• Vital to the evangelizing and educational mission of the Catholic Church, we are Christ-centered communities dedicated to the faith formation, academic excellence, and individual growth of our students, all rooted in the Gospel message of Jesus.
Catholic School’s Mission Statement

• The Church views emerging technologies as gifts of the Spirit to this age and challenges “God’s faithful people to make creative use of new discoveries and technologies for the benefit of humanity and the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world..”
Aetatis Novae, #2, #3; Rose, 1992

In the 21st Century Catholic schools are using new technologies, electronic resources, and Internet access to enhance student learning and to provide a quality educational experience for all students. The schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as well as the other diocesan schools in Ohio have been provided with Internet connectivity through Instructional Technology Centers located throughout the state. This project is partially funded by the Legislature of the State of Ohio. Therefore, Internet access and activities utilizing all other technologies in the schools are strictly limited to educational purposes.

In keeping with the mission of the Catholic schools, schools will monitor, instruct, and guard against inappropriate, unethical, and illegal use of technology by the student or adult user.

In order to ensure the proper use of technological resources, it is necessary that each user and parent/guardian annually sign the attached Responsible Use of Technology Policy – User Agreement Form.
The signed form must be on file at the school before Internet access is permitted. Signing the form indicates that the user will abide by the rules governing Internet and other technology access as stated in this policy.

All schools must have on file a signed Responsible Use of Technology Policy – User Agreement Form for any Student* and/or adult (administrators, faculty and staff members, parents, volunteers, and other school-affiliated adults) using a school’s technology resources, school’s Internet account, school-sponsored account, or personal account to access the Internet. All Internet access and use of other electronic communication technology is strictly limited to educational purposes. Students (including those 18 and over) are not allowed to access personal accounts from school. School personnel (administrators, faculty and staff members) are allowed to access personal accounts at school but are subject to responsible use provisions herein. Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati adhere to the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Individual schools may be further governed by the policies of the Instructional Technology Centers or other Internet Service Providers. The school has the right to access to any electronic devices on school property. All information received or sent from school property remains the property of the school and is not considered confidential. The school reserves the right to investigate the download history of all school computers. There shall be no reasonable expectation of privacy.
*The term student applies to any individual enrolled in the school regardless of age.

The school shall provide access to technological resources, including Internet, for educational purposes only. The school shall also provide training for students and teachers in the appropriate use of online behavior, interaction online on social networking sites, cyber-bullying awareness and reporting of misuse of technology. The school shall take measures to provide for the safety and security of minors, supervise and monitor student access to all technological resources provided by the school, and guard against the access of objectionable material, in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Archdiocesan Decree on Child Protection. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors are forbidden.

USER RESPONSIBILITY
The user shall access the school’s technological resources for educational purposes only. Each user is responsible for information that is sent and received under his/her personal and/or school Internet account. Passwords are to be guarded and not displayed nor shared with others. The user must strictly adhere to copyright laws. In addition, unethical and/or illegal uses of electronic devices will not be allowed. Unauthorized access, including hacking or use of another person’s account, is strictly forbidden. The user agrees not to bypass the school firewall, nor to harm or alter school property. The user agrees not to pirate, nor to submit, publish, and/or display any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, racially offensive or otherwise illegal material, on or off school property; nor shall the user encourage the use, sale, or distribution of controlled substances. Any use in violation of any local, state, or federal law in prohibited and is a breach of the terms and conditions of responsible use. Also, any commercial use is strictly forbidden.

The school may take disciplinary action against school personnel, including students, who violate the Responsible Use of Technology Policy or other school or archdiocesan policies by means of inappropriate use of technology. Disciplinary action may also be taken against those who use telecommunication devices to cause mental or physical distress to other members of the school community, whether these incidents take place on or off the school property. Disciplinary action taken by school authorities may include revocation of access to technological resources, suspension, expulsion, and/or possible legal action.