Saint Mary’s Primary School believes in the educational value of a computer system and the Internet and recognizes their potential to support and enrich the curriculum and the student learning process. Our goal is providing a computer system and Internet access is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Use of the computer system and the Internet is a privilege and access entails responsibility. Saint Mary’s Primary School cannot prevent the availability of all inappropriate material on the Internet. The use of the system and Internet is subject to this acceptable use agreement and the rules, regulations and policies of school, the Department of Education and the Diocese of Fall River. School supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for student computer system and Internet access.

Acceptable Use: The computer system and Internet access has been established for an educational purpose. The user understands and agrees to the following:

·        The use of the system and Internet must be consistent with and in support of the educational goals and objectives of school’s curriculum and mission statement.

·        The use of any material in violation of any law is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trademark or trade secret.

·        The purchase or sale of any product or service, or any other commercial use, is prohibited.

·        The listing of any advertisements or political materials is prohibited.

·        Illegal activities of any kind are prohibited.

 Behavior: 

The user is expected to follow the generally accepted rules of computer use/Internet etiquette. These rules include, but are not limited to, the following:

·         Be polite. Always use the system in an ethical and respect manner.

·         Use appropriate language.

·         User shall not reveal his/her name, home address, personal telephone number or any other personal information. User shall not reveal the personal information of any other person.

·         User shall not disrupt or congest the computer system or Internet in any manner.

·         User shall nor post anonymous messages.

·         User shall not access, create, or distribute harassing, defaming, discriminatory, abusive, pornographic, fraudulent, obscene, racist, sexist, or threatening material or imagery.

·         User shall not attempt to access blocked Internet sites.

·         User shall only use school approved, licensed software and shall not use other programs or applications or download any information without the permission of the head of school.

·         User shall not use the account or password (if the school assigns one) of another user or attempt to impersonate any other person.

·         Confidential information shall not be transmitted over the Internet.

·         User shall report any known or suspected misuse of the computer system and/or Internet to the head of school. User shall not make any false complaints against any other user.

·         User shall not access any “chat rooms” unless access has been approved by the head of school.

Note: User will not be given an e-mail account on the computer system. User shall not sign up for or access any e-mail service offered through the Internet. Saint Mary’s Primary School explicitly user from having any access to any e-mail services unless it has been specifically approved for a limited time and purpose by the head of school. If user has been granted approval to use e-mail, user understands that e-mail is not private. Any messages received that relate to or are in support of illegal activities, or that are prohibited by this acceptable use agreement, or that make the user feel uncomfortable, shall be reported immediately to the head of school. User shall not send messages or use the computer system and/or Internet in any manner that they would not be comfortable seeing reproduced publicity.

Services:  School makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, with respect to the use of the computer system and/or Internet. Use of any information obtained through the use of the computer system and/or Internet is at the user’s own risk. Saint Mary’s Primary School does not accept any responsibility for accuracy of information obtained through the Internet or for any damage user may suffer as a result of use of the computer system and/or Internet, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service. Saint Mary’s Primary School is not responsible for any financial obligations arising from the unauthorized use of the computer system and/or Internet.

Security: Security on any computer system is a high priority. If a user identifies a security problem, he/she shall notify the head of school immediately, without discussing it or showing it to another person. Any user identified as a security risk will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.

Vandalism: Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, any attempt to harm or destroy the computer system, hardware, software, or data of school, another user or of any other agency or network that is connected through the Internet. Vandalism will subject the user to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, and may involve a referral to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Password: If the school uses passwords, user understands that the password chosen is for personal use only and shall not be shared with any person, except as directed by Saint Mary’s Primary School. The password may be changed at any time according to the needs of Saint Mary’s Primary School.

Monitoring: The computer system and all communications and information transmitted by, received by, or stored in the computer system, including e-mail, are the property of the school. User should not expect that his/her use of the computer system and Internet is private. User has no expectation of privacy in any use of the Internet or computer system. Saint Mary’s Primary School has the right, at any time, to access, monitor, and disclose any and all use of the computer system Internet, including but not limited to back-up files, e-mail messages and the transmission, receipt or storage of information in the computer as it deems necessary. Monitoring will be conducted to ensure system integrity and to ensure that all users are using the computer system and Internet responsibly.

Termination: Saint Mary’s Primary School has the sole right at any time, with or without cause, to terminate or suspend any user’s access to, and use of, the computer system and/or the Internet.

Responsibility: User understands that the computer system and Internet is to be used only for educational purposes. Any violation of the terms of this acceptable use agreement may result in loss of computer system and Internet privileges, disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, and appropriate legal action.

The Internet links computers around the world and provides assess to a wide variety of information and resources. The law affecting the Internet is developing is developing and changing daily. No acceptable use agreement could identify each and every inappropriate use of the computer system and/or Internet through school property. Saint Mary’s Primary School is the sole judge of whether the use of the computer system and/or Internet is consistent with this acceptable use agreement and its decision shall be final. If user is unsure whether use of the computer system or Internet is appropriate, user shall confer with the head of school. Saint Mary’s Primary School reserves the right to modify this acceptable use agreement at any time in any manner.