Convent Primary School , Naas, Co.Kildare
The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school's Internet resources in a safe and 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 Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions ---as outlined in the AUP-- will be imposed.
It is envisaged that school and parent representative will review the AUP annually. Parents and students are asked to sign this AUP which should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood.
This version of the AUP was created on ____________
by Jacqueline O’Reilly. Brigid Dowling, Kate Smyth, Betty Madden and Ann Carr.
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:
General
Internet sessions will be supervised at all times by a teacher.
Students will be provided with training in the area of Internet safety and teachers will be provided with opportunities for training.
Filtering software will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material. Any deliberate attempt to access blocked sites will lead to sanctions.
The school will regularly monitor and review pupils’ Internet usage.
Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis. Any deliberate attempt to introduce or create viruses will lead to severe sanctions.
The connection of any devices to the school computer network is forbidden.
The use of personal storage media of any type ( floppy disks, CD-ROMs, D.V. D.’s, U.S.B. Memory Sticks or any other future media types) in school requires a teacher’s permission.
Students will be required to observe good "netiquette" ( i.e., etiquette on the internet ) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.
Use of Chatrooms and Newsgroups and Instant Messaging will be forbidden.
Use of Internet for Game Playing will be forbidden
World Wide Web
Students will not be allowed visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
Students will be made familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.
Students will never disclose or publicise personal information other than Christian name.
Students will be made aware that any usage, including distribution or receiving information, school related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security and \or network management reasons.
Students may use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from the teacher. Use of email addresses other than school approved emails expressly forbidden.
Students will not be allowed to send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
Students will not be allowed to reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures (other than Christian name)
Students must never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the Internet.
Students will note that sending or receiving email attachments is subject to permission from the teacher.
Teachers must see contents of pupils' emails.
Generation of SPAM emails expressly forbidden.
School Website
Students will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web.
The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
Pupils’ work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission.
Digital photographs, audio or video clips of individual students will not be published on the website. Instead photographs, audio and video clips will focus on group activities. Video clips will be password protected.
Personal pupil information including home addresses and contact details will be omitted from school web pages. (Christian name only will be used)
Pupils will continue to own the
Legislation
The school will provide information on the following legislation relating to use of the Internet which teachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves:
Data Protection ( Amendment ) Act 2003
Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
Interception Act 1993
Video Recording Act 1989
The Data Protection Act1988
Support Structures
The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet.
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.