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Acceptable Use Policy
for School Network,
Internet, and Equipment
Grades 9-12
Please read this entire document carefully before signing
Our
goal in providing computer network technology and Internet
access to teachers and students is to promote educational
excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and
communication.
PROPER
AND ETHICAL USE
Students and staff must understand and practice proper and
ethical use. All students and staff must be aware of the
proper procedures, ethics and security involving using the
Internet.
The
smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper
conduct of the end users that must adhere to strict
guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you
are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire.
In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal
utilization of the network resources. If a Medway user
violates any of these provisions, his or her access will be
suspended and may continue to be denied in the future. The
signature(s) at the end of this document is (are) legally
binding and signifies the party (parties) who signed has
(have) read the terms and conditions and understand(s) their
significance.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Personal Responsibility
As a
representative of this school, I will accept full
responsibility for my own actions and for reporting any
misuse of the network and/or equipment to an appropriate
authority. Misuse can come in many forms, but it is
commonly viewed as any message(s) sent or received that
indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal
solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, and
other issues described below. All rules of conduct of the
Medway Public Schools apply when you are on the network.
Acceptable Use
The use
of your account must be in support of education and
consistent with the educational objectives of the Medway
Public Schools. Use of other organization's network or
computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate
for that network. Transmission of any material in violation
of any United States or state regulation is prohibited.
This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material,
threatening or obscene material, or material protected by
trade secret. Use for commercial activities is not
acceptable. All users assume full liability; legal,
financial, or otherwise for inappropriate actions.
Privileges
The use
of the school network and the Internet is a privilege;
inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of the
privilege. The school administrators will deem what is
inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the
school administrators may choose to terminate access at any
time as required. The administration, faculty, and staff of
Medway Public Schools may request the network administrator
to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user access.
Monitoring
The
Medway Public Schools reserve the right to review any
material on user-accounts and to monitor file server space
in order for the district to make determinations on whether
specific use of the network is inappropriate. In reviewing
and monitoring user accounts and file server space to
determine appropriate use, the Medway Public Schools shall
respect the privacy of user-accounts.
Network Etiquette
You are
expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network
etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the
following:
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Be polite. Do
not get abusive in your messages to others.
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Use appropriate
language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any
other inappropriate language.
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Illegal activities
are strictly forbidden.
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Do not reveal your
personal information
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Note that electronic
mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.
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Do not use the
network in a way that would disrupt its use.
Warranties
The
Medway Public Schools makes no warranties of any kind,
whether expressed or implied, for the service it is
providing. The Medway Public Schools will not be
responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss
of data or service interruptions. Use of any information
obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. The Medway
Public Schools specifically denies any responsibility for
the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its
services.
Security
Security on any computer system is a high priority,
especially when the system involves many users. Do not use
another individual's account without written permission from
that individual. Attempts to logon to the network or
Internet as a system administrator may result in
cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a
security risk or having a history of problems with other
computer systems may be denied access to the Internet.
Vandalism and Harassment
Vandalism and harassment will result in cancellation of
privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt
to harm or destroy data or equipment. This includes, but is
not limited to, the altering of workstation operating system
files, and uploading or creation of computer viruses.
Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another
user, or the interference of another user's work.
Procedures for Use
Student
users must adhere to the guidelines established by the
teacher. All users have the same right to use the
equipment. Therefore, users shall not use the computer
resources for non-academic activities when other users
require the system for academic purposes.
Encounter of Controversial Material
With
access to these resources also comes the availability of
material that may not be considered to be of educational
value in the context of the school setting. The Medway
Public Schools has taken precautions to restrict access to
controversial materials. However, it is impossible to
control all materials and an industrious user may discover
controversial information. It is the user’s responsibility
not to initiate access to such material. Any decision by
the Medway Public Schools to restrict access to Internet
material shall not be deemed to impose any duty on Medway
Public Schools to regulate the content of material on the
Internet.
First
Reading: May 22, 1997
Adopted: May 29, 1997
Revised: _________________________
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