THE
YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS POLICY ON THE USE OF THE INTERNET, THE YONKERS PUBLIC
SCHOOLS INTRANET, ELECTRONIC MAIL, AND COMPUTER ACCESS BY AUTHORIZED USERS
User Agreement Form
(Teachers, Staff, Consultants,
Volunteers, etc.)
PURPOSE:
This policy sets forth the standards governing Yonkers Public Schools
(YPS) authorized users access to local, state, national and international
sources of information through the Internet, the YPS Intranet, and computer and
electronic mail access. This policy also sets forth the rules under which
authorized users may continue their access to and use of these resources. This
policy promotes the ethical, legal, and work-related use of the Internet,
Intranet, electronic mail and computer access.
Pursuant to this policy, use of information resources must be consistent
with the purposes for which these resources have been provided. Access to the
Internet, Intranet, and computer and electronic mail access is a privilege that
is provided to authorized users to help transact YPS business through job
related functions. These resources provide the means with which users may
communicate effectively with schools, central service center departments,
region offices, the public, other government entities, and the business sector.
These resources are to be used to respond to work-related inquiries, to
research YPS related information, and to inform the public about district
programs and services. They are to be used in a manner which does not violate
the public trust, and which is in accordance with this policy and regulations
established from time to time by the Board of Education.
The purpose of the system is not merely to provide
students and employees with general access to the Internet. The school district
system has a limited educational purpose, which includes use of the system for
classroom activities, professional or career development, and limited high
quality, self-discovery activities. Users are expected to use Internet access
through the district system to further educational and personal goals
consistent with the mission of the school district and school policies. Uses
that might be acceptable on a user’s private personal account on another system
may not be acceptable on this limited purpose network.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
All authorized users (defined as YPS employees, consultants, parent or
community volunteers under the supervision of a school principal and non-Board
employees such as interns) are to adhere to the provisions of this policy. Use
of Internet, Intranet, computer access, and YPS electronic mail must be in
compliance with federal and state laws, City ordinances, and Yonkers Board of
Education Board Rules, policies, and procedures including, but not limited to,
the Ethics Policy, personnel procedures, and policies prohibiting
discrimination in all forms.
The Internet, Intranet, computer access, and electronic mail resources
are to be used only for business pertaining to the Yonkers Public Schools.
Users are responsible for
appropriate behavior on the school's computer network. Communications on the
network are often public in nature. General school rules for behavior and
communications apply. It is expected that users will comply with district
standards and the specific rules set forth in this document. 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.
Department supervisors, the principals of schools, the Region Education Officers,
and the Assistant to the Superintendent for Technology of the Yonkers Public
Schools have the authority to enroll and terminate use privileges of the
Internet, Intranet, computer access, and electronic mail.
II. ACCESSIBILITY
Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable staff to
explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other repositories of
information and to exchange personal communication with other Internet users
around the world. Users should be aware that some material accessible via the
Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or
potentially offensive. While the purposes of the school are to use Internet
resources for constructive educational goals, users may find ways to access
other materials. The YPS believe that the benefits to the user from access to
the Internet in the form of information resources and opportunities for
collaboration exceed the disadvantages.
III. SECURITY
The YPS Board of Education shall establish rules and regulations governing
the use and security of the district's computer network. Failure to
comply with district policy and regulations for use of the network may result
in disciplinary action, as well as suspension and/or revocation of computer
access privileges.
Security issues which impact use of these resources include, but are not
necessarily limited to, the following:
All authorized users are to report promptly any
breaches of computer security and violations of acceptable use to their
supervisor, the principal of the school or the Assistant to the Superintendent
for Technology of the Yonkers Public Schools.
Users shall not use a modem to dial into any
online service provider or Internet Service Provider (I.S.P.) while connected
to the Network, as this poses a security risk to the Network through these
connections.
Users shall not disclose the contents or
existence of YPS computer files, electronic mail, or other information to
anyone other than authorized recipients.
Users shall not distribute their password(s) or
information regarding other users’ passwords or security systems.
Users shall not distribute confidential
documents, files, or correspondence without taking appropriate steps such as
encryption to prevent unauthorized access.
Users are not to engage in “hacking” of any kind,
including, but not limited to, the unlawful entry into an electronic system to
access information.
IV. USE OF INTERNET, COMPUTER ACCESS, AND ELECTRONIC MAIL
A.
ACCEPTABLE USES
Acceptable uses of the Internet, computer access,
and electronic mail include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
Use of these resources shall not disrupt service
to other authorized users.
Users may access appropriate technologies related
to job-related functions, such as effective communications with schools,
central service center departments, region offices, the public, other
government entities, and the business sector. These resources are to be used to
respond to work-related inquiries, to research YPS related information, and to
inform the public about authorized programs and services.
