[left.htm]

Acceptable Use Policy  revised August, 2006

Acceptable Use Policy for Computers and the Use of the Internet

Educational Purpose

In an ever-changing world, it is important to prepare students for life in a technological society.  The computer and the Internet provide vast opportunities to support and enhance the curriculum through learning activities, research , high quality self discovery activities, and for interaction beyond the school and local community.  The use of the computer sand the Internet at St. Peter School is used in order of priority:

Responsibility

The use of the computers and the Internet at St. Peter School is a privilege and not a right.  The most important requisite before a student uses one of these is the student's acceptance and assuming responsibility for his/her actions.  All users assume full liability - financial, legal or otherwise for their actions.  Neither St. Peter School, the Diocese of Lafayette, nor the provider is responsible for any transaction transferred through the Internet.

Security

The computers and the Internet are intended for the use of faculty, staff, and students of St. Peter School.  Any misuse will result in the suspension of the privilege of having access to the computer and Internet in the classrooms and library or in the library.

To assure the guidelines are followed , computer and Internet use will be a supervised activity.  A faculty member must log in and be present in the room when these are being used.

Any attempts to log in by students will result in the cancellation of privileges.  Any user considered a security risk  might be denied both the use of the computer and the Internet. Before using the computer or the Internet, the student and the parent must sign a contract of responsibility.

All parents are made aware of the availability of computers and the guidelines for Internet use and must sign an agreement regarding liability.  Internet access is provided to St. Peter School by Vermilion Parish School Network (VPS-Net).  We follow the Acceptable Use Policy guidelines as far as they pertain to St. Peter School. All materials are filtered; therefore, students do not have access to materials that are not appropriate.

Vandalism may be defined as a deliberate attempt to harm the hardware, disrupt services, whether by physical means or by downloading or creation of computer viruses.  Vandalism of any type will result in cancellation of privileges.

To assure viruses are not downloaded into the system, students may not download any files of any type without the knowledge of the teacher.  In some cases, the knowledge of the principal or the technology coordinator may be necessary.

Students are not permitted to take disks home or to use disks from home on school computers.  All disks in school must be kept in a designated area when not in use.

All parents must be made aware of the availability of the computers and the Internet and sign an agreement regarding liability.  For a reasonable access fee to the Internet, St. Peter School has selected Vermilion Parish as its provider.  All materials on the Internet are filtered; therefore, students do not have access to materials that are not appropriate.

Guidelines for Computer and Internet Use

Under no circumstances may computers belonging to the state of Louisiana be used for religious purposes.  Classroom computers belonging to the state are so marked in each classroom.

All students must follow the guidelines of network etiquette.

            1. Accessing and/or transmission of obscene, pornographic or sexually    explicit material

            2.  Vandalizing or disabling the property of another individual or organization.

            3.  Accessing any material that advocates violence or discrimination (hate literature).

            4.  Using activities disruptive to network services.

            5.  Violating copyright laws.  In their research students must give credits for information found on the Internet.   

            6.  Plagiarizing or taking as one's own the ideas or writings of another.

            7.  Attempting to access restricted areas of information.

Student violation of any of the above will result in the denying of the use of computers and/or the Internet for such a student.

E-mail is restricted to faculty and staff unless required for the completion of a project.  Students must have parental permission in writing before using e-mail for any purpose.

Privacy

Files stored on the school-based computers and disks will not be private.  Files may be opened to insure that the users are acting responsibly.  Parents may see the files at any tie.

Non-Liability

St. Peter School makes no warranties of any kind.  St. Peter School is therefore released from any liability related to consequences resulting from the use of the Internet.

Students from St. Peter School ARE NOT AUTHORIZED  to purchase anything of the Internet on school computers. 

Notice

This policy and all its provisions are subject to federal, state, and local law.

Teacher response

I have read and accept the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy.  In my role as teacher, I will execute the terms of the policy both in regard to my use of the computers and Internet as well as the students use of the computers and the Internet.

Student Contract Regarding Computer and Internet Use

I, _____________________, accept and agree to abide by the rules of St. Peter School regarding the use of computers and the Internet.

I realize the purpose of having computers in the classroom is primarily for my educational benefit. I also realize that the use of computers and the Internet is a privilege and not a right.  I realize that any inappropriate behavior may result in the revoking of my computer privileges, disciplinary action, and/or financial responsibilities.

I agree not to make use of the computer for any illegal transfer of information and to abide by parish, state, and federal laws regarding the use of the Internet.

I accept full responsibility with regard to the use of the computers and the Internet.  I release the school and all related organizations from any liability resulting from my use of the computers and the Internet.

Signed by student                                                        Date

___________________________                            ________________

Signed by parent

___________________________                            _________________