Acceptable Use Policy (Internet)

This policy applies to all of the school’s “Devices” which means all computers, iPads, laptops, smart phones and any other IT resources that connect to the school network.

This policy applies to staff and pupils of Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown. The school reserves the right to review & amend this policy from time to time at it’s discretion.

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, 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 Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to, this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions, outlined in the AUP, will be imposed.

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School Strategy

The school employs a number of strategies, in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies include, but are not limited to the following:

General

• Internet sessions conducted on school devices will always be supervised by a teacher.

• Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.

• Content will be subject to the restrictions of the Schools Broadband Internet Policy, which operates a web-filtering function of the PDST Technology in Education.

• The school will regularly monitor pupils’ Internet usage.

• Pupils will not have access to passwords or administrator accounts.

• Pupils and teachers will be provided with training in the area of Internet safety.

• Uploading and downloading of non-approved software on school devices will not be permitted.

• Websites will be previewed / evaluated by a teacher before being integrated in to lessons conducted on school devices or online platform.

• Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.

• The use of personal memory sticks, CD ROMs or DVD  in school requires a teacher’s permission.

• Pupils will observe good “netiquette” (i.e., etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.

• School devices may record details of what pupils have viewed on the Internet.  These records may be reviewed by school staff. 

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

World Wide Web

• Pupils will not knowingly visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.

• In the event of accidentally accessing any of the above sites, the pupil will be expected to immediately turn off the monitor and report the incident to a teacher or supervisor.

• Pupils will use the Internet for educational purposes only.

• Teachers and pupils will be familiar regarding copyright issues relating to online materials.

• Pupils will never disclose or publicise personal or confidential information to others online.

• Pupils will not examine, change or use another person’s files, usernames or passwords.

• Pupils and staff will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.

• While the school will take every reasonable precaution to provide for online safety, it cannot be held responsible if Pupils access unsuitable websites either deliberately or inadvertently.

Email / Google Drive

• Where used childrens’ use of email is facilitate strictly in an educational context and access to personal email and/or social networking accounts is prohibitive.

• When using Google Classroom or Gsuite apps pupils will use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from a teacher or parent/guardian.

• Pupils will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.

• Pupils will not reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.

• Pupils will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the internet.

• Pupils will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject to permission from their teacher.

Online Learning / Distance Learning

• In circumstances where teaching cannot be conducted on the school premises, or to complement classroom teaching, teachers may use Google Classroom, Google Meet, Zoom, SeeSaw, Study Ladder, Padlet or other platforms ( the “Online Platforms”) approved by the Principal as platforms to assist with remote teaching where necessary.

• The school will have signed up to the terms of service of the Online Platforms in use by the school.

• The school will have enabled the most up to date security and privacy features which these Online platforms provide.

• In the cases of Google Classroom & Google Meet, parents/guardians must grant access to their child to have a school gmail address such as pupilname@paulstownns.ie

• Parents/guardians will be provided with the password and will be expected to monitor their child’s use of the gmail address & online platforms when engaging in distance learning.

• This gmail address will be only used for logging into the online platform unless otherwise notified.

• If teachers are using Zoom parents must grant consent if their child is to participate in school meetings or lessons conducted on this platform. Parent email will be used where the child does not have a school email address unless otherwise notified in writing or by email by the parent.

• Parents/guardians must also agree to monitor their child’s participation in any such engagement on Online Platforms. School protocol may be outlined and must be followed.

Internet Chat

• Pupils will only have access to discussion forums or other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.

• Discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.

• Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.

• Pupils will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the internet and this is forbidden.

School Website & affiliated Social Media sites & School App

• The school website is www.paulstownns.ie

• Some classes may have a school associated class website.

• The school twitter account is @ScoilBhr

• The school uses the Aladdin app knows as Aladdin Connect

• Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work relating to curricular or extra-curricular activities published on the school website as per the consent form.

• The publication of pupil work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.

• Pupils’ work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission.

