Introductory Statement:
In Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, provision of a safe Internet environment will be achieved using a three-pronged approach:
-by filtering/monitoring see school’s strategy below);
-by education see appendices 1 & 2); and
-through the development and implementation of an Acceptable Use Policy AUP), agreed upon by staff, parents, pupils and management. (Please also refer to school’s policy on ‘Use of Wireless Technology’)
The aim of this AUP is to ensure that pupils and staff will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions outlined in the AUP will be imposed. Before signing the permission/agreement form, the AUP should be read carefully to indicate that the content is accepted and understood.
School’s Strategy
The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. Therefore, for the purposes of this policy it is necessary to define ‘inappropriate material/content’. In Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, ‘inappropriate material/content’ is defined as: ‘material that is racist, commercial, fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, sexually explicit, profane, obscene, intimidating, defamatory or otherwise unlawful or inappropriate.’ The school recognises that any attempt at defining ‘inappropriate material/content’ is both age dependent and context dependent.
The strategies employed are as follows (Please also refer to school’s policy on ‘Use of Wireless Technology’):
Internet/World Wide Web
Email
Internet Chat
School Website/Blogs
Staff Usage
Internet and e-mail access provided by the school is for educational purposes. However, the school acknowledges that staff do use school provided internet and e-mail facilities for personal purposes and the school continues to permit reasonable personal use by staff of its internet and e-mail facilities.
Accessing/downloading material from unsuitable websites is considered to be unreasonable personal use. Furthermore, ‘inappropriate material/content’ must not be included in e-mail or any other form of electronic communication or displayed or stored on the school’s computer network. If you receive or encounter any material of this nature then you should report this to the ICT co-ordinator or the principal/deputy principal. Staff should note that any usage of the internet may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.
Personal use of school internet and e-mail facilities by staff should not occur during class-contact time.
Internet Safety Education
Internet Safety Education is an integral part of school life so as to enable the school to provide a safer internet environment (see Appendix 1)
Parent/Guardian/Pupil Permission (and Agreement) form
Parents/Guardians of all pupils are required to grant permission for their child to access the internet for educational purposes; and for their child’s work to be included on the school’s website/blogs. Pupils in 3rd to 6th Class are also required to agree to comply with the school’s AUP (see Appendix 3).
Reporting
Misuse of the internet by a pupil or staff member and/or any contact by e-mail that causes a person to feel threatened or uncomfortable should be reported to the ICT co-ordinator or the principal/deputy principal.
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.
This document states the Internet Safety: Acceptable Use Policy of our school at the present time. It may, however, be subject to adjustments and changes in the future. Such changes and adjustments will be contained in an updated version of the school’s Internet Safety: Acceptable Use Policy.
APPENDIX 1: Internet Safety Education (see also Appendix 2)
Education in relation to Internet Safety relates to four areas:
Personal Information/Personal Security
Pupils/Staff are instructed as follows:
Good “Netiquette”
Pupils/Staff are instructed as follows:
Spam
Pupils/Staff are instructed on how to minimise spam:
Source Criticism
Staff are instructed to check websites using the following criteria:
APPENDIX 2: ‘Stay Safe on the Internet’ (to be on display in classrooms)
10 Rules to help us stay safe on the internet
1. We ask permission before using the internet
2. We only use websites that an adult has approved.
3. We tell an adult if we see anything we are uncomfortable with.
4. We immediately close any webpage we are not sure about.
5. We can write emails and/or post messages to people that we know.
6. We only email/contact people an adult has approved.
7. We send emails and post messages that are polite and friendly.
8. We do not open emails/messages sent by anyone we don’t know
9. We never give out personal information or passwords.
10. We never arrange to meet anyone we don’t know.
INTERNET SAFETY: ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
APPENDIX 3: Permission (and Agreement) Form- Please complete and return this form to the principal teacher
Name of Pupil: ____________________________ Class:_________
Parent/Guardian
As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) and grant permission for my daughter to access the internet during the school day. I understand that internet access is designed for educational purposes. I also understand that the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites, but that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety.
Parent’s/Guardian’s signature: _________________________________
Date: __________
School Website/Blogs etc.
