Acceptable Usage Policy

School Facebook Page

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Pupils may create projects, artwork, writing or audio-visual recordings which would be suitable for publication on our school’s Facebook page. School staff (teachers & SNAs) will manage the publication of material on the school Facebook page adhering to the stipulations below.

 

1. Personal pupil information, home addresses and contact details will not be published on the school Facebook page.

2. Class lists will not be published

3. Pupils’ full names will not be published beside their photograph

4. Digital photographs, video clips and audio clips will focus on groups and group activities rather than on individual pupils when possible

5. Pupils will be given an opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the school Facebook page.

6. Teachers will select work to be published and decide on the appropriateness of such

7. Permission to publish a student’s work will be sought from pupils/parents/guardians on enrolment. This permission may be withdrawn at any time.

8. Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.

 

Education and Internet Awareness

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Raheen National School will undertake an education programme to educate children on the safe, responsible use of the Internet. Cyber-bullying has become a significant threat for teenagers. Through education and awareness, we aim to limit our children’s susceptibility to it as they progress to secondary school. 21st century life presents dangers including violence, racism and exploitation from which children and young people need to be protected. At the same time, they need to learn to recognise and avoid these risks – to become internet wise. 

 

Resources that may be used to implement this programme include:

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• NCTE Internet Safety Awareness Video

• Use of the ‘Kids’ section on the www.webwise.ie website

• SAFT Internet Safety Awareness Education Programme and exemplars

• Visiting Speaker

 

Filtering

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The school will use the Internet provided and filtered by the NCTE (National Centre for Technology). ‘Filtering’ is a term used to describe a way of limiting the content of web pages, emails, chat rooms and other electronic data to which users may be exposed. No filter is 100% accurate. The most effective filtering tool is adult vigilance. At Raheen National School, we believe that the advantages to pupils having access to information resources and increased opportunities for collaboration far exceed the risk of disadvantages.

 

The access to websites from all school computers is monitored and regularly reviewed by the NCTE. Websites are only allowed through following a verification of their suitability.

 

Many browsers have their own built in filtering tool e.g. Google. Google’s search engine has a built-in “Safe Search”. This filter eliminates sites that contain pornography and explicit sexual content from search results. It is easily applied by clicking on the Preferences link on any Google page. Unfortunately it is also easily removed.

 

Windows XP has a built-in firewall. Firewall software can be purchased or downloaded free from the Internet. Raheen National School has installed firewall software.

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Laptops

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Every site that is accessed within the school network or by a school machine is monitored and reports of all access can be viewed by the relevant persons. Teachers can check computer logs of all information accessed by pupils.  An audit of internet usage may be run at any time. 

 

Use of laptops that travel between home and school are subject to all stipulations, procedures and sanctions outlined in this policy 24 hours a day, everyday. Parents of children who have been sanctioned laptops are instructed to be vigilant in monitoring their use in the home, as per procedures for school. Parents of all children are advised to keep laptops in a common area (i.e. kitchen or living room) with the screen visible to others while a child may be on the internet. The use of laptops by children in their bedrooms is not recommended.

 

Sanctions

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If a pupil deliberately misuses the internet or email, is found running searches on inappropriate topics or attempting to access inappropriate/unsuitable websites, this will result in disciplinary action, including the withdrawal of access privileges. Parents/guardians will receive notification of misuse by a pupil. Further misuse will result in longer withdrawal of access privileges, as seen fit by the school staff.  Any continued misuse will result in referral to the school’s Code of Behaviour. 
 

This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on _________________ 2020

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Signed: __________________________ Signed: __________________________

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Chairperson of Board of Management Secretary/Principal

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Date: ______________                          Date: _________________

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Date of next review: 2023
 

Page down for a sample of the following:

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• Letter to Parents

• Responsible Internet Use Pupil Undertaking Form

• Internet Permission Form

• Publication Permission Form

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Sample Letter to Parents

 

Insert Date

 

Dear Parent/Guardian,

 

As part of the school’s education programme we offer pupils supervised access to the Internet. This will allow pupils vast educational opportunities by helping them for example, locate material for projects, communicate with students from different cultures, become independent in controlling their own research and become independent learners. 

 

While we as educationalists recognise the value of the Internet as a resource, we must also acknowledge the potential risks to students. We feel that the answer is not to ban the use of the Internet in school but to teach pupils to recognise the risks and to become Internet Wise. We also allow limited access to ‘YouTube’ on a strictly supervised basis. This is to allow access to a huge range of educational material. The filter to prevent access to unsuitable material on YouTube is also in operation.

 

This process is the responsibility of the school and the parent/guardian.

 

For this reason we have compiled a school policy on Internet safety. Parents must also set and convey standards of usage to their children.

 

It is important that you read the school’s Internet Policy and sign the attached document.

 

There is also a document for pupils to sign. Parents should discuss this document with their children to ensure that they clearly understand the school rules with regard to Internet usage.

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Mise le meas,
 

____________________

 Principal

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Responsible Internet Use - Pupil Undertaking

 

We use the School computers and Internet connection for learning.  These rules will help us to be fair to others and keep everyone safe.

 

• I will ask permission before entering any website, unless my teacher has already approved that site

• I will not bring external storage devices such as smart devices or pen drives (or memory sticks/USB keys etc) into school without permission

• I will not use email for personal reasons

• I will only use email for school projects and with my teacher’s permission

• The messages I send will be polite and sensible

• When sending email, I will not give my home address or phone number or arrange to meet anyone

• I will ask for permission before opening an email or an email attachment

• I will not use internet chat rooms

• If I see anything I am unhappy with, or if I receive a message I do not like, I will tell a teacher immediately

• I know that the school may check my computer files and may monitor the sites I visit

• I understand that if I deliberately break these rules, I could be stopped from using the Internet and computers and my parents will be informed.

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Signed: __________________________________________________________Pupil(s)

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Signed: _________________________ Parent/Guardian

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Date: _______________              

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Internet Permission Form

 

Name of Pupil(s):  _____________________________________________

 

Class(es):              _____________________________________

 

As the parent or legal guardian of the above child, I have read the Internet Acceptable 

 

Use Policy and grant permission for ______________________________________________________________________ 

(name(s): son/daughter) to access the Internet. I understand that school internet usage is for educational purposes only and that every reasonable precaution will be taken by the school to provide for online safety.

 

I accept my own responsibility for the education of my child(ren) on issues of Internet Responsibility and Safety. 

 

I understand that having adhered to all the enclosed precautions the school cannot be held responsible if my child tries to access unsuitable material.

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Signature:    1. _________________________  2. __________________________

 

                     Parents/Legal Guardians
 

Date:               __________________
 

Publication Permission Form 

World Wide Web

 

I understand that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s schoolwork may be chosen for inclusion on the World Wide Web e.g. social media, websites, blogs. I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Usage Policy in relation to publishing pupils’ work and photographs of school activities on the World Wide Web.

 

Signature:    1. _________________________  2. __________________________

 

                           Parents/Legal Guardians

 

Date:               ___________________