Materials, including Public Domain materials, may
be downloaded or uploaded using the network as long as these materials are
related to business functions only. Users may distribute authorized materials in
the Public Domain. The user assumes all responsibility regarding the
determination of whether the materials are in the Public Domain; further, the
user assumes all responsibility regarding his or her decision to place
unauthorized materials in the Public Domain. The Board of Education is not
liable for copyright violations that may occur.
Due to system-wide standardization, users may not
be able to download stand-alone applications from the Internet.
Some materials on the global Internet are termed
“Shareware.” These materials may be downloaded and used, but they are
copyrighted materials. The copyright holder usually gives permission to use the
material for examination. If users choose to continue using these materials,
the copyright holder often requests that the user registers his/her usage and
may ask that a license fee be paid. The user assumes responsibility for all
license fees charged for the utilization of Shareware materials. No employee,
consultant, volunteer or other user is permitted under any circumstance to
incur fees or charges on behalf of the Yonkers Board of Education for any goods
or services through the use of the Internet, Intranet or E-mail.
B. UNACCEPTABLE USES
Unacceptable uses of the Internet, Intranet,
computer access, and electronic mail include, but are not necessarily limited
to, the following:
No outgoing message on the Internet, Intranet, or
via electronic mail may purport to make a statement of policy, either expressly
or by implication, except for messages that quote policies, Board Rules,
procedures, documents published by the YPS, or other official sources.
Non-work related uses - - including but not
limited to games, wagering, gambling, junk mail, shopping, chain letters,
jokes, private business activities, raffles, fundraisers, political lobbying,
or religious activities - - are prohibited under this policy.
Unauthorized advertising of YPS projects or
programs is prohibited.
Soliciting or distributing information with the
intent to cause personal harm, bodily injury, harassment, or which describe or
promote the use of weapons or devices associated with terrorist activities, or
which is likely to or intended to incite violence, is prohibited.
Accessing information which may contain sexually
explicit images or information in violation of generally accepted social
standards for use of a publicly-owned and operated communication vehicle, or
which could be considered to be harassing or disparaging of others on the basis
of, but not necessarily limited to, race, national origin, sex, sexual
preference, marital status, age, disability, religion, ancestry, parental
status, military discharge status, or lawful source of income is prohibited.
Use of the Internet, Intranet, computer access,
or electronic mail for the purpose of intentionally spreading computer viruses
or programs which loop repeatedly, or for the purpose of infiltrating a
computer system without authorization, or for damaging or altering without
authorization the software components of a computer or computer system is
prohibited.
Seeking to gain or gaining unauthorized access to
information contained in students’ records is prohibited.
Destruction, alteration, dismantlement,
disfigurement, prevention of rightful access to or interference with the
integrity of critical computer-based information and/or information resources,
without authorization, is prohibited.
Interference with the privacy rights of
individuals or entities who are creators, authors, users, or subjects of the
information resources, without authorization, is prohibited.
Providing or permitting access to unauthorized
individuals is prohibited.
Use of copyright or proprietary information
without permission of the author is prohibited. As provided by federal law and
international treaties, copyrighted materials shall not be uploaded without
prior permission of the copyright holder. Except as expressly permitted,
copyrighted materials shall not be distributed to others. Copyrighted materials
shall not be altered, nor shall the author’s attribution or copyright notices
be modified.
V. USER CONDUCT
User conduct while on the Internet, Intranet, or the electronic mail
system should reflect standards of use for public interaction with other users.
Users are to conduct themselves in a professional
manner, as representatives of the Yonkers Public Schools. Users are to be clear
and cogent in all communications, and are to read and spell-check all documents
before sending.
Users are to respect privacy and are not to
represent themselves as another user, unless explicitly authorized to do so by
that user.
VI. ASSUMPTION OF RISK
The Yonkers Public Schools will make a good faith effort to keep the
system and its available information accurate. However, authorized users
acknowledge that there is no warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
regarding the accuracy, quality, or validity of any of the data or information
available. For example, and without limitation, the YPS does not warrant that
the network will be error free or free of computer viruses. In making use of
these resources, the user agrees to release the Board of Education of the City
of Yonkers from all claims of any kind, including claims for direct or
indirect, incidental, or consequential damages of any nature, arising from the
user’s use or inability to use the network, and from any claim for negligence
in connection with the operation of the Network, provided, however, that
claims for legal defense and /or indemnification pursuant to Education Law
Secs. 3023, 3028, or other statute or contractual provision, are not released
herein and are reserved to the user.
