Intranet/Internet access is available to students and school personnel in the Manchester School District.
To gain access to the Manchester School District Intranet/Internet computer network, all users must sign
the appropriate Acceptable Use Policy form. Students in grades 6-12 under the age of 18 must obtain
parental permission to gain access to the Manchester School District Intranet/Internet computer network.
Students in grades K-5 will use the Internet under close teacher supervision unless otherwise requested
by a parent. The District recommends that parents read this policy carefully with their son/daughter
and discuss it before giving their parental signature on any applicable form. Users 18 and over may sign
their own forms.
The internal Manchester School District Intranet/Internet computer network will provide the gateway to
connecting students and school personnel to the Internet. School personnel will have access to
universities, colleges, other schools, businesses, government agencies and to e-mail communication with
people all over the world. Students will have similar access except for e-mail usage, which may be
granted for teacher initiated projects only.
The Manchester School District is committed to using the Internet as a global source of information
within its educational programs. Our goal is to provide Internet service to promote educational
excellence through communication, resource sharing, innovation, and research. It is our intention to
provide an Internet environment that is safe and appropriate for the maturity level and needs of student
users. Internet access by students will be supervised by District personnel.
The Internet is a fluid environment where content is continually changing, and where the authenticity
and validity of information at times can be questionable. Some material on the Internet may contain
items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. The Manchester
School District has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials by using an Internet
filtering program. The District servers also create logs of activity on the network. These logs are stored
for thirty (30) days. While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and
objectives, it is impossible to filter all Internet access, and students may find ways to access controversial
materials. It is the responsibility of the individual to use the Intranet/Internet in a legal, ethical,
responsible, and considerate manner.
For these reasons it is necessary to establish guidelines that are reflective of the District’s educational
objectives for all Intranet/Internet users . Therefore all acceptable use of the Intranet/Internet must be in
support of communication, research and education consistent with the purposes of the Manchester
School District and must not violate school policies and standards of behavior.
User Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the user to familiarize himself/herself with and abide by the rules of this
Acceptable Use Policy and make appropriate use of the available resources. While it is not the intention
of District personnel to be intrusive, users are advised that authorized District personnel will be
monitoring system activity and content of e-mail messages and files.
User responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Users are not to reveal their last name, personal home address, home phone number, or phone
numbers and addresses of any other individuals except when using the CX Bridges Portfolio
feature.
• Students must notify a parent/guardian and teacher or system administrator immediately if
any individual is trying to make contact for illicit or suspicious activities.
• Users must not interfere with the normal and proper operation of the Intranet/Internet.
• Student produced material may be posted only after administrative review and then parental
permission, and at that point will be considered fair use and available to the public.
• Users agree to report any misuses of the District’s computer network or Intranet/Internet
services to the District’s network administrator.
Unacceptable Uses
The use of the Intranet/Internet is a privilege, not a right, and unacceptable uses may result in
restriction/revocation of those access privileges. Unacceptable uses may include, but are not limited to:
• sending, receiving or displaying offensive messages or pictures
• using obscene language
• harassing, insulting or attacking others
• violating copyright law or Manchester School District’s copyright policy
• using another user’s password or account
• damaging or altering computer, computer systems or computer networks
• gaining access or attempting to modify others’ folders, work or files
• using the network for personal, financial or commercial purposes
• misrepresenting oneself
• using the school’s Intranet/Internet connection for any illegal or restricted activity
• developing intentionally or using invasive software, such as viruses, worms and other
detrimental activities
• gaining unauthorized access to restricted resources or organizations
• using the school’s external Internet connection for noneducational use
• posting any items produced by the students to the Internet without proper administrative
review and parental permission
• using e-mail to reveal personal information
• accessing non-district issued e-mail accounts
• students’ using e-mail for non-educational purposes
• using unauthorized services or mail lists, i.e. LISTSERVS, newsgroups, chat rooms, and instant
messaging
• encrypting communications or files to avoid system security review
Disciplinary actions
Depending on the severity of the offense, violation of this Acceptable Use Policy will result
in one or more of the following disciplinary actions:
• verbal warning
• written warning
• restriction or revocation of access privileges
• removal from a class activity
• removal from a course
• student detention, suspension or expulsion
• being reported to the appropriate legal authorities for possible criminal prosecution
• financial restitution for inappropriate use
The Manchester School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the
service it is providing. The Manchester School District will not be responsible for any damages a user
suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mid-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. The Manchester School District specifically denies any responsibility
for the accuracy and quality of information obtained through its services.
This Policy is adopted in accord with NH RSA 194 :3-d and is intended to outline the appropriate and
acceptable use of the School District’s computer systems and networks, including, but not limited to, the
internet. In accord with NH RSA 194:3-d any user of the School District’s computer systems or networks
who intentionally violates this Policy and who intentionally damages the computer system or network
shall assume legal and financial liability for such damage.
References
This Acceptable Use Policy has been written with the assistance of the following:
Exeter School District, Exeter, NH, Presentations at Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference
and NHSTE Technology Coordinators’ Meeting, 2000-2001
Classroom Connect Online Privacy - Parents’ and Teachers’ Guide
The Concerned Educator’s Guide to Safety and Cyber-Ethics
Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse - checklist for decision-making
(http://www.safewiredschools.org)
NHEMA/NHSTE (New Hampshire Educational Media Association/New Hampshire Society for
Technology in Education) Internet Policy Toolkit
Portsmouth, N.H. School Department Acceptable Use Policy
Auburn, ME. School Department Acceptable Use Policy/Regulations
Windham, N.H. School District Acceptable Use Policy
With permission from Classroom Connect. Copyright 1996. Wentworth Worldwide Media,
1866 Colonial Village Lane, Lancaster, PA. 17605
Manchester School District Intranet/Internet Acceptable Use Policy Authorization Form
Student Authorization:
I certify that I have read and that I understand the Manchester School District Intranet/Internet
Acceptable Use Policy and agree to abide by all the terms and conditions stated in this policy.
Student Name: (please print)
Student Signature:
Parent/Guardian Authorization:
As parent /guardian of the above named student, I have read and discussed the Manchester
School District Intranet /Internet Acceptable Use Policy with my son/daughter. With this
understanding, I give permission to the Manchester School District to allow my son/daughter access to
the Manchester School District’s Intranet/Internet computer network.
Parent/Guardian Name (please print) :
Signature: Date:
Manchester School District Intranet/Internet Acceptable Use Policy
School Personnel Authorization Form
I certify that I have read the Manchester School District Intranet/Internet Acceptable Use Policy and
agree to abide by all the terms and conditions stated in this policy. I understand that if I violate any
terms or conditions set in this policy, my Intranet/Internet access will be revoked and that I may be
subject to disciplinary action according to Manchester School District Policy.
I agree to promote this policy regarding the acceptable use and proper network etiquette of the
Manchester School District Intranet/Internet computer network with students. I agree to provide
supervision for students with the goal of promoting educational excellence through communication,
resource sharing, innovation, and research.
I agree to report any misuses of the District’s computer network or Intranet/Internet services to the
District’s network administrator. I will use the District’s computer network, Intranet/Internet services
entirely at my own risk and I hereby release the District, and agree to indemnify the District and hold the
District, and its agents, officers and employees harmless, from any claims arising from my use of the
District’s computer network and Intranet/Internet services.
Name (please print): ___________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________________________
Date: _______________