Policies

Please see individual teachers' syllabi for policies and individual course procedures.

PURPOSE

Technology is a valuable and real world educational tool. Our schools are committed to teaching its students and staff (faculty, administrators, staff, coaches, volunteers and school community) to work and to learn effectively with technology and to ensure responsible use of technology. The policy outlined below applies to all technology use including but not limited to Internet use. The Acceptable Use Policy for Technology applies to all students, staff or community members allowed access to school technology resources. In some cases outside or personal uses of technology may be applicable under this policy.

SCOPE OF USE

We recognize that the digital world allows anytime, anywhere access. Uses mentioned in this policy apply to inside school use and may in certain instances apply to personal technology use and/or uses outside of school. Where personal outside use of technology threatens a likelihood of substantial disruption in school, these activities may be viewed as a violation of this document and may be subject to the disciplinary measure found herein.  The types of electronic and digital communications referenced in this document include, but are not limited to, social networking sites, cell phones, digital cameras, text messaging, email, voice over IP, chat rooms, and instant messaging. All internet connections are filtered to the appropriate school level and modified on demand if issues arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF USER

Our schools will make every effort to provide a safe environment for learning with technology including Internet filtering and safeguards. The students, faculty, administrators, staff, and school community are granted the privilege of using the computer hardware and software peripherals, and electronic communication tools including the Internet. With this privilege comes the responsibility for appropriate use and we embrace the following conditions or facets of being a digital citizen.

     •Respect One's self. Users will select online names that are appropriate and will consider the information and images that are 

    posted online.

     •Respect Others. Users will refrain from using technologies to bully, tease or harass other people.

     •Protect One's self and Others. Users will protect themselves and others by reporting abuse and not forwarding inappropriate

     materials or communications.

     •Respect Intellectual Property. Users will suitably cite any and all use of websites, books, media, etc.

     •Protect Intellectual Property. Users will request to use the software and media others produce and protect license agreements for all

     software and resources.

     •Protect physical property. Users of school equipment will protect it and keep it in the same working condition as it was

   issued/granted to the user or you are subject to fines for repair or replacement of equipment.

UNACCEPTABLE USES

     •Use technology to harass, threaten, deceive, intimidate, offend, embarrass, or annoy any individual. 

     •Post, publish, or display any defamatory, inaccurate, violent, abusive, profane or sexually oriented material. Users must not use

     obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude or threatening language. Users must not knowingly or recklessly post false information about any

     persons, students, staff or any organization. 

     •Attempt to circumvent system security or use another individual’s password.

     •Deliberately visit a site known for unacceptable material or any material that is not in support of educational objectives. Students

    must not access social networking sites or gaming sites except for educational purposes under staff supervision.

     •Violate license agreements, copy disks, optical media, or other copyright protected media.

     •Use technology for any illegal activity. Use of the Internet for commercial gains or profits is not allowed from an educational site.

     •Breach confidentiality obligations of school or system employees.

     •Harm the goodwill and reputation of the school or system in the community.

     •Transmit any material in violation of any local, federal or state laws. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material,

     licensed material and threatening or obscene material. 

ADMINISTRATIVE RIGHTS

The school has the right to monitor both student and employee use of school computers and computer accessed content. Due to the evolving nature of technology, the schools of the Skaggs Catholic Center  LLC reserve the right to amend or add to this policy at any time without notice. 

PERSONAL USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

This section of the policy refers to the personal use of social media sites such as but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Myspace. Staff and students may not mention members of the school community without their consent unless the subject is of public concern and the speech falls under applicable constitutional protections. 

‘Friending’ of current students by staff and vice versa is forbidden on a staff’s personal social networking site. Personal posts must use appropriately respectful speech, and refrain from harassing, defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, threatening or other inappropriate communications.  Except in the case of being a parent, you are a representative of the institution at all times.

COMMUNICATIONS

Electronic and/or Digital communications with students should be conducted for educationally appropriate purposes and employ only school sanctioned means of communication. The school sanctioned communications methods include:

     •Staff school web pages, wiki or learning management sites like Moodle or Teacher Web.

     •Staff school email address.

     •Staff school phone number.

     •Staff created, educationally focused networking sites.

     •No staff member is permitted to 1-on-1 text message any student and likewise no student is permitted to 1-on-1 text message any staff member, except in emergency reporting.

Electronic and Mobile Devices, Cellphones: Users must adhere to school policy that may further define uses of mobile devices. Access will be determined by the administration of the school. If a particular mobile device is to be used for educational purposes, the school administration and/or staff will provide parameters for this use, example: a text message connected Twitter feed for a course, club or sport.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) - Recommended Devices: Mac/PC Laptop w/5Ghz wifi, Chromebook

Student devices will be allowed to access the wireless network via WiFi (802.11n) 5Ghz.  Students are responsible for keeping devices patched, batteries charged, and stored securely when unattended.  Misbehaving devices will face suspension from the wireless network until they are brought up-to-date and shown to IT staff or Student Help Desk.  The school's staff is authorized to collect and examine such devices and their network traffic.

     •Each teacher has the discretion to allow and regulate the use of student devices in the classroom and on specific projects and

       devices will be silenced and used for academic purposes only during class.

     •Students may not use devices to record, transmit, or post photographic images or video of a person or persons, or likeness of

       facsimile there of on campus during school hours or during school activities, unless otherwise authorized by the school.

     •The school’s network filters will be applied to a device’s Internet connection and any attempt to bypass the filters is prohibited.

     •Any inappropriate content found on a student’s device such as but not limited to malware, pornography, counterfeiting/

       torrent software may result in school disciplinary action, and or civil, or criminal actions.

POLICY VIOLATIONS

Violation of the above rules will be dealt with by the administration of the school. Violation of these rules may result in any or all of the following:

     •For students, the loss of access to the school network, computers and software, including Internet access as well as

   detentions/suspension, if applicable.

     •Disciplinary action including, but not limited to, dismissal and/or legal action by the school, civil authorities, or other involved

   parties.

I _____________________________________________________________________ on (date) ____________________________ 

hereby agree and release the schools of the Skaggs Catholic Center LLC, its personnel and any other institutions with which it is affiliated, from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from my use of, or inability to use the Internet with Skaggs Catholic Center LLC technology resources.

Revised June 8th 2022