The user further acknowledges that the information available through
interconnecting networks may be inaccurate. The Network has no ability to
maintain such information and has no authority over these materials. The YPS
makes no warranty of any kind, either express or implied, regarding the
accuracy, quality, or validity of the data and/or information residing on or
passing through the network from outside networks. Use of the Network is at the
risk of the authorized user.
VII. POLICY MODIFICATIONS
The Yonkers Public Schools reserves the right to amend this Acceptable
Use Policy and will notify users of the amendments, when such amendments are
made. Use of the network shall constitute
acceptance of this policy and acceptance of all future amendments that may be
adopted. Any user who determines that he or she cannot comply with all terms
and conditions of this policy must request in writing that a Network
Administrator of the YPS Technology Department terminate his or her access.
VIII. INDEMNIFICATION
The authorized user indemnifies and holds harmless the Board of Education
of the City of Yonkers from any claims, including attorney’s fees, resulting
from the user’s activities while utilizing the Network that cause direct or
indirect damage to the user, the Yonkers Public Schools, the Yonkers Board of
Education or third parties. Provided,
however, that this indemnification and hold harmless provision shall not
apply to any claims, including
attorney’s fees, resulting from activities of the user taken during the
discharge of his duties within the scope of his employment or authorized
volunteer duties.
IX. PRIVACY, MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT
Users do not have a personal privacy interest in anything created,
received or stored on the Internet, Intranet, or electronic mail systems, as
these systems are neither secure nor private. The YPS has the right to monitor
Internet, Intranet, and electronic mail use to ensure that these resources are
being used for appropriate purposes, consistent with this policy. An individual
search will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has
violated this policy, the YPS disciplinary code or the law. Searches may include computer hard drives,
related discs and other data storage media belonging to the school district or
used in district owned computers.
When the supervisor of an authorized user determines inappropriate use,
the supervisor will notify, in writing, a Network Administrator of the YPS, who
is authorized to terminate the user’s access privileges. An employee may appeal
this decision through the Superintendent of schools; a consultant may appeal
this decision directly to his or her supervisor; and a parent- or community-volunteer
may appeal this decision directly to the school principal.
The Yonkers Public Schools will cooperate fully with local, state, or
federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities
conducted through the Network. Inappropriate use of these resources in
violation of this policy may subject the user to corrective action consistent
with YPS personnel rules, Board Rules, policies, and the discipline policies
for employees. Corrective actions may range from suspension of access privileges
up to and including discharge and criminal prosecution.
Tips to Protect Against
Internet Viruses
q
Use an antivirus
program and update it at least once a week.
q
Check the Web-site
to your operating system maker – like Microsoft – frequently for free security
updates.
q
Don’t let your guard
down just because an e-mail came from someone you know. Some viruses will pick
your name from your friend’s mailbox and automatically send you a copy.
q
If in doubt about
whether the attachment is a virus, DON’T OPEN IT. Instead, e-mail or call the sender to see if they sent it to you
on purpose.
q
Look at the text of
the message. If it’s not in English, and/or bad capitalization, it may be a
virus.
q
The attachment is
frequently the dangerous part. Look at
it closely, especially the part that comes after a period. If it ends in: .pif, .ink, .com, or .exe,
then it may be a virus.
q
Although you might
trust file names that end in .doc, the extender for Microsoft Word documents,
the attached file may actually read ‘document
docInk.’
This is not a Word document; it is most
likely a virus.
q
When choosing a
computer password, don’t use ‘password, your name or birthdate, or any word
found in a dictionary. Pick something
that means something only to you.
Misspelled words can work, or a combination of letter and numbers.
q
To avoid spreading
viruses, please refrain from sending or receiving chain letters, jokes,
etc. Sending these chain letters
exposes your e-mail address to thousands of people and could mean viruses in the
future.
Yonkers Public Schools Network Policies
User Agreement Form
Name: ______________________________________
Position/Title: ________________________________________
School/Department:
____________________________________________
As a user of the Yonkers Public Schools computer network, I have read and agree
to abide by the District's network, Internet, Intranet and e-mail policies. I
understand that my use of the District’s Internet and e-mail accounts are for a
limited educational purpose.
I agree to limit my use of my account
to activities to job-related functions. As a user on an educational system, I
understand that my use of the system is a privilege and that free speech rights
are limited.
I hereby release the district, its personnel, and any institutions with which
it is affiliated from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from
my use of, or inability to use, the Network, including, but not limited to,
claims that may arise from the unauthorized use of the system to purchase
products or services provided, however, that claims for legal defense and /or
indemnification pursuant to Education Law Secs. 3023, 3028, or other statute or
contractual provision, are not released herein and are reserved to the user. I understand that I can be held liable for
damages caused by my misuse of the system.
