Diocese of Brooklyn

Office of the Superintendent

Our Lady of Hope School's Acceptable Use Policy

for Computers and the Internet

Our Lady of Hope School realizes the value of access to the Internet. It also recognizes the potential for abuse. In an effort to prevent such abuse, all students in grades 3 - 8 are required to read and sign Our Lady of Hope's Acceptable Use Policy at the beginning of each school year. No student will be allowed to use the Internet at school without a completed Acceptable Use Policy (signed by both the student and his/her parent/guardian). Access to all forms of technology is a privilege, which entails responsibility on the part of the user.

Please read the policy carefully before signing; this is a legally binding document. The purpose of Internet access at Our Lady of Hope School is to support education by providing access to a wide range of resources and opportunities for collaborative work with other schools and agencies. Student access to, and use of, the Internet as well as all other computer-related technology, will be supervised at all times.

Our Lady of Hope uses a proxy server to filter / block unsuitable Internet sites. No filtering method is perfect, however, and on a global network it is impossible to filter all material and guarantee that no questionable material can be accessed. Some legitimate sites might be blocked by the rules invoked by the filtering system.

Not Permitted

1. Any type of vandalism to hardware, software, furniture, etc.

2. Sending inappropriate, obscene, discriminatory, offensive or harassing e-mail.

3. Excessive printing, including printing of large downloaded files.

4. Visiting chat rooms.

5. Accessing or using web based e-mail accounts.

6. Visiting inappropriate web sites (pornographic, etc.)

7. Plagiarism or violation of copyright.

8. Loading software of any kind, whether from the Internet, floppy disk, CD-Rom, etc.

9. Downloading programs of any kind to the computer's hard drive or a floppy disk.

10. Removing technology hardware or software from the school without permission.

11. Transmitting personal information about other students including, but not limited to

student names, addresses and phone numbers.

Consequences

Violation of the above rules will result in one or more of the following consequences:

1. Suspension or loss of Internet privileges.

2. Suspension or loss of all computer privileges.

3. Further disciplinary actions as warranted in specific cases of serious or repetitive infractions.

Student

I understand and will abide by Our Lady of Hope's Acceptable Use Policy. Should I commit any violation, my Internet privileges may be suspended or revoked, my computer privileges may also be suspended or revoked and further school disciplinary action may be taken.

Student's Full Name:

Class:

Student's Signature:

Parent or Guardian

As the parent or guardian of the above named student, I have read Our Lady of Hope's Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that school access to the Internet is designed for educational purposes. Our Lady of Hope has taken precautions to screen controversial or objectionable material. However, I realize that it is impossible to ensure that no objectionable material can be accessed and I will not hold Our Lady of Hope School responsible for materials acquired on the Internet. I give my permission for the above named student to access the Internet at Our Lady of Hope School.

Parent or Guardian's Name:

Parent or Guardian's Signature:

Date: _______________