CHRIST OUR KING – STELLA MARIS SCHOOL

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

To promote academic learning using technology, the administration and faculty are pleased to offer students at Christ Our King-Stella Maris School access to the school’s computer network.  This service allows students to enter the Internet and to explore thousands of worldwide resources, as well as communicate directly with persons of almost every human culture.  Clearly, the Internet is an extraordinary educational tool and must be included in every institution of learning. 

However, families are hereby advised that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people.  The school has installed software to block such material.  But, while the school’s intent and direction are to make Internet access available to further its educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials, which are inappropriate to their assignment and/or maturity.  Despite this risk, the administration and faculty believe the benefits to students, in the form of information and communication, are cause to continue this access. 

Furthermore, since parents are their child’s first teachers and are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources (and teachers perform many of their duties), parents, students and teachers must sign this Acceptable Use Policy, which outlines our policies and regulations for the Christ Our King-Stella Maris School computer network. 

POLICIES

• Christ Our King-Stella Maris School shall consider access to its network a privilege – not a right.  
• Individual users of the Christ Our King-Stella Maris School network are completely responsible for their computer operations and communications.
• Beyond this clarification of its standards, Christ Our King-Stella Maris School is not responsible for restricting, monitoring, or controlling the communications of individuals utilizing the network. 
• Administrators and teachers may review files and communications of any users to maintain system integrity and insure adherence to policies and regulations.
• Users should not expect that files stored on servers will always be private. 
• During the school day, teachers will monitor activities and guide students toward appropriate sites and materials.  Outside of school, parents bear the same responsibility for such guidance. 

PROCEDURES FOR USE OF COMPUTERS

• Students must always get permission from the teacher in charge before using the

      computers and/or the Internet.

• Students must sign in legibly, on the appropriate log or register in the classroom or library each time they log onto the Internet. 
• All students have the same rights to use the equipment.  However, priority is given to academic use.  
• Students are expected to stay on task and waste neither time nor supplies.  
• All students may talk quietly and in a manner that will not disturb others.

REGULATIONS

Network Etiquette

All users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette.  These include but are not limited to the following:

·         Be polite and do not get abusive in your messages to others. 

·         Never use Cap Lock…it is considered shouting. 

·         Use appropriate language.  Vulgar language is disrespectful. 

·         Never reveal personal information about your parents, classmates, or teachers. 

·         Never use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users.

·         All communications and information via the network are assumed to be private property.  Nevertheless, the administration and faculty may monitor any files to maintain system integrity and insure adherence to policies and regulations.  

·         Respect copyright laws.

·         Do not interfere with the operation of the network by installing illegal software, shareware, or freeware – this includes the use of unapproved disks and CD-ROMS. 

·         Notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials that violate the rules of

appropriate use.   

The following are strictly forbidden:

·         Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures

·         Using obscene language

·         Harassing, insulting or attacking others online

·         Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks

·         Violating copyright laws

·         Accessing another’s folders or files

·         Wasting resources

·         Employing the network for commercial purposes

·         Using another’s individual account or password (This includes your parent’s ISP accounts)

·         Using ISP accounts other than the COKSM provider

·         Attempting to log-on as anyone other than yourself 

·         Creating viruses.

Violations will be reported to the Assistant Principal and may result in the loss of privileges or disciplinary action(s) or both. 

Internet Acceptable Use Policy Acknowledgement/Compliance/Authorization Statement:

Student Agreement 

As a user of the Christ Our King-Stella Maris Computer Network, I hereby agree to comply with the above stated rules.

Student Signature_________________________________________________Date___________

Parent Agreement

As the parent or legal guardian of the minor student signing above, I grant permission for my son or daughter to access the networked computer services provided by the school, e.g., the Internet, Internet resources and email.  I understand that individuals and families may be held liable for violations of school user regulations as put forth earlier.

I also understand that some materials on the Internet may be objectionable and I accept responsibility to guide my children when selecting, sharing or exploring Internet information and media.  

Parent Signature_________________________________________________Date___________

Name of Student _______________________________________________________________

                            (Please Print)

Teacher Agreement

Teachers will monitor and guide students toward appropriate materials.  Teachers will also review files and communications to maintain system integrity and to insure that students are using the system responsibly.  Any violations will be reported to the administration and to the parents of the student(s) involved.  A responsible teacher or adult will be present whenever a student is using the Internet. 

Homeroom Teacher Signature_______________________________________Date___________

Discipline Policy/Procedures Agreement Statement:

We have read the Discipline Policy and agree to support and uphold the policy.

____________________________________________________                        ______________

                            Student’s Signature                                                                                       Date

____________________________________________________                        ______________

                            Parent’s Signature                                                                                       Date