Technology Department
South Orangetown School District


Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):


The South Orangetown Central School District is very pleased to inform you that we have the ability to enhance your child’s education through the use of our school network which offers vast and unique resources. The District’s goal in providing this service is to support teaching and learning, and to promote educational excellence by facilitating responsible resource sharing, innovation and communication. Internet access will provide your child with the ability to connect to computers throughout the world, as well as with millions of individuals. It provides access to thousands of databases, libraries, and services.


Please read the attached Acceptable Use Policy and discuss it with your child so that you can help him/her understand their responsibilities with regard to using the Internet at school.


Also please sign and return the school network authorization form to the main office in Cottage Lane.


Thank you.

Very truly yours,
 

Ken Mitchell, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Internet and School Network Acceptable Use Policy for Students

Internet and School Network Ethics
Grades 4-12

Access to the Internet and the school computer network is a privilege, not a right.

BE SAFE – Passwords are secret. Don’t share your password or use anyone else’s password.  It’s like stealing a key and is an invasion of privacy. Never reveal personal information including your or another’s personal address and telephone number. Never transmit credit card information.

BE YOURSELF – Never use anyone else’s name or account. Do not post anonymous messages.

BE HONEST – observe copyright laws. Be certain to cite sources properly. Do not transfer any commercial software onto school computers.

BE POLITE – Do not insult or lie about anyone or use offensive language, not even in private messages to friends. This includes materials created off-school and accessed at school. Do not send or access pornographic materials or files containing racial, ethnic or minority slurs. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited.

BE FAIR – Use the Internet, which includes email and IM for schoolwork only. Do not use for commercial purposes or political lobbying (excluding student government).

BE CONSIDERATE – Do not waste time on-line.

BE CAREFUL – Do not download or transmit any file with a computer virus. Do not violate federal, state, or local laws.

BE ALERT – Report any security problems, violations or abuses to your teacher.

BE RESPONSIBLE – Users shall not intentionally seek information about, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users. Hardware or software shall not be destroyed, damaged, modified or abused in any way. Users are not allowed to install software from any source without permission from a system administrator.

Conditions of Usage

Electronic material that I transmit or store is not private. The district reserves the right to monitor activity, access files, and edit or remove any material stored on the system. 

The SOCSD does not guarantee the Network will provide all the information I may need, or that the Network will be error free or uninterrupted. Certain websites may be blocked by the District’s Internet filter.

Any violation of the regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense.

Should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be suspended or revoked and disciplinary action will be taken.