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Technology

Information and Communication Technology Policies

Online Social Media and Networking Policy for Parents and Students

St. Isidore Catholic School recognizes that many different social networks exist on the Internet (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, among others). Millions of people, including students and parents, utilize one or more of these networks on a daily basis for both professional and personal purposes. These services provide different methods of communicating and interacting with other users, in both public and private ways. These tools include message and photograph posting, emailing, instant messaging, group discussions, blogging, and video/photo sharing.

Due to the popularity of social networking sites and the way they can facilitate effective and efficient communications between users, the use of social networking in connection with Catholic school activities presents many opportunities for enhancing the experience of students and their families. Without proper controls these communications are often unlimited, potentially affording access by unknown third parties (including those who would prey upon young people via the Internet). The nature of social networking sites leaves open the possibility of abuse and misuse (including by students and their parents), necessitating the following standards of conduct for all individuals connected with Catholic schools.

Ethics and Responsibility

When a Catholic school student or parent is using online social media (of any variety), that individual must always bear in mind that the material he or she posts reflects upon the school, the parish, the Diocese, and the Roman Catholic Church as a whole. As a consequence, it is imperative that all students and parents conduct themselves in an ethical and responsible manner when using online social media. Specifically, the following standards of conduct should be observed at all times:

  • Any official organization of the school, such as CSAC, Parent Club, Boosters Club, etc., may only develop online media with the permission of the school administration. If approved by the school administration, it must be a link from the official website of the school. All materials placed on it must receive prior approval from the school administration. Failure to do so by any organization of the school could result in the organization being disbanded.
  • Content that has the potential to be a source of scandal for the Church should never be posted. Examples of such content include, but are not limited to, obscene, harassing, offensive, derogatory, or defamatory comments and images that discredit or cause embarrassment to the school, the Diocese, or the Catholic Church, or to other students, parents, diocesan (school) employees, or parishioners.
  • If a student or parent regularly identifies him or herself as a student or parent of the school in a personal website, blog, or social media account, he or she should make it clear on those personal sites that the views expressed there are his or hers alone and that they do not necessarily reflect the views of the school, the parish, or the Diocese. For example, he or she can post the following notice, in a reasonable prominent place: "The views expressed on this site are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the view of St. Isidore Catholic School, or Parish, or the Diocese of Sacramento."
  • Students and parents should be ethical and responsible participants in social media. They should at all times attempt to be accurate, truthful, and respectful in any public postings.
  • Students and parents many not use school, parish, or diocesan trademarks, or reproduce any school, parish, or diocesan materials or logos without express permission from the principal, pastor, or their designees.

Photographs and Videos

Because digital images are easily created and reproduced, photographs and video files are extremely common on the web, and they are freely posted and passed along by users of online social media. It is the policy of the Diocese that privacy concerns, particularly as they relate to images of minors, are to be observed and respected in online social media use connected to its schools.

St. Isidore Catholic School has no desire to intrude into or restrict the rights of parents and students to freely post personal photographs on their online social media sites as they see fit. If, however, they intend to upload photographic images or video files related to Catholic school activities, then students and parents must all observe the following guidelines:

  • Prior permission should be obtained from any third parties depicted in photographic images or video files prior to being uploaded. If individuals decline such permission, their privacy should be respected and the image should not be posted.
  • If photographs or videos, particularly those of minors, are posted with or without permission, and the student or parent asks that it be removed, the student or parent's wishes should be observed.
  • Even if parents have granted permission for the use of photographs or video images of their children, care should be taken to ensure that any such postings do not identify the child by name, unless there is specific permission granted by the parent for the additional connection.

Discipline for the Policy above

Failure to observe the foregoing guidelines may result in disciplinary measures being imposed by the school. Discipline in this context will be determined by the school, based upon the particular facts of any incident, but can mean suspension or expulsion (for student misconduct) or involuntary withdrawal of a child from the school (for parent misconduct).

