OUR LADY OF MERCY ACADEMY COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

Our Lady of Mercy Academy promotes the use and development of technology as a means to support learning and to enhance instruction.  It is the general policy that all computers are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner.  We believe that it is just as important for our students to learn to use computers responsibly as it is for them to use computers effectively.

In order to provide safe Internet access, a filtering system has been installed on the school network.  In addition, all research and browsing in the lab and in classrooms is supervised by the teacher-in-charge and a history of sites visited is maintained.

The school holds specific expectations for students at each grade level regarding their use of the school computers, network and Internet during and after school. Therefore the following actions will not be tolerated:

¨      Reconfiguring, changing settings, tampering with, or damaging computers or any computer or network-related equipment

¨      Using inappropriate language, sending inappropriate messages, or any  other anti-social behavior

¨      Making or using illegal copies of software

¨      Violating copyright laws by copying or using protected logos or materials or using any electronic information without properly citing the source

¨      Accessing, using or altering another student’s or teacher's electronic folder, password, email, or copying another student’s work or files

¨      Accessing the School Student Information System

¨      Accessing inappropriate or unauthorized web or social networking sites

¨      Accessing or sending email without a teacher’s permission

¨      Playing unauthorized games

¨      Playing games or accessing the Internet without a teacher’s permission

¨      Using non-school software or attaching non-school computers or devices to the school network

¨      Inserting CD's, memory sticks, or other storage devices into school computers unless authorized  by the proper authority

¨      Logging on to the school network without using their assigned ID and password, unless otherwise instructed to do so

¨       Disregarding any additional Media Center rules or guidelines as stipulated by the school administration

FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THESE POLICIES WILL RESULT IN REVOCATION OF THE STUDENT’S COMPUTER PRIVILEGES AND/OR OTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AS DETERMINED BY THE PRINCIPAL.