Pine Crest School

Acceptable Use Policy

All persons using the school’s computers, the school’s computer network and systems, or personal computers on school property or over the school’s network are required to abide by this Acceptable Use Policy. All users must act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner in accordance with the Honor Code of Pine Crest School. Computer use and access to the Internet is a privilege, not a right. This privilege entails:

Responsibilities:

·        Faculty will supervise and provide appropriate guidance and instruction to students in the use of our computer resources. School staff will make the final judgment as to what is appropriate.

·        Students are expected to demonstrate ethical behavior when using computers and network resources.  All material obtained on the Internet must be properly documented.

·        Families are encouraged to set and convey similar standards for technology use in the home.

·        The exact use of computers in the class setting is at the discretion of the teacher.

Restrictions: The following are NOT permitted:

·        Accessing, uploading, downloading, transmitting, displaying, or distributing obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language at any time on any computer in school

·        Damaging computers, computer systems, networks, or spreading computer “viruses”

·        Attempting to gain unauthorized access to computers or network systems, the use of computer hacking software, or the use of pirated software

·        P2P (peer to peer) file sharing software is NOT allowed on student laptops or any school computer (KaZaA, Shareaza, BitTorrent, Ares, etc.)

·        Setting up a network server or wireless access point, providing network services, allowing others to connect to your laptop, or connecting to other personal computers while at school

·        Posting personal information on the Internet

·        Accessing personal email accounts, auction sites, games, or any commercial sites during class time

·        Use of the Internet in class without permission and supervision of a Pine Crest faculty member

·        Any form of instant messaging during school hours

·        Violating copyrights, plagiarism, trespassing in another person’s folders, work, or files on all computers

·        Violating local, state, or federal statutes

Consequences: Consequences for violating these rules will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the suspension of all technology/computer privileges, except for teacher/curriculum directed computer use, which will be closely monitored. Any abuse of this Acceptable Use Policy may also be considered a disciplinary violation and/or a violation of the Pine Crest School Honor Code.

Disclaimer: Pine Crest School is not responsible for any loss of data due to faulty connections or equipment failure.

All students, along with their parent(s) or legal guardian are asked to read, discuss, and sign the Pine Crest School Acceptable Use Policy, to indicate their full cooperation with our computer and Internet use policy.

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE to abide by the guidelines set above in the Pine Crest School Acceptable Use Policy:

Name: _________________________________________   Grade: __________

Signature: ______________________________________    Date: ___________

Parent/Guardian (print): ____________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________    Date: ___________