COMPUTER NETWORK AND INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)
The District is committed to the use of telecommunication networks in a responsible, efficient, courteous and legal manner. Internet access and other on-line services, provided to students and teachers, offer a multitude of global resources. Our goal in providing these services is to enhance the educational development of our students.
Acceptable uses of telecommunications are devoted to activities that support teaching and learning. The use of the Newark Public Schools (NPS) computer network is limited to the exchange of academic information, research, career and professional development activities consistent with the mission of the District.
In support of NPS district’s goal, users must agree to this policy as a condition of receiving Internet access. Usage is a privilege, not a right.
Network
Unacceptable uses of The Newark Public Schools' computer network accounts and Internet resources include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Users may not use the NPS computer network for private or commercial business use, political or religious purposes.
- Users may not use the NPS computer network to advertise goods and services, or to purchase goods and services for personal use.
- Users may not use the NPS computer network to engage in any illegal act or action that violates local, state or federal laws.
- Users may not use the NPS computer network to access, send, post, download, print, or store pornographic, obscene, or offensive materials, or materials that advocate hate, violence, or harassment and discrimination towards others.
- Users must not tamper with, modify, or change the District’s system, software, hardware, or wiring.
- The downloading and storage of files, which consume system resources, without the expressed approval of the Network Manager (Technology Coordinator) is strictly prohibited.
Security
Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. Keeping this in mind, all users must adhere to the following.
THE NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FILE CODE 6142:10
- Users are responsible for their individual accounts and should take serious precautions to prevent others from being able to use their accounts. Attempts to log on as any other user will result in cancellation of user privileges. Under no conditions or circumstances should users give passwords to other individuals.
- Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and possible disciplinary or legal action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious or intentional attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the destruction of computer equipment or other school property, the theft of or defacing of computer equipment. This also includes the intentional uploading or creation of computer viruses when using the Internet.
- Distribution of personal information over the Internet is strictly prohibited.
- Users who are identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems will be denied access to the Internet.
- Never agree to meet in person with anyone you have met online unless you first have the approval of a parent or guardian.
- Your parent or guardian should instruct you if there is additional material that they think would be inappropriate for you to access. The District expects you to follow your parent or guardian’s wishes regarding such material.
- E-mail is provided for the purpose of exchanging information consistent with the mission of the District.
- While engaged in activities on the NPS computer network, users are prohibited from transmitting E-mail to others that includes material that is vulgar, rude, obscene, pornographic, inflammatory, threatening, harassing, disrespectful or which uses sexually explicit language.
- Users must not post chain letters or engage in “spamming”. Spamming is the sending of an annoying and unnecessary message to a large number of people.
Software
- Users are responsible to take all reasonable precautions to prevent virus
infections on the District’s equipment. - The downloading of any software or files without the approval of the Network Manager (Technology Coordinator) is strictly prohibited. Software is defined as, but not limited to programs, games, browsers, and sound files, which can be downloaded from the Internet.
- The illegal use of copyrighted software or files is prohibited. Copyright infringement occurs when you use and/or reproduce a work that is protected by a copyright.
- Users must not plagiarize academic work found on the Internet.
- The accessing of web-based games, listening to, or viewing sound and video files, and participating in chat rooms are strictly prohibited.
The District does not relinquish control over materials on the computer system or contained in files stored on the system.
The District reserves the right to suspend or terminate the computer systems access of users who have violated the AUP, and to delete or remove files found to be in violation of the AUP.
The District will report and cooperate fully with local, state, and federal authorities in any investigation concerning or related to any illegal activities conducted through the NPS computer network.