I understand my account may be terminated as follows:
I may terminate my account at any time by notifying the Yonkers Public Schools Technology Department.
My account may be terminated at any time upon written notice to me. In this
event, I will be given the opportunity to remove my personal files.
If my account is unused for more than 90 days, it may be terminated and my
personal files removed without notice.
Signature: _____________________________ Date:
_________________
THE
YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS POLICY ON THE USE OF THE INTERNET, THE YONKERS PUBLIC
SCHOOLS INTRANET, ELECTRONIC MAIL, AND COMPUTER ACCESS BY AUTHORIZED USERS
User Agreement Form
(Students, Parents, and Guardians)
The Yonkers Public Schools are pleased to offer
students access to a computer network for electronic mail and the Internet. To
gain access to e-mail and the Internet, all students must obtain permission as
verified by the signatures on the form following. Should a parent prefer that a student not have e-mail and
Internet access, use of the computers is still possible for more traditional
purposes such as word processing.
What is
possible?
Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable
students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other
repositories of information and to exchange personal communication with other
Internet users around the world. Families should be aware that some material
accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory,
inaccurate, or potentially offensive. While the purposes of the school are to
use Internet resources for constructive educational goals, students may find
ways to access other materials. We believe that the benefits to students from
access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities
for collaboration, exceed the disadvantages. But ultimately, parents and guardians
of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their
children should follow when using media and information sources. Therefore, we
support and respect each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for
access.
What is
expected?
Students are responsible for appropriate behavior
on the school's computer network just as they are in a classroom or on a school
playground. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General
school rules for behavior and communications apply. It is expected that users
will comply with district standards and the specific rules set forth below. 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. The students are advised never to
access, keep, or send anything that they would not want their parents or
teachers to see.
What
are the rules?
Privacy -- Network storage areas may be treated
like school lockers. Network administrators, who may review communications to
maintain system integrity, will insure that students are using the system
responsibly.
Storage capacity -- Users are expected to remain
within allocated disk space and delete e-mail or other material, which takes up
excessive storage space.
Illegal copying -- Students should never download
or install any copyrighted material, including movies, television programs or
sound recordings, commercial software, shareware or freeware onto network
drives or disks, unless they have written permission from the Network
Administrator. Nor should students copy other people's work or intrude into
other people's files.
Inappropriate materials or language -- No
profane, abusive or impolite language should be used to communicate, nor should
materials be accessed which are not in line with the rules of school behavior.
A good rule to follow is never view, send, or access materials, which you would
not want your teachers and parents to see. Should students encounter such
material by accident, they should report it to their teacher immediately.
Advice
These are guidelines to follow to prevent the
loss of network privileges at School:
1. Do not use a computer to harm other people or
their work.
2. Do not damage the computer or the network in
any way.
3. Do not interfere with the operation of the
network by installing illegal
software, shareware, or freeware
4. Do not violate copyright, including the unauthorized
sending or receiving
on the
Internet, files of movies, television programs or sound recording. This
also
includes the unauthorized copying of these files.
5. Do not view, send or display offensive
messages or pictures.
6. Do not share your password with another
person.
7. Do not waste limited resources such as disk
space or printing capacity.
8. Do not trespass in another’s folders, work, or
files.
9. Do notify an adult immediately, if by
accident, you encounter materials, which
violate the rules of appropriate use.
10. BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your
actions and for the loss of
privileges if the Rules of Appropriate Use are violated.
11. Students may not use computers to make purchases of any kind. The School District retains sole discretion
to revoke usage privileges in any case where District policies or guidelines
are violated.
PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION FORM & USER
AGREEMENT
As a parent or guardian of a student at School, I
have read the above information about the appropriate use of computers at the
school and I understand this agreement will be kept on file at the school.
Please return this completed form to the school. (Questions should be directed
to the principal for clarification.)
Check one:
My child may use e-mail and the Internet while at school according to the
rules outlined. __
I would prefer that my child not use e-mail and the Internet while at
school.
________
Parent Name (print)
Parent Signature
date:
PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION FOR THE
PUBLICATION OF STUDENT WORK/PICTURES
I understand that from time-to-time the school may wish to publish
examples of student projects, photographs of students, and other work on an
Internet accessible World Wide Web server.
Check one:
My child's work can be published on the Internet and photographs of my
child can be published __________
I would prefer that my child's work and picture not be published on the
Internet
__________
Parent/Guardian Name (print)
Parent/Guardian Signature
date:
STUDENT
AGREEMENT FORM
As a user of the School computer network, I agree to comply with the
above stated rules and to use the network in a constructive manner.
Student’s Name (print)
Student’s Signature
Teacher
date: