Please review the document below and the Chromebook Agreement and Responsible Use Policy with your child. All users of Linton Hall School computing resources, including Chromebooks and the Linton Hall School Network, are expected to adhere to the policy.

 

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Linton Hall School

General Information and Objectives

Internet access is available to students and teachers of Linton Hall School. We are very pleased to bring this access to Linton Hall School and believe the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

The Internet is an electronic highway connecting millions of computers and subscribers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Students and teachers have access to:
-Information and news.
-Public domain and shareware of all types.
-Discussion groups on a vast range of topics.
-Educational resources.

With access to computers and people all over the world also comes availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. Linton Hall School has taken available precautions to restrict access to controversial and other materials deemed to be inappropriate. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and an industrious user may discover controversial and inappropriate information. We firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with our educational goals.

Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government and private networks. The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. In general, this requires ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. In addition to this Policy, Linton Hall School regulates access to and use of the network by principles consistent with the educational mission of Linton Hall School, and the rules and expectations published elsewhere (i.e., Parent/Student or Faculty Handbook.) Users are expected to conduct themselves on the Linton Hall School network in the same fashion as they do elsewhere in the community. Users who violate this Policy will have their network privileges revoked and may be subject to further disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal. Linton Hall School may also report offenders to applicable law enforcement agencies.

The Linton Hall School network provides access to the global Internet. Linton Hall School has taken available precautions to restrict access to controversial materials on the Internet. However, on a global network, it is impossible to control all materials. Linton Hall School believes that the valuable information and interaction available on the Internet far outweighs the possibility that Users may find material that is not consistent with our educational goals.

The smooth operation of the Linton Hall School network relies upon the proper conduct of all Users. Electronic signature on the Enrollment/Reenrollment packet indicates that parents and student have reviewed both this Acceptable use Policy and, for students using Chromebooks, the Chromebook Agreement and Responsible Use Policy.

In addition, the use of any other Internet connected resource must comply with the rules appropriate for that resource. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, material protected by copyright, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade practice. Use of the Linton Hall School network for commercial activities, product advertisement, or political lobbying is prohibited. Use of the Linton Hall School network and the Internet must be consistent with this Policy and all policies and practices of Linton Hall School, and violations of this Policy and such other policies and practices may result in the suspension or loss of an account, loss of Internet access, or in other forms of disciplinary action.

Terms and Conditions

Scope and Authority: The Linton Hall School network includes all hardware, software, and network services used by the Linton Hall School community, including third party services that act as extensions of our internal network. Parents give the school permission to use applications that are educationally beneficial to our students.

Privileges: The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. Each student who receives access will participate in a discussion with a Linton Hall School faculty member pertaining to the proper use of the network. The Technology Integration Coordinator and teachers will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. The school may deny, revoke, or suspend specific user access.

No Expectation of Privacy: Linton Hall School routinely monitors usage of the network and may review any communications on its systems. Linton Hall School is able to override all passwords. Users do not have a privacy right in the contents of their computer system, including messages sent, received, or stored on the email systems or in their use of the Internet. Passwords to these systems exist for the benefit of Linton Hall School. Users should have no expectation that the ability to choose a password for a system in any way limits the ability or right of Linton Hall School to monitor all activity.

Improper Use and Content: Willful damage of computer hardware, computer software (including the deletion of programs and/or files) and computer networks will result in the student being responsible for the current repair and replacement cost of the damaged software and/or equipment. Any student violating the terms of this document will receive appropriate disciplinary action, as defined by the terms of this handbook and/or the Consequences for Misuses document shared with students upon receiving their computers. Students could lose computer/network privileges, and/or receive detention, suspension or expulsion.

The Technology Integration Coordinator or his/her designee may close an account at any time as required. The administration, faculty and staff of Linton Hall School may make a request to the Technology Integration Coordinator or his/her designee to deny, revoke or suspend specific user accounts based upon violations of this policy.

Inappropriate Access: Not all of the information freely available on the Internet is reliable or helpful. Students and employees must evaluate the source of the information, as well as the information itself, to determine its appropriateness and usefulness.

