Revised 07-22-02

INTERNET / E-MAIL / VOICE MAIL POLICIES

FOR

HIGGS, CARTER, KING GIFTED & TALENTED CHARTER ACADEMY

AND

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SERVICES, INC.

Higgs, Carter, King Gifted & Talented Charter Academy respects the privacy of its employees and students.  However, employees and students may not expect such privacy rights to extend to the use of School-owned computer systems, property, equipment or supplies, or to work-related conduct or products produced with school-owned computer property.

This policy is intended to notify all of The School’s employees that no reasonable expectation of privacy exists in connection with the use of The School’s systems, property, equipment or supplies.  The School’s employees and students are prohibited from withholding information maintained within company-supplied containers, including but not limited to, computer files, computer databases, desks, lockers and/or cabinets.  The following rules also apply to the use of The School’s property:

1.            The School’s Right to Access information.  While The School’s employees and students have individual passwords to e-mail, voice mail and computer network systems, these systems are and will be at all times accessible to and by The School Administrator, CEO and other executives.  Said systems may be subject to unannounced, periodic inspections by administrators/executives for business purposes.  This policy applies to all telephone, electronic and computer network systems which are accessed on or from The School’s premises, used in a manner which identifies the employee or student with The School, accessed using The School’s computer equipment and/or via The School’s paid access methods.

The School’s employees and students may not use secret passwords, and all system passwords must be available to The School at all times.  The School will maintain back-up copies of e-mails and voice mails either sent or received, and these records, as well as the usage records of The School’s computer network systems may be reviewed by The School for legal, business or other reasons deemed necessary by school officials.

2.            Usage is Restricted to The School’s Business ONLY.  The School employees and students are expected to use The School’s e-mail, voice mail and computer network systems for School business ONLY, during working hours ONLY, NEVER for personal use.

Personal Reasons include, but are not limited to, non-job or School related communications (received or sent), research or solicitation(s), or soliciting for political or religious causes, outside organizations or other commercial ventures.

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3.            Strictly Prohibited Content.  The School’s employees and students are prohibited from using The School’s telephones, electronic or computer network systems in ANY manner that may be offensive, unprofessional or disruptive to others.

This includes, but is not limited to, the transmission or reception of racial or ethnic slurs, gender-specific comments, sexually explicit images or messages, any remarks that would offend others on the basis of their age, political or religious beliefs, disability, national origin or sexual orientation, or any messages that may be interpreted to , defame, discredit, abuse, belittle or harass others.  NO telephone, electronic or computer network communications may be sent or received which represent the sender as from another company, or as someone else, or which tries to hide the sender’s identity.  Inappropriate or excessive PERSONAL use of The School’s property or telephone, electronic or computer network systems will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Because it is SO IMPORTANT to reduce or negate an employee/student’s expectation of privacy, we wish to receive the express written consent of each employee/student, allowing The School’s administrators/executives to review and monitor all messages, files and the usage of these systems by employees/students.

THEREFORE, we ask that you read the above statements and acknowledge the following:

1.            That ALL telephone and electronic communications systems and all information received from, transmitted by or stored in these systems are and will remain The School’s property,

2.            That these systems are and will be used ONLY for job-related or school-related purposes (during business hours), NOT for personal purposes,

3.            That I understand that I have NO personal privacy right(s) or any expectation(s) of privacy in connection with my use of this equipment or with the receipt, transmission or storage of information in The School’s equipment,

4.            That I agree NOT to access a file or website, use a code, or retrieve any stored communication, unless I am authorized to do so,

5.            That I agree to disclose messages or information from telephone or electronic communications systems only to authorized individuals,

6.            That I acknowledge and consent to The School’s monitoring my use of this equipment and communications at The School’s discretion, at any time whatsoever, with or without my knowledge, and that such monitoring may include printing out and reading of all telephone and e-mail entering, leaving or stored in these systems.

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7.            That I further agree to abide by The School’s policy prohibiting the use of telephone and electronic communication systems to transmit offensive, degrading, political, lewd, racist or sexist messages,

8.            That I further understand that violation of this policy can lead to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate expulsion.

I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE WITH ALL THE ABOVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND I WILL ABIDE BY THESE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

________________________________           _________________________________

Printed Name of Student                                      Printed Name of Parent/Guardian

________________________________           __________________________________

Student’s Signature                                              Parent/Guardian Signature

________________________________           __________________________________

Date Signed                                                         Date Signed

________________________________           __________________________________

Witness                                                               Date Signed

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7.            That I further agree to abide by The School’s policy prohibiting the use of telephone and electronic communication systems to transmit offensive, degrading, political, lewd, racist or sexist messages,

8.            That I further understand that violation of this policy can lead to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate expulsion.

I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE WITH ALL THE ABOVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND I WILL ABIDE BY THESE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

________________________________           _________________________________

Printed Name of Student                                      Printed Name of Parent/Guardian

________________________________           __________________________________

Student’s Signature                                              Parent/Guardian Signature

________________________________           __________________________________

Date Signed                                                         Date Signed

________________________________           __________________________________

Witness                                                               Date Signed