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Introduction:
DuVal High School is pleased to offer students access
to a computer network for access to the Internet. The
Internet and World Wide Web have been installed for
students and instructors to use for academic purposes
only. The uses of information systems are to be consistent
with the educational objectives of Prince George's County
Schools.
Access to the Internet is a privilege, not a right,
and inappropriate use will result in the cancellation
of that privilege and/or disciplinary action by school
and/or law enforcement officials. We require that students
and parents or guardians read and abide by the following
rules for acceptable on line behavior. It is DuVal High
School's belief that the Internet is a valuable educational
tool and that all staff and students will follow this
Acceptable Use Policy.
While the Internet can be a tremendous source of information,
it also contains material that are illegal, inaccurate,
inappropriate, defamatory, or potentially offensive
to some people. Staff members will do their best to
guide and monitor student use of the Internet, but staff
cannot be held liable if a student accidentally or willfully
goes to an objectionable site. The school system makes
every effort to prevent students from being exposed
to objectionable or offensive materials, but it is,
ultimately, the responsibility of each individual student
to adhere to this acceptable use policy.
DuVal provides the information systems including, but
not limited to, hardware, software, communication lines
and devices, graphing calculators, terminals, printers,
CD-ROM devices, network drives, scanners, and computers
to be used for educational purposes. Personal browsing
and web based email is not allowed on school computers.
These services are provided to improve learning and
teaching through research, teacher training, administrative
support, collaboration, dissemination of information,
and use of materials and resources. Access to networks
whether within the building or outside carries with
it the responsibility for proper use of those resources
and computing facilities. All computer users must be
responsible, thoughtful, and conscientious users.
The following guidelines are intended to help users
understand appropriate use. All access to information
systems shall be pre-approved by the principal or his/her
designee.
The school may restrict or terminate any user's access,
without prior notice, if such action is deemed necessary
to maintain computing availability and security for
other users of the system. Disciplinary action, including
suspension, may also be imposed.
Expectations
Students are responsible for appropriate behavior on
the school's computer network just as they are in a
classroom or on school property. General school rules
for behavior, as stated in the Student Code of Conduct,
apply. It is expected that users will comply with district
standards and the specific rules and consequences as
outlined below.
Students must show a valid DuVal High School ID Badge
while using any computer at school. Should a parent/guardian
prefer that a student not have Internet access, student
use of the computers is still possible for curricular
implementation.
Rules and Consequences
The use of the network is a privilege, not a right,
and may be revoked if abused. The user is personally
responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing
the school's computer resources. Students are advised
never to access, keep, or send anything that they would
not want their parents or teachers to see. Consequences
outlined by the supervising teacher, the Student Code
of Conduct, or federal law will be taken if a rule is
violated, depending on the circumstance.
- "Surfing the web" is allowed for school-related
projects/activities only, if a supervising teacher/media
specialist is present. Access to certain questionable
web sites is deemed unauthorized usage and will result
in disciplinary action. Questionable sites are those
non-academic sites that allow individuals to view
or read pornographic materials and vulgar and/or obscene
language. Students will print only that information
approved by the teacher. Students will not visit "chat
rooms" or log-on to the Internet without permission
from a teacher or supervising staff member. Students
without signed parental/guardian permission forms
will not be allowed access to the Internet. Proof
of Internet permission is the student ID badge with
appropriate Internet marking. Students must have parental
permission to publish any projects or work on the
Internet.
- No profane, abusive, vulgar statements, discriminatory
remarks, or impolite language should be used to communicate,
nor should materials be accessed which do not adhere
to classroom and school behavioral rules. Should students
encounter such material by accident, they should report
it to their teacher immediately.
- The school reserves all rights to any material
stored in files which are generally accessible to
others and will whenever possible remove any material
which the school, at its sole discretion, believes
may be unlawful, obscene, pornographic, abusive, or
otherwise objectionable. Students will not use their
School system approved computer account/access to
obtain, view, download, print, or otherwise gain access
to such materials. Network storage areas must be considered
public areas. Network administrators may review any
files to maintain system integrity- this will insure
that students are using the system responsibly.
- Students should never download or install any commercial
software, shareware, or freeware onto network drives
or disks. This includes any CD-ROMs, disks, or multimedia
software brought from home. Students should not copy
other people's work or intrude into other peopleís
files. This illegal act violates federal copyright
laws and will be treated as a criminal offense.
- Vandalism is any malicious attempt to harm or destroy
hardware, data of another user, or any software. This
includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or
creation of computer viruses. Vandalism will be treated
as a criminal offense.
- The system does not warrant that the functions
of the network systems will meet any specific requirements
the user may have, or that they will be error free
or uninterrupted; not shall it be liable for any direct
or indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
(including lost data, information or time) sustained
or incurred in connection with the use, operation
or inability to use the system.
While not all improper use can be listed, the
following should serve as a guideline for appropriate
use of the computer facilities and network resources
at DuVal High School and the Prince George's County
Public Schools:
The following are expressly prohibited on DuVal High
School computers:
- Using the network for personal purposes other than
educational.
- Altering files or documents on the network not created
by self.
- Using obscene, vulgar, abusive, or inappropriate
language, pictures, or other material.
- Knowingly introducing viruses.
- Vandalizing, including equipment damage and willful
tampering with data or software.
- Attempting to read, delete, copy or modify the email
of other users.
- Attempting to decrypt passwords.
- Attempting to gain an unauthorized higher level
of network privilege and access.
- Attempting to gain unauthorized access to remote
systems.
- Deliberately interfering with other users.
- Attempting to libel, slander or harass other users.
- Unauthorized copying or transferring of copyrighted
materials or any other violation of copyright law.
- Placing copyrighted material on the network without
permission of the author.
- Plagiarizing, which is the taking of someone else's
words, ideas, or findings and intentionally presenting
them as your own without properly giving credit to
their source.
- Using networks for illegal activities.
- Using commercial advertising, chain letters, and
non-educational games.
- Accessing IRC sites (Internet Relay Chat).
- Unauthorized downloading of software.
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