Saint Pius X School

Acceptable Use Policy

The aim of the Saint Pius X School Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that all students will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school's Internet resources in a safe an effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions outlined in the AUP will be imposed.

It is envisaged that the Technology Committee will revise the AUP regularly. Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to indicate that the content is accepted and understood.

 

Computer Acceptable Use Policy

Saint Pius X has acquired technological tools that put enormous power at the fingertips of all members of our community. As such, they place responsibility on all users. Information technology is so new that we often need help in seeing how our beliefs and values should be applied to the uses of technology. Students and their parents must agree to abide by the following rules or they may not use the available tools.

1.      You may not use technology tools for any other purpose than legitimate learning process. Illegal copying or installation of software is forbidden.

2.      You may not copy, change or transfer any software provided by Saint Pius X School without authorized permission.

3.      Passwords are to be kept private. They are not to be shared. Attempts to discover another’s password will be treated as theft.

4.      All files and programs belong to someone. You may not erase, rename, or make unusable anyone else’s files or programs.

5.      You may not authorize anyone else to use your files. You are responsible for all uses of your files.

6.      You may not intentionally write, produce, generate, copy or introduce dangerous codes or programs designed to cause harm, including (but not limited to) viruses, bugs, worms, and Trojan Horses.

7.      You may not use Saint Pius X technology tools to annoy abuse or threaten others.

8.      You may not intentionally damage or tamper with any hardware, software, printer, keyboard, mice, speakers, etc.

9.      When using the Internet through Saint Pius X’s connection, students are representatives of Saint Pius X School and must comport themselves in a responsible manner and ethical manner. All rules previously states also apply to the use of the Internet. All uses of the Internet will be for legitimate purposes only. Using or importing offensive, obscene, libidos, disruptive, inflammatory language, pictures, or other materials is strictly prohibited.

 

School's strategy
The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows.

• A teacher will always supervise Internet sessions.
• Websites will be previewed / evaluated using the NCTE's website evaluation model before being integrated into lessons.
• Access will be allowed only to a listed range of approved sites.
• A firewall is being used to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material and to block unsuitable sites.  This is regularly updated. The Internet filter is working and reports are pulled periodically to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)". 
• The school will regularly monitor and archive pupils Internet usage by checking user files, temporary Internet files and history files.
• Students and teachers will be provided with training in the area of research techniques specific to the Internet.
• Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
• Virus protection software is used and updated regularly.
• The use of personal floppy disks, CD-ROMs and pen drives in school may be used only after all storage devices have been scanned for virus.
   

World Wide Web

Students

• Will not knowingly attempt to visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
• In the event of accidentally accessing any of the above sites, the Student will immediately turn off the monitor and report the incident to a Teacher.
• Will not spend time on non-educational matters and will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
• Will not upload, download or otherwise transmit material that is copyrighted.
• Will not disclose or publicize personal or confidential information for example a student’s home addresses, telephone numbers, name and location of their school.
• Will not examine, change or use another person's files, user name or passwords.
• Will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving of any information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security, and/or network management reasons.

Email

Students

• Will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory, or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person
• Will refrain from sending on chain letters or forward .
• Will not reveal their own or other people's personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.

       Internet Chat

• Students will only have access to moderated chat rooms or discussion forums such as those found on the teacher’s website.
• Moderated chat rooms, discussion forums and newsgroups will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
• User names will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
• Face to face, meetings with someone organised via Internet chat will be forbidden.
   

School Website

• Students  will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web
• The Webmaster and the classroom teacher will coordinate the publication of student work.
• Students’ work will appear in an educational context on web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission
• Photographs of individual students will not be published on the school website. Instead, photographs will focus on group activities. The full names of students will not be used but rather a description of the activity.
• Personal student information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.
• The student will continue to own the copyright on any work published
  
   

Data Protection Act

The Data Protection Act 1998 was passed to deal with privacy issues arising from the increasing amount of personal information contained on computers. In accordance with the Act, the school only will only publish pupil information that is relevant to the context of the web page. Parents will be informed about pupil information on the school website.

Sanctions
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges, and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

Saint Pius X School

Dear Parent,

Re: Internet Permission Form

All students before being allowed to use the Internet must obtain parental permission and both they and you must sign and return the enclosed form as evidence of your approval and their acceptance of the school rules on this matter.

 

The Internet is a global computer network that offers a wealth of resources. Students can use the Internet to locate material to meet their educational needs, to ask questions, consult with experts, and communicate with others. As information on the Internet appears, disappears and changes, it is not always possible to predict or control what pupils may locate or use. They might encounter information that is inaccurate, controversial, and potentially harmful.  To minimise the risk of children accessing any of this material Saint Pius X School has installed and maintains a firewall.

 

The Internet will be used to further educational goals and objectives, but students may find ways, accidentally or intentionally, to access undesirable materials as well. We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed any disadvantages. Ultimately, parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. To that end, the school supports and respects each family's right to decide whether to allow their children access the Internet in school.

 

During school, teachers will guide pupils toward appropriate materials. The School and individual teacher websites are designed as an access to information and resources relevant to the students’ educational needs. Outside of school, families bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, magazines and other potentially offensive media. The school has a website accessible by any Internet user around the world. The website contains information and pictures of school activities. The website address is www.school.stpius10.org

Please read the enclosed AUP Acceptable Use Policy ( found on the school website) and then complete the permission form, which follows.

Sincerely,

Geri Morrison                                                                        Margaret A Hauf

Principal                                                                             Assistant Principal

Completed Permission Forms) will be stored on individual pupil files in school office

                    Saint Pius X School                           

Please complete and return this form to your child’s homeroom teacher.

Name of Student: ______________________

Grade ______________            Teacher: ______________________

Pupil
I agree to comply with the school AUP (acceptable Use Policy) on the use of the Internet. I will use the network in a responsible way and observe all the restrictions explained to me by the school.

Pupil Signature: ______________________ Date: ______________________

Parent
As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy and grant permission for my son to access the Internet. I understand that Internet access is designed for educational purposes. I also understand that the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites, but that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety.

Parent Signature: ______________________ Date: ______________________
Home Telephone: ______________



School Website
I understand that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s schoolwork may be chosen for inclusion on the school Website. I understand and accept the terms of the AUP Acceptable Use Policy relating to publishing children’s' work on the school Website.

Parent Signature: ______________________ Date: ______________________