INTRODUCTION
Catholic School’s Mission Statement
Aetatis Novae, #2, #3; Rose, 1992
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR USERS OF TECHNOLOGY
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are using the Internet and technological equipment/resources (i.e. computers, laptops, iPads, tablets, scanners, printers, cameras, email, software, and all other electronic devices and programs) (the Internet and all technological equipment/resources are referred to collectively in this Policy as “Technological Resources”) to enhance student learning and to provide a quality educational experience for all students. Use of a school’s Technological Resources is strictly limited to educational purposes.
In keeping with the mission of the Catholic schools, school personnel will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the school’s Technological Resources, during school hours and while on school grounds, are used appropriately by the student or adult user. Parents/guardians and students are solely responsible for use of the school’s Technological Resources at home, off school property, and/or outside of school hours.
AGREEMENT FORM
In order to ensure the proper use of the school’s Technological Resources, it is necessary that each student user, his/her parent/guardian, and each adult user annually sign the attached User Agreement/Parent Permission Form. The signed form must be on file at the school before any Technological Resources are provided to or accessed by the student or adult user. Signing the form means that the student user, his/her parent/guardian, and the adult user will abide by the terms and conditions set forth in this Policy.
SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITY
Each school must have on file a signed Responsible Use of Technology Policy – User Agreement/Parent Permission Form for any student1 user, his/her parent/guardian, and each adult user (administrators, faculty and staff members, parents, volunteers, and other school-affiliated adults) who use the school’s Technological Resources. All Technological Resources are strictly limited to educational purposes. Students are not allowed to access personal accounts using any of the school’s Technological Resources. School personnel (administrators, faculty and staff members) are allowed to access personal accounts using the school’s Technological Resources but are subject to responsible use provisions herein. Individual schools may be further governed by the policies of the Instructional Technology Centers or other Internet Service Providers. Any Technological Resources provided to a user remain the property of the school. The school reserves the right to search and inspect school property, including any computer, laptop, iPad, tablet, school email or other Technological Resources at any time and for any reason. When using any of the school’s Technological Resources, the user shall have no expectation of privacy.
The school shall provide access to Technological Resources for educational purposes only. The school shall also provide training for students and teachers related to appropriate online behavior, including interaction with other individuals on social networking sites, cyber-bullying awareness, and reporting the misuse of technology. The school shall take reasonable measures to guard against student access, during school hours and while on school grounds, to objectionable material through the school’s Technological Resources. Unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information regarding minors is forbidden.
USER RESPONSIBILITY
The user shall access and use 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 account. Passwords are to be guarded and not displayed or shared with others. The user must strictly adhere to copyright laws. In addition, unethical and/or illegal uses of the school’s Technological Resources are prohibited. Unauthorized access, including hacking or use of another person’s credentials or account, is strictly forbidden. The user agrees not to bypass or attempt to bypass the school’s firewall or filters, nor to harm or alter school property, including any of the school’s Technological Resources. The user agrees not to change any computer settings, hardware, software, parts, or cabling. The user agrees not to pirate, nor to submit, publish, display, distribute, send, or view any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, bullying, racially offensive, or illegal material at any time, on or off school property; nor shall the user encourage the use, sale, or distribution of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. Any use in violation of law is prohibited. Any commercial use of the school’s Technological Resources is strictly forbidden. Unless authorized by the school, the user agrees not to access chat rooms, newsgroups, listserves, instant messaging, or a personal webpage. The user agrees not to download anything without permission. The user agrees he/she will not damage the school’s Technological Resources, including computers, computer systems, and computer networks. Personal technology equipment brought to school is subject to the procedures outlined in this Policy. If the student user, his/her parent/guardian, or the adult user becomes aware of inappropriate, illegal, or non-educational material being used, accessed, sent, received, or displayed through the school’s Technological Resources, he/she agrees to immediately report the matter to the principal or supervisor. Student users and their parents/guardians agree that they are solely responsible for monitoring the student’s use of the school’s Technological Resources at home, off school grounds, and outside of school hours.
1 The term “student” applies to any individual enrolled in the school regardless of age.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The school may take disciplinary action against any user who violates the Responsible Use of Technology Policy, or other school or Archdiocesan policies, through use of the school’s Technological Resources. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, revocation of access to Technological Resources, suspension or expulsion from school, termination of employment, and/or possible legal action.
CONSENT FOR ONLINE/REMOTE LEARNING
As part of the Responsible Use of Technology Policy, parents/guardians further agree as follows:
We have read the terms and conditions of the Responsible Use of Technology Policy and agree to follow and be bound by them.