Introduction
Yeshivah of Flatbush furnishes computers, digital devices and network facilities and equipment, and provides access to the Internet and distance learning in order to support learning and enhance instruction. By providing access to the Internet, a vast information highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world, Yeshivah of Flatbush intends to promote educational excellence and to prepare students for an increasingly technological world. This use should facilitate resource sharing, research, innovation and communication.
However, Yeshivah of Flatbush also recognizes that with this access come uses and the availability of material which are unrelated to scholarship, and which in many instances are inappropriate for places of learning, and inappropriate for young people in particular.
For this reason, the School’s computer, network and Internet facilities (including, without limitation, e-mail and discussion groups) are to be used only for purposes directly related to learning. Students should use their own computers/devices and their own Internet access arrangements for all other purposes. School resources such as e-mail, discussion groups and distance learning portals are only to be used under directed supervision by faculty, and will be limited to teacher-authorized projects. In addition, although the school has a filtering system and Yeshivah of Flatbush has taken precautions to restrict access to offensive, pornographic, and questionable materials, students and parents need to know that it is impossible to control all materials-no filtering system is foolproof.
Much of the responsibility for appropriate use of Yeshivah of Flatbush computers, network facilities and Internet access must rest on students themselves. Therefore, Yeshivah of Flatbush requires that students act responsibly by reading and following its policies regarding Technology and the Internet. A copy of Yeshivah of Flatbush’s Internet Safety Policy is available to parents upon request and found on the School’s website.
Ultimately, we realize that the parents/guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their students should follow. Likewise, parents and students must understand that access to Yeshivah of Flatbush computer, loaned devices, distance learning portals, network and Internet facilities is a revocable privilege, and not a right. Use of the system can and will be monitored by Yeshivah of Flatbush, and there is no expectation of privacy in student use.
Applicability and General Principles
These policies apply to all students who use Yeshivah of Flatbush computers, or who otherwise gain access to Yeshivah of Flatbush network facilities and/or Internet via computer equipment and/or access lines located in Yeshivah of Flatbush or elsewhere. This includes any remote access which students may gain from off-site, but which involves the use of Yeshivah of Flatbush sites, servers, intranet facilities, e-mail accounts or software. This policy also applies to all personal electronic devices (computers, cameras, iPhones, iPods, tablets, etc.) on School property or at a School-related event. Failure to abide by these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action determined by the School administration, up to and including, expulsion. All computers, devices, and networks should be used in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner.
All access to and use of Yeshivah of Flatbush computers, loaned devices, network facilities, Internet access, and distance learning accounts must be for the purposes of education and research consistent with the educational goals of Yeshivah of Flatbush. Students must make efficient, ethical and legal utilization of network and distance learning resources. Students must be aware that material created, stored on, or transmitted from or via the system is not private. In addition to the fact that the Internet is inherently insecure, Yeshivah of Flatbush network administrators may review any and all individual computers and/or areas of the network at any time to ensure that the system is being used properly, and to take appropriate action if deemed necessary, including notification to parents. For this reason, students should expect that e-mails, materials placed on personal Web pages, and other work that is created on the network may be viewed by a third party.
Both internal and external Network and Internet access will be provided to authorized users by the assignment of unique log-in identification codes (“usernames” and passwords) and, where appropriate, with limited hard disk space on Yeshivah of Flatbush hardware, for their own individual use. Authorized users will be personally responsible for maintaining the integrity of Yeshivah of Flatbush access policy, and may not permit other persons to use their usernames, passwords, accounts or disk space, or disclose their usernames, passwords or account information to any third party. Guard your password. You will be responsible for any activity done on the School’s system under your passwords.
Usernames and passwords will be furnished subject to the provisions of this Policy, and such updates or modifications as may hereafter be promulgated.
Computer and network users must respect the integrity and security of Yeshivah of Flatbush systems and network, and the access privileges, privacy and reasonable preferences of other users. Yeshivah of Flatbush reserves the right to limit access time and storage space in order to optimize an equitable allocation of resources among users.
Yeshivah of Flatbush makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the service it is providing. It is not responsible for any damages, including loss of data resulting from viruses, delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions, whether caused by Yeshivah of Flatbush negligence, or by a user’s errors or omissions. Information obtained from the Internet is used at the user’s (student’s) own risk, and Yeshivah of Flatbush specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained by students via access provided by or through Yeshivah of Flatbush.
The following policies are intentionally broad in scope and, therefore, may include references to resources, technology and uses not yet available.
Rules of Conduct and Compliance
Students who violate this Acceptable Use Policy may have their access privileges suspended or revoked by the network administrator. In addition, because Yeshivah of Flatbush information networks and systems are used as part of the educational program, Yeshivah of Flatbush Code of Conduct also applies to network activities. This Acceptable Use Policy is an extension of the Code of Conduct, and the disciplinary penalties set out in the Code of Conduct will apply if the student acts in violation of this Acceptable Use Policy.
