We ask that all parents review this entire page and discuss
and review the Ethical Use Guidelines below with your student. All third grade and sixth grade students and their
parents, as well as all students and parents new to the school this year
in grades 4-8, must sign and return the Acceptable
Use Policy form (pdf, 120kb). This will be kept on file while your
student is enrolled and will allow your student access to the Internet
and technology resources at Prospect Sierra.
To Prospect Sierra Parents,
Access to technology and the Internet raises concerns for schools and
parents. With access to distant computers and people all over the world
also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to
be of educational value in the context of the school. However, on a global
network it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious
user may discover controversial information or inappropriate ways to use
technology resources. Many schools deal with these concerns by using a
document called an Acceptable Use Policy or AUP. Attached is such an agreement,
which asks parent, student, and teacher to agree to responsible use of
the resource they are about to acquire. In general, this requires efficient,
ethical, and legal utilization of technology.
Each year we inform the parents of our younger users and of new students
about the schools' policies. We review and discuss these policies in class
with continuing students throughout the years of their enrollment. Please
note that the following is written with all users in mind, and you will
need to explain important points at the level of your student's understanding.
This is also a good time to set or review guidelines for use at home.
—Technology Department
Prospect Sierra's Acceptable Use Policy
The use of technology at Prospect Sierra School is in support of and
consistent with the educational objectives of the school.
The use of technology, including the Internet or other online access,
is a privilege. Inappropriate use may result in suspension or cancellation
of this privilege, or other penalty.
Prospect Sierra School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed
or implied, for the service it is providing. Prospect Sierra School
will not be responsible for any damages suffered, including loss of
data. Prospect Sierra School specifically denies any responsibility
for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through online services.
Networks accessed by Prospect Sierra School may contain information
or material which may be offensive to and/or unsuitable for minors or
adults. As Prospect Sierra and even the best filters can not completely
control or monitor information accessible on these networks, the undersigned
agrees to discharge and hold harmless the school, its officers, trustees,
and employees from any and all claims, liabilities, costs, expenses,
or obligations of any kind, known or unknown, arising out of their own
or their child's use of the networks, except as provided by applicable
state and federal law.
Networked computers at Prospect Sierra use software which allow client computers to be remotely administered for purposes of troubleshooting, viewing, updating, maintaining, inventorying and training.
The school maintains a web site at www.prospectsierra.org whose purpose is to provide positive representation and information
for the Prospect Sierra community. The web site follows procedures generally
accepted by schools to protect the privacy of individuals. Members of
the Prospect Sierra community grant permission and the right to publish
student work and images of student and school activities on this site,
unless such permission is specifically withheld in writing. Parents
who wish to publish independently school-related information on the
web must seek authorization beforehand from Prospect Sierra's Technology
Department in order to protect the privacy of students, teachers, and
families who have indicated the desire to be excluded from such publications.
Ethical Use Guidelines for Prospect Sierra's
Technology Users
As a technology user I agree to follow
these ethical guidelines
in my work
at Prospect Sierra School.
I may only use Prospect Sierra technology resources for academic or authorized activities.
I will not access personal Internet accounts from school, nor will I set up or use personal accounts from school without specific teacher permission and academic purpose. These include email, chat, games, websites, file sharing, p2p, music or other uses.
Personal computers and equipment are allowed only with special permission and registration with the Technology Department. Technical support, maintenance and care for non-school equipment are the responsibility of the owner or student, and such use is at their own risk.
I will not access the Internet at Prospect Sierra School without specific teacher permission and supervision and further understand that my activities on any school computer may be observed directly or remotely.
If I feel I have accessed inappropriate content on the Internet, I should hit the ‘back’ button without drawing the attention of other users and notify a teacher if necessary.
I will not change default computer settings without permission.
I will not access or use files, utilities or applications capable of altering intended computer performance, settings or access.
I will use printing resources, media, storage and online time efficiently and wisely.
Software is protected by copyright laws; therefore, I will not make, install, use or secure unauthorized copies of software on or from school computers.
I will not use personal storage devices (flash drives, portable drives, CDs, etc.) or other means to transport, install or run unauthorized software.
Plagiarism is not acceptable. All information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property. I will properly acknowledge all sources (Internet, email, CDs, etc.) for borrowed words, sounds, music and images with appropriate citation.
I will not misrepresent myself, pose as someone else, reveal personal information or behave inappropriately when online.
I recognize that the work of all users is valuable; therefore, I will protect the work of others and I will not copy, change, read, delete, move or use others' files.
I will not use or attempt to gain unauthorized access to faculty or administrative passwords and accounts, network administrative programs or equipment and will protect the secrecy of home and/or school accounts and/or passwords
I will not use computer systems to disturb or harass other computer users.
Storage on the hard drives of any Prospect Sierra School computer is not permanent. It is my responsibility to save work as instructed and to maintain backups of important files on diskettes or flash drives maintained in good condition. CD and DVD burners are available by permission for archiving larger projects.
I will notify the teacher when equipment needs attention. Stuck disks, paper jams, empty paper trays or toner/ink cartridges require a teacher.
If I feel I can identify a security problem, I must notify a teacher. I will not demonstrate the problem to other users.
Access to school networks, wireless and otherwise, is for school use only. Computers must be registered with the Technology Department to use school resources.
Violations may result in a call home, the suspension or revocation of technology privileges, or other academic or administrative penalty.
