Acceptable Use Policy -

Callystown National School Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy 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 Therefore, if the school’s AUP is not adhered to, this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed.

The Board of Management will review the AUP regularly. Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood.

Our School’s Strategy

The Internet and digital media can help our pupils learn, create and communicate in ways that we would never have imagined in our youth. The online world is very much part of their lives, they are “growing up digitally” with technology embedded in every aspect of their lives. Digital literacy skills are key life skills for children and young people today. They need to be media savvy and know how to effectively search for and evaluate online content; know how to protect personal information and reputation; know to respect copyright and intellectual property and know where to get help if problems arise. The Internet is a valuable teaching and learning tool. It can develop children’s independent research skills and promote lifelong learning. The school employs a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. The school’s policy is to look for opportunities across the curriculum to reinforce online safety messages.

Security Measures

Internet use by children in school will always be supervised by a teacher or member of staff.
Filtering software such as the Schools Broadband Programme will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
The Irish Schools Broadband Programme provides an integrated set of services to schools which includes broadband connectivity and services including content filtering, webhosting, and security services. These services are managed by the NCTE working closely with the Department of Education and Science and are coordinated and supported by the NCTE Service Desk which is the single point of contact for schools for all broadband related issues, providing information, advice and support to schools.
Youtube will only be accessed in ‘restricted’ mode.
The school will regularly monitor pupils’ Internet usage.
Students and teachers will be provided with training and information in the area of Internet safety. (e.g. webwise.ie, Zeeko, REIM.)
Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
The use of memory sticks or other digital storage media in school requires a teacher’s permission.
Children are expected to respect computers, hardware, and software and not to intentionally waste limited resources in school such as paper or ink.
Students will observe good “netiquette” (etiquette in the internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.

Use of the Internet

Students will use the Internet in school for educational purposes only.
In the event of a child accidently accessing inappropriate material or images during a lesson, the student will immediately minimize the page/turn off the monitor and report the incident to the class teacher without attracting the attention of other students. The teacher should report the incident to the ICT Co-coordinator.
Students will not intentionally visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
Pupils will be familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.
Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
Downloading materials or images not relevant to their studies, is in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy.
Students 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.

iPads/Tablets/Netbooks/Chromebooks

Students should follow teachers’ instructions accessing only the applications to which the teacher has agreed
Students should never leave their device unattended when in use
Students require permission before sending any form of electronic message.
Audio or vision taken at school cannot be transmitted, broadcast or transferred without the teachers permission.
The camera and audio recording functions may only be used under the teachers’ direction.
Identity theft (Pretending to be someone else) is in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy.
In the event of a child accidently accessing inappropriate material or images during a lesson, the student will immediately minimize the page and report the incident to the class teacher without attracting the attention of other students.
Devices must be handled with care at all times.
Any damage to the device must be reported immediately to the teacher.

Email/Electonic communication

Students may use approved email accounts under supervision by or with permission from the class teacher.
Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
Children are not allowed to access their own personal email accounts/electronic messages in school.
Children are not allowed access their personal social media in school.
Students will not reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.
Students will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the Internet.
Students will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject to permission from their teacher.
Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.

Legislation

Information is available on the Internet on the following legislation relating to use of the Internet which teachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves with:

Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003
Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
Interception Act 1993
Video Recordings Act 1989
The Data Protection Act 1988

School Website

Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish work on the school website.
Digital photographs/videos of pupils will be included on the school website eg on Sports day/Christmas
Digital photographs/videos of individual pupils may be published on the school website but will not include pupil’s full name.
Pupil’s personal information (surname, address etc) will not be published on the school web pages.
Pupils will continue to own copyright on any work published. The website will be checked regularly to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of pupils or staff.

Personal Devices

Pupils are not permitted to bring personal electronic devices eg tablets/mobile phones etc, to school unless expressly instructed by their teacher for an educational purpose.
The unauthorized capture of images, video or audio is in direct breach of the school’s AUP.

