Click Here For Network Responsibility Contract

Terms and Conditions for Use of Telecommunications and Networks (FIRN/Internet)

Acceptable Use: All use of the network must be in connection with education and research that is consistent with the educational goals and policies of the Gilchrist County District Schools. Users are encouraged to develop uses which meet their individual needs and that take advantage of the network's functions: data bases and access to the Internet. Use of any other network or computing resources must be consistent with the rules appropriate to that network.


Privileges: The use of Internet is a privilege. Inappropriate use will result in the cancellation of that privilege for an appropriate time commensurate with the misuse. Each individual will receive information pertaining to the proper use of the network (FIRN/Internet). School and district administrators with input from parents will decide what is appropriate use. In the event of misuse an account may be closed for a specified period of time by the teacher or staff member in conjunction with the administrator of the school or site, as well as further disciplinary action. "Netiquette:" You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Be polite. Use of vulgar or obscene language is an absolute violation of this contract. Do not reveal your address or phone number or those of others. Please remember that electronic mail is not private. Do not disrupt the network, the data or other users.

UNACCEPTABLE USES OF THE NETWORK (including FIRN/Internet) include:
* School board computers for personal use
* Teachers: Access of chat rooms and instant messaging services
* Students: Access of chat rooms, use of instant messaging services, and sending, checking or receiving personal e-mail
* Using the Internet for any illegal purpose including so-called "hacking" over a network or online
* Violating student or staff's rights to privacy including the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding minors online
* Using the Internet without application of common sense
* Using profanity, obscenity, or other language which is absolutely forbidden
* Sending or receiving pornographic text and/or graphics (FIRN's filtering system is currently being used to safeguard this from occurring in Gilchrist County)
* Making changes to the windows system, desktop or music
* Sending, receiving or downloading copyrighted materials, including computer software, without permission, or material protected by trade secret
* Reporting personal communications without the author's prior consent
* Using for commercial activities, product advertisement or political lobbying
* Using other e-mail accounts without the owner's knowledge. (E-mail is an electronic messaging system restricted to non-student use except for generic student accounts used for retrieval of assignments when a student is enrolled in the Florida Virtual High School.)
* Printing material without permission

**Personnel may apply for special consideration to use instant messaging relating to a specific job-related need or classroom project which would include subject, time needed and any other information required. Applications are available at the County Office.

Warranties: The Gilchrist County District Schools and FIRN make no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Gilchrist County District Schools or FIRN will not be responsible for any damages you suffer including loss of data. The district or FIRN will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through this Internet connection. Security: Security is a high priority. If you identify a security problem, you must notify a system administrator immediately. Do not show or identify the problem to others. Attempts to log on as another user will result in cancellation of your privileges and disciplinary action for a specified period of time. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access.

Vandalism: Vandalism will result in cancellation of your privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware, software and/or data. This includes the creation of or the uploading of computer viruses onto the Internet or host site. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt a system's performance will be viewed as criminal activity under applicable state and federal law.

Using Network (FIRN/Internet) Resources: There is a limit to the resources available for users on the network. Each user should attempt to conserve resources and allow others to access the network (FIRN/Internet). Users are expected to observe reasonable time limits on the network (FIRN/Internet).

Teachers are responsible for teaching proper techniques and standards for participation, guiding student access to appropriate sections of the Internet, and for assuring that students understand if they misuse the Internet they will lose their access privilege for a specified period of time.

Teachers are responsible and will monitor their students' use of the computers and for assuring that students understand if they mistreat the equipment, they will lose their computer privileges.

Use of Screening/Search Tools: Teachers will use search tools that screen incoming text and graphics to restrict user access to material that is consistent with standards of selection of materials specified in federal and Florida statutes and Gilchrist County School Board policies.

Contracts: In order to access the network (FIRN/Internet), teachers are required to enter into a Teacher Network (FIRN/Internet) Responsibility Contract. Parents/Guardians and students are required to enter into a Network (FIRN/Internet) Responsibility Contract. These contract forms will be approved by the Gilchrist County School Board.

Exception of Terms and Conditions: All terms and conditions in this document are applicable to all users of the network (FIRN/Internet) and local domain. These terms and conditions reflect an agreement of the parties and will be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, the United States of America and Gilchrist County School Board policies.