I understand that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s schoolwork may be chosen for publication on the school’s website, blog etc . I understand and accept the terms of the AUP relating to publishing pupils’ work on these sites.
Parent’s/Guardian’s signature: _________________________________
Date: __________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pupils (3rd to 6th classes only)
I agree to comply with the school AUP (Acceptable Use policy) on the use of the internet. I will use the network in a responsible way and observe all the restrictions explained to me by the school.
Pupil’s signature: ____________________________ Date: __________
In Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, provision of a safe Internet environment will be achieved using a three-pronged approach:
-by filtering/monitoring see school’s strategy below);
-by education see appendices 1 & 2); and
-through the development and implementation of an Acceptable Use Policy AUP), agreed upon by staff, parents, pupils and management. (Please also refer to school’s policy on ‘Use of Wireless Technology’)
The aim of this AUP is to ensure that pupils and staff will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions outlined in the AUP will be imposed. Before signing the permission/agreement form, the AUP should be read carefully to indicate that the content is accepted and understood.
School’s Strategy
The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. Therefore, for the purposes of this policy it is necessary to define ‘inappropriate material/content’. In Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, ‘inappropriate material/content’ is defined as: ‘material that is racist, commercial, fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, sexually explicit, profane, obscene, intimidating, defamatory or otherwise unlawful or inappropriate.’ The school recognises that any attempt at defining ‘inappropriate material/content’ is both age dependent and context dependent.
The strategies employed are as follows (Please also refer to school’s policy on ‘Use of Wireless Technology’):
- Internet sessions are always supervised by a teacher.
- Use of the internet is appropriate to the age of the pupils.
- Access is allowed only to approved sites.
- Pupils are provided with training in the area of research techniques specific to the internet.
- Uploading and downloading of non-approved software are not permitted.
- Virus protection software is used and updated on a regular basis.
- The use of removable storage devices in school requires the permission of the ICT co-ordinator.
- The school uses services such as firewall and virus/spam controls, as appropriate to primary schools.
Internet/World Wide Web
- Pupils will not visit internet sites that contain ‘inappropriate material’.
- Pupils will report any material of the above nature (inadvertently found) to a teacher or supervisor.
- Pupils will not spend time on non-educational matters and will use the internet for educational purposes only.
- Pupils will not upload, download or otherwise transmit material that is copyrighted.
- Pupils will not disclose or publicise personal or confidential information (e.g. home addresses, telephone numbers, name and location of their school) without their teacher’s permission.
- Pupils will not examine, change or use another person’s files, user name or password, without the other person’s and/or their teacher’s explicit permission.
- Pupils will be aware that any usage of the internet may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.
- Pupils will use approved class email accounts under supervision or permission of a teacher.
- Pupils will not send or receive any ‘inappropriate material/content’.
- Pupils will refrain from sending on chain letters.
- Pupils will refrain from forwarding messages without the permission of the sender.
- Pupils will read their class emails regularly and remove superfluous emails from the server.
- Pupils will not reveal their own or other people’s personal details such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.
- Pupils will not arrange to meet someone outside school via email.
- Pupils will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject to permission
Internet Chat
- Pupils will only have access to restricted social media websites, and always under the supervision of a teacher. To avoid disclosure of identity, full names are never used.
- Face to face meetings with someone, organised via internet chat, are forbidden.
School Website/Blogs
- Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the internet.
- The publication of pupils’ work will be coordinated by a teacher.
- Pupils’ work will appear in an educational context on web pages.
- Photographs will generally focus on group activities. Names will never be directly linked to individuals in photos.
- Personal pupil information including home addresses and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.
- Data Protection Acts were passed to deal with privacy issues arising from the increasing amount of personal information contained on computers. In accordance with the Acts, the school will only publish pupil information that is relevant to the context of the web page.
Staff Usage
Internet and e-mail access provided by the school is for educational purposes. However, the school acknowledges that staff do use school provided internet and e-mail facilities for personal purposes and the school continues to permit reasonable personal use by staff of its internet and e-mail facilities.
