HAMILTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOL
RESPONSIBLE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
The Hamilton Junior High School information systems, including but not limited to computers, computing software, voicemail, email and access to the Internet and World Wide Web, must provide tools in support of the programs of Hamilton Junior High School. The information systems must be used responsibly.
To ensure that the resources are used in a manner that does not significantly impair or impede their use by others in the pursuit of the mission of Hamilton Junior High School.
i. The following ethical principles guide our use of technology, and breaches of these principles may result in an investigation and disciplinary action.
ii. Respect of one another’s need for access: Students, and staff who are involved in educational or research activities, or the administration thereof should have the highest priority in the use of technology. Others engaged in lower priority activity should not hinder the use of school technology. Hamilton Junior High School is a community where all members are required to act in their neighbour’s best interest. Not hindering legitimate access also means that staff and students do not waste technological resources. This includes use of the computers, telephones, networks or printers. It also includes the destruction of any resource, whether this is hardware or software.
iii. Respect for one another’s values and feelings. New technologies increase our ability to communicate as well as miscommunicate. Communication should illustrate respect for others and a sense of personal integrity. Thus, communication that degrades or harasses individuals or groups is unacceptable. The need to communicate with respect and integrity is particularly important in our contacts with those both inside and outside of the school. Our quality of communications reflects not only on the regard of others for Hamilton Junior High School.
iv. Respect for one another’s property.Abuse, theft or unauthorised use of either tangible property or intellectual property will not be tolerated. This includes unauthorised copying of copyrighted software. Full costs of abuse or vandalism of school Information Technology Resources will be redeemed from the person/s responsible.
v. Integrity of Passwords. All staff and students must safeguard the integrity of their passwords and not allow anyone else to access the computer system using their password. The only exceptions to this are in cases where administrative or teaching demands specifically require school staff (not students) to temporarily authorise other school staff to have access to their work files, in order that staff work objectives may be accomplished. No user is permitted to access the school computing system through any password except the current one which they have been formally issued.
vi. Scope. This policy applies to any user (faculty, staff, student or other) of Hamilton Junior High School IT resources, whether initiated from on or off campus. This includes any telephone, computer and information system or resource, means of access, networks, and the data residing thereon. This policy applies to the use of all school IT resources.
a) Telephones, computers and networks can provide access to resources on and off campus, 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 systems and related physical resources, and observe all relevant laws, regulations, and contractual obligations as well as behavioural guidelines that exist in relevant or associated school Policies.
b) The telephone, computing and networking facilities on Hamilton Junior High School are provided as tools in support of the programs of the Campus. All users of the facilities are responsible to use them in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner.
c) All relevant New Zealand laws affecting Information Technology practices (eg Intellectual Property regulations) and Hamilton Junior High School regulations and policies apply, including not only laws and regulations that are specific to telephones, computers and networks, but also those that may apply generally to personal conduct. This may also include laws of other countries where material is accessed electronically via Hamilton Junior High School IT resources by users within those jurisdictions, or where material originating within those jurisdictions is accessed via Hamilton Junior High School IT resources.
d) All people must be treated with respect. Thus, fraudulent, harassing, or obscene materials, whether written, audio or visual, are expressly forbidden on any portion of the network or telephone system, and may not be stored on any campus computer or telephone system.
e) Hamilton Junior High School reserves the right to limit access to its resources when policies or laws are violated and to monitor routing information of communications across its network services and transaction records residing on Hamilton Junior High School resources. Hamilton Junior High School may monitor and restrict the content of material transported across school networks or posted on school systems to preserve network/system integrity and continue service delivery
- Authorised Use. Access and use of the Hamilton Junior High School IT resources is a privilege granted to faculty, staff and students in support of their studies, instruction, and duties as employees or official businesses with Hamilton Junior High School, and other school-sanctioned activities. Access may also be granted to individuals outside of Hamilton Junior High School for purposes consistent with the mission of the school.
ix. With specified permission, employees and students of the school are permitted to use the equipment for occasional, non-campus related purposes.
x. The privilege of using the school IT resources may not be transferred or extended by members of the School community to outside individuals or groups.
xi. Gaining access to Hamilton Junior High School's IT resources does not imply the right to use those resources. The school reserves the right to limit, restrict, remove or extend access to and privileges within, material posted on, or communications via its IT resources, consistent with this policy and applicable law, and irrespective of the originating access point.
xii. It is expected that these resources will be used in an effective efficient manner in support of the mission of Hamilton Junior High School as authorised by the Board. All other use not consistent with this policy may be considered unauthorised use and could subject the user to possible civil charges, criminal charges or disciplinary actions.
