Rules:
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All school rules apply in the library
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Respect the rights of others to work effectively
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No food or drinks
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Appropriate language only!
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Show care when using all library resources
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From 7:25 until 2:05, students must have a pass to visit the library unless they are with a class or coming during a lunch wave
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If you are visiting from lunch, you must enter through the 6th floor entrance and sign in at the circulation desk upon arrival. You must stay in the library for the remainder of the wave, no passes
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Please have your lunch before or after you visit
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You must have a student ID to check out materials
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Please return your books on time
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You may not check out other materials if anything is overdue
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Do not leave the library before the bell rings unless you have a pass specifying you are to return to class
Computer Use Guidelines
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You must agree to the terms set forth in the District Acceptable Use Policy
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Library computers are available primarily for educational use
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Academic use always has priority over recreational use
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Do not install or remove any software on our computers
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All software installed on our computers is copyrighted - do not copy, distribute or alter it
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Print only what you really need
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Do not waste our limited ink and paper resources
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Respect other people's files. Do not change, copy, read or access files that are not yours
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Do not bypass any security measures installed on the school computers
Acceptable Use Policy
Computers and networks provide access to resources as well as the ability to communicate with other users worldwide. Such open access is a privilege and requires that individual users act responsibly. Users must respect the rights of other users; respect the integrity of the system and related physical resources; and observe all relevant laws, regulations, and contractual obligations.
Use of computers by students and access by students to computer networks and to the Internet are services made available only to further the educational mission of the Stamford Public Schools. In order to be granted these access privileges and to retain them, students must abide by the guidelines set forth in the Board's "Acceptable Use of the Internet and other Electronic Communication Systems for Students" policy and these regulations at all times when they use the Stamford Public Schools’ systems.
These computer systems are expensive to purchase, install and maintain. As the property of the district these computer systems must be carefully handled and their integrity preserved for the benefit of all. Therefore, access to the computer systems is a privilege, and not a right. Students under the age of 18 may use electronic information retrieval systems in supervised settings and only with the written permission of a parent or guardian through a duly executed "Acceptable Use Agreement."
Stamford students may use the district's electronic information retrieval systems provided they:
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Abide by the Acceptable Use Policy
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Sign an "Acceptable Internet Use Agreement".
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Obtain the signature of a parent/guardian (for students under the age of 18)
Any parent or student inquiry regarding any decision relative to Stamford's Acceptable Use Policy and for these administrative regulations should be directed to the District Internet Administrator.
Information Networks:
The Stamford Public Schools' network connects all of the schools and offices. This makes
sharing of information and communicating with all schools and offices possible. This network supports activities that have educational value for administration, instruction and learning by teachers and students.
The Internet is a collection of many worldwide networks that support the open exchange of information. The Internet provides immediate access to information anywhere in the world. Users can view or print articles, documents and pictures that can be used in the instructional process.
Student Behavior:
Students are expected to use all computer equipment – hardware, software and network access – to pursue intellectual activities, to seek resources, to access libraries and for other types of learning activities. Students must explore this new "space" to discover what is available there. They will learn new things and can share their newfound knowledge with classmates, teachers, parents and global learning partners. For the safety of all involved, caution must be exercised when communicating with people anywhere.
Because the Stamford Public Schools' network is used as part of a school activity, the policy on student behavior applies to network activity. Therefore, the Acceptable Use Policy is an extension of the district's Policy on Student Behavior. These rules apply to vandalism of
computer equipment, unauthorized access to information, computer piracy, hacking, and
tampering with hardware and software.
Conduct including, but not limited to, the following is prohibited with respect to use of these computer systems.
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Sending any form of harassing, threatening, or intimidating message, at any time, to any person (such communications may also be a crime, pursuant to Public Act 95-143, and other laws);
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Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to computer systems;
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Damaging computers, computer files, computer systems or computer networks;
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Using another person's password under any circumstances;
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Trespassing in or tampering with any other person's folders, work or files;
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Sending any message that breaches the district's confidentiality requirements, or the confidentiality of students;
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Sending any copyrighted material over the system.
In addition, as noted above, if a particular behavior or activity is generally prohibited by law or by Board policy or school rules or regulations, it must not occur in the use of these computer systems.
Improper behavior may result in disciplinary penalties, including but not limited to loss of
computer privileges, suspension, and/or expulsion.
