Student Acceptable Use Policy

I.    Acceptable Use Policy

The Garrison School has established a computer network offering Internet access school wide. The network and Internet access are provided as a privilege. This Acceptable Use Policy explains what the school expects of students using these services. All parents must read this policy with their children and discuss what is expected of Garrison School students while using the computer network and the Internet.

II.   Educational Purpose

The Garrison School computer network and Internet access have been established to enhance learning and instruction. This includes research, communication, and presentation of information in multimedia and other formats, as well as related activities. Students can use the network and Internet access to collaborate with peers and experts around the world. Faculty, staff and administration can use the network and Internet access to pursue resea4rch opportunities, educational standards and practices, collaborative opportunities, and successful teaching methods.

III. Access

All students will have access to Internet World Wide Web informational resources through their classrooms, library, or school computer lab upon receipt of signed letter of permission.

IV. Acceptable and Unacceptable Uses

1. Respecting Resource Limits
1. You will use the system only for educational and limited, high-quality, self-discovery activities.
2. You must have permission of your teacher or administrator before using the Internet.
3. You will not download files from the Internet to the Garrison School computer network without permission from the system administrator.
2. Personal Safety
1. You will not post personal contact information about yourself or other people. Personal contact information includes your last name, address, telephone, school address, etc.
2. You will promptly tell your teacher about any information accessed through the school network or online that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.
3. Illegal Activities
1. You will not attempt to log into the network using another person’s account or access another person’s files.
2. You will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means.
3. You will not use the Garrison School computer network to engage in any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of a person, etc.
4. System Security
1. You will immediately notify a teacher or school administrator if you have identified a possible security problem. Do not go looking for security problems because this may construed as an illegal attempt to gain access.
2. You are responsible for your individual account and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use your account. Under no conditions should you provide your password to another person.
3. Under no circumstances will you download software from the Internet without consulting the system administrator.
5. Inappropriate Language
1. Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to public messages, private messages and material posted on Web pages.
2. You will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language.
3. You will not post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption.
4. You will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
5. You will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If you are told by a person to stop sending messages to them, you must stop.
6. You will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
6. Respect for Privacy
1. You will not re-post a message that was sent to you privately without permission of the person who sent you the message.
7. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement
1. You will not plagiarize works that you find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours.
2. You will respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement occurs when you inappropriately reproduce a work that is protected by a  copyright. If a work contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, you should follow the expressed requirements. If you are unsure whether or not you can use a work, you should request permission from the copyright owner. Copyright law can be very confusing. If you have a question, ask a teacher.
8. Inappropriate Access to Material
1. You will not use the Garrison School computer network to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature).
2. If you mistakenly access inappropriate information, you should immediately tell your teacher or a school administrator. This will protect you against a claim that you have intentionally violated this policy.

V.  Your Rights

1. Free Speech
1. Your right to free speech applies to your communication on the school computer network and on the Internet. The computer, the network system and the Internet are considered a limited forum, similar to your school newspaper, and therefore the Garrison School may restrict your speech for valid educational reasons. The Garrison Union Free School District will not restrict your speech on the basis of disagreement with the opinion you are expressing.
2. Search and Seizure
1. You should expect only limited privacy in the contents of your personal files on the school system. The situation is similar to the rights you have in the privacy of your locker.
2. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the Garrison School network may lead to discovery that you have violated this policy, the Garrison School disciplinary code or the law.
3. An individual search will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that you have violated this policy, the Garrison School disciplinary code or the law. The investigation will be reasonable and related to the suspected violation.
3. Due Process
1. In the event there is a claim that you have violated this policy, you will be provided with a written notice of the suspected violation and an opportunity to present an explanation before a school administrator.
2. The Garrison School will cooperate fully with local, state, or Federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted through the Garrison School computer system.
4. Limitation of Liability
1. The Garrison School makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the system will be error-free or without defect. The school will not be responsible for any damage you may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. The Garrison School is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system.
2. The Garrison School will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system.
5. Personal Responsibility
1. When you are using the Garrison School network, it may feel like you can easily break a rule and not get caught. This is not really true because whenever you do something on a network, you leave “electronic footprints.”
2. The fact that you can do something or think you can do something without being caught does not make it right to do so. Even if you don’t get caught, there is always one person who will know whether you have done wrong – and that person is you. Your use of the computer network and the Internet can be a mirror that will show you what kind of person you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent/Guardian and Student Consent Form

We have read the Garrison School policy and regulations concerning use of the school computer system and Internet.

We also acknowledge receiving notice that, in addition to traditional instructional or library media materials, the school will potentially allow student access to external computer networks not controlled by the school We understand that some of the materials available through these external computer networks may be inappropriate and objectionable; however, we acknowledge that it is impossible for the school to screen or review all of the available materials.

We agree to release the School District, the Board of Education, and its agents and employees from any and all claims of any nature arising from use of the computer systems and Internet in any manner whatsoever.

We agree that access to the computer system and Internet may also include remote access from home.

I have read the Acceptable Use Policy with my child. I agree that he/she may have access to the school’s computer system and Internet.

___________________________________________                        ________________

(Parent/Guardian Signature)                        (Date)

___________________________________________

 (Parent/Guardian Name – please print)

 

I will obey the school’s Acceptable Use Policy.

___________________________________________                        ________________

 (Student Signature)                        (Date)

___________________________________________

 (Student Name – please print)