Gateway High School promotes academic excellence by providing students and staff opportunities to access information, communication, and research sources throughout the world. Therefore, Gateway endorses the use of advanced technology as educational tools. In this document, technology includes computers, network connections, Internet access, file servers, storage devices, digital cameras, electronic laboratory devices, video tools, printers, and electronic keyboards.

 

Proper and Ethical Use

 

All authorized users of Gateway's computers and associated technology must understand and practice proper ethical use. All students must read in full and sign the attached document before receiving an account name and password in order to access the network and use associated technology.

 

Conditions and Rules for Use

 

1.    Acceptable Use

 

a)    Your computer use must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives at Gateway. In other words, if you inappropriately use Gateway's technology facilities, you are violating the Acceptable Use Policy.

b)    Transmission of any material in violation of Gateway rules, California laws or regulations, or United States laws or regulations is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, transmitting copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Transmit only files that you, your friends, your teachers, and your families would not mind viewing.

c)    Use of Gateway's computers for commercial activities or product advertisement is not allowed. This includes buying or selling items as an individual.

d)    You must respect the physical space surrounding GatewayÕs computers and under no circumstances may you bring food or drink into the TechCenter.  Violation of this policy may result in expulsion from the TechCenter and suspension of technology privileges.

e)    Each student will be allotted 15MB of file server storage limited exclusively to academic files. Students working on media intensive projects may be temporarily granted additional storage space.  Abuse of this policy will result in the deletion of stored files and/or suspension of privileges.

f)     Use of file sharing (peer-to-peer) applications at Gateway is strictly prohibited. Instant Messaging or use of any chat applications is prohibited unless a faculty member grants prior permission for academic purposes. Playing computer games at Gateway is strictly prohibited. Gateway technology is for academic use only.

g)    Students may not download or otherwise install software applications on Gateway owned computers without prior consent from the Director of Technology.

h)    Students and their guardians are financially liable for damages to Gateway owned technology caused by a studentÕs misuse or neglect.  It is extremely important for students to handle Gateway owned technology appropriately especially with regards to laptop computers and mobile laptop carts.

 

2.    Privilege

 

The use of Gateway's telecommunications system is a privilege, not a right. If you violate the Acceptable Use Policy, you may lose your user account and/or computer use privileges. Gateway has the authority to determine inappropriate use.  Gateway reserves the right to update these policies during the school year.

 

 

3.    Monitoring

 

You may only use Gateway's computers while under the supervision of a Gateway staff member. In addition, Gateway staff reserve the rights to review material on user accounts and to monitor file server space in order to determine inappropriate use.

 

4.    Network Etiquette

 

When communicating online, all users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

a)    Be polite. Do not use abusive language in your communications.

b)    Use appropriate language. Do not swear or use vulgarities.

c)    Do not reveal your password to anyone. Do not reveal other personal addresses or phone numbers.

 

5.    Privately Owned Laptop Computers

 

Students who would like to use privately owned laptops at Gateway are required to have the laptop periodically evaluated by the Director of Technology. Privately owned laptops with wireless or Ethernet connectivity will not be allowed access to GatewayÕs network if file sharing software is installed on the hard drive (ex. KaZaA, Morpheus, Limewire, etc). Students are responsible for the maintenance and security of privately owned laptops.  Gateway cannot be held liable for the damage or theft of privately owned property, this includes damages resulting from computer viruses. Gateway requires that privately owned laptops have operable anti-virus software installed with recent virus definition updates.  Students must first meet with the Director of Technology to review these policies and receive a clean bill of health for their laptop along with a sticker that must be kept on the laptop throughout the school year. All applicable sections of this agreement apply to privately owned laptops used on Gateway premises.

 

6.    Releasing Your Account

 

Upon leaving Gateway, your user account will become inactive.

 

Penalties for Improper Use

 

What will happen if you are found violating these rules, applicable state and federal laws, or posted classroom and district rules?

 

1.    You could lose your network and computer use privileges; this includes access to individual workstations and GatewayÕs file server.

2.    You could be subject to other school disciplinary actions, such as a parent conference or even expulsion.

3.    You could be prosecuted. Unauthorized access or unauthorized use of any state computer and/or network system in a violation of Section 502 of the California Penal Code and is subject to criminal prosecution.

 

Liability

 

Gateway has taken reasonable precautions to limit the inappropriate use and restrict access to offensive and questionable material and uses. However, due to the nature of technology and the Internet, absolute control of all on-line activities is impossible.

 

Therefore, the ultimate responsibility for appropriately using the Internet rests in the hands of the user. Gateway cannot be held liable for unacceptable use.

 

Please sign and return the attached portion of this contract signed by you and a parent or guardian.  Students will not be able to use Gateway technology until they have a signed agreement on file.

 

 

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2004-2005 Gateway High School Technology Acceptable Use Agreement

 

I, the undersigned, understand and will abide by the attached Conditions, Rules, and Acceptable Use Policy. By accepting this user account, I agree to use this technology specifically for educational purposes related to my academic progress at Gateway.

 

 

                                                                  

Student First and Last Name (please print neatly)

 

 

                                                                                                    

Student Signature                                                         Date

 

                                                                                                    

Parent/Guardian Signature                                             Date