- Data Security, Privacy and Confidentiality. All users are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and appropriate use of school data to which they are given access, ensuring the security of the equipment where such information is held or displayed, and abiding by related privacy rights of students, and staff concerning the use and release of personal information, as required by law or existing policies.
- For the purposes of this policy, all electronic data is to be considered sensitive and/or confidential. Access to such data is based on an individual’s “need to know” and is restricted to uses directly related to assigned duties. Users are responsible for the security of any accounts issued in their name and any institutional data they may retrieve, modify, reproduce or destroy. Disclosure of confidential information to unauthorised persons or entities, or the use of such information for self-interest or advantage, is prohibited. Access to institutional electronic data by unauthorised persons or entities is prohibited.
xv. “Private” means inaccessible to all others;
“Confidential” means access is limited to authorised individuals in whom the school has placed confidence. A user’s programs and files are treated as confidential unless the person has explicitly made them available to others. Information Technology personnel can and will access files when necessary for the maintenance of the network and central computer systems. However, even when performing maintenance, every effort is made to ensure the privacy of user’s files.
- In general, information stored on the school computers is to be considered confidential unless the owner grants explicit permission to other individuals or groups to view that information or intentionally makes it available to the public. However, particularly in the case of email and attachments, all users of the school's IT resources are advised to consider the open nature of information disseminated electronically, and should not assume any degree of privacy or restricted access to such information as it may be intercepted, copied, read, forged, destroyed, or misused by others. One ought to write email in such a way that one would feel comfortable if it was seen by anyone else.
- Except for information that is collected specifically for official school administrative and teaching purposes, which is covered by the Privacy Act (eg. Official administrative student files and databases), no personal right of privacy exists in any other electronic information placed by students or employees on Hamilton Junior High School computers, or transmitted via Hamilton Junior High School voicemail or email systems. Email, voicemail and computer files will not be viewed unless authorised by the user or by legally appropriate authorities. However, in the event of an investigation stemming from a complaint of alleged misconduct, voicemail, email or files may be locked or copied by school management to prevent destruction and loss of information, and/or the contents may be reviewed.
- An account (either email or voicemail) is assigned to an individual and may not be used by others without explicit permission from the school That individual is responsible for the proper use of the account, including proper password protection. In general, only Hamilton Junior High School staff are granted email accounts.
- All logins, requests for web pages and commands executed by users can be audited in log files that are owned and maintained by the School. This information is monitored for inappropriate activity and may be the basis for policy enforcement.
xx. Requests for disclosure of confidential information and retention of potential evidence will be honoured when approved by authorised Hamilton Junior High School officials or legal authorities, or when required by law.
- Network and Systems Integrity. Activities and behaviours that threaten the integrity of the School computer networks or systems are prohibited on both school and privately-owned equipment operated on, through or connecting into school resources. These activities and behaviours include but are not limited to:
a) Interference with or disruption of computer systems and networks and related services, including but not limited to the propagation of computer ‘worms’, “viruses” and “Trojan horses”.
b) Intentional or careless acts that will place an excessive load on a computer or network to the extent that access to networks or information systems by others may be disrupted or substantially degraded.
c) Processing excessively large amounts of data or excessive system utilisation to the extend that these interfere with network or system performance unless authorised in advance by the administrator(s) responsible for all of the equipment affected.
d) Failure to comply with requests from appropriate school officials to discontinue activities that threaten operation or integrity of computers, systems or networks.
e) Revealing passwords or otherwise permitting the use by unauthorised others, by intent or negligence, or personal accounts for computer and network access. Individual password security is the responsibility of each user.
f) Altering or attempting to alter files, systems or hardware without authorisation.
g) Unauthorised scanning of computers and networks for security vulnerabilities and unauthorised attempts to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes.
h) Connecting unauthorised equipment to the campus network or computers.
