High School Acceptable Use Policy
Please read this document carefully. When signed by you and, if
appropriate, your guardian/parent, it becomes a legally binding
contract. We must have your signature and that of your guardian/parent
before we can provide you with a computer account.
The Pittsfield Public School District declares unethical and
unacceptable behavior just cause for taking disciplinary action,
revoking networking privileges, and/or initiating legal action for any
activity through which an individual:
- Uses the network for illegal, inappropriate, or obscene purposes, or
in support of such activities. Illegal activities shall be defined as a
violation of local, state, and/or federal laws. Inappropriate use shall
be defined as a violation of the intended use of the network, and/or
purpose and goal. Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of
generally accepted social standards for use of a publicly-owned and
operated communication vehicle;
- Uses the network for any illegal activity, including violation of
copyrights or other contracts violating such matters as institutional or
third party copyright, license agreements and other contracts;
- Intentionally disrupts network traffic or crashes the network and connected systems;
- Degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance;
- Uses District computing resources for commercial or financial gain or fraud;
- Steals data, equipment, or intellectual property;
- Gains unauthorized access of others’ files, or vandalizes the data of another user;
- Gains or seeks to gain unauthorized access to resources or entities;
- Forges electronic mail messages, or uses an account owned by another user;
- Wastefully uses finite resources;
- Invades the privacy of individuals;
- Posts anonymous messages;
- Possesses any data which might be considered a violation of these rules in paper, magnetic (disk), or any other form.
Consequences of violations
include but are not limited to:
- Suspension of Internet access;
- Revocation of Internet access;
- Suspension of Network privileges;
- Revocation of Network privileges;
- Suspension of computer access;
- Revocation of computer access;
- School suspension;
- School expulsion;
- Financial responsibility for replacing intentionally damaged software or hardware;
- Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.
Remedies and Recourses
If you are accused of any of the violations, you have all of the
rights and privileges that you would have if you were accused of school
vandalism, fighting and so forth.
The network manager or building principal has the right to restrict
or terminate network and Internet access at any time for any reason. The
network manager further has the right to monitor network activity in
any form that he or she sees fit to maintain the integrity of the
network.
Consent and Waiver
The following form must be read and signed by you and your parent or legal guardian.
By signing the Consent and Waiver form attached, I (print
name)_______________and my parent(s) or guardian(s) agree to abide by
the following restrictions. I have discussed these rights and
responsibilities with my parent(s) or guardian(s).
Further, my parent(s) or guardian(s) and I have been advised that the
Pittsfield Public Schools do not have control of the information on the
Internet, although it attempts to provide prudent and available
barriers. Other sites accessible via the Internet may contain material
that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some
people. While District’s intent is to make Internet access available
to further its educational goals and objectives, account holders may
have the ability to access other materials as well.
The Pittsfield Public Schools believe that the benefits to educators
and students from access to the Internet, in the form of information
resources and opportunities for collaboration, far exceed any
disadvantages of access. But ultimately, the parent(s) and guardian(s)
of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that
their student should follow. To that end, the Pittsfield Public Schools
support and respect each family’s right to decide whether or not to
apply for District network access.
Any questions should be directed to Mr. James Schultz, Network Manager, or the building principal.
The student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) must understand that
student access to the District network is being developed to support
the school’s educational responsibilities and mission. The specific
conditions and services being offered will change from time to time. In
addition, the District assumes no responsibilities for:
- The content of any advice or information received by a student from a
source outside the District, or any costs or charges incurred as a
result of seeing or accepting such advice;
- Any costs, liability or damages caused by the way the student chooses to use his/her District network access;
- Any consequences of service interruptions or changes, even if these
disruptions arise from circumstances under the control of the District;
- While the District supports the privacy of electronic mail, students must assume that this cannot be guaranteed.
By signing this form I agree to the following terms:
- My use of the District computer network must be consistent with the school’s primary goals.
- I will not use the District computer network for illegal purposes of any kind.
- I will not use the District network to transmit threatening,
obscene, or harassing materials. The District will not be held
responsible if you participate in such activities.
- I will not use the District network to interfere with or disrupt
network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not
limited to, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of
computer worms and viruses, and using the network to make unauthorized
entry to any other machine accessible via the network.
- It is assumed that information and resources accessible via the
District network are private to the individuals and organizations which
own or hold rights to those resources and information unless
specifically stated otherwise by the owners or holders of rights.
Therefore, I will not use the District network to access information or
resources unless permission to do so has been granted by the owners or
holders of rights to those resources or information.
Student Name _______________________________________________________
Student Signature_____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name_________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature______________________________________________