Internet access is available to students and teachers in the Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District. We believe 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 in the Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School by facilitating resource sharing and communication.
With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the possibility of encountering content that may not be considered to be of educational value. The Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District has taken available precautions to restrict access to content and/or materials of a controversial nature. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all content and a user may discover controversial information. We believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure materials that are not consistent with our educational goals. The smooth operation at the Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School network relies on the proper conduct of users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so users are aware of the ethical and legal responsibilities that they are required to assume.
If a Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District user violates any of these provisions, his or her access privileges will be terminated and future access may be denied.
1) Acceptable Use:
The use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District. Use of other organizations’ networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities other than those necessary and authorized for the conduct of school business is prohibited. Use of the network or other computer resources for political lobbying is also prohibited. Each student who receives access privileges will be part of an ongoing discussion with a Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District faculty member pertaining to the proper use of the network.
Every computer in the district having Internet access shall not be operated by a student unless Internet access from the computer is subject to filtering software. Such filtering software shall be designed and it shall operate so that images which are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors shall not be displayed. Such filtering software shall also be designed and it shall operate so that images or language which advocate or promote violence or hatred against particular individuals or groups of individuals or promotes the superiority of one racial, ethnic or religious group over another shall not be displayed. For purposes of this policy, the phrase harmful to minors means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that, taken as a whole, and with respect to minors, appeals to prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion; depicts, describes or represents in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals and, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value as to minors. Internet access will be provided to students in accordance with the terms of this policy. Use by outside groups without prior approval of the system administrator or other school administration is prohibited. Use by student clubs and organizations is limited to those times when the Internet access points are not in use for instruction, and shall be limited to educational purposes and governed by this policy. Access to the Internet will be under the direction and supervision of the staff assigned to the particular Internet access area or computer.
The system administrator will determine what is inappropriate use and his/her decisions are final. The administration, faculty, and staff of Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School may request the system administrator to deny, revoke or suspend a specific user’s access only after a review with the student in order to explain the grounds for the revocation.
2) Etiquette:
All users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Be polite, and do not be abusive in your messages to others.
- Use appropriate language at all times.
- Do not engage in any cyber-bullying activities. Cyber-bullying refers to any harassment/bullying which occurs via the internet, cell phones or other electronic devices.
- Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers or those of other students.
- Electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities.
- Do not use the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users.
- All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.
- Attempts to access information or services deemed inappropriate by the system administrator, faculty and staff of Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District, or in contravention of this policy, and/or the Children’s Internet Protection Act are prohibited.
- Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
3) No Liability:
Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School will not be responsible for any damages. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or users’ errors or omissions. The Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the network.
4) Security:
Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If a user identifies a security problem on the Internet or internal network, the user must notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Use of another individual’s access privileges is prohibited. Attempts to log in to the Internet or internal network as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to computer resources. System administrators with probable cause may access any material on the school network without prior notice to users in order to prevent or rectify security problems.
5) Vandalism:
Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and may lead to other administrative action, including notification of law enforcement authorities. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
6) Agreement:
All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to all users. These terms and conditions reflect the entire agreement and supersede all prior oral or written agreements and understandings. These terms and conditions shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the United States of America.