i) Attempting to alter any school computing or network components without authorisation or beyond one’s level of authority, including but not limited to bridges, routers, hubs, wiring, connections, etc.
j) Negligence leading to damage of school electronic information, information technology resources, computing systems or networks.
k) Utilising network or system identification numbers or names that are not assigned for one’s specific use on the designated system.
l) Using school resources to gain unauthorised access to any computer system.
m) Violating Copyright and Fair Use practices.
n) Attempting to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes.
o) Masking the identity of an account or machine.
p) Capturing passwords or data on the network not meant for the individual user.
q) Modifying or extending school network services and wiring beyond the area of their intended use. This applies to all network wiring, hardware and in-room jacks.
r) Placing content on web pages, which violates either the Responsible Use Policy or the Mission of Hamilton Junior High School.
- Academic Honesty. Hamilton Junior High School will not tolerate academic cheating or plagiarism. Users of information technology resources are expected to uphold the standards of the school.
- Commercial and Political Activity.Use of the school’s information technology resources is strictly prohibited for hosting or serving unauthorised commercial activities, personal or political gain, private business, fundraising, or use otherwise unrelated to Hamilton Junior High. This includes soliciting, promoting, selling, marketing or advertising products or services, or reselling Hamilton Junior High School resources.
- Harassment.Unlawful harassment is prohibited by specific school policies on harassment. In addition, harassment of other via electronic methods is prohibited under the Human Rights Act and other applicable laws and school policies. It is a violation of this policy to use electronic means to harass, threaten, or otherwise cause harm to a specific individual(s), whether by direct or indirect reference. It may be a violation of this policy to use electronic means to harass or threaten groups of individuals by creating a hostile environment.
- Copyright and Fair Use. National and International copyright law applies to all forms of information, including electronic communications. Violations of copyright laws include, but are not limited to, making unauthorised copies of any copyrighted material (including software, text, images, audio and video) and displaying or distributing copyrighted materials over computer networks without the author’s permission except as provided in limited form by copyright fair use restrictions. The “fair use” provision of the copyright law allows for limited reproduction and distribution of published works without permission for such purposes as criticism, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship or research.
- Trademarks and Patents.Unauthorised use of trademarked names or symbols, including those belonging to Hamilton Junior High School is prohibited. Where school resources are used, the school retains ownership of all faculties, staff and student inventions and other intellectual property that may be patented, copyrighted, trademarked or licensed for commercial purposes.
- Electronic Communications. Hamilton Junior High School electronic communications are to be used to enhance and facilitate teaching, learning, scholarly research, support academic experiences, and to facilitate the effective business and administrative processes of Hamilton Junior High School.
- The following activities and behaviours are prohibited on Hamilton Junior High School or privately owned equipment or networks operated in the school.
a) Altering electronic communications to hide one’s identity or to impersonate another individual. All email, news posts, chat sessions or any other form of electronic communication must contain the sender’s real name and/or user ID.
b) Initiating or forwarding electronic “chain letters”.
c) Sending unsolicited commercial advertisements or solicitations.
d) Operating unofficial email reflectors.
e) Sending messages to large numbers of users.
f) Use of systems aliases by non-authorised personnel.
g) Use of official aliases to broadcast unofficial and/or unauthorised messages.
h) Attempting to monitor or tamper with another user’s electronic communications, or reading, copying, changing or deleting another user’s files or software without the explicit permission of the owner.
- Hamilton Junior High School reserves the right to send electronic communications, including large group or broadcast messages, to its own users.
- Hamilton Junior High School reserves the right to limit the size of individual messages being transmitted through school resources.
- Internet. Hamilton Junior High School reserves the right to block categories of Internet content as well as specific sites. Currently Hamilton Junior High School blocks or filters undesirable Internet sites that are known. Procedures exist to make exceptions to this blocking when requested by a faculty member for academic purposes.
- Consequences of Non-Compliance.
a) An individual’s computer use of and/or network connection privileges may be suspended immediately upon the discovery of a possible violation of these policies. This suspension does not reflect an assumption of guilt, but the need to secure the system from modification. Because of the nature of the networking, the school may not know who owns a computer that may be involved in a violation. In this case, access to the network from that computer will be suspended until the owner of the computer contacts the Board and resolves the issue.
b) The Principal will judge an offence as either major or minor. Violations of these policies will be with in the same manner as violations of other school policies and may result in disciplinary review.
c) In addition to the above, certain inappropriate use of Information Technology resources may result in personal criminal and/or civil liability.
