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GDRSD

Any student or employee or visitor to the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District may use the district networking facilities only after signing the appropriate Acceptable Use Agreement Forms. These forms attest that the party (parties) who signed has read and understands the District Internet/Network Acceptable Use Policy and agrees to abide by its terms. This policy shall be brought to the attention of students yearly and to staff upon employment.

The District is pleased to bring this access to members of the GDRSD educational community and believe the Internet offers vast, diverse and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this network service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence in our schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication.

With access to 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 setting. We acknowledge the existence of inappropriate material on the Internet, including, but not limited to, any materials not in support of the system's curriculum, and shall do everything we can to actively restrict access to them including possible employment of software to block access. However, no combination of hardware and software can guarantee complete control of unacceptable material. It should be clearly understood by all employees, students and visitors that access to such material in any form is strictly prohibited.

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 so that users are aware of the responsibilities of Internet/network use. In general this requires efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the network resources. If a user violates any of these provisions, his or her account may be terminated and future access could possibly be denied.

Internet/Network - Terms and Conditions

1) Acceptable Use - The purpose of the GDRSD network and Internet access is to support research and education. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District. Chat areas and email may not be accessed by students unless for a specific educational purpose and then under the direct supervision of the project teacher. Use for commercial activities is not acceptable. Installation of any personal software or instant messaging is prohibited as well.

2) Privacy - The District network, the Internet and the GDRSD Web Pages are "public places" shared with many other users. Because the information access is granted to users as a privilege and not a right, the GDRSD notifies all users that:
a. there is no right of privacy for communication, including email, and
b. any and all traffic on the District network and individual school Local Area Networks shall be monitored to ensure that the network continues to function in a proper and appropriate manner for all users.

3) Liability - The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District shall make no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, that the functions or the service provided by or through the District’s networks will be error free or without defect. The GDRSD will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. The GDRSD shall not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The GDRSD shall not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system. The GDRSD shall not be responsible for any copyright violations or any other illegal use of the Internet.

4) 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 GDRSD Network or Internet access, you must notify an administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another individual's account without written permission from that individual.
5) Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or other networks that are connected to the Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses and/ or hacking.

The use of the network and the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a cancellation of those privileges. The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District has the right to restrict or terminate anyone's network or Internet access at any time for any reason.

Further, the GDRSD has the right to monitor Network activity in any form that is deemed necessary to maintain the integrity of the Network.

Consequences of violations of these guidelines include but are not limited to:

Suspension and/ or revocation of Internet access;
Suspension and/ or revocation of Network privileges
Suspension and/ or revocation of Computer access;
School suspension;
School expulsion;
Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.

Adopted 11/4/98, revised 2002