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Acceptable Use

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School offers Internet access through our school network for students and faculty solely for educational purposes.  The network is to be used to support teaching and learning and is to be used in a responsible, legal, and ethical manner.  Failure to comply with this acceptable use policy will result in the termination of network privileges for the user and/or disciplinary action.

Network users, including students, faculty, staff and guests are responsible for behaving appropriately on the network and containing their research to support the educational goals of the school.  All users are required to conduct themselves in accordance with school policies and the laws of the United States and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Use of the network for any illegal or commercial activities is prohibited. Illegal activities include downloading of copyrighted software, music and videos.

Students are not to use outside email, chat rooms, message boards, blogs, or other forms of direct electronic communication in school unless authorized by their teacher as part of a school-related assignment approved by the teacher.

Students may access the Internet only with adult supervision. Every effort will be taken to protect students from abuses that may be encountered on the web. However, there is no system in place that can totally filter out all objectionable material. Teachers are asked to vigilantly monitor student use of the network. Students and teachers are asked to notify the technology administrator immediately if they come across inappropriate content.

Every family must decide if their children should have access to the Internet. Parents and guardians must sign the Parent Signature Sheet (tear-out sheet) at the front of the  Student Handbook and return it to Upper Cape Tech before the student can use the Internet in school.

The following are prohibited:

• Making changes to the content or configuration of a computer on the network.
• Downloading or installing computer software, shareware, or freeware without permission from the Technology Staff.
• Use the Internet to access and/or transmit material in violation of any United States or Commonwealth law, including copyright law.
• Downloading streaming video and audio (music) for recreational purposes. (This includes radio feeds.)
• Using any social networking site.
• Using commercial web-based email such as Hotmail, Yahoo-mail, etc. on any school computer.
• Using any type of instant messaging, including, but not limited to, AOL Instant Messanger, MSN Messenger, etc.
• Attempting to gain access to unauthorized network resources.
• Attempting to trespass in another person's files or folders.
• Permitting or authorizing any other person to use your personal network username and password.
• Attempting to destroy data or disrupt the operation of the network or PCs in school.
• Storing personal data or files on the local hard drive of any computer. Data and files should be stored in your assigned network folder only.
• Knowingly spreading computer viruses.
• Accessing, downloading, or transmiting material of a profane or obscene nature, including materials depicting illegal or dangerous acts, advocating violence, or discriminating toward other persons.
• Using the Internet to harass or annoy any other person or send anonymous messages.
• Forwarding chain letters.
• Intentionally wasting resources such as paper, ink cartridges, electronic storage space, etc.
• Engaging in "hacking" or any other illegal activity using the network.
• Using school computers/Internet for other than educational purposes including:
  • Playing non-educational games
  • Participating in non-academic activities
  • Commercial purposes
  • Political lobbying
  • Fund raising
• Participating in any type of teleconferencing, chat, or listserv without permission from the Technology Staff.
• Engaging in any other inappropriate use of the system.

A responsible network user will:

• Always use polite, non-abusive language.
• Conform to copyright laws.
• Never reveal personal information such as full name, address, age, parents' names, telephone number, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.
• Never tamper with the system or alter, delete, or destroy files or data.
• Never agree to meet in person someone whom you have "met" online.
• Be aware that an online survey, contest, or free product offer may be a scheme to get your personal information.
• Evaluate the reliability of online sources of information and realize not everything posted online is true.
• Be aware of security risks and minimize risks by logging off the network when a computer is unattended.
• Use the Internet and other electronic resources in support of education and research consistent with the educational objectives of Upper Cape Tech.

PRIVACY

Internet use is not guaranteed to be private. Use of the Upper Cape Tech network is electronically monitored and controlled. You may expect only limited privacy in the content of your personal files or record of Internet research activities. Information sent or received via the Internet, or other means, over computers owned by the school is the property of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School and may be assessed at any time for its review.

From time to time routine maintenance of files will be performed on individual computers and files may be deleted.  Always keep a backup of your files on flash memory or other electronic media.  Routine maintenance and monitoring may lead to the discovery that you have violated this Policy or the law. In that event, appropriate action will be taken.

SOFTWARE

Installation, troubleshooting, and training for standardized software purchased by the district will be given priority. Other software purchased by classroom teachers will be supported as time permits. Software used in the curriculum or lab environment must be licensed for the greatest number of simultaneous users or as site licenses and must be owned by Upper Cape Tech. Single copies will be considered evaluation copies and will not be supported, installed on multiple computers, or made available through the network.

Software that makes computers or the network harder to maintain and support and which offers little or no benefit over comparable software will not be supported. No software should be installed without permission of the technology administrator. The technology administrator reserves the right to uninstall unsupported media or reimage any computer as necessary. No personal data or files are to be stored on the local hard drive of any computer. Store all data and files in your assigned network folder.

HARDWARE

• The school does not support equipment brought in from the outside by any user.
• The technology administrator reserves the right to confiscate any outside equipment that interferes with the operation of the school network.
• The school district is not responsible for damage to or loss of equipment brought in from the outside.
• Permission to set up any outside equipment must be given in advance by the technology administrator or designated agent.
• Permission must be granted for use of electronic devices not owned or provided by the school district.

CONCLUSION

Use of the network and the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use of the network and the Internet will result in loss of privileges and, where appropriate, in disciplinary action pursuant to the Code of Discipline.

Students may use the Internet only with permission of their parent or guardian. The student and parent/guardian must sign the form enclosed in the Student Handbook as evidence that they have read, understand, and will observe the limitations set forth in this Acceptable Use Policy and agree that the student has permission to use the Internet.