Users should expect only limited privacy in the contents of their personal files and communications. Files may be searched if there is reasonable cause that a user has violated Yeshivah of Flatbush policies or the law. Investigations will be reasonable and related to the suspected violation. Yeshivah of Flatbush will cooperate with external networks and authorities in the resolution of an investigation within the restrictions of federal and state law and the Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA).
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) prohibits Yeshivah of Flatbush school officials from disclosing personally identifiable information (“PII”) from education records of our students and families to third parties without parental consent.
Except as otherwise indicated below, all policies and prohibitions regarding Student users of the network also apply to Student users of individual Yeshivah of Flatbush computers, devices and distance learning portals.
1. The network may not be used to download, copy, or store any software, shareware, or freeware. This prohibition specifically includes still, video and audio media files, and text files, created by third parties not employed by or enrolled as students in Yeshivah of Flatbush. In order to avoid copyright issues, this prohibition applies to any such downloading, copying or storage, regardless of copyright status, unless approved by a network administrator. Moreover, only the network administrator is authorized to consent to the terms of any software license with respect to downloaded programs.
2. Computer and network users may not add (or attempt to add) any software, shareware, freeware, or other applications to a Yeshivah of Flatbush computer or to the network without the prior approval of the appropriate faculty member/ administrator (in the case of an individual computer) or the network administrator (in the case of the network).
3. Yeshivah of Flatbush computers and network (including the use of such computers, the network to access the Internet or distance learning) may not be used for any commercial purposes, and users may not buy or sell products or services through the system.
4. Yeshivah of Flatbush computers and network (including the use of such computers, the network to access the Internet or distance learning) may not be used for advertising.
5. Yeshivah of Flatbush computers and network (including the use of such computers or the network to access the Internet or distance learning) may not be used for any activity, or to transmit any material, that violates United States, New York State or local laws. This includes, but is not limited to, fraudulent acts, violations of copyright laws, and any threat or act of intimidation or harassment against another person.
6. Yeshivah of Flatbush is a place of tolerance and good manners. Use of the network or any Yeshivah of Flatbush computer facilities for hate mail, defamatory statements, statements intended to injure or humiliate others by disclosure of personal information (whether true or false), personal attacks on others, and statements expressing animus towards any person or group by reason of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability is prohibited. Network users may not use vulgar, derogatory, or obscene language. Network users may not post anonymous messages or forge e-mail or other messages. The School reserves the right to randomly check email or text messages. Students should be aware that deleted emails can be retrieved. Any person who believes that they have been harassed or threatened by an email or text communication should immediately report the concern in accordance with Yeshivah of Flatbush’s No Harassment/No Bullying Policy so that the situation can be investigated and addressed appropriately. This applies to distance learning portals as well.
7. Students are strongly advised to use caution about revealing any information on the Internet, or storing such information on Yeshivah of Flatbush computers or the network, which would enable others to exploit them or their identities: this includes last names, home addresses, date of birth, name of the School and School’s address, Social Security numbers, passwords, credit card numbers or financial institution account information, and photographs. Under no circumstances should a user reveal such information about another person without that person’s express and prior consent. Students also should not meet with someone they have contacted on-line without prior parental approval. Safety is the responsibility of the parent and student. The School is not liable in any way or irresponsible acts on the part of the student.
8. Students may not log on to someone else’s account, attempt to access another user’s files, or permit anyone else to log on to their own accounts. Users may not try to gain unauthorized access (“hacking”) to the files or computer systems of any other person or organization or distance learning portals. However, students must be aware that any information stored on or communicated through Yeshivah of Flatbush network may be susceptible to “hacking” by a third party, and such information may be reviewed by Yeshivah of Flatbush at any time, with or without prior notice.
9. Students may not access Web sites, newsgroups, or chat areas that contain material that is obscene or that promotes illegal acts. If a user accidentally accesses this type of information, he or she should immediately disengage from any materials that are inappropriate and notify a teacher, librarian, and/or network administrator. Although the School cannot effectively restrict all content of information obtained by students via the Internet, obtaining materials that is explicitly labeled as not intended for minors will be considered a violation of School rules. Likewise, use of the network to access, process or store pornographic material (whether visual or written), or material which contains dangerous recipes, formulas or instructions, is prohibited. Furthermore, making public or passing on any material that is pornographic, violent in nature, or harassing in nature is totally unacceptable and will be dealt with immediately by the appropriate administrator.
