INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

IONA PREPARATORY BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE AND INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

Internet access is available to students and teachers at Iona Preparatory. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of a school setting. Iona Preparatory School has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials, and a user may discover controversial information. Iona Preparatory School firmly believes that the valuable information and interaction available on the network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of Iona Preparatory School.

Iona is committed to providing the highest quality education using currently available tools and resources. This means Iona provides a robust digital learning environment to foster growth and development in skills required for success in the world they will enter upon graduation. To advance these goals the school has adopted a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. The following policies address the use of student devices and accessing our digital environment.

Definition of “Device”

For purposes of BYOD, “Device” refers to a privately-owned laptop or tablet that can be used for accessing the internet, running Office 365 products and other education resources. Cell phones, iPads, smart watches, Kindles and other personal devices are also subject to this agreement.

Internet Use: Students are expected to access the internet only allowed through the school’s wireless networks. The wireless network provides filtering and firewalling to prevent inappropriate and potentially dangerous material. No attempts to bypass the District’s internet gateway such as using VPN’s or personal internet connective devices such as (but not limited to) cell phones / cell network adapters are not permitted to be used to access outside internet sources at any time.

Acceptable Use: The purpose of using the internet in Iona Preparatory is to support research and education by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education, research and be consistent with the educational objectives of Iona Preparatory. Transmission of any material in violation of Iona policy or any federal or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secrets.

Privileges: The use of the internet is a privilege, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. Each student who receives an account will be part of a

discussion with an Iona Preparatory faculty member pertaining to the proper use of the internet. The Iona Prep Administration will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the administration may close an account at any time. The faculty and the staff of Iona Preparatory may request the administration to deny, revoke or suspend specific user accounts.

BYOD devices are for curriculum-based instruction only. Students must follow any additional guidelines a classroom teacher or the school might impose. The use of BYOD devices may in no way disturb the learning environment. Students should use headphones when listening to audio files such as music on their device. The volume should be kept at a level that doesn’t disrupt others. If in the classroom, students may only listen to audio files when given express permission by their teachers. • Students are not allowed to use BYOD devices during test administration, unless permitted by the teacher. When permitted by school rules, students may use BYOD devices before and after school, during lunch break, during after-school activities, and at school-related functions. BYOD devices may be used while riding to and from school on a school bus or on a school-sponsored activity, at the discretion of the bus driver, classroom teacher, or sponsor/advisor/coach.

Network Etiquette: You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following: ➢ Be polite. Do not be abusive in your messages to others. Students will not use any device as a cyber-bullying tool. ➢ Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, or any inappropriate language. Foul language and inappropriate or illegal activities are strictly forbidden. ➢ Do not reveal your personal address or phone number to students or colleagues. ➢ Do not share your school account information with anyone. ➢ Note that e-mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities. ➢ Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users. ➢ All students will be educated regarding appropriate online behavior through counseling and computer education classes.

• The school monitors traffic on its network. It reserves the right to monitor, copy, view, store, without prior notice, information about the content and usage of the network, user files, bandwidth utilization, email, internet access, and any information received or sent in

connection with network and email use. The school reserves the right to disclose any electronic information to appropriate authorities.

• Iona Prep requires the use of certain applications (apps), browser extensions, and drivers for the optimal educational experience. Some are school wide and some are class specific.

Any student found removing, tampering with or disabling any of these will be subject to loss of use of technology privileges.

• Iona reserves the right to inspect any personal device when there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that search will turn up evidence that the student is in violation or has violated the law or school policy. The personal device may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies. The device will be returned to the owner when it is no longer needed for investigatory or evidentiary purposes.

• Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the internet, you must notify a teacher or administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another’s account. Do not give your account number to anyone. Attempts to log onto the internet as anyone but you will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems will be denied access to the internet. Despite our efforts to filter access to the internet, it is impossible to control all internet material, and a BYOD participant may discover inappropriate material. It may also be discovered if and/or when sharing a BYOD device with another student. Report inappropriate content and conduct to your classroom teacher.

• Care and maintenance of devices rests with the students. Iona is not responsible for any damage to a student owned device. The school recommends purchasing a protective case for devices. The school will do its best to assist a student who is having problems with a device but is not responsible for management, troubleshooting, or technical support.

Ultimate responsibility rests with the student to correct any performance issues the device is having as quickly as possible. Charge all BYOD devices prior to school every day and bring a charger to school.

• Iona Prep makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Iona Prep will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the internet is at your own risk. Iona Prep specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.