Acceptable Use Policy

Please carefully read this document with your daughter(s) before signing, and take particular note of item #9 on implied compliance with the GPS Computer Policy.

 

 

The following is a fairly comprehensive set of regulations and guidelines that governs the appropriate use of the computers at Girls Preparatory School. While it cannot cover every aspect of computer use, it does address many of the major concerns. It is the attempt of this policy to detail in specifics the general expectation that all members of the GPS community use their computers and the network in a safe, responsible, respectful, and appropriate manner.

 

 

GPS believes the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

 

 

Internet--Terms and Conditions of Use

 

 

1) Acceptable Use - The purpose of the networks making up the Internet is to support research and education by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. Transmission of any material in violation of any national or state regulations is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material or threatening or obscene material.

 

 

2) Privileges - The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in restriction or termination of that privilege or other disciplinary response by the administration.

 

 

3) Network Etiquette - You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

a) Be polite. Use appropriate language in public and private messages. Do not swear, use vulgarities, be threatening, disrespectful, or inflammatory.

 

 

b) Do not post chain letters or engage in "spamming," the sending of an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people.

 

 

c) Be aware that the school can and will monitor electronic mail (e-mail) sent and received.

 

 

e) Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users.

 

 

f) Check your e-mail regularly.

 

 

g) No instant messaging, and/or chat rooms/services unless specified by a teacher or instructor.

 

 

4) Security - Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. Students are to establish and maintain secure passwords that protect the privacy of the information on their computers and their e-mail accounts. Under no circumstances should a person's password be shared. Students are to respect the need for confidentiality and are to make no efforts to bypass security systems and gain access to information that they do not have a right to see. Students will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. These actions are illegal.

 

 

5) Vandalism - Vandalism will result in a severe response by the administration. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user or the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

 

 

6) Personal Safety

 

a) You will not post personal contact information about yourself or other people.

 

 

b) You will not agree to meet with someone you have met online.

 

 

c) You will promptly disclose to a teacher or administrator any message you receive that

 

 

is inappropriate or that makes you feel uncomfortable.

 

 

7) Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

 

a) Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours. Material obtained through research on the Internet and then used in academic work is to be properly documented. Note: since some material is unique to the Internet and can disappear overnight, documentation might necessitate the printing of a hard copy.

 

 

b) Copyright infringement occurs when you inappropriately reproduce a work that is protected by a copyright. If a work contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, the expressed requirements should be followed. If you are unsure whether or not you can use a work, you should request permission from the copyright owner. Copyright laws can be very confusing; if you have questions, ask a teacher.

 

 

8) Personal Responsibility - When you are using the computer for e-mail or Internet research, it may feel as if you can more easily break a rule and not get caught. This is not really true because whenever you do something on a network you leave little "electronic footprints." But the fact that you can do something or think you can do something without being caught does not make it right to do so. Even if you don't get caught, there is always one person who will know whether you have done something wrong -- and that person is you. Your use of the Internet can be a mirror that will show you what kind of person you are.

 

 

9) Compliance with GPS Computer Use Policy - By virtue of the following facts:

 

• you have signed an enrollment contract with GPS,
• the GPS Computer Policy is posted on the Internet, and
• all students have been informed that the policy is thus available,

 

all parents and students are therefore held responsible for knowledge of this computer policy and adherence to it. It is understood that girls are responsible for their own individual actions, and parents are responsible for supervision of their daughters and for encouraging their responsible and courteous use of computers and the Internet. Any violation of this policy will be met by whatever disciplinary action the GPS administration deems appropriate.