10. The attention of all computer and network users is specifically directed to Yeshivah of Flatbush separate Internet Safety Policy, which applies to all users of Yeshivah of Flatbush computer and network facilities, and which is incorporated herein by reference. Any attempt to bypass, defeat or circumvent the Internet Safety Policy Technology Prevention Measures, which are designed to prevent access to visual depictions that are obscene, involve child pornography, or are harmful to minors is punishable as a violation of this Acceptable Use Policy. In addition, evidence of use of any computer or the network to access, store or disseminate child pornography will be referred to law enforcement authorities for investigation and prosecution as may be appropriate.
11. Computer and network users may not access newsgroups, blogs, chat rooms, social networking websites (including, but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, etc.), list servers or other services where they may communicate with people outside of Yeshivah of Flatbush (specifically including e-mail) unless they are supervised by a teacher and have been given explicit approval to do so.
12. Computer and network users may not engage in “spamming” (sending irrelevant or inappropriate electronic communications individually or en masse) or participate in broadcast electronic communications (such as chain letters or other mass communications) unless they are supervised by a teacher and have been given explicit approval to do so.
13. Computer and network users who maliciously access, alter, delete, damage or destroy any computer system, computer network, computer program, or data may be subject to criminal prosecution as well as to disciplinary action by Yeshivah of Flatbush. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, changing or deleting another user's account; changing the password of another user; using an unauthorized account; damaging any files; altering the system; using the system to make money illegally; destroying, modifying, vandalizing, defacing or abusing hardware, software, furniture or any Yeshivah of Flatbush property. Taking advantage of student who inadvertently leaves a computer without logging out is not appropriate of a student who inadvertently leaves a computer without logging out is not appropriate. Using someone else’s password or posting a message using another’s log-in name is a form of dishonesty, just as is plagiarism or lying, and will be treated as a violation. Users may not develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computer system and/or damage the software components of a computer or computer system (e.g., create viruses, worms).
14. Computer and network users may not intentionally disrupt information network traffic or crash the network and connected systems; they must not degrade or disrupt equipment or system performance. They must not download or save excessively large files without the express approval of the network administrator. Computer and network users may not add any software or applications to Yeshivah of Flatbush network or computers, or add to or modify any existing software or applications, without the express permission of the network administrator.
15. As is the case with all student work, computer and network users may not plagiarize, which is a serious academic offense. Plagiarism is "taking ideas or writings from another person and offering them as your own." Credit must always be given to the person who created the article or the idea. A student who, by cutting and pasting, or otherwise reproducing, text or data, leads readers to believe that what they are reading is the student's original work when it is not, is guilty of plagiarism.
16. Computer and network users must comply with the “fair use” provisions of the United States copyright laws. "Fair use" in this context means that the copyrighted materials of others may be used only for scholarly purposes, and that the use must be limited to brief excerpts. Yeshivah of Flatbush library professionals can assist students with fair use issues.
17. Computer and network users may not copy any copyrighted or licensed software from the Internet or from the network without the express permission of the copyright holder: software must be purchased or licensed before it can legally be used. In addition, the School will not, in any way, be held responsible for a student’s own software brought to the School for personal use.
18. Computer and network users may not take data, equipment, software or supplies (paper, toner cartridges, cables, etc.) for their own personal use. Such taking will be treated as theft. Use of Yeshivah of Flatbush printers and paper must be reasonable.
19. Computer and network users must behave properly in any computer lab setting. Normal rules of classroom decorum and compliance with instructions from faculty and administrators will apply.
20. Yeshivah of Flatbush assumes no responsibility for student, faculty or staff websites created and hosted outside of Yeshivah of Flatbush network.
21. Yeshivah of Flatbush reserves the right to inspect any personal electronic device brought onto campus or to a School-related activity or used for remote access. In such case, students must provide any passwords to inspect te device upon request by a School administrator. Do not assume that any materials on your personal devices are private.
Violations and Consequences
Consequences of violations include but are not limited to:
• Suspension or revocation of network and or WiFi access;
• Suspension or revocation of network privileges;
• Suspension or revocation of computer or device access;
• Suspension from school;
• Expulsion from school;
• Criminal prosecution.
In addition, Yeshivah of Flatbush may seek monetary compensation for damages in appropriate cases. Repeated or severe violations will result in more serious penalties than one-time or minor infractions.
This Student Acceptable Use Policy is subject to change. Yeshivah of Flatbush reserves the right to restrict or terminate information network access at any time for any reason. Yeshivah of Flatbush further reserves the right to monitor network activity as it sees fit in order to maintain the integrity of the network and to monitor acceptable use. Yeshivah of Flatbush administrators will make the final determination as to what constitutes unacceptable use and the consequences of violations.
Disciplinary penalties involving possible suspension or expulsion from school will be determined in accordance with Yeshivah of Flatbush Code of Conduct. However, suspension or revocation of access privileges will be determined by the network administrator, acting in consultation with Yeshivah of Flatbush School and Exec Office administrators.
Student Acceptable Use Policy Revised – May 28, 2020