SCPS is pleased to offer staff access to Electronic Mail (e-mail) services via the Internet. Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence in the school by facilitating resource sharing and communication, and improving access to educational information. Use of the school’s networking facilities is limited to educational, career, and professional development activities.

Any messages sent using the school’s domain name (savcps.com) will be identifiable as such to Internet recipients; therefore even private messages bear the imprimatur of the school. All electronic communications originating from school computer networks or using school email must conform to the guidelines of the SCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).

We expect staff use of electronic mail to conform to the school’s general standards and rules for behavior as outlined in the student and faculty handbooks. Individuals must be responsible for their own actions in using e-mail. Access to this resource may be revoked for violation of this AUP.

Activities prohibited by this policy include, but are not limited to:

• criminal speech and speech in the course of committing a crime: threats to the president, instructions on breaking into computer systems, pornography, drug dealing, purchase of alcohol by minors, gang activities, etc.
• speech that is inappropriate in the educational setting or that violates school rules
• inappropriate language: obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, disrespectful, threatening, or inflammatory language, harassment, personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks or false or defamatory material about a person or organization
• dangerous information: information that if acted upon could cause damage or present a danger of disruption violations of privacy; revealing personal information about others
• abuses of resources: chain letters, jokes, spamming, e-cards, materials forwarded for personal enjoyment, etc.
• use of email for Internet commerce: personal online purchases, electronic auctions, e-commerce unrelated to school business, etc.
• personal use of electronic chatrooms, boardrooms, instant messenger bulletin boards, etc.
• copyright infringement or plagiarism

In Electronic Mail Communications, one’s words and opinions will be seen by unintended others much in the manner of postcards, as opposed to sealed letters. It is important to understand that electronic communications are stored on network computers and may be retained in system backups. Network administrators may review files to maintain system integrity and insure that users are using the system responsibly. It is also important to note that electronic mail messages are easily forwarded to others without the consent or knowledge of the originator. Users should expect only limited privacy in the contents of their personal files on the school system. Routine maintenance and monitoring of our system may lead to discover that a user has violated this policy. An individual search will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has violated this policy, or the school’s standards and rules for behavior as outlined in the Student Handbook. Additional restrictions may be placed on the user's use of his/her Internet account.

SCPS shall not be liable for the actions of anyone accessing the Internet through this or any other Internet connection. Users assume full responsibility for any costs, liabilities, or damages arising from the way they choose to use their access to this Internet service. There is a potential for Electronic Mail users to incur financial liabilities by ordering products or services found on the Internet. These financial obligations are not the responsibility of SCPS.

Adopted: 3/31/03
Revised: 3/31/03