Copying Software:
With a few exceptions, software on the Stamford Public Schools' computers and network are
licensed for use on the Stamford Public Schools' computers only. Copying software from a
computer or network is prohibited unless specifically authorized in writing by an appropriate
authority. In addition to disciplinary penalties imposed by the Stamford Public Schools, illegal copying of software is subject to civil damages and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Moral and Ethical Issues:
The Stamford Public Schools wants to provide a stimulating educational environment in which students, teachers, and parents can grow as a learning community. While the Stamford Public Schools want this valuable educational tool used, the use of inappropriate information on the Internet will not be condoned. Some materials exist which are inappropriate to the instructional setting, and reasonable measures will be taken to prevent them from being accessed. Users must clearly understand that access to such material in any form is strictly forbidden.
The network is designed to achieve and support instructional goals and is not intended to be used for financial gain. Any information that does not support classroom learning should be avoided. Although the actual percentage of unacceptable materials is small, it can cause concern for students and parents if a student accesses those materials while doing legitimate research. If a student has a question or concern regarding any materials found, students should apprise the teacher or computer lab supervisor.
Electronic Libraries:
Materials on the Internet can be considered part of a vast digital library. Electronic database and information search tools to access the Internet are becoming part of school media centers and libraries. Many public libraries also offer some type of Internet access as part of their services.
Guidelines for access to information have already been established in the Library Bill of Rights of 1980. These principles can be applied to the Internet as well. This document states that “attempts to restrict access to library materials violate the basic tenets of the Library Bill of Rights;” however, school librarians are required to devise collections that are "consistent with the philosophy, goals and objectives of the school district." This means that students have the right to information, but the school has the right to restrict any information that does not apply to the approved curriculum.
Using Resources:
Information networks have limited capacities. The more users there are on the network, the
more congested the network becomes, and access to information takes longer. The following
guidelines will ease congestion:
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Do not tie up the network with idle activities.
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Do not play games with others on the network or on the Internet.
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Do not download huge files unless directed to do so by a teacher.
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Download only information that is needed.
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Use access time efficiently.
Virtual Field Trips:
The information networks offer many opportunities for "virtual field trips" to distant locations.
The Stamford Public Schools consider all connections to remote locations as "virtual field trips". Rules that apply to student conduct on field trips apply to "virtual electronic field trips" as well. It is important that students realize that they represent their school and their school district when they use information networks, and are expected to be on their best behavior.
Monitoring
It is expected that students will comply with district standards and will act in a responsible and legal manner at all times, in accordance with district standards, state and federal laws.
It is important that students and parents understand that the district, as the owner of the computer systems, intends to monitor and review the use of these computer systems in an effort to ensure that users engage only in appropriate uses. The district will monitor and review in a limited fashion, as needed to maximize utilization of the computer systems for educational purposes.
As part of monitoring and reviewing, the district will retain the capacity to bypass any individual password of a student or other user. The system's security aspects, such as personal passwords and message delete function for E-mail, can be bypassed for these purposes. The district's ability to monitor and review is not restricted or neutralized by these devices. The monitor and review process also includes oversight of Internet site access and of document downloading and printing.
Therefore, all users must be aware that they should not have any reasonable expectation
of personal privacy in the use of these computer systems.
In addition, the Stamford Public Schools accept the requirements of the Children's
Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Accordingly, each district computer with Internet access shall have a filtering device that blocks entry to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or harmful or inappropriate for students, as defined by CIPA and as determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall make
arrangements to enforce the use of such filtering devices. Administrators or other authorized
personnel may disable the filtering device for legitimate pedagogical research or for any other lawful purpose, provided such person obtains prior approval from the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Filtering should be viewed as only one of a number of techniques used to manage students'
access to the Internet and to encourage acceptable usage. Filtering should not be viewed as a foolproof approach to preventing access to material considered inappropriate or harmful to minors. Filtering should be used in conjunction with:
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Educating students concerning the dangers of inappropriate material on the Internet;
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Using recognized Internet gateways as a searching tool and/or homepage for students, in order to facilitate access to appropriate material;
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Using the district's "Acceptable Use" agreement;
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Using behavior management practices for which Internet access privileges can be earned or lost; and
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Appropriate supervision, both in person and/or electronically.
The placement of filters on district computers is viewed as an exercise of the Board's ability to determine educational suitability of material used in the schools.
Reporting of Misuse
Anyone who is aware of problems with, or misuse of these computer systems, should
report this to his or her teacher or principal immediately. Most importantly, the Board and the Administration urge any student who receives any harassing, threatening, intimidating or other improper message through the computer system to report this immediately. It is the Board's policy that no student should be required to tolerate such treatment, regardless of the identity of the sender of the message. Please report these events!
Regulation Adopted: STAMFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
June 27, 2000 Stamford, Connecticut
Amended: June 25, 2002