TECHNOLOGY
A safe environment for all members of the school community should be a hallmark of a Catholic school. This is accomplished, in part, by fostering a climate based on Gospel values that emphasize the dignity of and respect for all persons. Words, actions, or values tat emphasize the dignity of and respect for all persons. Words, actions or depictions which violate the privacy, safety, or good name of others are inconsistent with that goal. Whether occurring with or outside of school, when students jeopardize the safe environment or act contrary to those Gospel values they can be subject to disciplinary action by the school.
This policy applies to communications or depictions through e-mail, text messages, or web site postings, whether they occur through the school’s equipment or connectivity resources or through private communications, which: (1) are of a sexual nature; (2) threaten, libel, slander, malign, disparage, harass or embarrass members of the school community or (3) in the principal’s discretion, cause harm to the school, or the school community (collectively referred to as “Inappropriate Electronic Conduct”). Inappropriate Electronic Conduct shall be subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences, including withdrawal for cause.
In the past twenty-five years, the microcomputer has evolved into an essential educational tool. It also appears that the role of the computer in education and society will only expand in the coming years. For this reason, Our Lady of the Pillar School is committed to providing a comprehensive computer curriculum.
An important element of a computer program is the ability to retrieve information from a wide variety of sources. An essential part of this is the use of the Internet. Mindful of the need to educate our students on the use of the Internet, it is crucial to realize the responsibilities of its use.
Parents and students are asked to sign an acceptable use policy which emphasizes the personal responsibilities of anyone using the school's computer and telecommunications resources. (See the links on the index bar at the left).
Computing, data storage, and information retrieval systems are designed to serve the students, faculty, staff, and volunteers of the Pillar community. Network and Internet access is provided to further the legitimate educational goals of this institution. Our Lady of the Pillar school provides computing and network resources for the use of students, employees, and others affiliated with the school. Members of Our Lady of the Pillar school are encouraged to use the computers, software packages, electronic mail (e-mail), or network software for educational or school related activities and to facilitate the efficient exchange of useful information. However, the equipment, software, and network capacities provided through the school computer services are and remain the property of Our Lady of the Pillar School. All users are expected to conduct their on-line activities in an ethical and legal fashion. The use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Misuse of these resources will result in the suspension or loss of these privileges, as well as disciplinary, legal, and/or monetary consequences.
Appropriate or acceptable educational uses of these resources include:
Accessing the Internet to retrieve information from libraries, databases, and World Wide Web sites to enrich and expand curriculum is encouraged.
E-mail capabilities may be used to facilitate distance learning projects.
Listservs and newsgroups may be used to gain access to current information on local, state, national, and world events.
Examples of inappropriate or unacceptable use(s) of these resources include, but are not limited to, those uses that violate the law, the rules of network etiquette, or hamper the integrity or security of any network connected to the Internet.
Some unacceptable practices include:
Transmission of any material in violation of any US or state law, including but not limited to: copyrighted material; threatening, harassing, pornographic, or obscene material; or material protected by trade secret is prohibited. The transmission of copyrighted materials without the written permission of the author or creator through school e-mail or other network resources in violation of US copyright law is prohibited. It is also illegal for anyone to knowingly allow any telecommunication facility under their control to be used for the transmission of illegal material.
The sending of unsolicited junk mail, or chain letters is prohibited.
Vandalism is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, any attempt to harm or destroy the data of another user, the network/Internet, or any networks or sites connected to the network/Internet. Attempts to breach security codes and/or passwords will also be considered a form of vandalism.
The creation, propagation, and/or use of computer viruses is prohibited.
The forgery, reading, deleting, copying, or modifying of electronic mail messages of other users is prohibited.
Deleting, examining, copying, or modifying files and/or data belonging to other users is prohibited.
Willful destruction of computer hardware or software, or attempts to exceed or modify the parameters of the system is prohibited. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the school operator from intercepting and stopping e-mail messages which have the capacity to overload the computer resources. Discipline may be imposed for intentional overloading of school computer resources.
Access to the school's e-mail and similar electronic communications systems is a privilege and certain responsibilities accompany that privilege. School users are expected to demonstrate the same level of ethical and professional manner as is required in face-to-face or written communications. Anonymous or forged messages will be treated as a violation of this policy.
Unauthorized attempts to access another person's e-mail or similar electronic communications or to use another's name, e-mail, or computer address or workstation to send e-mail.
All users must understand that the school cannot guarantee the privacy or confidentiality of electronic documents and any messages that are confidential as a matter of law should not be communicated via e-mail.
Our Lady of the Pillar reserves the right to access e-mail to retrieve school information and records, to engage in routine computer maintenance and housekeeping, to carry out internal investigations, or to disclose messages, data or files to law enforcement authorities.
Any information contained on a school computer's hard drive, or computer disks that were purchased by the school, are considered the property of Our Lady of the Pillar school.
This agreement applies to stand alone computers as well as computers connected to the network or the Internet. Any attempt to violate the provisions of this agreement will result in revocation of the user's privileges, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. In addition, school disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. The decision of the school regarding inappropriate use of the technology or telecommunication resources is final. Monetary remuneration will be sought for damage necessitating repair or replacement of equipment.
The two forms, Computer Use Policy Signature Form and Permission for Internet Access and Permission Form for WWW Publishing, can be found at the end of this handbook. For Print Versions of these forms see the menu on the side bar of this webpage. These forms must be completed, signed and returned to the School Office by the first day of school.
Appendices are listed on the sidebar menu along with a list of forms to print, sign and return to school.
Kindergarten parents can continue to Special Kindergarten Information