St. Brigid’s N.S.
Internet Acceptable Usage Policy
Educationalists believe in the benefits of curriculum-based internet use. The purpose of the Internet Acceptable Usage Policy is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s internet resources, and will be protected from harmful and illegal use of the Internet.
St. Brigid’s N.S. will employ a number of strategies to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet.
These strategies are as follows:
⦁ Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP)
⦁ Education
⦁ Filtering/Monitoring
Sanctions
If a pupil deliberately misuses the internet or email, this will result in disciplinary action, including the withdrawal of access privileges. Parents/Guardians will receive written notification of misuse by a pupil.
Internet
⦁ Internet will be used for educational purposes only
⦁ Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher or SNA
⦁ Pupils will seek permission before entering any Internet site, unless previously approved by a teacher
⦁ Filtering software will be used to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material
⦁ The school will regularly monitor pupils’ internet usage
⦁ Pupils will receive training in the area of internet safety
⦁ Pupils will be taught to evaluate the content of internet sites
⦁ Staff will be made aware of internet safety issues
⦁ Uploading and downloading of non-approved material is banned
⦁ Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis
⦁ Pupils will observe good “netiquette” (etiquette on the internet) at all times and will not undertake any action that may bring a school into disrepute
⦁ “You Tube” ( and similar sites) can be accessed only under the supervision and direction of the teacher
If pupils are allowed to use email, the following rules will apply:
⦁ Email will be used for educational purposes only
⦁ Students will only use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from a teacher
⦁ 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 send text messages to or from school email
⦁ Pupils will not reveal their own or other people’s personal details e.g. addresses, telephone numbers, or pictures via school email
⦁ Pupils will never arrange to meet someone via school email
⦁ Sending or receiving email attachments is subject to teacher permission
Internet Chat
Students are not permitted to use internet chat rooms.
School Website
Designated teachers will manage the publication of material on the school website.
⦁ Personal pupil information, home addresses and contact details will not be published on the school website
⦁ Class lists will not be published
⦁ Pupils’ full names will not be published beside their photograph
⦁ Digital photographs, video clips and audio clips will focus on groups and group activities rather than on individual pupils
⦁ Pupils will be given an opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the school website
⦁ Teachers will select work to be published and decide on the appropriateness of such
⦁ Permission to publish a student’s work will be sought from pupils/parents/guardians. This permission may be withdrawn at any time
⦁ Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published
Education
St. Brigid’s N.S. will undertake an education programme to educate children on the safe, responsible use of the Internet.
21st century life presents dangers including violence, racism and exploitation from which children and young people need to be protected. At the same time they need to learn to recognise and avoid these risks – to become internet wise.
Resources that may be used to implement this programme include
⦁ NCTE Internet Safety Awareness Video
⦁ Use of the ‘Kids’ section on the ⦁ www.webwise.ie website
⦁ SAFT Internet Safety Awareness Education Programme and exemplars
Filtering
‘Filtering’ is a term used to describe a way of limiting the content of web pages, emails, chat rooms and other electronic data to which users may be exposed. No filter is 100% accurate. The most effective filtering tool is adult vigilance.
Many browsers have their own built-in filtering tool e.g. Google. Google’s search engine has a built-in “Safe Search”. This filter eliminates sites that contain pornography and explicit sexual content from search results. It is easily applied by clicking on the Preferences link on any Google page. Unfortunately it is also easily removed.
St. Brigid’s N.S. has filtering software. The access to websites from all school computers is monitored and regularly reviewed by the NCCA. Websites are only allowed through following a verification of their suitability.
Firewalls
Windows XP has a built-in firewall. Firewall software can be purchased or downloaded free from the Internet. St. Brigid’s N.S. has installed firewall software.
With the extent of Covid-19 remote learning has now become part of the norm. St. Brigid’s N.S. are using SeeSaw.
Appendix 1
Sample Letter to Parents
Insert date
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As part of the school’s education programme we offer supervised access to the Internet. This will allow pupils vast educational opportunities by helping them to : Locate material for projects, communicate with students from different cultures, become independent in controlling their own research and become independent learners.
While we as educationalists recognise the value of the Internet as a resource, we must also acknowledge the potential risks to students. We feel that the answer is not to ban the use of the Internet in school but to teach pupils to recognise the risks and to become Internet Wise. We also allow limited access to ‘YouTube’ on a strictly supervised basis. This is to allow access to a huge range of educational material. The filter to prevent access to unsuitable material on YouTube is also in operation.
This process is the responsibility of the school and the parent/guardian.
For this reason we have compiled a school policy on Internet safety. Parents must also set and convey standards of usage to their own children.
It is important that you read the school’s Internet Policy and sign the attached document.
There is also a document for pupils to sign. Parents should discuss this document with their children to ensure that they clearly understand the school rules with regard to Internet usage.
Mise le meas,
______________________________
Principal.
Appendix 2
Responsible Internet use
Pupil Undertaking
We use the School computers and Internet connection for learning.
These rules will help us to be fair to others and keep everyone safe.
⦁ I will ask permission before entering any website, unless my teacher/SNA has already approved that site.
⦁ I will not bring external storage devices such as pen drives (or memory sticks/USB keys etc.) into school without permission.
⦁ I will not use email for personal reasons.
⦁ I will only use email for school projects and with my teacher’s/SNA’s permission.
⦁ The messages I send will be polite and sensible.
⦁ When sending an email, I will not give my home address or phone number or arrange to meet anyone.
⦁ I will ask permission before opening an email or an email attachment.
⦁ I will not use internet chat rooms.
⦁ If I see anything I am unhappy with or if I receive a message I do not like, I will tell a teacher immediately.
⦁ I know that the school may check my computer files and may monitor the sites I visit.
⦁ I understand that if I deliberately break these rules, I could be stopped from using the Internet and computers and my parents will be informed.
Signed: _______________________________________________Pupil(s)
Signed: ________________________________________________Parent/Guardian
Date: ___________________________
Appendix 3
Internet Permission Form
Name of Pupil(s): _____________________________________________________
Class(es): ______________________________________
As the parent or legal guardian of the above child(ren), I have read the Internet Acceptable
Use Policy and grant permission for __________________________________________(name(s): to access the Internet.
I understand that school internet usage is for educational purposes only and that every reasonable precaution will be taken by the school to provide for online safety.
I accept my own responsibility for the education of my child(ren) on issues of Internet Responsibility and Safety.
I understand that having adhered to all the enclosed precautions the school cannot be held responsible if my child tries to access unsuitable material.
Signed: 1. ___________________________ 2. ____________________________
Parents/Legal Guardians
Date: __________________
——————————————————————————————————————————-
School Website
I understand that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s school work may be chosen for inclusion on the school’s website. I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Usage Policy in relation to publishing pupils’ work and photographs of school activities on the website.
Signed: 1. __________________________ 2. _____________________________
Date: ____________________