The School City of Hobart is pleased to offer its students access to the Internet to enhance research and communication skills, to assist in resource sharing, and to facilitate the achievement of educational objectives.

The Internet is an electronic highway connecting hundreds of thousands of computers and millions of individual users all over the world. This computer technology will help propel our schools through the communication age by allowing students and staff to access and use resources from distant computers, communicate and collaborate with other individuals and groups around the world, and significantly expand their available information base. The Internet is a tool for life-long learning providing benefits such as:

• electronic mentors (experts such as scientists)
• working on cooperative projects
• going on electronic field trips
• communicating across age groups
• doing research on line (information and news from NASA and other institutions)
• publishing electronically
• access to libraries (Library of Congress, ERIC, and university libraries)
• worldwide electronic mail

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 that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people. In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet which could result in unwanted financial obligations. Use of online resources for these or other unauthorized purposes is expressly forbidden. Problems resulting from a user's actions are the responsibility of the user. The School City of Hobart firmly believes that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweigh the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the district.

Students utilizing school-provided Internet access are responsible for good behavior on-line just as they are in a classroom or other area of the school. The same rules for behavior and communication apply. To remain eligible as users, students' use must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of the School City of Hobart. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.

Users should not expect that files stored on school-based computers will be private. Electronic messages and files stored on school-based computers may be treated like school lockers. Administrators and faculty may review files and messages to maintain system integrity and insure that users are acting responsibly.

The following uses of school-provided Internet access are not permitted:

a. to access, upload, download, or distribute pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material;

b. to transmit obscene, abusive, or sexually explicit language;

c. to violate any local, state, or federal statute;

d. to vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;

e. to access another individual's materials, information, or files without permission; and

f. to violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission.

Any violation of district policy and rules may result in loss of district-provided access to the Internet. Additional disciplinary action may be determined at the building level in keeping with existing procedures and practices regarding inappropriate language and behavior set forth in each school's Student/Parent Handbook. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

The School City of Hobart makes no warranties of any kind, neither expressed or implied, for the Internet access its providing. Ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Toward that end, the School City of Hobart makes its complete policy and procedures available on request for review by all parents, guardians, and other members of the community; and provides parents and guardians the option of requesting for their minor children alternative activities not requiring online access.

Signature of parents or guardian on the Student/Parent Handbook will ensure that they:

• are notified that their children will be using online access
• may request alternative activities not requiring online access
• have read and discussed the School City of Hobart's Student Handbook Online Access Information, Rules, and Regulations and will help their child understand online access responsibility

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