Acceptable Use of Technology for Students

To ensure that all students comply with school rules regarding electronic equipment, the following policies and procedures have been established for using school computers, electronic devices, the wireless network, the Internet, and all peripherals. No set of policies and procedures can provide rules to cover every possible situation. Instead, what follows is designed to express a framework and to set forth general principles when using electronic media and services. All policies are inclusive of the use of computers and electronic devices including, but not limited to, iPads and other tablets, the wireless network, the network, the Internet, and all peripherals.

Social Media Use

  • Use of social networks at school may be limited by school personnel.
  • Students who use social media must adhere to the discipline policies in this handbook, the Technology Use Policy, the Diocesan Online Social Media and Networking Policy for Parents and Students, and the Harassment and Bullying Policy.
  • Students are reminded that they are always St. Isidore Catholic School students, both on and off campus, and that ALL electronic content is both public and permanent.
  • St. Isidore Catholic School reserves the right, at its discretion, to review and/or request removal of any student’s social media content. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.
  • Permission of the school administration is required for the use of the school’s name, initials, logos, pictures, property, or representations of the faculty, staff, students, or other individuals. Deliberate publication or postings of such material on the Internet without permission may result in serious disciplinary action, including dismissal from the school.

Use of Electronic Devices Owned or Issued by the School

  • Electronic devices owned or issued by the school are to be used for academic purposes only.
  • Students have no reasonable expectation of privacy in their use of the school’s electronic equipment or network.
  • The school reserves the right, upon reasonable suspicion that the search will reveal evidence that the student is violating the law or school policies, to review any student’s electronic devices, files, and messages including, but not limited to, email, photos, texts, video, and other applications to ensure compliance with all school rules. Students must comply with all requests for access.
  • All users are only permitted to log on to their own school-issued account. Sharing of account and/or account information is prohibited and may result in the account being disabled.
  • All users may never move, change, or disconnect any of the hardware or wires/cables.
  • Regardless where it takes place, students have no right to add, copy, delete, or alter any operating system software, application system software, and system setup or equipment configurations of devices owned or issued by the school.
  • Use of technology on campus or at school functions or events is subject to inspection and audit by the school administration, which may include a physical inspection of material contained on, or accessible by, the device. Students agree to cooperate with any such inspection.
  • All students must agree to abide by the following Acceptable Use Pledge.

Acceptable Use Pledge Covering Electronic Devices

  • I will use my iPad and my other electronic devices in ways that are appropriate, educational, and meet St. Isidore Catholic School expectations as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook.
  • I will use appropriate language when using emails, journals, blogs, or any other forms of communication.
  • I will not create, or encourage others to create, discourteous or abusive content.
  • I will not use electronic communication to spread rumors, gossip, or engage in any other activity that is harmful to other persons.
  • I understand that my iPad and school computers used by me are subject to inspection at any time without notice and remain the property of the school.
  • I understand that my other electronic devices (including but not limited to my cell phone) are subject to inspection at any time based on a reasonable suspicion that they contain information pertinent to a violation of law or school policies.
  • I will take proper care of my iPad.
  • I will never leave the iPad unattended, and I will know where it is at all times.
  • I will protect my iPad by keeping it stored in the provided case at all times.
  • I will never loan out my iPad or give my password to other individuals.
  • I will not let anyone else use my iPad other than my parents or guardians.
  • I will charge my iPad's battery daily and arrive at school with my device fully charged.
  • I will keep food and beverages away from my iPad since these may cause damage to the device.
  • I will clean the screen with a soft, antistatic cloth ONLY and will use no cleaners.
  • I will not disassemble any part of my iPad or attempt any repairs.
  • I will not place decorations (such as stickers, markers, etc.) on the iPad or iPad cover, or do anything to permanently alter the iPad in any way.
  • I will not remove or deface the serial number or other identification on any iPad.
  • I will be responsible for all damage or loss caused by neglect or abuse.
  • I agree to return the iPad, case, and power cords in good working condition.

Consequences for Violations of Information Technology Policies

Students who violate the rules set forth in these policies will be subject to all customary disciplinary actions, including but not limited to, the following:

  • Payment for labor charges and/or parts necessary to undo changes or restore any equipment or system to its proper operating configuration as determined by the network administrator and St. Isidore Catholic School administration.
  • Removal of the student from a course of instruction, suspension, and/or expulsion from St. Isidore Catholic School.