INTERNET PERMISSION FORM

To be signed by student and parent/guardian.

Please Review the attached school internet Acceptable Use Policy, sign and return this permission form to the Principal.

Name of Student: _________________________

Class/Year: ______________________________

Student

I agree to follow the school’s Acceptable Use Policy on the use of the Internet.  I will use the Internet in a responsible way and obey all the rules explained to me by the school.

Student’s Signature: ___________________________    Date: __________

Parent / Guardian

As the parent of legal guardian of the above student, I have read the Acceptable Use policy and grant permission for my son of daughter or the child in my care to access the internet.  I understand that Internet access is intended for educational purposes.  I also understand that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety but the school cannot be held responsible if students access unsuitable websites.

I accept the above paragraph   [  ]                   I do not accept the above paragraph    [  ]

(Please tick the appropriate)

In relation to the school website, I accept that, if the school considers it appropriate, my Child’s schoolwork or school related photograph 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.

I accept the above paragraph   [  ]                    I do not accept the above paragraph   [  ]

(Please tick the appropriate)

Signature:   __________________________    Date:   _______________

Address:    ___________________________    Telephone:  __________________

Internet Acceptable Use Policy (IAUP).

School Name: Maynooth Post Primary

Moyglare Road

Maynooth

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  Therefore, if the school IAUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined  in the IAUP – will be imposed.

It is envisaged that school and parent representatives will revise the IAUP annually.  Before signing, the IAUP should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood.

This version of IAUP was created on 31/03/2010

By Johnny Nevin (Principal), Andrew Dunne (Deputy Principal).

School’s Strategy

The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:

General

• Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher.
• Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
• The school will regularly monitor students’ Internet usage.
• Students and teachers will be provided with training in the area of Internet safety.
• 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 personal floppy disks, CD-ROMs, Memory sticks or other digital storage media in school requires a teacher’s permission
• Students will observe good “netiquette” (i.e., etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.

2.   World Wide Web

• Downloading materials or images not relevant to their studies is in direct breach of the School’s IAUP.
• Students will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
• Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
• Students will be familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.
• Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.

• 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.

• Students will report accidental accessing of inappropriate materials in accordance with School procedures.

3.   Email

• Students will use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from a teacher.
• Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
• 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.

4.   Internet Chat

• Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school and under supervision.
• Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
• Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
• Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat will be forbidden.

5.   School Website

• Students will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web in accordance with clear policies and approval processes regarding the content that can be loaded to the school’s website.
• The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
• Student’s work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission.
• Photographs, audio and video clips may be published on school website but will focus on group activities.  Video clips may be password protected.
• Personal student information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.
• Students will continue to own the copyright on any work published.
• The website will be regularly checked to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of students or staff.

Personal Devices:

Mobile phones, Mp3 players and iPods are not allowed in the school.

6.   Legislation:

The school will provide information 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 Recording Act 1989
• The Data Protection Act 1988

7.   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.

8.   Sanctions.

Misuse of the Internet may 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.