Winchendon Public Schools

Computer and Internet Acceptable Use Policy

              The Winchendon Public School District is providing computer network and Internet Access for student and staff use. Merrimack Education Center’s MECnet in Chelmsford is our Internet Service Provider.

                  The Internet is a global network that offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. The purpose of this network is to enhance the educational experience.  The goal of this service is to prepare students for education today and the world tomorrow.  The Internet promotes resource sharing, instructional support, communication and research beyond the school walls.    Information and databases can be accessed from such sites as NASA, The Library of Congress, ERIC, research institutions, and government institutions along with a vast variety of web sites.

  The use of the school network and Internet is a privilege, not a right.  Students and Staff must agree to obey specific standards of online behavior, language, content and security.  It is expected that the user comply with the rules listed below along with school rules outlined in the Student-Parent Handbook.  Users must abide by this Acceptable Use Policy.  This Acceptable Use Policy must be read and signed by all students, parents and staff before access to school network and the Internet is permitted.

                  The school system will not be responsible or liable for the actions of the user.  Users will assume full liability, legal, financial, or otherwise for their actions.  The Winchendon Public School District will be taking reasonable precautions to filter out controversial materials.  However, it is impossible to monitor all materials or controversial information.  Since the positive access of materials, outweighs the objectionable, the end user must submit to strict guidelines and responsibilities.  If a Winchendon Public School student or staff member violates any of the provisions mentioned below, future access may be denied and appropriate disciplinary action will result. 

Educational Purpose

·         Limited Educational Purpose including classroom activities, career development and limited high-quality self-discovery activities.

·         Not to be used as a public forum.  Winchendon Public Schools reserves the right to place reasonable limits on materials posted or accessed through the school system.

·         Students are expected to follow rules in the Student Handbook.

·         Not to be used for commercial purposes.  You may not offer, provide or purchase products or services through the Internet.

·         The Internet is not to be used for political lobbying, but may be used to communicate with elected officials.

·         The use of Internet resources may not be used in violation of any U.S., State or local regulation.

·         Internet resources may not be used to upload, download, or distribute pornographic, obscene, sexually explicit or threatening material.

·         Internet resources may not be used to infringe on copyright or to plagiarize materials.  Students should cite sources of information acquired over the Internet in their bibliographies.  The format to follow is found in the MLA guide and the Library Media Center.

  Student Internet Access

·         Students will have access to the Internet in the computer lab, classroom or library.

·         When e-mail accounts are set up, written parental approval will be necessary for individual e-mail accounts.  Students must also sign an Account Agreement.

·         An account agreement must be renewed on a school-year basis.  Parent approval can be withdrawn at any time.

·         A school authority must pre-approve all student personal web pages before they are uploaded.  Material must be related to school activities.

·         Students will be responsible for their own actions.

·         Students will not change settings on the browser or any other applications.

·         Students will not alter any material on a computer other than their own files.

·         No student may attempt to “hack” into any computer or server.

·         Games will not be played, accessed or downloaded.

·         Permission must be given by the librarian or supervising teacher before any information is download to a disk, file, or printer.

Unacceptable Uses

·         Posting of personal contact information about yourself or other students, teachers or people.  Personal information includes your address, telephone, school address, work address, photos, etc.

·         You may not agree to meet with someone you have met online without your parent’s approval.

·         You must immediately disclose to your teacher or another adult any message you receive that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.

·         Downloading inappropriate materials, commercial software, shareware or freeware.

·         Receiving or transmitting information pertaining to dangerous instrumentalities such as bombs, automatic weapons, or other firearms, weaponry, or explosive devices.

·         You must not attempt to gain unauthorized access any file servers in the Winchendon School System, outside file servers, or go beyond your authorized access.  This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or access another person’s files.  These actions are illegal.

·         Deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means.

·         You will not use the Winchendon Public School computer system to engage in any illegal act such as arranging for a drug sale, purchase of alcohol, participating in a criminal gang activity, threatening persons, etc.

·         Damage to school computers, either physical damage or reconfiguration of the computer systems, is considered vandalism.

·         Accessing chat rooms.

·         Using obscene language or profanity.

·         Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.  

Consequences of Violating Rules on Computer or Network Use

 

                Violation will result in the loss of internet/computer privileges for a period of time commensurate with the offense at the discretion of the school Administration.  Discipline will be in accordance with the rules stated in the Student Handbook.  Students will be held responsible for any damage they cause and will be subject to school rules regarding damage to property.  When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

 

                The Winchendon Public School District reserves the right to update these guidelines as necessary.

   

Contract for Internet/Computer Network Use

This contract must be signed prior to student internet/computer network access.

After reading the Acceptable Use Policy in the Student Handbook, I, ____________________________________(student name) understand and will abide by the stated Terms and Conditions identified.  I understand that if I violate any regulations of the AUP, my privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken along with any appropriate legal action.

I also release the Winchendon Public Schools and all other organizations related to the Winchendon Public Schools Internet connection from any liability or damages that may result from the use of the Internet or school network.  I accept full responsibility and liability for the results of my actions.

Signed Student:  _________________________________________________________________

  Date:    _______________________

  A parent must sign the following if applicant is under the age of 18.

 

I, ____________________________, the parent/guardian of the above, agree to accept all financial and legal liabilities which may result from my son/daughter’s use of the Winchendon Public Schools Internet/Network connection.

Signed Parent: ______________________________________________________

Date:   ________________________

 

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