In addition to providing information, the Internet is capable of providing the means to communicate directly with others via “instant or private messaging” programs, video conferencing programs, and other means. Also, there are many places and software technologies that will allow for the free exchange of files between computers over the Internet, such as email. Not all of these methodologies are appropriate for an educational environment as outlined in this document.

Downloading or loading of software on Linton Hall School’s computers is prohibited. There is an enormous quantity and variety of free software available on the Internet. However, widespread downloading of such software on the School’s computers has a cumulative negative effect, and can result in the substantial degradation of performance, additional maintenance time, and increased threat of virus infestation. Students may not use school computers to access any Internet site or sites that contain information that is inappropriate for educational purposes or sites that teachers, staff or administration deem inappropriate for the instructional program. Examples of inappropriate information and/or content include, but is not limited to, the following:

Students may not access, upload, download, transmit, display or distribute:
-offensive material – content that is in poor taste or could be considered obscene; abusive or sexually explicit language, racist, illegal, harassing or inflammatory.
-dangerous material – content that provides direction in the construction of explosives or similar devices or instruction or practices that could injure the students themselves or others.
-inappropriate contacts – materials that can lead to contact with strangers who could potentially threaten the student’s health or safety.

If a student is uncertain as to whether or not a site’s material might be considered inappropriate, the student should consult their teacher or a member of the administrative staff for clarification.

Netiquette: All Linton Hall School network users are expected to abide by the general accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Be polite. Your messages should not be abusive to others. Internet “bullying” will not be tolerated.
-Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, or any other language deemed inappropriate.
-Do not reveal your personal information, including address or phone number. Do not reveal the personal addresses and/or phone numbers of fellow students or colleagues.
-Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.

Note that electronic mail (e-mail) and other data transmitted utilizing the network is not guaranteed to be private. Linton Hall School systems administrators who operate the servers and information systems have access to all mail and other data. Messages or data relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt network services for other users.
All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.
Do not load or attempt to load software or files onto a school computer without the permission of the school’s Technology Integration Coordinator or Instructional Technology Resource Teacher.

The school prohibits the use of its network and the Internet to intentionally access, view, download, store, transmit or receive any information that contains material which is in violation of any school policy or administrative rule, or any local, state and/or federal laws or regulations.

Prohibited material includes, but is not limited to, the following:
-obscenity or pornography
-threats
-bullying
-material that is intended, or could reasonably be perceived, to be harassing or discriminatory
-inappropriate use of material that is copyrighted or protected by trade secret
-material used to further any commercial business, product advertising, virus transmission or political activity
-material that is potentially disruptive of the learning environment
-chain letters and other “spreading” schemes, whether in e-mail or in newsgroups, chain letters, pyramid schemes, forwarding or replying to “contests” or “fast cash” schemes, mass cross-postings, and uninvited mass mailings are forbidden on the Internet and on the Linton Hall School network.

The school reserves the right to monitor and/or review all uses of the school’s network and the Internet, and users should not have any expectation of privacy in any information accessed, viewed, downloaded, stored, transmitted or received.

Bullying and Cyber-bullying: Bullying is the repeated use of a written, verbal or electronic expression, physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that:
-causes physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to the student’s property;
-places the student in reasonable fear of physical injury or of damage to property;
-creates a hostile environment at school for the student;
-infringes on the rights of the student at school; or,
-materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

A hostile environment is a situation in which bullying causes the school environment to be permeated with intimidation, ridicule or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the student’s education.

Cyber-bullying involves an act of bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including but not limited to electronic mail, internet communications, or instant messages. Cyber-bullying also includes the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person; or, the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions described in the definition of bullying. Cyber-bullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions described in the definition of bullying.

Linton Hall School shall, in its sole discretion, determine whether such conduct violates this Policy and any other policies of Linton Hall School. Users must remember that material distributed through the Internet is public. On the Internet, there is no central authority, so each site is responsible for its own Users. Complaints received from other sites regarding any of our Users will be fully investigated, and disciplinary action may be taken as a result.

