TECHNOLOGY & INTERNET
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Purpose
The District’s
experience with the use of technology has been very positive and the vast
majority of students use the system appropriately. However, inherent in the use
of computer networks and the Internet is the potential for misuse and abuse.
This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is reviewed and approved by the School
Committee to comply with existing law and balance the desire to use technology
with the need to protect the District from unnecessary liability.
Personal Safety
Information on our
website such as news and information about our students may include
photographs, written work, and/or artwork. In addition, Technology projects may
include student web pages and Webcams.
This information will be known as “public information.”
Any parent or guardian
may write to their school principal requesting that we not post “public
information” related to their child. The
request must clearly state the student’s name. This request must be submitted annually
after the first day of the school year.
The student’s name will be posted on the “Web Posting Exception List”
and made available for internal use only.
Users may not post information for any student listed on the “Web
Posting Exception List.”
No one is permitted to release “personal
information” via the web or e-mail such as last names, addresses, phone numbers
or other identifying information. Exceptions will be granted for transmitting
of personal information to the “Commonwealth
of Massachusetts,” other
official agencies or organizations sanctioned by Holbrook Public Schools. Any
release of “personal information” must be approved by either the Director of
Technology or the Superintendent.
Illegal
Activities
Users are subject to
all State and Federal laws related to the use of the Internet and Computer
systems. Violation of these laws will be reported to the proper authorities.
These laws cover the following:
1. Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized
access to the District computing systems through the network or any other
methods.
2. Users will not attempt to log on to another
person’s account.
3. Users will not transmit or use viruses.
4. Users will not deface or intentionally
destroy computers.
5. Users will not issue threats or unlawfully
harass others via the internet or school computers.
All illegal activities
are subject to criminal and civil prosecution provided under State and Federal
laws.
Copyright
Information
All materials available
on the Internet are protected by copyright. Copyright laws automatically
protect “original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of
expression” such as literary and musical works and graphics. A copyright notice does not have to be
affixed and no registration is required. You should ask for permission to copy
something and list your source!
Security
Users are responsible
for the use of their individual accounts and should take all reasonable
precautions to prevent unauthorized attempts by another user. Your password
shall not be given out or told to anyone.
It is your password and will protect you and your files. When you are done with a computer, you must
log off to protect access to your files and to the system.
Communications
and Storage
Holbrook Public Schools
monitors online communications through “sniffing” or other means to the
following applications: e-mail, Internet use, chats
and other network traffic. In addition,
we monitor what you store on our computer systems and servers. By agreeing to
the Acceptable Use Policy, you are giving us consent to monitor and intercept
your communications including the examination of files on our systems and
servers.
Posting
Information
Posting of information
may be done in two fashions. The first
is official information, which is designed to represent the views of the
Holbrook Public Schools. In posting of
official information, the user has no First Amendment rights to express his/her
personal views. The second form of
posting is through e-mail and personal web pages, which must be preceded by a
disclaimer noting that it represents only the personal view of the user. This type of posting is subject to First
Amendment rights. Regardless of which
way information is posted, the user must comply with the section titled
“Personal Safety.
Web Content
Filtering
The Holbrook Public
Schools use a web content filter to remove questionable sites that may be
deemed offensive or for non-educational use.
This filter is in place as required by Federal Law.
Computer
Etiquette
· When you sit down
at a computer, inspect it for any problems and report them right away to the
teacher in charge of the computer. This
is important because you will be responsible for any damage that is found that
was not reported by you.
· Teachers will keep a log of where each
student sits. Damage to computers shall be reported. You will be responsible
for damaging public property.
· If something
becomes broken, report it right away.
· No food or drinks are permitted in a
computer lab or near the computers. All trash shall be disposed of properly.
· Students shall not use school computers for
the purpose of bullying other students (i.e. cyberbullying). Students who engage in such conduct will be
subject to disciplinary action as provided for in this student handbook.
· Computers are provided for your schoolwork.
Gaming, listening to CD’s or surfing for personal reasons should be done at
home.
· Do not alter the
computer settings. These changes may make it more difficult for the next person
that sits down at that computer.
· Do not download
software or copy software from home or any other source. You may only use the
software provided on the computers. If you have a request, then please submit
it to the Director of Technology at dot@holbrook.k12.ma.us or in writing
to: Director of Technology, c/o Holbrook Public Schools, 227 Plymouth Street, Holbrook,
MA 02343.
If you ignore this section and install illegal software, then you are subject
to the same provisions under Illegal Activities.
· At any time a computer
may be reloaded and any information on it will be destroyed. You may only store
information on your Network File Share or on removable media such as a floppy.
Violations
Due process shall be
used as provided by State and Federal Laws. Holbrook Public Schools will give the user
notice of the alleged misconduct and opportunity to tell his or her side of the
story. However, the Director of Technology reserves the right to revoke
computer privileges of any user without notice or a particular reason. Consequences for the violation of the
“Acceptable Use Policy” will be determined by the School Administration in
cooperation with the Director of Technology.