• Digital photographs, audio or video clips of individual Pupils will not be published on the school website. Instead photographs, audio and video clips will focus on group activities where children will not be named. Video clips may be password protected.

• Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will not be included on school social media or the school website.

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

• Parents/guardians are requested not to share published photographs or any other content on social media which would identify any children or staff of the school. This includes photos which they may take themselves at school events, or photos shared by the school. 

• Parents/guardians are requested to ensure that online messages or comments to the school’s social media sites are respectful. Any messages written on social media are treated in the same way as written messages to the school.

• The Principal will review the content of school or class websites & the social media sites regularly.

• If any parent/guardian has any concern about the appropriateness of the content of the website or social media sites, then the Board asks that the matter be brought to the attention of the Principal as a matter of urgency.

• This policy should be read in conjunction with our Data Protection policy.

Personal Devices

• Pupils may not use any personal device with recording or image taking capability while in school or on a school outing. Any such breach of Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) will be sanctioned accordingly.

• Any images or recordings taken by class teachers on smartphones or other personal devices must be downloaded onto the school server or school drive or relevant school affiliate website as soon as possible and then deleted from source.

• This policy should be read in conjunction with our mobile phone / device policy

Use of Information Communication Technology (“ICT”) Resources

Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown  information and technology resources (e.g. e-mail, computers, computer applications, networks, internet, intranet, phone and other wireless communications devices, telephone, paging and voice mail systems and the like) are school property and are provided solely for school related activities.

Inappropriate use including hacking, pirating software, using school resources for non-school commercial activities, soliciting, distributing literature for outside entities, disclosing confidential information of the school, sending inappropriate e-mail or accessing inappropriate web sites (such as those advocating hate or violence, containing sexually explicit material promoting illegal activities), or using school resources in a way that violates the letter or spirit of the school’s policies or reflects negatively on the school is forbidden.

Users of the school’s information and technology resources must not share passwords. If you allow others to use your password or assigned resource, you will be held responsible for their use.

Consistent with national laws, the Board of Management reserves the right to monitor the use of its information and technology resources and to take appropriate disciplinary actions, or denying future access privileges in cases of misuse. Staff/student use of the school’s information and technology resources constitutes consent to such monitoring. All such monitoring will be conducted in accordance with law including, where applicable, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”).

Legislation

The school will provide information on the following legislation relating to use of the

Internet which teachers, Pupils and parents should familiarise themselves with:

• EU General Data Protection Regulations 2018

• Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003

• Anti-Bullying Guidelines for Primary Schools 2013

• Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998

• Interception Act 1993

• Video Recordings Act 1989

• The Data Protection Act 1988

Support Structures

The school will inform Pupils and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet.

On a regular basis the school will run an information programme on acceptable internet usage for Pupils of 5th & 6th Class and all parents/guardians. This will cover various associated topics including cyberbullying.

Staff will regularly partake in CPD in relation to the development of AUP, internet safety & cyberbullying.

Sanctions

Misuse of the Internet or any activity which is in contravention with this policy,  may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion in line with the Code of Behaviour. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

Access to the internet will be withdrawn from Pupils who fail to maintain acceptable standards of use.

Communication;

The permission form attached to this policy was issued to all families on adoption of policy. From 2008 onwards this policy has been included in our enrolment information annually and permission form signed as  part of enrolment process.

Original Policy adopted March 2008 & reviewed in 2012 & 2020

Reviewed and adopted by Board of Management on Sept 9th 2020

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The staff and Board of Management of Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown have recently reviewed the school’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Please familiarise yourself with this policy, prior to completing the AUP permission slip. School files will be updated accordingly and this form will be kept on file for no longer than is necessary.

Parent/Guardian:

As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy and grant permission for my child to access the internet. I understand that Pupils may not be able to participate fully in lessons involving PCs, laptops, ipads or other IT equipment without consenting to our Acceptable Use Policy.

Parent/Guardian Signature:  ____________________________

Date:  __________________________________----