Accessing/downloading material from unsuitable websites is considered to be unreasonable personal use. Furthermore, ‘inappropriate material/content’ must not be included in e-mail or any other form of electronic communication or displayed or stored on the school’s computer network. If you receive or encounter any material of this nature then you should report this to the ICT co-ordinator or the principal/deputy principal. Staff should note that any usage of the internet may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.
Personal use of school internet and e-mail facilities by staff should not occur during class-contact time.
Internet Safety Education
Internet Safety Education is an integral part of school life so as to enable the school to provide a safer internet environment (see Appendix 1)
Parent/Guardian/Pupil Permission (and Agreement) form
Parents/Guardians of all pupils are required to grant permission for their child to access the internet for educational purposes; and for their child’s work to be included on the school’s website/blogs. Pupils in 3rd to 6th Class are also required to agree to comply with the school’s AUP (see Appendix 3).
Reporting
Misuse of the internet by a pupil or staff member and/or any contact by e-mail that causes a person to feel threatened or uncomfortable should be reported to the ICT co-ordinator or the principal/deputy principal.
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.
This document states the Internet Safety: Acceptable Use Policy of our school at the present time. It may, however, be subject to adjustments and changes in the future. Such changes and adjustments will be contained in an updated version of the school’s Internet Safety: Acceptable Use Policy.
APPENDIX 1: Internet Safety Education (see also Appendix 2)
Education in relation to Internet Safety relates to four areas:
- Personal information /Personal security
- Good “Netiquette”
- Spam
- Source Criticism (for staff only)
Personal Information/Personal Security
Pupils/Staff are instructed as follows:
- Never give out personal details (e.g. full name, address, etc.)
- Never agree to a face-to-face meeting with someone you don’t know.
- If you do submit material to a website, check their privacy policy.
- If you feel threatened/uncomfortable, cut off communications. Tell a parent/guardian/teacher/police/hotline.
Good “Netiquette”
Pupils/Staff are instructed as follows:
- Respect other’s property: Do not distribute other people’s personal details or photos on websites etc. There are legal implications.
- Respect copyright: Ask permission before use and always credit other pupil’s work. There are legal implications.
- In particular with regard to social media websites/networks, be conscious and cautious about what you ‘post’, both in respect of yourself and of others.
Spam
Pupils/Staff are instructed on how to minimise spam:
- Never open e-mails or attachments from people you don’t know.
- Never reply to spam.
- Generally, don’t ask to be taken off the list as this confirms your address.
- Don’t leave your e-mail address on websites.
Source Criticism
Staff are instructed to check websites using the following criteria:
- Who publishes/hosts the site?
- Does the site have a privacy policy?
- Check the date the latest content was added.
- Does the site have any commercial/political or ‘inappropriate’ content?
APPENDIX 2: ‘Stay Safe on the Internet’ (to be on display in classrooms)
10 Rules to help us stay safe on the internet
1. We ask permission before using the internet
2. We only use websites that an adult has approved.
3. We tell an adult if we see anything we are uncomfortable with.
4. We immediately close any webpage we are not sure about.
5. We can write emails and/or post messages to people that we know.
6. We only email/contact people an adult has approved.
7. We send emails and post messages that are polite and friendly.
8. We do not open emails/messages sent by anyone we don’t know
9. We never give out personal information or passwords.
10. We never arrange to meet anyone we don’t know.
INTERNET SAFETY: ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
APPENDIX 3: Permission (and Agreement) Form- Please complete and return this form to the principal teacher
Name of Pupil: ____________________________ Class:_________
Parent/Guardian
As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) and grant permission for my daughter to access the internet during the school day. I understand that internet access is designed for educational purposes. I also understand that the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites, but that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety.
Parent’s/Guardian’s signature: _________________________________
Date: __________
School Website/Blogs etc.
I understand that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s schoolwork may be chosen for publication on the school’s website, blog etc . I understand and accept the terms of the AUP relating to publishing pupils’ work on these sites.
Parent’s/Guardian’s signature: _________________________________
Date: __________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pupils (3rd to 6th classes only)
I agree to comply with the school AUP (Acceptable Use policy) on the use of the internet. I will use the network in a responsible way and observe all the restrictions explained to me by the school.
Pupil’s signature: ____________________________ Date: __________
