General User Policy



ST

Our Lady of Grace School

Student Technology & Internet Acceptable Use Policy

 

We would like for all parents to read Section A of this document carefully. In addition please read and discuss Section B thoroughly with your child. This document must be on file with the school before your child will have access to technology.  (This document will remain valid for the entire time your child is a student at Our Lady of Grace School unless either party (you the parent or we the staff of Our Lady of Grace School) request a change.)

 

We are very pleased to have Internet access Our Lady of Grace School and believe these offer valuable, diverse, and unique resources to students, teachers, and staff.  Our goal in providing these services is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

 

The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers.  The Internet allows students, teachers, and staff access to electronic mail communications, blogs, information and news, discussions groups, documents and databases.

 

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.  The faculty at Our Lady of Grace School has taken precautions to control access to controversial materials by being present at all times when students are on the Internet, by instructing students in the proper use of the Internet, and by using a filtering product that assists in blocking material that may be inappropriate for children.  However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and an industrious user may discover controversial information.  We firmly believe however, that the valuable information and interactions available on the network far outweigh the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the school.

 

Availability of the Internet and access to the school network at Our Lady of Grace School rests upon the proper conduct of individual students who must adhere to strict guidelines.  These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities your child is about to acquire. If a student violates any of these provisions, future access to the Internet as well as general computer access at Our Lady of Grace School may be denied to that student.  The signatures on the signature page indicate that you have read this document, discussed it with your child, and that you and your child understand the terms and conditions herein.

 

SECTION A – GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

1.  Acceptable Use - The purpose of using technology and the Internet at Our Lady of Grace School is to support education by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work.  The use of school accounts must be in support of education and consistent with the educational objectives Our Lady of Grace School. Transmission of any material in violation of school policy or any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, and the work of other students without their permission. Use of school name, acronym (OLG), faculty or staff name on the Internet by any student is prohibited whether or not the usage occurs at school. 

 

2.  Privileges - The use of technology is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges.  The faculty member in charge will deem what is inappropriate use and his or her decision is final.

 

3.  Network Etiquette - Students are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette as outlined in Section B.

 

4.  Copyright – Students are expected to abide by all copyright laws at all times.

 

5.  Security - If your child identifies a security problem on the Internet or on the school network, he or she should notify a teacher immediately.  Your child should not demonstrate the problem to other students.  Students may not use another individual’s account at any time.  Attempts to logon to the Internet as anyone other than his or herself as well as attempts to “hack” will result in cancellation of his or her Internet privileges.   Any student identified as a security risk will be denied access to the Internet indefinitely.

 

6. Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and further disciplinary action.  Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data or equipment whether their own or that of another user, network, or agency.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or downloading of any computer viruses, attempts at gaining unauthorized access, and changing or deleting data without permission.

 

 

SECTION B – STUDENT AGREEMENT

 

Please read and discuss this section with your child(ren).  Both parents and students must sign the signature page.  Students will not be allowed any technology access until the signature page is signed and returned to the school.

 

1. Personal Responsibility - As a student at Our Lady of Grace School, I will accept personal responsibility for reporting any misuse of the network to the teacher in charge.  Misuse is considered any  message(s) sent or received that indicates or suggests racism, sexism, inappropriate language, harassment or disrespect.  Misuse is also considered to be intentionally accessing any Internet site deemed inappropriate by the faculty at Our Lady of Grace School.

 

2. Acceptable Use - My use of the Internet, electronic mail, chats will be in support of educational research and/or knowledge as defined by the teacher in charge.

 

3. Network Etiquette - I will abide by the following rules of network etiquette at all times:

·        I will never send or encourage others to send abusive messages.

·        I will use appropriate language. I realize that I am a representative of our school community. While I may be alone on the computer, what I write can be viewed globally.  I will never swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language.

 

4. Privacy - I will not reveal my home address, last name, or personal phone number or that of any  member of our school to anyone on the Internet, through email, or through chats at any time.

 

5. Electronic Mail - I understand that electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private.  I will not send anything that I do not want others to read.

 

6. Security - I understand that security is very important. I will never attempt to guess other users’ passwords at anytime.  I will never attempt to access “hack” into unauthorized web sites.  I understand that to do so is a violation of my privileges.  If I identify a security problem, I will notify the teacher in charge immediately.

 

7. Vandalism - I understand that vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy other people’s data within Our Lady of Grace School and on the Internet.  It also includes attempting to or actually damaging equipment when done with intent.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading/downloading or creation of computer viruses, logging on using someone else’s password, changing anything on the network without permission, and deleting or changing data other than your own without permission. I will notify the teacher in charge if I encounter vandalism of any kind.   Any vandalism or failure to notify the teacher in charge of attempted vandalism will result in my loss of network privileges and further disciplinary action.

 

8. Copyright - I understand that to copy any other person’s work and call it my own is a violation of copyright law. This pertains to text, graphics, video and sound on or off the Internet. When using other people’s work, I will ask permission when possible and credit the author accordingly. 

 

The use of technology at Our Lady of Grace School is a privilege and not a right.  I understand and will abide by the above Student Internet Acceptable Use Policy.  I further understand that any violation of the above regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense.  Should I commit any violation my access privileges may be revoked and school disciplinary action may be taken.

 

1. Student’s Name (print):_______________________________________Grade:_______

 

Student’s Signature:____________________________________________Date:________

 

 

2. Student’s Name (print):_______________________________________Grade:_______

 

Student’s Signature:____________________________________________Date:________

 

 

3. Student’s Name (print):_______________________________________Grade:_______

 

Student’s Signature:___________________________________________Date:________

 

PARENT AGREEMENT

 

As the parent/guardian of the above child(ren), I have read and discussed with my child(ren) the Our Lady of Grace School Student Internet Acceptable Use Policy.  I understand that access is designed for educational purposes.  However, I also recognize it is impossible for Our Lady of Grace School to restrict access to all controversial materials and I will not hold the faculty responsible for materials acquired on the network.  I give my permission for my child(ren) to access the Internet, use e-mail, and participate in on-line discussion groups while supervised at Our Lady of Grace School.

 

Parent or Guardian

Name (print)______________________________________________________________

  and   

Signature______________________________________________Date: ______________

 

Email Address (if available):   __________________________________________________________

 

This document will remain valid for the entire time your child is a student Our Lady of Grace School unless either party (you the parent or we the staff of Our Lady of Grace School) request a change.