Non-Liability: Linton Hall School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Linton Hall School will not be responsible for any damages suffered. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, missed deliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence, errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via Linton Hall School network is at the user’s own risk. Linton Hall School will not be liable for students’ inappropriate use of the district’s electronic communication resources or violations of copyright restrictions, students’ mistakes or negligence, or costs incurred by students. The school will not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy or usability of any information found on the Internet. Because information appears, disappears and changes constantly, it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate. The school makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of information received on the Internet. Although students will be under teacher supervision while on the network, it is not possible to constantly monitor individual students and what they are accessing on the network. Some students might encounter information that is not of educational value.

Security: Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the Internet, you must notify a teacher who will in turn notify the Technology Integration Coordinator. Do not use another individual’s account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to login to any computer or Internet resources as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the Internet.

No User may have access to another’s files on the network. The following guidelines will help maintain Linton Hall School network security:
-If you feel you have identified a security problem on the network, you must notify the Technology Integration Coordinator.
-Do not allow anyone else to use your account and do not use another individual’s account.
-Inappropriate attempts to access a server as an administrator will result in immediate cancellation of User privileges and/ or discipline.
-Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to information .

Theft and Vandalism: Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware, data of another user, Internet, or any agencies or other networks that are connected to the Linton Hall School network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Users must acknowledge the use of the intellectual property of others. Users must treat information found electronically in the same way as information found in printed sources. Rules against plagiarism will be enforced. It is the responsibility of each User to comply with the terms and condition for the acquisition and use of software found on the Internet. Linton Hall School will not allow the copying or storing of illegally acquired software. In this case, vandalism refers to deliberate attempts to damage the hardware, software, or information residing on network or any other computer system attached through the Internet. Attempts to violate the integrity of private accounts, files or programs; the deliberate infecting of a computer with a “virus”, attempts at “hacking” computers using any method, or other such actions shall be a violation of this Policy.

Social Networking Sites: While Linton Hall School respects the right of employees, students and families to use social media and networking sites, as well as personal websites and blogs, it is important that any such personal use of these sites does not damage Linton Hall School’s reputation, its employees, or its students or their families. Student use of social networking sites is prohibited on Linton Hall distributed laptops; for student, these guidelines are intended to be applied for personal computer use outside of school. All users should exercise care in setting appropriate boundaries between their personal and public online behavior, understanding that what is private in the digital world often has the possibility of becoming public, even without their knowledge or consent.

Linton Hall School strongly encourages all employees, students and families to carefully review the privacy settings on any social media and networking sites they use (such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc.), and exercise care and good judgment when posting content and information on such sites. When using a social media site, an employee may not include current students as “friends,” “followers” or any other similar terminology used by various sites. If an employee has a community that extends to persons who are parents, alums, or other members of the Linton Hall School community, s/he must exercise good judgment about any content that is shared on the site.

Additionally, employees, students and families should adhere to the following guidelines, which are consistent with Linton Hall School’s community standards on harassment, student relationships, conduct, professional communication, and confidentiality:
-Users should not make statements that would violate any of Linton Hall School’s policies, including its policies concerning discrimination or harassment;
-Users must uphold Linton Hall School’s value of respect for the individual and avoid making defamatory or disparaging statements about the School, its employees, its students, or their families;
-Users may not disclose any confidential information of Linton Hall School or confidential information obtained during the course of his/her employment, about any individuals or organizations, including students and/or their families.

Linton Hall School has a strong interest in promoting a safe and supportive learning environment, as well as maintaining a positive reputation in the community. If the School believes that an employee’s activity on a social networking site, blog, or personal website may violate the School’s policies or otherwise may have a detrimental impact on the learning environment, the School may request that the employee or student cease such activity. Depending on the severity of the incident, the employee or student may be subject to disciplinary action. Linton Hall School reserves the right to impose discipline, up to dismissal or termination, for any behavior on or off campus that Linton Hall determines may impair or negatively impact the reputation of the School.

Preservation of Resources: All resources are limited; computer resources are not an exception. Because space on disk drives and bandwidth across the lines, which connect the Linton Hall School network both internally and externally, are limited, neither programs nor information may be stored on the system without the permission of the system administrator. Users are not to load software on any school computer. Each User is permitted reasonable space to store e-mail, Web, and personal files, as mandated by system file quotas. Linton Hall School reserves the right to require the purging of files in order to regain disk space without warning. Users whose need for the resource is more pressing will have priority of space.