- Suspected violations of this policy, potentially bearing external or legal consequences for the school, or originating from an outside source, should be reported to the Principal. The Principal will advise the user on what if any action to take, act directly when appropriate, and/or refer the violation to other offices for further action.
- Anyone desiring an exception to this policy must obtain written approval from the Principal.
- Hamilton Junior High School must promote its activities on the World Wide Web informatively and professionally. Because all information on the web is open to world wide security it must be :
- Well presented
All materials must be signed off by both the Principal before documents appear on the
The Principal must be responsible to:
- Provide professional Technical Support.
- Concepts and Ideas to suggest to Promotions to better get the message across.
- Present the documents/materials appropriately.
The Principal must be responsible for a Weekly Review of the material on the web to:
a) Monitor the site material
- Is current
- Is accurate
- Is helpful
- Is professional
b) Editing new material
This policy is reviewed as part of the Boards cycle of review.
Date of Approval ____________________________________________________
e-Learning Agreement For Hamilton Junior High School
This document is comprised of this cover page and three sections:
Section A: Introduction
Section B: Cybersafety Rules
Section C: Agreement Form.
Instructions for parents, caregivers and legal guardians
- Please read sections A and B carefully.
- Tick and sign the Agreement Form in Section C and return to the school office.
Important terms used in this document:
(a) The abbreviation ‘ICT’ in this document refers to the term ‘Information and Communication Technologies’
(b) ‘Cybersafety’ refers to the safe use of the Internet and ICT equipment/devices, including mobile devices
(c) The term ‘e-learning tool/mobile learning devices’ used in this document, includes but is not limited to, computers (such as desktops, laptops, PDAs), storage devices (such as USB and flash memory devices, iPods, MP3 players), cameras (such as video, digital, webcams), all types of mobile phones, gaming consoles, video and audio players/receivers (such as portable CD and DVD players), and any other, similar, technologies as they come into use
The measures to ensure the cybersafety of Hamilton Junior High School outlined in this document are based on our core values.
The school’s computer network, Internet access facilities, computers and other school ICT equipment/mobile learning devices bring great benefits to the teaching and learning programmes at Hamilton Junior High School, and to the effective operation of the school.
Our school has rigorous cybersafety practices in place, which include eLearning agreements for all school staff and students.
The overall goal of the school in this matter is to create and maintain an eLearning culture which is in keeping with the values of the school, and legislative and professional obligations. This use agreement includes information about your obligations, responsibilities, and the nature of possible consequences associated with breaches which undermine the safety of the school environment.
All students will be required to return a signed Agreement Form before they will be able to use the school ICT equipment and their own mobile learning devices.
The school’s computer network, Internet access facilities, computers and other school ICT equipment/mobile learning devices are for educational purposes ONLY. This applies whether the ICT equipment is owned or leased either partially or wholly by the school, and used on or off the school site.
The school may monitor traffic and material sent and received using the school’s network. The school may use filtering and/or monitoring software to restrict access to certain sites and data, including email.
The school may audit its computer network, Internet access facilities, computers and other school ICT equipment/mobile learning devices or commission an independent forensic audit.
Student Rules to help keep Students safe
As a safe and powerful ICT user I will help keep myself and other people safe by following these rules
- I cannot use school ICT equipment or Mobile Device until my parent(s) and I have signed my use agreement form and the completed form has been returned to school.
- I can only use the computers, other school ICT equipment or Mobile Device (unless I get teacher approval) for my schoolwork.
- If I am unsure whether I am allowed to do something involving eLearning tools, I will ask the teacher first.
- I have my own user name and I will only log on with that user name. I will not allow anyone else to use my user name.
- I will not tell anyone else my password.
- I can only go online or access the Internet during class time.
- I understand that I must not, at any time, use the Internet, email, mobile devices or any ICT equipment to be mean, rude, offensive, or to bully, harass, or in any way harm anyone else connected to our school, or the school itself, even if it is meant as a ‘joke’.
