Technology Acceptable Use Policy
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (TAUP)
2021-2022 School Year
For Parents and Students
St. Francis De Sales School provides technology-rich environment for our students. Technology is used as a tool to enhance learning and to help students develop 21st century skills they will need in high school and beyond. We teach students positive digital citizenship where they learn to use their technology-driven powers conscientiously — and with empathy — to help make the world a better place.
To gain access to the technology resources, all students must obtain parental permission as verified by the signatures on this agreement.
Internet and G Suite for Education
At St. Francis De Sales School we use G Suite for Education - Google’s set of productivity applications formatted specifically for student use. St. Francis De Sales School and G Suite for Education comply with the federal laws concerning student privacy: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). More information about privacy and security can be found at the Technology section of the school website.
As an added safety measure, our students can exchange communications (email, files, etc) only within our school domain: no one outside the school can send or receive emails or files to or from our students.
Access to the Internet and G Suite for Education enables students to explore the world, learn new skills, and collaborate with others while becoming creators of unique digital content.
We strive to create a safe digital environment for our students. While the purpose of the school is to use Internet resources for constructive educational goals, students may find ways to access other materials. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive. We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet outweigh the disadvantages.
What is expected?
Students are responsible for appropriate behavior on the school’s computer network just as they are in a classroom or on a school playground. Communications on the network are often public in nature. School monitors student’s use of the Internet and electronic communications. General school rules for behavior and communications apply. It is expected that users will comply with Archdiocesan standards and the specific rules set forth below. The use of technology resources is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused. The user is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the school’s technology resources. The students are expected never to access, keep, or send anything that they would not want their parents or teachers to see. Under no circumstances are students to access any sites that are sexual in nature.
What are the Rules of Appropriate Use?
Whether occurring within or outside of school, when a student’s use of electronic communication jeopardizes the safe environment of the school or is contrary to Gospel values the student can be subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences including the expulsion of the student. This policy applies to communications or depictions through email, text messages, blogs, social media or website postings, whether they occur through the school’s equipment or connectivity resources or through private communication.
Electronic communication is considered unacceptable if it contains one or more of these characteristics:
Being of a sexual and/or violent nature;
Threatens, libels, slanders, maligns, disparages, bullies, harasses, or embarrasses member of the school community; or
Causes harm to others and/or to the school community.
Personal Safety and Personal Privacy
Students will not post personal contact information about themselves. Personal contact information includes their address, telephone, school address, etc. This information may not be provided to an individual, organization, or company, including websites that solicit personal information.
Social Networking - Accessing social networking websites, blogs, gaming or video sites (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, etc., except those used for educational purposes) are off-limits on school property. The use of circumventors to get around school network security is prohibited.
Illegal copying - Students should never download or install any commercial software, shareware, or freeware onto school devices. Nor should students copy other people’s work or intrude into other people’s files. The download/upload of any material in violation of any U.S., State, Board, Archdiocesan, or school policy is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to copyrighted material, threatening, violent, or obscene material, or material protected by trade secrets.
Inappropriate materials or language – No profane, abusive or impolite language should be used to communicate nor should materials be accessed which are not in line with the rules of school behavior.
Use of technology resources for gambling, unauthorized email, chat or instant messaging, blogs, and discussion forums, is also prohibited. Should students encounter such material by accident, they should report it to their teacher immediately. A good rule to follow is never view, send, or access materials, which you would not want your teachers and parents to see.
Uses of cell phones to transmit unacceptable language and/or photos that are harmful to self, other students, and/or to other people are prohibited.
Succinct Advice
These are guidelines to follow to prevent the loss of technology privileges at school.
Do not use technology to harm self, other people or their work.
Do not damage the network or any technology resource in any way.
Do not interfere with the network or computer operation by installing any form of software or permitting the spread of computer viruses.
Do not violate copyright laws.
Do not view, send or display offensive messages or images
Do not share your password or in any way obtain another person’s password.
Do not waste technology resources such as disk space or printing supplies
Do not trespass in another’s folders, work, files or device.
Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials, which violate the Rules of Appropriate Use
BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your actions and for the loss of privileges if the Rules of Appropriate Use are violated.
Social Media
Social Media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.
The school or parish owns the school or school’s name and administrators have the right to restrict its use. Student/parent handbook rules and faculty/staff handbook rules prohibit unauthorized use of images, names and logos.
A Catholic school administrator can impose consequences for conduct occurring outside school. What students/ faculty/ staff do off-campus can detrimentally affect a school’s reputation. The parent/student handbook and faculty / staff handbook, which is a legal contract, states that the administration reserves the right to discipline students/faculty/staff for off-campus conduct. Consequences for violating acceptable use of technology including social media include termination of employees and suspension and expulsion of students.
Social media provides another possible venue for students/faculty/staff/parents to make threats, bully others, and offers opportunities to post potentially defamatory statements about the school, school personnel and students. Deliberate defamation of others is not consistent with Christian values and all should be held accountable for intentional harm they cause others.
Personal Devices
Guidelines
The school governs which devices are allowed and how and which students are allowed to use them.
Students bring personal devices to school at their own risk, just like any other personal items. Personal devices like cell phones or smart watches are not allowed to be used by students while on school campus.
Personal devices should never be used in locker rooms, restrooms, or nurses’ offices.
Students are not permitted to use any electronic device to record audio or video media or take pictures of any student or staff member without permission. Distribution of unauthorized media may result in disciplinary action.
School Owned Devices
Every classroom from PreK-3 through third grade has several devices - iPads or Chromebooks for student use. Teachers use those devices to enhance their instruction and give students opportunities to express themselves. In fourth and fifth grades, students have several Chromebooks in each classroom; in addition, there is a cart with a class set of Chromebooks.
In middle school, each student is issued a Chromebook for use throughout the school year. Students use them to complete and turn in assignments , conduct research, communicate, keep track of their grades and create unique digital content.
A usage and management fee is assessed per each student. Each student must sign for and care for the assigned device. Students are expected to bring their fully charged Chromebooks to school every day; they are to be carried in an approved carrier. Students must return Chromebooks at the end of the year in good condition. Cost of all repairs to the Chromebook is a responsibility of the student. A separate Chromebook agreement will be signed by each middle school student and parent/guardian.