AUP+for+Technology+and+Guidelines

Guidelines from Mr. Assaf

 * Pace believes that Lower School students do not need a mobile phone.
 * Pace believes that Middle School students do not need an Internet enabled phone (texting is OK, no pictures).
 * Pace believes that Middle School students should not have a presence on Facebook or other social networking sites.
 * Parents should set appropriate stop times at night for mobile phone (texting) use and make sure that phones are charged in a central location in the home.
 * Parents should not allow computers in private spaces at home. If possible, computers with Internet access should be used in public areas.
 * Private email addresses will be issued by Pace Academy in the 6th grade, which is the proper time and environment for this.

Students' interpretation of some of the AUP rules. [|http://ms.paceacademy.org/~jorayvanvliet/Site/AUP_Skit_Video.html]

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Computers and related technologies are useful tools in education. Pace expects that all students will become comfortable using computers in a variety of productive ways. This means that the ability to use computers at school is more than a privilege for some people; it is a required part of Pace’s curriculum.=====

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Pace Academy has a strong and comprehensive Honor Code and Code of Respect that apply to all students, faculty and staff. Principles of generally acceptable behavior are described in these codes and these same principles apply to all aspects of using technology as well. Thus, the Appropriate Use Policy (AUP) for Computing at Pace Academy does not need to be affirmed separately by signature. Pace Academy’s standards are higher than those dictated by civil law. The AUP applies automatically to all students, faculty and staff because members of the Pace community associate voluntarily. People have a right to expect that others will treat them, their ideas and their work respectfully. Members of the Pace community, therefore, have the responsibility to help foster and maintain attitudes and behavior that promote mutual respect. In general, this means fairness, honesty and sensitivity. The use of computers in a manner that is unfair, dishonest, or offensive by Pace community standards will not be tolerated. The guidelines and rules for the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools are presented in separate sections. The guidelines illustrate how the Pace codes for acceptable behavior should be applied to the use of technology at school and when students, faculty and staff use the facilities of the global (Internet) community. When users have doubts about whether a particular electronic communication is or is not appropriate, they are urged to consider whether it would be acceptable to say or present the same material to a person, a class, or in a school assembly.=====

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The following are specific rights and responsibilities for computer use derived from the Pace Appropriate Use Policy. All computer users are expected to abide by these guidelines. All rights have corresponding responsibilities. Willfully irresponsible actions will not be tolerated. Such violations will result in disciplinary action, including possible separation from the school. For each of the following rights, some specific examples are provided of what students need to do or not do to comply with acceptable use standards at Pace.=====

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Students have a right to expect that their work will not be tampered with or used without their permission. Students’ responsibilities related to this right include: • Never alter other people’s work. • Never plagiarize and always remember to cite sources.=====

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• Know how to change their passwords, and change their passwords periodically. Note: While the school reserves the right to examine user’s email and other files if necessary, it will always try to inform and include users if it is necessary to view their personal communications. If the user is not available when files must be examined, a senior member of the Pace administration must be present.=====

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Students have a right to expect that technology at school will function well, as often as possible. Students’ responsibilities related to this right include: • Never tamper with computers in a way that would make them function poorly for other users. Specifically, students should never change the basic setup (e.g., control panels, background, screensavers, mouse settings, etc.) or delete or replace system files on school computers without permission. Students have a right to expect that the school will adhere to legal standards in using and distributing software. Students’ responsibilities related to this right include:=====

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Students have a right to expect that technology at the school will be available for their productive use as often as possible. “Productive use” includes some “learning by exploring.” Students’ responsibilities related to this right include: • Never use the computers, network, email and Internet systems in ways that limit or hinder productive use by other people. • Never email during class without teacher permission.=====

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Students have a right to expect that technology at the school will be used as efficiently as possible since inefficient use can make computers less useful for other people and more expensive for the school. Each user must act responsibly when storing files, printing and downloading. Students’ responsibilities related to this right include: • Store personal files either in their folders on the file server or in the “Documents” folder on the local hard drive. Students should not create disk clutter by saving files in other locations. • Never store more than 50 megabytes of files in their network folders without permission. Their network folders are meant to be a space for saving work (files), not programs. If students must save programs, they should put them in the “Public Download” folder on the network. • Never routinely save more than 200 email messages or any large files in their email accounts. • Never print unnecessary or multiple copies on a laser printer. If students need to make copies, they should use a copy machine. It is less expensive. • Never print in color unless the final copy must be in color per teacher assignment. Print in black and white or greyscale. • Avoid downloading unnecessary software or files from the Internet. Downloading consumes bandwidth and slows access for other users.=====

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Students should be nice. They should always try to help others, as they would hope that others would help them. Students should talk with one of computer teachers if they are unsure about the appropriateness or safety of any computer or Internet activity. They should provide appropriate information to the computer teachers about inappropriate activities.=====

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The Middle School computer lab is open in the mornings from 7:45-8:10 a.m. for students to work on school projects or to practice keyboarding. The lab is open after school for students to work on school projects or to practice keyboarding from 2:55-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lab should be considered to be like a library. Students who need to work on school projects or assignments have priority in using the computers. These guidelines will evolve with time and experience. Changes will be posted on the Pace Intranet website in First Class conferences. Each user is responsible for staying informed of any changes.=====