AUP

Bedford Public Schools

Acceptable Technology Use Policy for Students
 

Student use of technology in the Bedford Public Schools is solely for the enhancement of teaching and learning. All students are expected to read this Acceptable Use Policy and are required to sign the Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Form. Adherence to this policy is a condition for a student's use of technology.


Acceptable Uses - Including but not limited to:


Students must...

  • Identify themselves in Internet communications.
  • Post/send only useful and appropriate information.
  • Only access their own account and keep their passwords private.
  • Only alter their own work, unless they have permission from the owner.
  • Only use the e-mail account provided by the Bedford Schools while on the school network (Bedford e-mail accounts may also be accessed at anytime from outside the school network).

Students should...

  • Check e-mail frequently and delete old mail.
  • Take care in using humor, avoid sarcasm, and don't unreasonably criticize, or "flame" others.
  • Credit the original author when quoting someone else's work.
  • Remove their old files when they are no longer needed.

Students must not...

  • Engage in harassment, libel, or slander of any kind.
  • Use the Internet for commercial or political purposes.
  • Use the Internet to access sexually explicit or pornographic materials.
  • Use the Internet for illegal activities including, but not limited to, copyright violations and illegal distribution of software.
  • Give out their own or another individual's personal information such as address or phone number.
  • Post audio, video or any material of or created by another student or faculty member without that individual's permission.
  • Engage in spamming (sending massive, inappropriate and unsolicited information) or flooding (transferring data without intent of meaningful communication).
  • Use equipment without permission.
  • Alter the configuration of school technology, except as educationally appropriate.
  • Download or install software of any kind.
  • Illegally copy software.

Sanctions

Network access is a privilege, not a right. The Bedford Public Schools will review alleged violations of this Acceptable Use Policy. Violations could result in the following:

  • Loss of access privileges.
  • Additional disciplinary action at the building level in accordance with the discipline code in the student handbooks.
  • Referral to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Disclaimer of Liability

The Bedford Public School system denies responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained from the Internet. The Bedford Public School system cannot guarantee that access will always be available and is not responsible for any damage a user suffers or for the loss of data obtained via the Internet.

Privacy

Users should not have an expectation of privacy or confidentiality in the context of electronic communications or of other files sent, received and/or stored on the district's network. The Bedford Public School System also reserves the right to examine all data sent, received and/or stored on the district's network. All communications including text and images may be disclosed to law enforcement or other third parties without prior consent of the sender or receiver. Electronic communications may be archived for a period of up to three years.