DIOCESE OF ORLANDO ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY The Diocese of Orlando, Office of Schools, knows that the Internet and other emerging technologies allow students an immense opportunity to learn and grow globally. The Office of Schools’ goal in providing the privilege to staff and students is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating resource-sharing, innovation, and communication. The use of the Internet or other emerging technologies will be guided by the Acceptable Use Policy (APU). Diocesan Schools may not be able to technologically limit access to services through the Internet for the purpose of instruction, study and research related to the curriculum. Parents/guardians are advised that a determined user may be able to gain access to services on the Internet and other technologies which the Diocesan school has not authorized for educational purposes. By participating in the use of the Internet or other technologies, students may gain access to information and communications which parents/guardians may find inappropriate, offensive, or controversial. Parents/guardians assume the risk by consenting to allow their students to participate in the use of technology and the Internet. Teachers and school designees are responsible for ensuring that Diocese of Orlando technology users are knowledgeable about this policy and regulations. All Diocese of Orlando technology users are required to abide by the terms and conditions of the policy and its accompanying regulations. The Diocese of Orlando does not sanction any use of the Internet and other available technology that is not authorized by or conducted strictly in compliance with this policy and its regulations. Users who disregard the AUP may have their user privileges suspended or revoked. The Diocese of Orlando reserves the right to suspend or revoke such privileges in the event any teacher, technology coordinator, administrator or principal believes the user’s conduct to be inappropriate or noncompliant with the AUP. Users granted access to the Internet and other technologies through Diocesan Schools assume persona; responsibility and liability, both civil and criminal. REGULATIONS The Diocese of Orlando, Office of Schools, believe that the Internet and other emerging technologies offer vast, diverse and unique resources to students, teachers, and other users. The Office of Schools’ goal in providing this privilege to staff and students is to promote educational excellence in schools by facilitating resource-sharing, innovation, and communication. Technology is used to support learning and enhance instruction. With access to computers and people all over the world comes the availability to material that may not be of educational value in the context of the school setting. We, the Diocese of Orlando, firmly believe that access to the valuable information and interaction available on the worldwide network will far outweigh the possibility that users may procure material that is inconsistent with our educational goals. Students, teachers, and other users are responsible for appropriate behavior on school computer networks at all times, just as they are in classrooms on school premises. At a minimum, school rules for behavior and communications apply, and are in no way to be interpreted as limiting the regulations outlined in the AUP. The network is provided for students, teachers, and other users to conduct research and communications with others for educational purposes only. Students or other users do not have any reasonable expectation of privacy when using the Internet or other technologies provided by or through the Diocese of Orlando. The Diocese of Orlando maintains the right to monitor any Internet or technological usage derived from or utilized through its computers, whether it is on-line, downloaded, or through printed material. All computer user id’s and passwords must be made known to the technology coordinator and use of unknown user id’s or passwords is prohibited. The Diocese of Orlando retains the right to access such codes at any time. If a user violates any of these provisions, his or her privileges may be terminated and future access may be denied. Students, teachers, and other users who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner will be authorized Internet access. Principals, teachers and designees are responsible for discussing the AUP with their students. Parents/guardians must understand that by authorizing use of the Internet and other technologies, students may gain access to material they may find controversial, inappropriate, or offensive. Parents/guardians assume the risk by consenting to allow their child to participate in the use of the Internet and other forms of emerging technology. The Diocese of Orlando is not responsible should any user access information that is outside the scope of instructions, study or research related to the curriculum. Diocese of Orlando technology users are responsible for abiding by all of the terms and conditions of the AUP and accompanying regulations. The Diocese of Orlando does not authorize any use of the Internet and other technology that is not conducted strictly in compliance with this policy. Users who disregard or violate, in any way, the AUP may have their user privileges revoked. Users granted access to the Internet and other emerging technologies assume personal responsibility and liability, both civil and criminal, for uses of the Internet and other technology not authorized by the Diocese of Orlando’s AUP. • Students shall not check their personal e-mail account(s), instant message or chat on school computers, at anytime. • Students, teachers and other users shall not bring and connect personal hardware devices to the school’s network. • No removable media will be brought to school by students, teachers and other users to be used in school computers. (i.e.: floppy disks, USB Drive, CD’s and DVD’s) ***************************************************************************** The following website provides information and a contract for kids and parents to help kids stay safe on the internet: http://www.safekids.com/safekidscontract.pdf