For Parents and Students
St. Thomas More School is pleased to offer students access to technology resources for educational purposes, which may include computer hardware and software licensed to the school. To gain access to the technology resources, all students must obtain parental permission as verified by the signatures on this agreement. Should a parent prefer that a student not have e-mail and Internet access, use of the computer is still possible for more traditional purposes such as word processing.
Internet and E-mail
Access to Internet and e-mail will enable students to explore thousands of libraries,
databases, museums, and other repositories of information and to exchange personal
communication with other Internet users around the world. FAMILIES SHOULD BE AWARE
THAT SOME MATERIAL ACCESSIBLE VIA THE INTERNET MAY CONTAIN ITEMS THAT
ARE ILLEGAL, DEFAMATORY, INACCURATE, OR POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE. While the
purpose of the school is to use Internet resources for constructive educational goals, students
may find ways to access other materials. We believe that the benefits to students from access
to the Internet outweigh the disadvantages. Ultimately, however, parents and guardians of
minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should
follow when using media and information sources. Therefore, we support and respect each
family's right to decide whether or not to allow access to the Internet.
What is expected?
Students are responsible for appropriate behavior on the school's computer network just as
they are in a classroom or on a school playground. Communications on the network are often
public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply. It is expected
that users will comply with Archdiocesan standards and the specific rules set forth below. The
use of technology resources is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused. The
user is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the school's
technology resources. The students are expected never to access, keep, or send anything
that they would not want their parents or teachers to see.
What are the Rules of Appropriate Use?
Electronic Communication
Whether occurring within or outside of school, when a student's
use of electronic communication jeopardizes the safe environment of the school or is contrary
to Gospel values the student can be subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences
including the expulsion of the student.
This policy applies to communications or depictions through e-mail, text messages, blogs,
twitters, or web site postings, whether they occur through the school's equipment or
connectivity resources or through private communication.
Personal Safety and Personal Privacy
Students will not post personal contact information
about themselves. Personal contact information includes their address, telephone, school
address, etc. This information may not be provided to an individual, organization, or company,
including web sites that solicit personal information.
Social Networking
Accessing social networking websites, blogs, video sites (e.g. MySpace,
Facebook, YouTube, Friendster, tagged, etc., except those used for educational purposes)
are off-limits on school property. The use of circumventors to get around school network
security is prohibited.
Illegal copying
Students should never download or install any commercial software,
shareware, or freeware onto network drives or disks. Nor should students copy other people's
work or intrude into other people's files. The download/upload of any material in violation of
any U.S., State, Board, Archdiocesan, or school policy is prohibited. This includes, but is not
limited to, copyrighted materials, threatening, violent, or obscene material, or material
protected by trade secret.
Inappropriate materials or language
No profane, abusive or impolite language should be
used to communicate nor should materials be accessed which are not in line with the rules of
school behavior. Use of technology resources for gambling, chain letter communication,
unauthorized email, chat or instant message, blogs, and discussion forums, is also prohibited.
Should students encounter such material by accident, they should report it to their teacher
immediately. A good rule to follow is never view, send, or access materials, which you would
not want your teachers and parents to see. Uses of cell phones to transmit unacceptable
language and/or photos that are harmful to self, other students, and/or to other people are
prohibited.
These are guidelines to follow to prevent the loss of technology privileges at school
1.Do not use technology to harm self, other people or their work.
2. Do not damage the network or any technology resource in any way.
3. Do not interfere with the network or computer operation by installing any form of software
or permitting the spread of computer viruses.
4. Do not violate copyright laws.
5. Do not view, send or display offensive messages or images.
6. Do not share your password or in any way obtain another person's password.
7. Do not waste technology resources such as disk space or printing supplies.
8. Do not trespass in another's folders, work or files.
9. Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials, which violate the
Rules of Appropriate Use.
BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your actions and for the loss of privileges if the Rules of Appropriate Use are violated.
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