Google Apps for Education Acceptable Use

Google Apps for Education is primarily for educational use. Students may use Google Apps for Education for personal use subject to the restrictions below and additional school rules and policies that may apply. Student accounts are limited to communication instead the Linton Hall School (i.e. Faculty, Administrators, students, etc.).

Privacy: School staff and administrators have access to student email for monitoring purposes. Students should have no expectation of privacy on the Google Apps for Education system.

Limited personal use: Students may use Google Apps for Education tools for personal projects but may not use them for:
-Unlawful activities.
-Inappropriate sexual or other offensive content.
-Threatening or bullying another person.
-Misrepresentation of Linton Hall School, staff or students.

Safety:
-Students will tell their teacher, other school employee, or a trusted adult about any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
-Students are responsible for the use of their individual accounts and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their account.
-Under no conditions should a user provide his or her password to another person.

Access Restriction – Due Process: Access to Google Apps for Education is considered a privilege accorded at the discretion of Linton Hall School. Linton Hall School maintains the right to immediately withdraw access and use of Google Apps for Education when there is reason to believe that violations of law or school policies have occurred. In such cases, the alleged violation will be referred to the Head of School for further investigation and account restoration, suspension, or termination. As a party of the Agreement with Google, Linton Hall School also reserves the right to immediately suspend any user’s account suspected of inappropriate use. Pending review, a user account may be terminated as part of such action.

Due to the rapidly changing technology environment, Linton Hall School reserves the right to determine if an action not listed in this document is inappropriate, and the student may be subject to discipline.

Hardware: Chromebooks are managed in order to allow for student use of systems only for educational purposes. Under no circumstances is a student to attempt to modify the existing hardware configuration. Modification can be considered either opening the case or changing hardware or software settings. Students are responsible for any damage on their computers.

It is specifically set forth in this policy that under NO circumstances are either students, staff or visitors allowed to connect their own personal computers, cell phones or any other electronic device to any Linton Hall School computers or to the Linton Hall School internal network, without the expressed knowledge and written consent of the Technology Integration Coordinator or his/her designee. Linton Hall School Information Technology offers a Guest Network for connection purposes.

Plagiarism: Information obtained from the Internet as part of a research project must be attributed to its source, using a standard bibliography notation. Students and staff may not violate a copyrighted source, or otherwise use another person’s intellectual property without his or her prior approval or proper citation.

Contact: Each student and employee is responsible for all activity that occurs under his/her user account. Students and employees may not place information on the Internet that would fall under the category of “unacceptable sites” listed above.

Students may not give out any personal information (e.g., address, phone number, user name, passwords, etc.) about themselves or about other people. Students may not use school computers for commercial purposes or political lobbying.

Exception of Terms and Conditions: All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to Linton Hall School. These terms and conditions reflect the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior oral or written agreements and understandings of the parties.

Summary: This is a list of the more common things students, faculty and staff are specifically NOT permitted to do.

-Download any files, especially music and videos, from the Internet, unless the material is free for commercial use and royalty free.
-Use any form of “instant or private messaging” software on school owned devices.
-Install any applications or software onto Linton Hall School computers.
-Disable or modify any running tasks or services.
-Transfer and/or store music files from any personal devices to Linton Hall School systems.
-Play games, unless directed to by an instructor or supervisor for educational purposes, at any time on Linton Hall School computers, including Internet-based games.
-Use proxies or other means to bypass the content filtering systems in place and or defeat any settings that prevent the access of material deemed and flagged as inappropriate by the blocking devices.
-Use remote control accessing software or hardware to take control of any network attached device or workstation.
-Remove license decals or inventory control tags attached to the systems.
-Disrupt the network’s use by other individuals by connecting to other Linton Hall School networks to perform any illegal or inappropriate act, such as an attempt to gain unauthorized access to other systems on the network.
-Violate copyrights and licenses, as well as the legal rights of the software producers and network providers.
-Use another person’s user account.
-Anyone who inadvertently accesses an inappropriate site must immediately leave the site and report it to his/her instructor or supervisor.
-Attempt to log onto the network as a system administrator.
-Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network.
-Damage caused by the intentional misuse or vandalism of equipment will be charged to the person who committed the act. Any damage to the Chromebooks is the responsibility of the user and will be billed to the student’s account.