Skip To Main Content

Acceptable Use of Electronic Networks and Student Authorization

At Hillsboro District #3, electronic networks—including the Internet—enhance students’ education by promoting resource sharing, innovation, and communication. These guidelines, together with the Student Authorization, outline proper use, responsibilities, and protections.

Terms and Conditions

Acceptable Use

Access to the District’s electronic network must be:

  • For educational or research purposes, consistent with the District’s objectives, or

  • For legitimate business purposes.

Privileges

  • Use of the network is a privilege, not a right.

  • Inappropriate use may result in suspension or revocation of access.

  • The system administrator or Building Principal will determine violations; their decision is final.

Unacceptable Use

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Illegal activities, including copyright violations

  • Unauthorized downloading or use of software or copyrighted material

  • Using the network for private financial or commercial gain

  • Wasting resources, such as file space

  • Hacking or attempting unauthorized access

  • Invading the privacy of others, including sharing personal information or photos without permission

  • Using another user’s account or password

  • Posting material created by others without consent

  • Posting anonymous messages

  • Using the network for advertising

  • Accessing, posting, or displaying offensive, obscene, threatening, or illegal material

  • Using the network while privileges are suspended or revoked

Network Etiquette

  • Be polite; do not send abusive messages

  • Use appropriate language; avoid vulgarities

  • Keep personal information private

  • Remember email is not private; system operators can access messages

  • Do not disrupt the network for others

  • Treat all communications and information on the network as private property

Telephone Charges

  • The District is not responsible for unauthorized charges, including telephone, long-distance, per-minute surcharges, or equipment/line costs.

Copyright and Web Publishing Rules

  • Copyright law and District policy prohibit re-publishing text or graphics from the web or District sites without explicit written permission.

  • Requirements for re-publication:

    • Credit the original producer, note how/when permission was granted, and include the web address if possible

    • Provide written or email permissions to library media specialists before publishing

    • “Public domain” status must be documented

    • Absence of a copyright notice does not grant permission

    • Student work may only be published with written parent/guardian and student permission

Use of Email

  • The District’s email system is owned and controlled by the District and intended for school-related purposes

  • The District may access and disclose email contents without prior notice

  • Treat email messages like formal correspondence; avoid inappropriate content

  • Emails include the user’s District domain; users are responsible for content

  • Delete or forward messages from unknown senders to the system administrator

  • Download attachments only if verified as safe

  • Using the District email system indicates consent to these rules

Internet Safety

  • Internet access is limited to acceptable uses only

  • Staff supervise students to ensure compliance

  • All District computers have filters blocking content that is:

    1. Obscene

    2. Pornographic

    3. Harmful or inappropriate for students (CIPA guidelines)

  • System administrators and Building Principals monitor student Internet use

No Warranties

  • The District provides network access “as is” and makes no warranties

  • The District is not responsible for damages, loss of data, or service interruptions

  • Users access information at their own risk

Indemnification

  • Users agree to indemnify the District for any losses or damages arising from violations of these procedures

Security

  • Report security problems to the system administrator or Principal; do not demonstrate issues

  • Keep accounts and passwords confidential

  • Unauthorized attempts to log in as administrators will result in loss of privileges

  • Users deemed a security risk may be denied access

Vandalism

  • Vandalism results in loss of privileges and disciplinary action

  • Defined as attempts to harm or destroy data, networks, or systems, including computer viruses

Student Authorization for Electronic Network Access

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Our District provides students with access to electronic networks, including the Internet, to enhance learning. Students and parents/guardians need to sign this authorization only once while the student is enrolled.

  • The District filters content to block defamatory, inaccurate, offensive, or inappropriate materials

  • Filters may occasionally fail; parents/guardians are responsible for communicating standards to their child

  • Inappropriate use or violation of copyright laws may result in loss of Internet privileges

  • Parents/guardians are legally responsible for their child’s actions online

  • To authorize access, sign the form and return it to the school

Annual Notice: Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA)

Illinois law requires the District to protect student data shared with educational technology vendors for K-12 purposes, including:

  • Personalized learning, online instruction, and educational technologies

  • Administrative activities, collaboration, and extracurricular activities

Student data collected may include:

  • Basic identifying information (name, contact info, student ID, login)

  • Demographics, enrollment, grades, assessments

  • Attendance, behavior, and health information

  • Food purchases and transportation data

  • In-application performance, student work, online communications, and metadata

  • Permanent and temporary school record information

Key protections under SOPPA:

  • Vendors cannot sell or rent student information

  • Data is only used for K-12 purposes benefiting the school district

  • Student data may be shared with educational technology vendors only as permitted by law