Introduction

The Jackson Township School District provides computer equipment, computer services and electronic services access for educational use only. The intent of this policy is to allow the greatest use of our computing facilities consistent with the general principles that govern our academic community. Use of facilities for commercial purposes is expressly prohibited.

Please read this document carefully. Please note that additional policies may govern the use of particular resources. Computing labs may have individual policies regarding the use of the labs.

In this policy, the term, "Computer Facilities", is defined to include computers, computer networks, connections to external computer networks, and subscriptions to external computer services. "Licensed Software" collectively refers to copyrighted and proprietary programs, data and documentation. "Software" collectively refers to the programs, data, and documentation developed from the school's instructional and research activities by the Faculty, Students and Staff of the Jackson Township School District.

The failure of any Computer Facility to prevent unauthorized use of that Computer Facility does not relieve an individual of the responsibility of obtaining authorization prior to his or her use of the Computer Facility.

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Prohibited Activities

The following activities involving use of Computer Facilities are prohibited:

--Transmitting unsolicited information which contains obscene, indecent, lewd or lascivious material or other material which explicitly or implicitly refers to sexual conduct;

--Transmitting unsolicited information which contains profane language or panders to bigotry, sexism, or other forms of discrimination;

--Communicating any information concerning any password, identifying code, personal identification number or other confidential information without the permission of its owner or the controlling authority of the Computer Facility to which is belongs;

--Creating, modifying, executing or retransmitting any computer program or instructions intended to gain unauthorized access to, or make unauthorized use of, a Computer Facility, Software or Licensed Software;

--Creating, modifying, executing or retransmitting any computer program or instructions intended to obscure the true identity of the sender of electronic mail or electronic messages, collectively referred to as "Messages", including, but not limited to, forgery of Messages and/or alteration of system and/or user data used to identify the sender of Messages;

--Accessing or intentionally destroying Software or Licensed Software in a Computer Facility without the permission of the owner of such Software or Licensed Software or the controlling authority of the Facility; --Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data or equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

--Making unauthorized copies of Licensed Software;

--Communicating any credit card number or other financial account number without the permission of its owner;

--Effecting or receiving unauthorized electronic transfer of funds, --Violating any laws or participating in the commission or furtherance of any crime or other unlawful or improper purpose;

--Using the Computer Facilities in a manner inconsistent with the School District's contractual obligations to suppliers of Computer Facilities or with any published school policy.

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Questions/Exceptions

If you have questions about the contents of these policies or request for exceptions to these polices, contact the Supervisor of Education and Business Technology at 928-1400, ext. 340.

Governing Law

Federal and State Law also regulates unauthorized access to Computer Facilities, Software and Licensed Software. A brief summary of Federal Law relevant to this issue follows. Note that the laws of New Jersey and other states may apply depending on the actual location of Computer Facility(ies) in question. 

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Federal Law

It is a violation of Federal Law intentionally (1) to access a computer without authorization and thereby to obtain classified information; (2) to access a computer without authorization and thereby to obtain financial records of a financial institution; (3) to access any U.S. Government computer without authorization if such conduct affects the use of the Government's operation of the computer; (4) to access a Federal computer without authorization with the intent to defraud; (5) to access a financial institution or U.S. Government computer without authorization and thereby alter, damage, or destroy information which causes losses to others of a value exceeding $1,000 or more during any one year or which modifies or impairs medical diagnosis, treatment, or care; or (6) with intent to defraud to traffic in passwords or similar information through which a computer may be accessed if the trafficking affects interstate commerce or the computer is used by the U.S. Government. The penalty can be a fine or as much as 20 years in the Federal penitentiary for certain of these violations (18 USCA, sec. 130).

Copyright is a constitutionally conceived property right which is designed to promote progress of science and the useful arts by securing for an author the benefits of his/her original work for a limited time (US Constitution Art. 1, Sec. 8). Congress has passed the Copyright statute (17 USCA, Sec. 101, et seq) to implement this policy by balancing the author's interest against the public interest in the dissemination of information affecting areas of universal interest. 

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School Discipline

Persons violating appropriate use policies will be dealt with according to the discipline policies of the school district. Such activities will result in forfeiting computer account privileges and/or other appropriate actions. Such activities may also result in forfeiting access to elective technology courses for the remainder of the student's high school experience.

Ten Principles of Computer Use Ethics

1. Do not use a computer to harm other people.

2. Do not interfere with other people's computer work.

3. Do not snoop around in other people's files.

4. Do not use a computer to conduct illegal activities.

5. Do not use a computer using another name other than your own.

6. Do not use or copy commercial software for which you have not paid.

7. Do not use other people's computer resources without authorization.

8. Do not appropriate other people's intellectual output without permission and/or acknowledgment.

9. Think about the social consequences of the messages you write.

10. Use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.

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Acknowledgment

This document was developed by the Jackson Township School District using input of the staff and policies of other institutions as listed below. Acceptable use policies of other institutions were posted on the Internet or provided to Jackson by the institutions.

 Policies from:

Rice University Brevard County, FLA

Northwestern University Southern Regional High School

Rocky Mountain High School NET 

Student Agreement

Student Name __________________________ 

Date ___________________

(Last) (First) (Middle) I have read the Appropriate Use of Computer Facilities Policy and agree to abide by its provisions. I understand that any violations of the above policy is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violations my access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken and/or appropriate legal action.

Signature: ______________________________ 


Date: ___________________

D E T A C H  H E R E ******************************************** ********************************************

Parent or Guardian (If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian also must read and sign this agreement.)

As the parent or guardian of this student I have read the Appropriate Use of Computer Facilities. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes and Jackson Township School District has taken available precautions to eliminate controversial material. However, I also recognize it is impossible for the Jackson Township School District to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network. I hereby give permission to issue an account for my child and/or allow full facilities access for my child. I certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

Parent or Guardian (please print):

 ___________________________________________

Signature: __________________________________ 

Date: _________________________

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