Internet Use Policy

CM is a college preparatory school providing a liberal arts curriculum with an emphasis on values and respect for the dignity of all human beings. In that spirit we offer Internet access to our students for educational purposes. The internet enables us to connect to school, libraries, museums, government agencies and many other information providers, greatly expanding our available resources and providing opportunities for interactive projects. While recognizing that

the Internet is an unregulated world-wide network over which we have no control, and which may contain material that is not in keeping with our educational goals, we feel that the academic resources available on the internet are indispensable to today’s students. We place responsibility upon each student to use this service in a manner consistent with the school’s rules and philosophy and for the purposes intended – academic research and classroom projects.  Catholic Memorial cannot be held responsible for material accessed over the Internet.

 

Goals

By offering Internet access our goal is to enable Catholic Memorial students to take advantage of the extensive resources available online, to teach them to use the material wisely and effectively, and to enhance our curriculum with expanded opportunities for communication and data sharing.  We encourage our students to explore these avenues for learning which they will continue to encounter in their college and professional careers. We also emphasize the personal

responsibility of each student to abide by the school’s policies and code of conduct when

using the system.

 

Acceptable Use

School computers are provided to be used for school assignments. Acceptable uses of this system include school-related educational research, exploration, and interactive class projects. We expect students to conduct online activities with courtesy, honesty, and respect for others, and to observe all school rules and policies as stated in the student handbook. School computers also provide an opportunity for creativity. School assignments may include computer-generated artwork, presentations, or web pages. However, students may not publish web pages in the school’s name without permission from the principal.

 

Unacceptable Use

  • Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Activities that are not educational in nature, and/or not in keeping with the philosophy and rules of Catholic Memorial.
  • The use of the Internet for financial gain or any commercial purpose: buying, selling, any financial transaction.
  • Activities that are illegal, dangerous or destructive
  • Violation of privacy or the integrity of others’ files; revealing personal addresses, phone numbers, or bank or credit card information
  • Copyright violation or plagiarism
  • Use of another person’s account
  • Use of chat groups, interactive games, instant messaging, non-school-related bulletin boards, or personal e-mail
  • Transmission of material which is sexually explicit, vulgar, obscene, offensive or threatening.
  • Hacking or attempting to violate or change secure files
  • Introducing viruses or other harm to the system
  • Downloading programs or installing software (without permission of the network administrator).

Network Administration Policy

We offer Internet access through Catholic Memorial as a privilege, not a right. Students should be aware that no activities on the network are completely private and can, if necessary, be monitored by the network administrator. Anything transmitted on the CM network is the property of Catholic Memorial and may be monitored by the faculty and administration The school administration may revoke computer privileges at any time, or pursue disciplinary or legal action against students who violate this acceptable use policy.

 

Students may be supervised and guided in their use of the Internet, but it is the student’s responsibility to use the system in accordance with the rules. The school administration and faculty will decide whether an act constitutes inappropriate use of the school computers, its network or the Internet. The administration, faculty, and staff at Catholic Memorial School may deny, revoke, or suspend the computer use of any individual.  The school complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

 

E-mail Policy

Catholic Memorial does not presently provide e-mail services for its students, and students should not use school computers for access to personal email accounts except for specific teacher-supervised assignments.