Acceptable Use Policy for Students
2007-2008
MOUNT EPHRAIM SCHOOL DISTRICT
COMPUTER/INTERNET USE POLICY
The Mt. Ephraim Public Schools District provides students with the privilege
to access the district’s electronic communication system, which includes
Internet access. The Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources
for our schools. There are however, information areas within the structure
of the Internet, which may be inappropriate for access and use by some or
all of our students. Staff members will make every effort to ensure student
use of the Internet is appropriate and educational.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Acceptable Use – The use of your account must be in support of education and
research and consistent with the educational objectives of the school
district. 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 U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This
includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or
obscene material, or material protected by a trade secret. Use for
commercial activities is not acceptable. Use for product advertising or
political lobbying is also prohibited.
Privileges – The use of school network and the Internet is a privilege, not
a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of these
privileges. (Each student who receives an account will be part of a
discussion group with a faculty member pertaining to the proper use of the
network.) The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and
their decision is final. Also, the administration may close an account at
any time as required. The administration, faculty and staff may request the
technology director to deny, revoke or suspend specific accounts.
Etiquette – You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of
network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
· Avoid offensive or inflammatory speech. Be courteous and polite.
· Use appropriate language. Profanity or obscenity is not permitted
at any time.
· Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers, or that of
students or colleagues.
· Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private.
People who operate the system do have access to mail. Messages relating to
or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
· Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the work
of others.
· All communications and information accessible via the network should
be assumed to be private property. Do not quote personal communications
without the author’s prior consent.
Vandalism – Vandalism will result in a cancellation of privileges and
possible legal action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm
equipment, destroy data of another user, Internet or other networks that are
connected to the Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to,
the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
Equipment – Computer equipment, including but not limited to, headphones,
CD’s, etc. is the property of the Mt. Ephraim School District. Anyone
removing such equipment will be subject to disciplinary measures such as
loss of computer privileges, replacement costs, etc.
Security – Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially
when the system involves many users. Never share your password or account
with anyone. You have full responsibility for the use of your account, and
can be held responsible for any policy violations that are traced to your
account.
Exceptions of Terms and Conditions – All terms and conditions as stated in
this document are applicable to all users of the network. These terms and
conditions reflect an agreement of the parties and shall be governed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and the
United States of America.
Procedures for use – All users have the same right to use the equipment.
Therefore, users shall not play games or use the computer resources for
other non-academic activities when other users require the system for
academic purposes. In addition, users shall not waste nor take supplies,
such as paper, printer ribbons and diskettes.
Encounter of Controversial material – Users may encounter material, which is
controversial, and which users, parents, teachers or administrators may
consider inappropriate or offensive. However, on a global network it is
impossible to control effectively the content of data and an industrious
user may discover controversial material. It is the user’s responsibility
not to initiate access to such material. Any decision by the Mount Ephraim
Board of Education to restrict access to Internet material shall not be
deemed to impose any duty on the Mount Ephraim Board of Education to
regulate the content of material on the Internet.
School computer systems are for use by authorized individuals only. Any
unauthorized access to these systems is prohibited and is subject to
criminal and civil penalties under Federal laws (including, but not limited
to public laws 83-703 and 990474.) Individuals using these are subject to
having all activities on these systems monitored by system or security
personnel. Anyone using these systems expressly consents to such
monitoring. Prosecution and/or account termination will occur without
warning.
SUMMARY OF RULES AND CONDITIONS
· NO LOGGING ON A COMPUTER USING ANOTHER PERSON’S USERNAME/PASSWORD.
· NO GOING INTO INAPPROPRIATE SITES (AS DEFINED BY SCHOOL RULES AND
MEDIA CENTER STAFF.)
· NO MYSPACE OR OTHER SIMILAR SITES, NO CHAT ROOMS, NO WRESTLING
SITES, NO ROCK, RAP OR ALTERNATIVE (METAL, ETC.) BAND SITES WITHOUT PRIOR
APPROVAL.
· NO ENTERING ONLINE CONTESTS, OR FILLING OUT FORMS ON THE INTERNET.
· NO SENDING OR RECEIVING E-MAIL WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL.
· NO DOWNLOADING OF ANY PROGRAMS, FILES OR PLUG-INS.
· NO DOWNLOADING OF WALLPAPER/SCREENSAVER FILES.
· NO GOING INTO COMPUTER SETTINGS AND DISPLAY PROPERTIES AND CHANGING
THEM WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL.
· NO PRINTING UNLESS PERMISSION HAS BEEN GIVEN.
· FOOD AND DRINK WILL NOT BE CONSUMED WHERE COMPUTERS ARE LOCATED.
· NO DISCLOSING PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, SUCH AS ADDRESS,
PHONE NUMBER, AGE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE MT. EPHRAIM SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS THE RIGHT TO MONITOR
THE APPROPRIATENESS OF MY WORK AT ANY TIME. THEREFORE, I WILL MAKE
AVAILABLE ANY WORK I HAVE DONE ON THE SCHOOL COMPUTERS. CONSEQUENCES OF
DISOBEYING RULES RANGE FROM TEMPORARY LOSS OF COMPUTER AND MEDIA CENTER
PRIVILEGES TO BEING PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM IT.
Any user violating these rules, applicable state and federal laws or posted
classroom and district rules are subject to loss of network/Internet
privileges and any other district Disciplinary options.
In addition, pursuant to State of New Jersey law, any unauthorized access,
attempted access, or use of any state computing and/or network system is a
violation of the New Jersey Penal code and/or other applicable federal laws
and is subject to criminal prosecution.
USER AGREEMENT
I understand and will abide by all rules, conditions and Computer/Internet
Use Policy. I further understand that any violation of these is unethical
and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my
access privileges may be revoked, disciplinary action may be taken and/or
appropriate legal action.
User (please print)
Homeroom
Student’s Signature
Parent’s Signature
Date
