Acceptable Use Agreement

Revised June 2011

Technology consists of computers, the Internet, software, and peripherals that provide access to a vast collection of online resources, including libraries, government agencies, public information resources, as well as links to millions of people around the world. Paideia School provides technology and Internet access for its community because of its importance as an educational resource. As such, use of Paideia's technology is to be used primarily to further the school's educational goals. At all times, Paideia's technology is to be used in a responsible, courteous, efficient, ethical, and legal manner, in accordance with all school rules and policies as stated in school handbooks and elsewhere.

The purpose of Paideia’s Acceptable Technology Use Agreement is to:

• promote the safety and security of students when using electronic mail, blogs, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
• prevent unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking” and other unauthorized activities.
• prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information of students and staff.
• restrict minors’ access to materials “harmful to minors” as the term is defined in Section 1703 (b)(2) of the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000.

Terms of Use

Access to technology is a privilege, not a right. This privilege may be revoked at any time. Use of technology in an unacceptable manner will result in appropriate disciplinary action. For elementary and junior high students, disciplinary action will be the responsibility of the respective coordinators and classroom teachers. For high school students, Honor Council or Disciplinary Committee charges may be filed. If questionable use of technology occurs by a faculty or staff person, action may be taken by the headmaster. Members of the community should not expect that their use of Paideia's technology will be completely private, and should know that under certain circumstances their files and/or activity may be monitored by the system administrator.

Paideia's Policy on Internet Filtering

The Internet offers access to an ever-increasing amount of data, information, communications, images and sounds, some of which may be inappropriate for student access. Paideia is in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act. Persons using the Internet are expected to use reasonable, good judgment when accessing Internet sites, and are reminded that school rules and policies govern school use at all times. It is the user's responsibility to evaluate the truth and accuracy of any information accessed through the Internet.

Guidelines for Acceptable Use

Acceptable uses are activities which support teaching and learning at Paideia. The use of technology for research related to courses and classroom activities at Paideia, for individual educational needs, and for communications of an educational nature is encouraged. Accessing e-mail of a purely personal nature using the school network is discouraged. Student and parent use of e-mail is restricted.

Unacceptable uses of technology include:

• Any illegal, unethical, or irresponsible act or communication, including accessing inappropriate Internet sites, or using the network to arrange such an act.
• Participating in Internet chat rooms, playing games, or other interactive recreational activities using the school network.
• Using someone else's name or account, or in any way impersonating another person or misrepresenting affiliation with a person, group, or entity.
• Using someone else's personal computing device such as an iPhone or and iPad without their permission.
• Re-posting personal communications without permission of the original author.
• Loading or downloading software, written works, information, images, or other files in violation of copyright or patent protection as stated by the owner or by U.S. law, or plagiarizing such works (presenting works or ideas as your own.)
• Intentionally transmitting any material or messages that contain software viruses, unsolicited advertising, "spamming", or chain letters.
• Creating, using, transmitting, or viewing obscene, threatening, abusive, hateful, libelous, or harassing language or messages.
• Compromising personal safety by posting personal contact information about yourself or someone else (including home, school or home e-mail addresses, full names, telephone numbers,) or, for students, agreeing to meet someone met online without prior parental approval.
• Accessing or attempting to access, for any reason, any server or files of any system without specific prior permission from the controlling entity.
• Using computers and other devices to create fraudulent documents.
• Posting to the Internet or distributing school and classroom produced videos without specific prior permission from the institution.

Agreement to Policy Terms

Accessing the Internet via the Paideia network, or using Paideia-supplied equipment (including computers, printers, scanners, cameras, or software), carries with it the automatic agreement to follow the guidelines above.