St. Colmcille’s Boys’ National School, Chapel Lane, Swords, Co.Dublin K67 WP65

(01) 8405132

St Colmcille's BNS

Ní neart go cur le chéile

Acceptable Use Policy

Governing Access to the Internet at St Colmcille’s BNS

 

The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school’s AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed. It is envisaged that school and parent representatives will revise the AUP regularly. This version of the AUP was reviewed May 2020. Before you sign the form, the policy should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are acceptable to you and your child/children.

School Strategies

The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:

General

Students are expected to follow the same rules for good behaviour and respectful conduct online as offline -see Code of Behaviour.

  • Access to the internet is always supervised by a member of staff
  • Filtering software and/or equivalent systems are used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material
  • Pupils’ Internet usage is monitored.
  • Pupils and teachers are provided with training in the area of Internet safety
  • Uploading and downloading of non-approved software are not be permitted
  • Virus protection software is used and updated regularly
  • The use of the school’s external or portable memory devices (USB) requires a teacher’s permission.
  • Pupils are not permitted to use their own personal memory devices.
  • Pupils will observe good digital citizenship at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.

 World Wide Web  

  • Pupils will use the Internet for educational purposes only
  • Pupils will be made familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning
  • Pupils will never disclose or publicise personal information
  • Pupils 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
  • Pupils will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, or objectionable materials
  • Pupils will be taught appropriate use of the internet
  • Downloading materials or images not relevant to their studies is in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy.
  • Pupils are not allowed access to social media sites.

Email (colmcilles@gmail.com)

Pupils will not have access to email facilities at school. Any emails to other children/ schools, will be sent through the school’s email address.

School Website (www.colmcilles.net)

  • Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the school website
  • Publication of student work will be coordinated by a teacher
  • Pupils’ work will appear in an educational context on Web pages
  • Photographs are uploaded in accordance with school policy, and personal pupil information including home address and contact details will not be used on school web pages

iPads and other devices, apps and other programmes (eg. GSuites, Seesaw, Adobe spark, Padlet)

  • Pupils will have usernames and accounts connected to school accounts. Pupils will only use these usernames and accounts for school assignments and educational purposes.
  • Pupils are expected to follow the same rules for good behaviour and respectful conduct online as offline -see Code of Behaviour.
  • Downloading materials or images not relevant to their studies is in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy.
  • Pupils are not allowed access to social media sites
  • Pupils will not send, share 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 note that sharing of information, projects and assignments is subject to permission from teacher.

Seesaw

Seesaw (http://seesaw.me), is a secure online journal where pupils can document and reflect on what they are learning in class. Pupils will be able to add the things we work on (including photos, videos, worksheets, drawings and voice recordings) to their Seesaw journal and we can share them privately with parents/guardians and other family members to view and comment on throughout the school year.

In order for pupils to use Seesaw, the app needs the pupil’s name in order to be able to associate work like their photos, videos or voice recordings with their account. Seesaw only uses this information to provide the service and doesn’t advertise in Seesaw, create profiles of pupils, or share or sell pupils personal information or journal content. More information is available at: https://web.seesaw.me/privacy.

Under an EU law called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in order for pupils to use Seesaw, the school must have parent’s /guardian’s consent. For more information on GDPR, please visit https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/reform/rights-citizens.

G Suite

G Suite for Education will be used to record and create projects. A G Suite account will be set up for pupils under the school name and account.  G Suite for Education is a set of education productivity tools from Google including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Classroom (Gmail will be disconnected and not available for pupils to use). Pupils will use their G Suite accounts to complete assignments and share them with their teachers and classmates.

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.
  • Teachers are given instruction on appropriate use of the internet and how to use it safely.
  • Workshops and lessons may be given on internet safety for pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th classes.
  • The Parents’ Association may organise a presentation on internet safety for parents.

Sanctions

Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

 Review

A review of the policy will be undertaken by 2022. This review will involve input from teachers, parents, pupils and Board of Management.

 

This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on _______________. 

It will be reviewed by: __June 2022___

Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________

Chairperson, Board of Management

Signed _____________________________________ Date ________________

Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management

 

St Colmcille’s BNS

 

Acceptable Use Policy

 

Please complete and return to your son’s teacher

Name of Pupil: _____________________________   Class:__________________

Pupil

I agree to comply with school rules on the use of the Internet. I will observe all of the restrictions on the use of the Internet which were explained to me in school.  

Pupil’s signature: _____________________________

Date: __________________

 

Parent (s) / Guardian(s)

I (we) have read the Acceptable Use Policy statement, and grant permission for my (our) son to access the Internet. I understand that the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites, but that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the teachers and the school authorities to provide for online safety.

I grant permission for my son to use apps and programmes on iPads including Seesaw, Google Drive, Adobe Spark and other educational apps)

Parent’s / Guardian’s Signature: _____________________________________________

Date:____________________________