- While at school, I will not:
- Attempt to search for things online I know are not acceptable at our school. This could include anything that is rude or violent or uses unacceptable language such as swearing
- Make any attempt to get around, or bypass, security, monitoring and filtering that is in place at our school.
- If I find anything mean or rude or things I know are not acceptable at our school on any eLearning tool, I will:
- Not show others
- minimise the screen and
- Get a teacher straight away.
- I understand that I must not download or copy any files such as music, videos, games or programmes without the permission of a teacher. This is to ensure we are following copyright laws.
- I will not connect any device (such as a USB drive, camera or mobile device) to a school eLearning tool or run any software, without a teacher’s permission. This includes all wireless technologies.
- The school cybersafety rules apply to all mobile devices brought to school.
- Mobile Devices may be used as a learning tool when required.
- Mobile devices need to be on silent between 8.35-3pm - they must not disrupt classroom lessons with ringtones or beeping.
- I will ask my teacher’s permission before giving out any personal information online. I will also get permission from any other person involved.
Personal Information includes:
- Email address
- Phone numbers
- I will respect all school eLearning tools and will treat these with care. This includes:
- Not intentionally disrupting the smooth running of any school network system nor tool
- Not attempting to hack or gain unauthorised access to any system
- Following all school cybersafety rules, and not joining in if other students choose to be irresponsible with eLearning tools
- Reporting any breakages/damage to a staff member.
- I understand that if I break these rules, the school may need to inform my parents. In serious cases the school may take disciplinary action against me. I also understand that my family may be charged for repair costs.
- I understand that my child’s work and photo will be used in publications for and about Hamilton Junior High School – generally these will be our website, newsletters, special flyers and newspaper articles.
Rules to help keep Students safe – Parents
To the parent/caregiver/legal guardian, please:
- Read this section carefully to check that you understand your responsibilities under this agreement
- Sign the Agreement Form
- Return Agreement Form to the school office
- Keep this document for future reference, as well as the copy of this signed page which the school will provide.
I understand that Hamilton Junior High School will:
- Do its best to enhance learning through the safe use of eLearning tools. This includes working to restrict access to inappropriate, illegal or harmful material on the Internet or school eLearning equipment/mobile learning devices at school, or at school-related activities
- Work progressively with children and their families to encourage and develop an understanding of the importance of cybersafety through education designed to complement and support the use agreement initiative. This includes providing children with strategies to keep themselves safe in Cyberspace. All students will complete a cyber safety course at school.
- Keep a copy of this signed use agreement on file
- Respond to any breaches in an appropriate manner
- Welcome enquiries from parents or students about cybersafety issues.
My responsibilities include:
- I will read this cybersafety use agreement document
- I will discuss the information with my child and explain why it is important
- I will return the signed agreement to the school
- I will support the school’s cybersafety programme by encouraging my child to follow the cybersafety rules, and to always ask the teacher if they are unsure about any use of eLearning tools
- I will contact the principal or school cybersafety manager to discuss any questions I might have about cybersafety and/or this use agreement and I am welcome to do this at any time.
Additional information can be found on the NetSafe website www.netsafe.org.nz/ua
PRINCIPAL: Tanya Thompson, B.Ed, Dip. Tch BOARD CHAIRPERSON:
Student safety is extremely important at Hamilton Junior High School. Students and parents are asked to read these two documents: Cyber Safety Use Agreement Hamilton Junior High School and Hamilton Junior High School BYOD Policy and sign the Agreement Form. Copies of these documents can be downloaded from our website, www.hjhs.school.nz
Tick to indicate
? I/we have read the e-Learning Agreement for Hamilton Junior High School and I am aware of the school’s initiatives to maintain a cyber-safe learning environment, including my child’s responsibilities.
? I/we agree to adhere to the eLearning Safety Use Agreement for Hamilton Junior High School rules and regulations at Hamilton Junior High School.
? I/we have read the Hamilton Junior High School Mobile Device Policy with my/our child.
? I/we agree to adhere to the Mobile Device rules and regulations at Hamilton Junior High School.
? I/we understand the school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile devices.
Parent name (print)
Student name (print)
Teacher name (print)
This agreement for your child will remain in force as long as he/she is enrolled at this school. If it becomes necessary to add/amend any information or rule, parents will be advised in writing.