INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

1. The Aim of this AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) is to ensure that learning is conducted in a safe and effective manner.

1. General Strategies

• Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher/computer teacher.
• Use of internet by students and staff will be monitored.
• Students and teachers are provided with training in internet safety. We have Internet Safety Awareness Week in February.
• Students and staff will 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.
• Uploading or downloading of inappropriate material is not permitted
• With Broadband, NCTE provide content filtering which allows access to educational, cultural and general interest sites only. Access to any illegal, obscene or objectionable material will be blocked.

3. World Wide Web

• The use of the internet will be for educational purposes only.
• Access to sites that contain obscene, illegal or objectionable material is blocked.
• All use of internet is monitored (Students and staff will be aware that inappropriate activities will incur sanctions).
• Personal details or information will never be disclosed on the web.
• Students and staff will be familiar with copyright issues.

4.   E-mail

• Senior classes may be allowed occasionally use e-mail under supervision of teacher/computer teacher, for school projects only.
• Personal details will not be revealed (i.e. student’s own details or those of others).
• Illegal, obscene, defamatory, annoying or intimidating material are blocked.
• Students will never arrange a meeting with someone they only know through e-mails or internet.
• Attachments will only be sent or received with permission of teacher/computer teacher.

5. Social Networking

Students will not have access to chat-rooms, facebook or any other social networking sites.

6. School Website/Blog

• Pupils 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 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• Digital photographs, audio or video clips of individual students will not be published on the school website. Instead photographs, audio and video clips will focus on group activities
• Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.
• Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.

7. Mobile Phones

Due to the dangers of inappropriate use, mobile phones are not permitted in Scoil Mhuire Lourdes.

8. Legislaton

The school will provide information on the following legislation relating to use of the Internet which teachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves with:

• Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003
• Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
• Interception Act 1993
• Video Recording Act 1989
• The Data Protection Act 1988

9. Support Structures

• Internet Safety Week
• Lessons will be taught each year on Safe Internet Use and Cyberbullying in Senior Classes.
• The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet.
• Information will be sent to parents/guardians regarding safe use and monitoring of children’s use of internet at home.

10. 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.

 

Dear Parent/Guardian,

RE: INTERNET PERMISSION

Access to the internet allows students a large array of educational resources that can enhance their learning experience.  However, the use of the internet requires responsibility on the part of the school and the students.

The NCTE (National Centre for Technology in Education) provides content filtering which restricts access to educational, cultural and general interest sites only.  This minimises the risk of inappropriate material being accessed.  With content filtering any attempt to access an unsuitable site is immediately blocked.   All internet sessions will be monitored by a teacher/computer teacher.

The school respects your right as a parent/guardian to decide whether or not to allow your child supervised access to the internet as defined by the school’s AUP (Acceptable Use Policy).

Having read the enclosed Policy, you may like to take a moment to consider how the Internet is used in your home, and see if there is any way you could make it safer for your own family.

Yours sincerely

 

_______________

Marie Coen

Principal

Please review the attached school Internet Acceptable Use Policy, sign and return this permission form to the Principal.

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes

Name of Pupil  _______________________________________________________

Pupil

I agree to follow the school’s Acceptable Use Policy on the use of the Internet.  I will use the Internet in a responsible way and obey all the rules explained to me by the school.

 

* Parent’s Signature for pupils (Infants) _____________________             Date: _________

* Pupil’s Signature (1^st Class)______________________________             Date: _________

* Pupil’s Signature (2^nd class) _____________________________             Date: _________

* Pupil’s Signature (3^rd class)_____________________________               Date: _________

* Pupil’s Signature (4^th class) ______________________________            Date: _________

* Pupil’s Signature (5^th class)_______________________________           Date: _________

* Pupil’s Signature (6^th class)_______________________________           Date: _________

 

Parent/Guardian

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

 

I accept the above paragraph [   ]

I do not accept the above paragraph [   ]

(Please tick as appropriate)

 

I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy relating to publishing children’s work on the school website/blog.

 

I accept the above paragraph [   ]

I do not accept the above paragraph [   ]

(Please tick as appropriate)

 

* Parents Signature ______________________________________Date ____________

 

Address   ______________________________________________________________

 

__________________________________  Telephone __________________