A different set of rules are necessary in classes – such as computer science – where the use of electronics is a core requirement of the subject, the computers used in class are not provided as an escape from the curriculum, but as tools to engage with it. As such, students are required to observe the following rules when using computers in class:
- Any non-curricular use of computers is prohibited during class time. This includes, but is not limited to video gaming, social media, sending personal email/instant messages, and accessing internet resources unrelated to class work. Such use will result in loss of computer access and issuance of two demerits. Subsequent offenses may receive additional penalties. In essence, we will treat using the computer for non-school use the same as if the student pulled out his cellphone in the middle of humanities class.
Modifying or damaging the computer is prohibited. Such behavior - while appealing to the juvenile sense of humor of some students - wastes the instructor’s time and makes the school computers less useful to other students. Prohibited behavior includes (but is not limited to): installing unapproved software, downloading files, changing the desktop background, altering/deleting other students’ files, or altering the operating system/network in any way.
Violating this policy will result in two demerits and two detentions, during which the student will be made to undo any changes made to the system.
- In addition to the above, students will be punished more severely for violating these policies in particularly egregious ways. Accessing pornography or other material inappropriate for school, ‘hacking’ or other illegal activity, any behavior which permanently damages a school device or the network, or repeated violations of a less severe nature will be referred to the administration and punished accordingly.