Littleton Public Schools Exhibit

Policy Code    EGAEA-E Policy Name    Electronic Mail and Internet Services                                  April 8, 2004

Using E-mail and the Internet Wisely

Using E-mail Wisely

· E-mail encourages informal communication because it is easy to use. However, unlike a telephone call, e-mail creates a permanent record that is archived and often transmitted to others. Remember that even when you delete an e-mail from your mailbox; it may still exist in the archives.

· Be circumspect about what you send and to whom. Do not say anything in an e-mail that you would not want to see republished throughout the District, in Internet e-mail, or on the front page of a newspaper. Remember that e-mail invites sharing; a push of the button will resend your message worldwide, if any recipient (or hacker) decides to do so. What you say can be republished and stored by others.

· Users can create liability for themselves and the District. For example, within or outside the District, if you “publish” (type or resend) words that defame another individual or disparage another individual or institution, if you upload or download or resend copyrighted or pornographic material, if you use e-mail to harass or discriminate against someone, or if you send private information or data about someone, you may violate applicable laws and District policy. Make sure none of your activities violate any law or policy.

· Beware of the “Reply All” button. Often your message only needs to be returned to one individual—is the message really appropriate for (and should it really take the time of) everyone on the address list?

· Exercise caution in sending attachments. They may arrive garbled if the recipient is using a different e-mail system. Also, e-mail attachments can introduce viruses into the District system, and you can introduce a virus into a recipient’s system by forwarding an infected attachment. This is especially likely if the attachment arrives from an unknown source via the Internet. Please do not open any attached executable files (e.g. files ending in “.EXE,” “.BAT,” “.COM,” etc.) as these files may be viruses or programs designed to delete data from the computer.

Using the Internet Wisely

· Be circumspect about where you go and what you do. Do not visit any site or download or share any material that might cause anyone to question your professionalism, or the District’s.

· Read the “license” or “legal” contract terms on every site. Do not purport to bind the District to any license or other contract. If you make an agreement on your own behalf, do not violate that agreement using the District equipment or Internet account.

· Do not assume that just because something is on the Internet, you may copy it. As a general rule, assume that everything is copyrighted and do not copy it unless there is a notice on the site stating that you may do so. For example, if you see a clever cartoon assume that you may NOT copy it. Governmental documents are an exception (you may copy them), but you must confirm that it is the “government” and not a government-related entity such as the post office.

· Be aware of the “Do you want a cookie?” messages (if you have configured your browser to get such messages). If you answer yes, whatever activity in which you are engaged may be logged by the site owner to help it or its advertisers develop a profile about you or the District. It is possible that your browser is set to accept cookies without asking you each time.

· Users can create liability for themselves and the District. For example, if you “publish” (type or resend) words that defame or disparage another individual or institution, if you upload or download or resend copyrighted or pornographic material, if you use the Internet to harass or discriminate against someone, or if you provide private information or data about someone, you may violate applicable laws or District policy. Make sure none of your activities violate any law or policy.

· Do not engage in any “spamming” or other activities that could clog or congest District or Internet networks.