Support Structures

The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet.
Pupils from 3^rd to 6^th will receive Internet Safety talks from trained professionals in the field.
From time to time parents will receive information and advice regarding Internet safety in the home.

Sanctions

Some material available on the Internet is unsuitable for children and therefore the guidelines in this policy must be adhered to at all times. Access to the Internet will be withdrawn from pupils who fail to maintain acceptable standards of use. Internet access in school includes a strict filtering service yet no filtering service is completely foolproof.
Procedures are in place should a child accidentally access inappropriate material and also should a child deliberately abuse the use of the Internet in school.
Intentional misuse of the Internet will result in disciplinary action including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges, and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
All of these sanctions are in line with our schools discipline policy.

Distance Learning

Callystown NS will engage, with online learning tools, where necessary, in order to maximise accessibility and communicate effectively in order to support students’ learning. Consideration will be given to the fact that a proportion of students may not have accessibility to the internet and/or devices. Advice and guidance will be sought from the DES, PDST and other relevant educational bodies when deciding on a learning platform.

In Callystown NS we are currently using Aladdin Connect, Seesaw and Zoom as distance learning platforms when required.

(i)Aladdin Connect

Aladdin Connect is a direct means of communication between staff and parents by using emails or notices sent through the noticeboard which appears as a notification on the parent’s Aladdin app. Text messages may also be sent via Aladdin Connect from staff members to parents. Children cannot be directly communicated to through Aladdin Connect

(ii)Seesaw

Seesaw is a digital portfolio tool which allows pupils to store their work online and gain feedback and get work corrected from their teacher. It can be accessed on a phone, table, laptop or computer. It effectively enables teachers to set tasks/assignments and include instructions or templates for pupils to use at home through distance learning. Feedback and comments can be sent to pupils via Seesaw. Children can upload video and audio clips to send to teacher via Seesaw. This is a two way means of communication. Only children’s own individual work may be viewed on their home page. Children’s work uploaded to Seesaw will not be shared on any other social media platform.

(iii)Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service which is used to virtually meet by video/audio or both while conducting a live chat. It is expected that pupils and staff will use the platform in a professional and ethical manner for the purpose of teaching and learning. Pupils participating in Zoom are expected to adhere to their normal classroom rules. Any misbehaviour or inappropriate behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Code of Behaviour/Anti Bullying Policy.

Guidelines for Zoom

Pupils must be appropriately dressed
Pupils must be in a non-private space in the house (i.e not a bedroom)
Parents/guardian/appropriate adult is asked to supervise the meeting
Parents to consider what can be seen in the background.
Appropriate and respectful language and behaviour is expected at all times
Teacher always invites the pupils to the zoom call and acts as the host. Teacher can choose to mute and un mute microphones selectively to allow pupil participation and they will always be the last person to leave the meeting

The AUP Policy for Callystown NS was reviewed by the Board of Management December 2021

Signed by School Principal on behalf of the Board of Management____Ambrose McGinnity__

Date: December 2021

***IMPORTANT***

By giving your permission on Aladdin you accept the terms of the school’s ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY.

I understand that if I do not give permission my child will not be able to use chromebooks/tablets at school and will have to be asked to step out of class photos/videos.

Please review the schools Acceptable Use Policy then give permission here through Aladdin to the school.

Parent/Guardian

INTERNET USE

As the parent or legal guardian of the below pupil/s, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy.

I grant permission for my child (or the child in my care) to access the Internet.

I understand that Internet access is intended for educational purposes and every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety but the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

I accept that if the school considers it appropriate, it may use my child’s image on the school website, but will only identify him/her by their first name. e.g Christmas video/class Confirmation photo

(I understand and accept that if I do not give permission my child/children will be asked to stand out of school/group photographs being taken for the website)

My child’s schoolwork may be chosen for inclusion on the website. I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy relating to publishing children’s work on the school website.