Purpose

A local area network is available to students and staff at PSD. PSD also offers staff members, and students who have obtained parental permission, access to an electronic mail (“e-mail”) system. In conjunction with PSD’s local area network, Internet access is also available in every classroom and to all staff members. PSD believes that the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to staff and students. The goal of local area network, e-mail system and Internet access is to improve PSD’s educational and other programs by facilitating communication, enabling resource sharing, and creating unique environments for learning. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the local area network, the e-mail system and Internet access are used appropriately.

Network Ownership

PSD’s computers, servers and network are the property of PSD. As such, all e-mail messages, including any attachments, that are created, sent or received using PSD’s computers, servers or network are the property of PSD. Users should have no expectation of privacy in any materials sent, stored or accessed through PSD’s computers, servers or networks, including e-mail messages. PSD’s computers, network, e-mail messages and all materials stored on or accessed through PSD’s computers or network are subject to review and monitoring by PSD’s System Administrator, with the consent of the Headmaster.

General Computer Use Guidelines

▪ No computer equipment, peripherals, programs or supplies may be removed from the school.

▪ It is very important that there be NO FOOD NOR DRINKS around computers at any time.

▪ Please turn all computers AND printers off at the end of each day.

▪ Software licensed to the school may not be copied for personal use.

▪ If any computer parts or programs do not seem to be working and you are not sure what to do, please DO NOT try to fix it. If you have any problems of any kind, please send an email to helpdesk@psd.org. The request will be automatically logged in and a member of the Technology Support Team will respond in a timely manner.

▪ If you are not sure how to use a printer or a computer, please see any member of the Technology Support Team.

User Responsibilities

It is essential for each user to recognize his or her responsibility in having access to PSD’s network, e-mail system and to the Internet.

▪ Users shall limit their use to accessing, receiving and sending materials and messages of direct educational value or of direct relevance to their work at PSD.

▪ Incidental, occasional and brief personal uses are permitted. Any messages or other files pertaining to such personal use will be treated no differently than any other messages or files, i.e. they are property of PSD, subject to the user responsibilities and prohibited uses listed in this policy and subject to review. In general, personal uses should be restricted to non-work hours.

▪ Users may not download or install software or programs onto PSD’s computers or the PSD network without permission from the Technology Support Team.

▪ Users may not move, repair, reconfigure, modify, or attach external devices to PSD’s computers or network.

▪ Users shall obey all applicable copyright laws. Materials accessed through the Internet must be properly cited when referenced.

▪ Users are expected to use the highest ethical standards when receiving or transmitting information over the network.

▪ Users shall use care in composing and sending e-mail messages to ensure that they are sent only to the intended recipients and are treated with the same care and discretion as any other formal means of communicating, such as written letters.

▪ Students and staff should immediately report to the Technology Support Team all violations of this policy they witness or of which they have otherwise become aware.

Prohibited Uses

Users are specifically prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities:

▪ placing unlawful information on a system;

▪ viewing, accessing, transmitting, downloading or storing text, images or materials that are abusive, inflammatory, defamatory, harassing, offensive, discriminatory or otherwise prohibited by PSD’s harassment and non-discrimination policies;

▪ viewing, accessing, transmitting ,downloading or storing text, images or materials of a sexually explicit, obscene or pornographic nature;

▪ viewing, accessing, transmitting, downloading or storing text, images or materials that portray excessive, socially unacceptable violence;

▪ uploading, downloading, copying, disseminating or printing copyrighted materials (including software) in violation of applicable copyright laws;

▪ gambling or engaging in any other activity in violation of federal, state or local law;

▪ sending messages that are likely to result in the loss of recipients’ work or damage to the recipients’ systems;

▪ soliciting business opportunities or money for personal gain and/or conducting business for personal gain;

▪ intercepting or disclosing the contents of e-mail messages without permission of the sender or receiver;

▪ using someone else’s identity on the network;

▪ disclosing confidential, personal or student information that is protected by law or without the permission of the individual or his/her parent or guardian;

▪ allowing another person to use, or failing to protect use of, one’s network account;

▪ making unauthorized statements about PSD or communicating, transferring, viewing, making, sending, receiving, retrieving, printing or disseminating unauthorized messages concerning PSD, its operations or its competitors;

▪ accessing or using non-PSD e-mail accounts through PSD’s computer system or using PSD’s computer system to access the Internet through any means or services other than through the account provided by PSD

▪ unauthorized posting of any material on the World Wide Web.

As users of the network, individuals may be allowed to access other networks (and/or the computer systems attached to those networks). Each network or system has its own set of policies and procedures. It is the user’s responsibility to abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks/systems, as well as PSD’s own policies and procedures.

Violation of this policy may result in discipline up to and including termination (for staff) or suspension or expulsion (for students), and loss of computer privileges.

Student Use

Students may be given Internet and e-mail accounts only with the written permission of their parents/guardians. Students may log onto the Internet independently, but must have adult supervision in reasonable proximity. Students may use the network for educational, school-related purposes only.

Controversial Material and User Protection

With widespread access to computers and the Internet also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in a school setting or that may be contrary to the values, mores and culture of the school and community. PSD has taken available precautions, including the installation of monitoring and blocking hardware and software, to restrict access to objectionable materials on the Internet. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and users may be able to discover controversial material. We firmly believe that the value of the information and interactions available on the local area network, e-mail and Internet far outweighs the possibility that users may obtain material that is inconsistent with PSD’s educational goals and values. Users should report immediately to the System Administrator any access to objectionable materials of which they become aware.

All questions related to use of or access to computers, PSD’s network, e-mail system or the Internet should be directed to the System Administrator or to the Instructional Technology Specialist.