RESPONSIBLE USE GUIDELINES – INTERNET

Nashua School District

Responsible Use Guidelines

The Nashua School District’s (NSD) computer network and Internet access are available to students to enhance their educational experience and become computer literate in an increasingly technological world.

The purpose of these Responsible Use Guidelines is to foster the appropriate use of that network and the Internet.  The following Guidelines apply to all users whenever they access any School District network connection.

Educational Purpose

The NSD network has been established for educational purposes limited to classroom activities, career development, and independent scholastic research on appropriate subjects.

The NSD network has not been established as a public access service or a public forum.  The School District has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material you access or post through the system.  You are also expected to follow the School District’s Student Behavior Standards when accessing the NSD network.

You may not use the NSD network for commercial purposes.  This means you may not offer, provide, or purchase products or services through this network.

You may not use the NSD network for political lobbying.  But you may use the system to communicate with elected representatives and to express your opinion on political issues.

Unacceptable Uses

Personal Safety

You will not post personal contact information about yourself or other people.  Personal contact information includes (but is not limited to) home, school or work addresses and telephone numbers.

You will not agree to meet with someone you have met online without your parent’s approval.  A parent or guardian should accompany you to this meeting.

You will promptly disclose to your teacher or another school official any message you receive that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.

Illegal Activities

You will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the NSD network or to any other computer system through the NSD network.  This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or access another person’s files.  These actions are illegal, even if only for the purposes of “browsing.”

You will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses.

You will not use the NSD network to engage in any illegal act, including but not limited to arranging for the purchase or sale of drugs or alcohol, engaging in criminal activity, or threatening the safety of another person.

System Security

You are responsible for your individual user account, and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use your account.  Under no conditions should you provide your password to another person.

You will immediately notify a teacher or other school official if you have identified or witnessed a possible security problem.  Do not go looking for security problems, because this may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain access.

Inappropriate Language

Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to public messages, private messages, and material posted on Web pages.

You will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful forms of communication.  This applies to verbal and written language, diagrams, photographs, representations, videos, or any other forms of communication

You will not post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption.

You will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.

You will not harass another person.  Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person.  If you are told by a person to stop sending them messages, you must stop.

You will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.

Respect for Privacy

You will not re-post a message that was sent to you privately without permission of the person who sent you the message.

You will not post private information about another person.

Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

You will not plagiarize works that you find on the Internet.  Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours.

You will respect the rights of copyright owners.  Copyright infringement occurs when you reproduce a work that is protected by a copyright without authorization .  If a work contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, you should follow the expressed requirements.  Copyright law can be very confusing.  If you have questions, ask a teacher.

Inappropriate Access to Material

You will not use the NSD network to access material that is profane or obscene (pornographic), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature).  A special exception may be made for hate literature, if the purpose of your access is to conduct research, and both your teacher and parent or guardian approve.

If you mistakenly access inappropriate information, you should immediately tell your teacher or another school official.  This will protect you against a claim that you have intentionally violated this policy.

Your parent or guardian should instruct you if there is additional material that he or she thinks would be inappropriate for you to access.  The School District fully expects you to follow your parent’s or guardian’s instructions in this matter.

Your Rights

The NSD network is considered a limited forum, similar to the school newspaper, and therefore the School District reserves the right to regulate that forum for valid educational reasons.  The District will not restrict your speech on the basis of a disagreement with opinions you are expressing.

You should expect only limited privacy of the contents of your personal files on the District system.  This situation is similar to the rights you have in the privacy of your locker.

An individual search will be conducted, if there is reasonable suspicion that you have violated these Guidelines, the Nashua School District Student Behavior Standards, or the law.

Disciplinary Actions

Students who violate the Responsible Use Guidelines may be denied future Internet and/or network privileges for a defined period of time, or be subject to other disciplinary measures as set forth in the Nashua School District Student Behavior Standards, or other rules of the District which may be applicable.

Signature Page

This Section Must Be Signed by the Student

I have read, I understand, and I will abide by the Nashua School District's Responsible Use Guidelines. I realize that violation of these provisions may result in my lost of use of Internet and/or network privileges, as well as possible disciplinary actions. This may include revocation or suspension of network privileges and/or appropriate legal action.

School District Student User Signature _________________________________ 

Date ________________

STUDENT NAME and ID                

Grade 0 

Teacher                    

This Section Must Be Signed by a Parent or Guardian for All Students Under Age 18

As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read the Nashua School District's Responsible Use Guidelines. I understand that access to the Nashua School District Network and the Internet is designed for educational purposes, and the Nashua School District has taken available precautions to educate students on appropriate educational materials. However, it is understood that no matter how much supervision and monitoring the Nashua School District can utilize, there will always be the possibility of my child coming into contact with inappropriate material, and I will not hold the Nashua School District responsible for materials acquired on the network.

Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________________________________

Date _________________