Acceptable Use Policy

Dear Parent/Guardian

Re: Internet Permission Form

 

As part of the school’s education programme we offer pupils supervised access to the Internet.  This allows the children access to a large array of online educational resources that we believe can greatly enhance their learning experience.

However, access to and use of the Internet requires responsibility on the part of the user and the school.  These responsibilities are outlined in the school’s Acceptable Use Policy (enclosed).  It is important that this enclosed document is read carefully, signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school.

Although the school takes active steps to promote safe use of the Internet, including the use of a web filtering company and a filtered version of Google, it recognises the possibility that students may accidentally or deliberately access inappropriate or objectionable material.

The school respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to allow their children access to the Internet as defined by the school’s Acceptable Use Policy.

Having read the terms of our school’s Acceptable Use Policy, you may like to take a moment to consider how the Internet is used in your own home, and see if there is any way you could make it safer for your own family.

Yours sincerely

__________________________                                    __________________________________

Sandra Moloney                                                                  Sharon Leopold.

Principal.                                                                                I.T. Co-ordinator.

Acceptable Use Policy

The aim of this Acceptable Use policy is to ensure that pupils 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  Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed.

Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood.

This version of the AUP was created on 5/5/20 by Mr Damien O’Connell and the Board of Management. It was revised in September 2021 by Ms Sharon Leopold who has taken over as I.T.Co-ordinator.

School’s Strategy

The school employs a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet.  These strategies are as follows:

General

  • The Internet and World Wide Web is an excellent resource for teaching and learning, opening up a remarkable range of resources.
  • Internet sessions will always be supervised.
  • Filtering Software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
  • The school will regularly monitor pupils’ Internet usage.
  • Students and teachers will be provided with training in the area of Internet safety.
  • Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
  • Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
  • The use of USBs or other digital storage media in school requires a teacher’s permission.
  • Students will treat others with respect at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Wide Web

  • Students will not attempt to visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.  The school uses filtering software and a filtered version of Google to help reduce the likelihood of such sites being available to be accessed.
  • Students should report accidental accessing of inappropriate materials in accordance with school procedures.
  • Students will use Internet for educational purposes only.
  • Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
  • Downloading materials or images not relevant to their studies, is in direct breach of the school’s Acceptable Use Policy.
  • Students will not upload, download or otherwise transmit material that is copyrighted on school devices.
  •  Students will not disclose or publicise personal or confidential information to others online. Examples of this are, but not limited to, their own or classmates’ home addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, online profile information or name and location of their school.
  • Students will not examine, change or use another person’s files, username or passwords.
  • Students will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving any information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security, and/or network management reasons.
  • The school takes every reasonable precaution to provide for online safety, but it cannot be held responsible if students access unsuitable websites either deliberately or inadvertently

School Website

  • The website will be regularly checked to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of pupils or staff.
  • The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
  • Personal pupil information will be omitted from school web pages.
  • The school will only publish names of individual pupils with parental permission.

iPads

  • iPads are used in the classroom to support the primary curriculum and to enhance the children’s learning.
  • Teachers will discuss acceptable usage with their class and each class will sign

the ipad charter which will be displayed in their classrooms.

  • Apple Classroom is installed on the ipads which allows the teacher to monitor the ipads during use.

Personal Devices

  • Any assistive technology (for example laptops or tablets) assigned to a child by the Department of Education remains the property of the school.  This equipment must remain in school unless the school give permission for it to be taken to and from school.

When the child leaves the school the assistive technology will remain the property of the school unless it is deemed suitable to meet the assistive technology needs of the said pupil at second level.

  • Students may not use any personal device with recording or image taking capability while in school or on a school outing. Any such breach of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) will be sanctioned accordingly.
  • Pupils are not permitted to use or wear smart watches in school.
  • Staff laptops/other personal ICT equipment remain the property of the school. These are to remain on school property at all times, unless specific permission is given by the principal for them to be taken from the building.  Examples of situations where the school principal will consider allowing ICT to be used away from school include:
  • In the case of another “lockdown” where teachers’ require the use of a laptop for distance learning purposes
  • For the purpose of report writing where reports are to be typed
  • For work outside of school hours on policy formation/other typed documentation
  • For the updating of the school website out of school hours
  • Any other use deemed suitable by the school principal

Distance Learning

  •  In circumstances where teaching cannot be conducted on the school premises,

Teachers’ may use SeeSaw, Padlet or other platforms approved by the Principal as platforms                                                                                                                   (“Online Platforms”) to assist with distance learning where necessary.

  • The school has signed up to the terms of service of the Online Platforms in use by

the school.

  • The School has enabled the most up to date security and privacy features which

these Online Platforms provide.

  • In the case of Seesaw, parents/guardians must grant access to an email address.
  • Parents/guardians will be expected to monitor their child’s use of Online Platforms.
  • Parents/guardians must also agree to monitor their child’s participation in any such Online Platforms.

 

Anti Bullying Policy

  • It is important to note that the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy should be read in conjunction with this Policy. Parents/guardians and students should be aware that placing a once-off, offensive or hurtful internet message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour.

 

Legislation and Regulation

The school will provide information on the following legislation relating to use of the Internet which teachers, students and parents/guardians should familiarise themselves with where

appropriate:

    • EU General Data Protection Regulations 2018
    • Anti-Bullying Guidelines for Primary Schools 2013
    • Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003
    • Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
    • Video Recording Act 1989
    • The Data Protection Act 1988
    • Interception Act 1963

 

Sanctions

 

  • Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action. Please refer to the School Code of Behaviour for exact details and sanctions. The school does not tolerate any form of cyber bullying.

Please review the attached school Internet Acceptable Use Policy, sign and return this permission form to your child’s class teacher.

Name of Pupil:                      _____________________________________

 

Class:                                     _____________________________________

 

Pupil

I agree to follow the school’s Acceptable Use Policy on the use of the Internet.  I will use the Internet in a responsible way and obey all the rules explained to me by the school.

Pupil’s Signature:                  _____________________________________

Parent/Guardian

As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy and grant permission for my son or daughter or the child in my care to access the Internet.  I understand that Internet access is intended for educational purposes.  I also understand that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety but the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites.

I accept the above paragraph  □            I do not accept the above paragraph □

(Please tick as appropriate)

In relation to the school website, I accept that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s schoolwork may be chosen for inclusion on the website or my child may appear in a group photo.  I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy.

I accept the above paragraph     □          I do not accept the above paragraph  □

(Please tick as appropriate)

In relation to any possible assistive technology (for example laptops or tablets) assigned to my child by the Department of Education, I accept that all equipment remains the property of the school to be kept within the school at all times. When my child leaves the school the assistive technology will remain the property of the school unless it is deemed suitable to meet the assistive technology needs of the said pupil at second level.

I accept the above paragraph     □          I do not accept the above paragraph  □

(Please tick as appropriate)

Signature: ____________________________             Date: ____________________________________

Address:   ____________________________              Telephone: _______________________________