INTERNET USE: POLICY AND PROCEDURE
The Board of Education recognizes that technology can greatly enhance the instructional program, as well as the efficiency of school and school administration. The Board also realizes that careful planning is essential to ensure the successful, equitable and cost-effective implementation of technology-based materials, equipment, systems and networks. Computers and use of the school network or on-line services network are to support learning and to enhance instruction, as well as assist in the administration of the school. Computer networks allow people to interact with many computers; the internet allows people to interact with hundreds of thousands of networks. All computers are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner.
The administrator and Technology Committee will develop a plan to address the short and long-term technology needs of the school. As a basis for this plan, the administrator and Technology Committee shall examine and compare the costs and benefits of various resources and shall identify the blend of technologies and level of service necessary to support the instructional program.
Because access to on-line services provides connections to other computer systems located all over the world, users (and parents of users, if the user is under 18 years old) must understand that some of the information available is controversial and sometimes offensive. The school does not condone the use of such materials. The amount of time which individual students will have unmonitored access to the network will be minimized. School employees, students and parents of students must be aware that the privileges to access on-line services will be withdrawn from users who do not respect the rights of others or who do not follow the rules and regulations established by St. Wendelin's School. A user's agreement will be signed by parents and students to indicate the user's acknowledgment of the risks and regulations for computer/on-line services use.
The administrator and Technology Committee will develop a plan to address the short and long-term technology needs of the school. As a basis for this plan, the administrator and Technology Committee shall examine and compare the costs and benefits of various resources and shall identify the blend of technologies and level of service necessary to support the instructional program.
Because access to on-line services provides connections to other computer systems located all over the world, users (and parents of users, if the user is under 18 years old) must understand that some of the information available is controversial and sometimes offensive. The school does not condone the use of such materials. The amount of time which individual students will have unmonitored access to the network will be minimized. School employees, students and parents of students must be aware that the privileges to access on-line services will be withdrawn from users who do not respect the rights of others or who do not follow the rules and regulations established by St. Wendelin's School. A user's agreement will be signed by parents and students to indicate the user's acknowledgment of the risks and regulations for computer/on-line services use.
GUIDELINES FOR NETWORK USE
The following guidelines and procedures are expected to be utilized by staff, students or community members who are authorized to use the St. Wendelin School computers or on-line services.
- Use appropriate language. Do not use profanity, obscenity or other language which may be offensive to other users. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
- Do not reveal your personal home address, phone number or any personal information or those of other students or colleagues, unless the communication has been coordinated by a parent or teacher.
- Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all messages relating to or in support of illegal activities and such activities may be reported to the authorities.
- Use of the computer and/or network will not be for financial gain or for any illegal activity.
- The network should not be used in such a way that it will disrupt the use of the network by others.
- All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.
- Rules and regulations of internet etiquette are subject to change by the administration.
- The system shall be used only for purpose related to education or administration of the school. Commercial, political and/or personal use of the system is strictly prohibited. The administration reserves the right to monitor any computer activity and on-line communications for improper use.
- Users shall not use the system to encourage the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco nor shall they promote unethical practices or any activity prohibited by law or Board policy.
- Users shall not transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive or sexually explicit or that could be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based on their race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or political beliefs.
- Copyrighted material may not be placed on the system without the author's permission.
- Users shall not read other users' mail or files, they shall not attempt to interfere with other users' ability to send or receive electronic mail, nor shall they attempt to read, delete, copy, modify or forge other user's mail.
- Users are expected to keep messages brief and use appropriate language.
- Users shall report any security problem or misuse of the network to the teacher or the principal or immediate supervisor.
- Children in grades K-6 will not be provided with unsupervised access to the network.
