RULES & CODE OF ETHICS AGREEMENT FOR NETWORK &
INTERNET USERS
PELHAM UNION FREE SCHOOL
DISTRICT
The Pelham School District
Computer Network provides access to reference resources, production tools,
instructional software, the Internet, and e-mail for all users. The use of the
Network is a privilege, and not a right.
Accordingly, should a student violate the following Rules and Code of
Ethics Agreement, his or her privileges may be suspended or revoked. Responsibility for appropriate conduct
when using the network rests solely with the individual student. The guidelines
listed below must be followed at all times.
1.
RESOURCE PRIORITY &
LIMITS
·
Education and
curriculum-related research is the purpose of the Computer Network and Internet
in the Pelham Union Free School District.
·
The School District will
provide access to the Computer Network, the Internet and e-mail to the best of
its ability, but cannot be held responsible for interruptions and errors in
service or damage to or loss of student files.
·
Users will not download large
files without permission from the Director of Technology or designee.
·
Users will not post chain
letters or engage in “spamming,” (sending annoying or unnecessary messages to
large numbers of people).
·
Users will check their E-mail
frequently and delete unwanted messages promptly.
2. PASSWORD & FILE
PROTECTION
·
Network accounts are to be used
only by the authorized user of the account for authorized purposes; using or
sharing another user’s login name and password is prohibited.
Users will be responsible for any action performed under his or her
log-in name, regardless of whether he or she performed the
action.
3. NETWORK
SECURITY
·
Users will not intentionally
disrupt the use of the Network by others; hardware, software, files, data or
passwords must not be destroyed, modified, copied, damaged or abused in any
way.
·
Users may not load software on
any school computer. Users may not
download software to any school computer. Requests for software utilities and
plug-ins must be made to the Network Administrator in writing.
Malicious use of the Network or the Internet to develop programs that
harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computer system and/or damage the
software components of a computer or computer system (e.g., create viruses) is
prohibited.
·
Users will immediately notify
the Director of Technology if they have identified a possible security
problem.
4. COPYRIGHT
PROTECTION
·
Users recognize that software
and materials accessible via the Computer Network or the Internet are protected
by copyright and/or other intellectual property laws; therefore, users will give
credit for all materials obtained from the network or the Internet; users will
not make copies of software found on school computers, either by copying them
onto their own diskettes or onto other computers through electronic mail or
bulletin boards; users will not give, lend, or sell copies of software to others
unless they have the written permission of the copyright owner or the original
software is clearly identified as “shareware” or in the public domain; and users
will not receive copyrighted software from outside sources through school
computers.
5. ONLINE
ETIQUETTE
·
Hate mail, harassment,
profanity, obscenity, discriminatory remarks, misrepresentation, impersonation,
and/or similar behaviors are prohibited on the Network and the
Internet.
·
Exemplary behavior is expected
on “virtual” field trips as the user is representing the Pelham Union Free
School District when visiting locations on the Internet.
6. PRIVACY
ISSUES
·
Users will not reveal their
home addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, photographs or any other
personal information over the Internet. Similarly, users will not reveal
information about others over the Internet.
·
Users should not expect, nor
does the District guarantee, privacy on the Network.
·
The Pelham Union Free School
District reserves the right to do the following: log Internet, Email and network
use and monitor file server space utilization by users; remove a user account
from the network; restrict access to the Internet; read the content of files in
the user’s home directory; restrict access to e-mail.
7. PROHIBITED
USES
·
Students may not access or
participate in chat rooms unless directed to do so for a specific class
project.
·
Intentional use of the Network
or the Internet to access or process material that is pornographic or
harmful-to-minors and/or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area
network and its users is prohibited.
·
Personal use of the Network or
the Internet is prohibited. Use of
the Network or the Internet for purchases, commercial activity, financial
transactions, product advertisement, political lobbying, or any illegal activity
is prohibited.
·
Providing system e-mail
addresses to mailing lists is prohibited.
·
Sending anonymous messages or
files through the Network is prohibited.
Sending messages to all users is prohibited.
·
Access to file share programs
(i.e. Napster) is prohibited.
8. WEB
PAGES
·
Students may produce web pages
through the Computer Network only for specific class/teacher assignments. All
student web pages must conform to the rules of all other school publications and
are subject to approval by a building administrator. Every student web page must
include the following statement: “The opinions and information included on this
web page are that of the student, (name), and not the Pelham Union Free School
District.”
9.
PENALTIES
·
A
user whose conduct on the Network violates the District’s Rules and Code of Ethics Agreement may
have restricted access or be removed as a user on the Network.
·
A
user whose conduct on the Network violates the District’s Code of Student
Conduct may be disciplined under the Code of Conduct.
·
A
user whose conduct on the Network violates Federal, State or local law may be
prosecuted by law enforcement.
10. DISTRICT
RESPONSIBILITIES
·
The District makes no
warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the access being
provided. Further, the District
assumes no responsibility for the quality, availability, accuracy, nature or
reliability of the service and/or information provided. Users of the District’s Network and the
Internet use the information at their own risk. Each user is responsible for verifying
the integrity and authenticity of the information that is used and provided.
·
The District will not be
responsible for any damages suffered by any user, including, but not limited to,
loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service
interruptions caused by its own negligence or the errors or omissions of any
user. The District also will not be
responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from the use of or
access to the District’s Network or Internet.
·
Further, even though the
District may use technical or manual means to regulate access and information,
these methods do not provide a foolproof means of enforcing the provisions of
the District’s Rules and Code of Ethics Agreement.
March 22,
2001
Pelham
Union Free School District
Pelham,
New York
Parent/Guardian
Agreement
For
Student
Use of the District’s Computer Network
I have read and discussed with my child the
attached Rules and Code of Ethics for
Network and Internet Users. I
understand that the Network and Internet is an integral part of my child’s
educational program in Pelham.
I understand that my child’s access to the
District Computer Network and the Internet is designed solely for educational
purposes. The use of the Network is
a privilege and not a right.
Responsibility for appropriate conduct when using the network rests
solely with the individual student. My child will be asked to sign an agreement
to abide by these rules after they are reviewed in class.
I also understand that a variety of
inappropriate and offensive materials are available over the Internet and that
it may be possible for a child to access these materials inadvertently or if he
or she chooses to behave irresponsibly.
I understand that the district may access my child’s files and monitor my
child’s use of the Network and Internet.
I also understand that it is not possible for the District to monitor all
usage. I have determined that the
benefits of my child having access to the District Computer Network and Internet
outweigh potential risks, and I will not hold the District responsible for
materials acquired or contacts made on the District Network or Internet.
I understand that my child will have rights on
and access to the Computer Network and Internet unless I submit a written
request to have my child removed from the Computer Network and Internet. This
request should be mailed to Mrs. Kathleen McGrath, Director of Technology,18
Franklin Place, Pelham, New York 10803.
Pelham
Union Free School District
Pelham,
New York
Student
Agreement
For
Use
of the District Computer Network & Internet
Name: ________________________
Grade:
________________________
I
have read and understand the District’s Rules and Code of Ethics for Network and
Internet Users and agree to abide by their provisions.
I
understand that I have no right to privacy when I use the District’s Computer
Network and Internet. I understand
District staff may monitor all Network and Internet communications and
activities.
I
further understand that my violation of these provisions may result in
suspension or revocation of the access and related privileges on the Network,
other disciplinary actions, as appropriate, and possible legal
action.
Student
Signature:___________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________