School Policies

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Internet Acceptable Use Policy Introduction
The Internet is a world-wide network of computers that contains millions of pages of information. Users are cautioned that many of these pages include offensive, sexually explicit material and inappropriate material. In general, it is difficult to avoid at least some contact with this material while using the Internet. Even innocuous search requests may lead to sites with highly offensive content. Additionally, having an e-mail address on the Internet may lead to receipt of unsolicited e-mail containing offensive content. To minimise the above risks the use of the Internet at Skerries Community College is governed by this policy. The computer network and all individual computers are the property of Skerries Community College and are to be used for teaching and learning purposes. Staff are provided with access to computers to assist them with the performance of their jobs. All staff and students have a responsibility to use the college's computer resources and the Internet in a professional, lawful and ethical manner.

Mission Statement
Our school promotes the development of the whole person, within the Christian context. With the assistance of parents we aim to develop responsible citizens. Students, irrespective of economic circumstance, gender, religious or philosophical outlook, race or social situation are welcome to join us in the pursuit of knowledge. Our ethos is based on personal responsibility, independence, respect for people and respect for property. Our school seeks to cultivate integrity, the necessary skills for life, and valuing discipline and punctuality, to facilitate the best in the academic and non-academic areas. We value our culture, our traditions, our heritage and we seek to be a caring and compassionate community where justice and truth are central elements.

Rationale
The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the college's Internet resources in a safe and effective manner. The computer resources and Internet access is considered a privilege in the college. Failure to comply with the college AUP will result in removal of Internet access and be dealt with as College Discipline issue.

Scope
This policy has been designed to protect the students and staff of Skerries Community College.

College Policy Content
The college 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

  • All Internet sessions will be supervised by a teacher.
  • Computer room sessions are available following prior booking of room by teacher involved.
  • No student is allowed unsupervised access to computers.
  • All users will observe good "netiquette" at all times and will not undertake any action that may bring the college into disrepute.
  • Filtering software and /or will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
  • The college will regularly monitor pupil's internet usage.
  • Students and teachers will be instructed in the area of Internet safety.
  • Uploading and downloading of non-approved software, photos, music files, etc is not permitted.
  • The use of personal floppy disks, CD-ROMs, DVD and USB sticks, require a teacher's permission.
  • Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis

WORLD WIDE WEB

  • Internet usage will be monitored and recorded for security and/ or network management reasons.
  • Users will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
  • Users will use the internet for educational purposes only.
  • Users will be familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.
  • Users will never disclose or publicise personal information.

E-Mail

  • Users will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
  • Users will not reveal their own or other people's personal details, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or pictures.
  • Users must not use College facilities to arrange a face to face meeting with someone contacted on the net.
  • Students may use class e-mail accounts under supervision or with the permission of a teacher.
  • Students will note that sending and receiving e-mail attachments is subject to permission from their teacher.

Internet Chat

  • Students may only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other electronic communications forums that have been approved by the college.
  • Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
  • Usernames will always be use to avoid disclosure of identity. Face to face meetings with someone organised via Internet Chat are forbidden.

School Website (under construction 2007)

  • Pupils may 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 school website. Instead photographs, audio and video clips if used will focus on group activities. Video clips may be password protected.
  • Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be omitted from college web pages.
  • Pupils will continue to own the copyright of any work published.

Sanctions

Misuse of the College computer facilities will result in disciplinary action.

The college also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

Implementation
This policy will be implemented by the Board of Management in a spirit of partnership through consultation with the school partners.

Review and Evaluation
The Board of Management in consultation with the school partners will, after one year, and every two years thereafter review this policy. It will be the responsibility of the Principal to bring this policy before the Board for review at the appropriate time. Any amendments, which need to be made, will be communicated to all the partners.