet Access

School Division computers, software, networks, electronic systems and access to the Internet are intended for educational or research purposes and for conducting valid school business. It is presumed that all School Division computer resources will be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner, in accordance with the mission statement and the stated policies and regulations of the School Division.

In order to maintain system integrity and to ensure that users are using the system responsibly, network administrators may, as part of their authorized responsibilities, access any user's network storage area at any time. Users should not expect that files stored on Division servers will remain private. The following activities are not permitted:

Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures

Harassing, insulting or attacking others

Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks

Making unauthorized repairs or additions, adding software or reconfiguring systems

Violating copyright laws

Using another's password or attempting to access another's folders, work or files

Intentionally wasting limited resources or introducing a virus into the network

Employing the network for commercial or illegal purposes.

Users who exhibit inappropriate behaviour will be subject to appropriate discipline, which may include loss of computer privileges, suspension from classes or school and, in extreme cases, legal action.

CyberSchools Access

CyberSchools Manitoba Internet Portal (the "Portal") is made available to educators and students in Manitoba public schools. The Portal is intended to provide a safe and secure environment for Manitoba students to develop their skills in using the Internet in order to communicate easily and effectively with others in the electronic age. The Portal is made available to all K-S4 students, teachers, administrators and other School Division staff. It provides qualified users with a personal email account, online calendar, network file storage, web space and other services.

CyberSchools services are made available to students and staff who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. In order for students to qualify for CyberSchools services, parents must complete the attached Parent Permission Section. Students over the age of 18 and School Division staff need only complete the Student/User Responsibility and Commitment Section. Users are responsible for safeguarding and protecting their user access identification and for their behaviour and communications over the CyberSchools network.

Portal access is provided by Manitoba Education Research and Learning Information Networks ("MERLIN"), a Special Operating Agency of the Government of Manitoba. In order to maintain system integrity and to ensure that users are using the system responsibly, content filters may be used which scan for obscene or threatening language. By agreeing to this Acceptable Use Policy, users and their parents/guardians consent to the disclosure by MERLIN of certain "personal information" as defined in The Freedom of Information and Protection or Privacy Act (Manitoba), (including the user's name, home address, e-mail address, school division, school and any other information that may be relevant to the particular case), to the appropriate authorities. This may include the school, the School Division, the user's parents, affected persons or their parents and, in extreme cases, the police.