INTERNET POLICY
St. John School is wired for internet access and is filtered. The internet is used often during computer class. All parents must have completed the internet use policy for each of their children by the first week of school. The internet and computer use policy begins on the next page. The form for parents and students to sign appears at the end of this handbook.
St. John School Student Acceptable Internet and Computer Use Policy
Educational Purpose
Recognizing both the educational value and the potential detrimental effects of modern technology it is necessary to establish an Acceptable Use Policy specifically for the Internet that is consistent with our goals and objectives and in keeping with our fundamental educational philosophy. St. John School is a Catholic school. Use of the internet must be consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church. Any use that violates those teachings and practices is prohibited.
Each user has the obligation to use the system at St. John School according tot eh guidelines identified and agreed to in the Acceptable Use Policy. Our mission at St. John School is to provide a Roman Catholic Christian environment which supports a partnership with parents in offering a quality curriculum that challenges its students to achieve spiritual, academic, physical and social potential. In an atmosphere which fosters Christian moral values and Catholic tradition through positive adult role models and effective discipline, students are encouraged to use their individual and unique talents to share the message of Jesus Christ with their families and all those with whom they have contact.
Internet Usage Policy
The Internet can certainly help us to achieve our goals if it is used with these goals in mind. Anything that would controvert our stated goals is inappropriate and violates our policy.
1. The Internet at St. John School has been established for limited educational purpose. The term “educational purpose” includes
classroom activities, and limited high-quality self-discovery activities. The principal of St. John School reserves the right to
interpret the definition of “high-quality self-discovery activities.”
2. The Internet may be used to expand on and enhance the resources available at St. John School.
3. St. John School ahs the right and the obligation to place reasonable restrictions on the material accessed or posted
through the school’s computer system. Users are expected to follow the Commandments of God, the law, and the rules set
forth in the Acceptable Use Policy in the use of technology provided by St. John School.
4. The system may not be used to offer anything for sale or make purchases.
Student Internet Access
1. Students will be allowed to access the Internet only after the student and the student’s parent has read, agreed to and signed
the Parent Permission Form and User Agreement.
2. The Internet may be used to enhance the educational program provided at St. John School in accordance with its mission
statement and educational philosophy. The Internet may only be used with teacher supervision and with a clearly defined
purpose approved by the teacher in advance.
Unacceptable Internet Uses
The following uses of the system are considered unacceptable:
1. Posting personal contact information about ones’ self or other people. Personal contact information includes names,
addresses, telephone numbers, school address, etc.
2. Engaging in any illegal act.
3. The use of any inappropriate language including the use of obscene, profane, lewd, rude, vulgar, threatening, inflammatory or
disrespectful language.
4. Posting information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption.
5. Engaging in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory acts.
6. Any form of harassment. If told to stop ending messages to anyone, it must stop.
7. Knowingly or recklessly posting false or damaging information about another person or organization.
8. Posting a private message sent without the permission of the person who sent the message. Users may not copy other
people’s work or intrude into other people’s files.
9. Posting private information about another person.
10. Downloading files.
11. Posting chain letters or sending annoying or unnecessary messages to a large number of people.
12. Visiting “chat rooms.”
13. Copying works found anywhere and presenting those ideas a one’s own. Plagiarism is illegal and prohibited.
14. Taking material that is copyrighted. If there is any question about copyright infringement, a teacher should be consulted.
15. Use of the system to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocated illegal acts, or that advocated
violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature).
16. Visiting an unauthorized website. If an inappropriate web site is mistakenly accessed, the student should immediately notify
the teacher. This will protect the student against a claim that the incident was an intentional violation of policy.
Computer Usage Policy
St. John’s students have been given expanded use of technology, including computers, the computer network and electronic media. At St. John school we have a computer lab, computers in the media center, and computers in virtually every classroom. The computer is a tool to help students learn and only appropriate sues are allowed. The use of the computer is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. All student computer users are expected to abide by the St. John School Computer Use Policy. The policy is taught to all students at the beginning of the school year and is reviewed as necessary through the school year. It is a policy that every staff member in the school uses, and enforces, with every student, without exception. We are proud of our students and expect only the best from them. This policy allows them to fully understand just what it is that we expect, and what the consequences will be for those who fail to follow the rules that have been established for using the computers at St. John School.
The following rules will apply:
1. Physical vandalism is prohibited. Examples of physical vandalism include, but are not limited to the following examples: taking
the tracking ball out of the mouse, disconnecting wires on the back of the computer, tearing off labels and other attachments,
carving or marking anything onto the computer, and destroying the mouse pads.
2. Electronic vandalism is prohibited. Examples of electronic vandalism include, but are not limited to the following examples:
opening/changing/deleting files, sending threatening e-mail, changing desktop patterns or sound, downloading executable files
or applications. Software, text files, graphics and other information available via the Internet may not be downloaded without
permission of the instructor.
3. Users are prohibited from doing anything that would degrade the performance of the school’s computer or communication
equipment, including but not limited to deliberately crashing a computer or the computer network. Students may not attempt
to gain unauthorized access to the system or go beyond authorized access.
4. Computers are to be used for curriculum purposes only. Non-curriculum uses, such as game playing or playing music
CD-ROMs, are not allowed.
5. Only websites authorized by the teacher are to be visited. Any student found on an unauthorized website will lose internet
privileges for a set period of time and may receive a lower grade for the semester as the student would be unable to complete
an assignment because the needed website could not be visited.
The consequences for failing to follow the Computer Use Policy are:
The first time a student chooses not to follow the Computer Use Policy will result in loss of classroom and lab computer use for two weeks. A second offense will result in loss of classroom and lab computer use for the remainder of the school year.
Free Speech
St. John School has the right to restrict speech for valid educational reasons. Speech used that contradicts our Catholic identity or our philosophy will be restricted.