St. Joseph's Academy

St. Joseph’s Academy has a computer network that allows staff and students to communicate with each other and throughout the world. Additionally, this network provides the staff and students with access to a multitude of administrative and instructional resources from both local and remote repositories of electronically stored information.

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 depictions which violate the privacy, safety, or good name of others are inconsistent with that goal. Whether occurring within 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 thorough e-mail, text messages, or web site postings, whether they occur though 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.

The network will be used by staff and students to communicate with others in a manner that is consistent with school goals. Student communications using networked resources will be considered publications and be governed by the schools established rules of publication.

Staff and students will be allowed access to Internet resources with the understanding that some material that can be accessed on the Internet is inaccurate; additionally, some resources contain material that is deemed contrary to prevailing community standards and is inappropriate for classroom use, and access of such resources will not be permitted.

The school will provide a computer interface to Internet services that students should use in accessing instructional and reference material on the Internet. This interface will be designed so that objectionable materials are not easily available; however, the Internet is designed in such a manner that all materials contained within it are accessible using various search and retrieval tools. Students and parents must realize that inappropriate materials could be encountered during students' research required to achieve valid instructional objectives, and that if such inappropriate material is inadvertently encountered, it shall be disengaged from immediately. Students and teachers must be instructed in the necessary procedures of evaluation in information and resources as part of their ongoing education for life in modern society.

The following practices using SJA’s computer network shall be prohibited:

1. Any use for political or commercial purposes.
2. The use of profanity or inappropriate language in electronic mail, web blogs, podcasts or any other form of electronic communication.
3. Any use that disrupts the educational and administrative goals of the school.
4. Any use of a school account by anyone but the authorized owner of the account. Students are not to give out or use another student’s password to access another student’s account or computer.
5. Any reproduction of copyrighted material without explicit permission.
6. Access of material that has been deemed inappropriate for school use.
7. Any attempt to jeopardize or damage the software and hardware components of the network.
8. Computer usage that would embarrass, discredit or jeopardize the safety of any student or school employee or negatively impact the image of the school. This includes posting pictures of school personnel without their expressed consent. Any school logo or uniform cannot be exhibited on the Internet without school approval. Harassing\cyber bullying will not be tolerated.
9. Illegal copying - Students should never download or install any commercial software, shareware, or freeware onto network drives, unless they have written permission from the Director of Technology; nor should students copy other people's work or intrude into other people's files.
10. Inappropriate materials, impolite language, or harassment\cyber bullying will not be tolerated. Materials which are not in line with the rules of school behavior should not be accessed. Should students encounter such material by accident, they should report it to their teacher or the Technology Director immediately.
11. Any usage that violates local or federal laws will be prohibited.
12. If a student tries to go around the St. Joseph’s Academy firewall to access a blocked site, or if a student illegally downloads music, video, software etc. necessitating her computer to be reimaged the following consequences will take place:
    a. When a student is identified as being on a proxy site or skirting the firewall, her laptop will immediately be confiscated. The student will be charged a $25.00 fine and the computer will immediately be re-imaged. A note will be sent home for the parent to sign so the parent is informed of the violation.
    b. If there is a second offense, the computer will be taken away for a 7 day school cycle. Another $25.00 fine will be assessed and the computer will be reimaged.
    c. If there is a third offense, the computer will be taken away until the end of the semester and again a fine will be assessed and the computer reimaged.
    d. If there are continuing problems and a student cannot abide by the St. Joseph’s Academy policies, she will be asked to withdrawal for cause from St. Joseph’s Academy.
13. All computers must be carried and stored in a computer bag. Failure to do so may void the warranty and will result in disciplinary action.
14. Computers may not be taken to the café during lunch periods.

• Privacy - Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review communications to maintain integrity system-wide and insure that students are using the system responsibly. E-mail\computer usage is monitored for inappropriate content.
• Storage capacity - Users are expected to remain within allocated server space and delete e-mail or other material that takes up excessive storage space. The school reserves the right to delete e-mail or other material from a student’s folder located on the school’s server if it is deemed as being excessive.

A school administrator will be notified of anyone considered to be in violation of the St. Joseph’s Academy Technology Agreement for . Inappropriate Electronic Conduct shall be subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences, including withdrawal for cause.