Student access is a privilege, not a right. Whether students are using their own or NDA-owned devices, students are responsible for demonstrating appropriate behavior while using technology. Users should not expect stored files to be private. At any time, the student’s parents, NDA faculty and/or staff may request access to the student’s files for any reason.
Students are responsible for their own behaviors and are expected to comply with the following Code of Conduct for Technology:
- Whether personally or NDA owned students are responsible for physical damage caused to devices by food, drink, accidental damage or intentional misuse.
- The Internet is to be used for curriculum objectives.
- Students should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information over the Internet without adult permission. Students should recognize that communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and associated risks, and should carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others.
- Network security interruptions, such as introduction of viruses or deletion of files are not permitted.
- Printers may be used for educational school related documents only. At school, printing must be done with NDA-owned devices.
- Offensive messages or pictures may not be sent, displayed or downloaded.
- Users of technology resources should respect the rights and privacy of others. Each student should only use their own assigned password/ID and may not trespass into the files, folders or work of other users. A student should not allow other students to access the computers, networks or Google Drive using his/her password/ID.
- NDA will provide an email address and related Google Drive for students to facilitate communication and collaboration. In addition, the NDA issued email address provides a safe, simple and reliable way to verify other users (teachers and students). Students will be expected to use their NDA issued email address and Google Drive for all academic and school related use (activities, calendar, Google Classroom, etc.). Students are expected to check their NDA issued email address on a regular basis, especially on school days. Students’ NDA issued email and Google Drive are maintained for one year after graduation and then are deleted.
- To ensure the safe use of the internet during the school day, students will be required to login and use the school WiFi at all times. The school filter is designed to create a safe environment for our students to learn. If the filter blocks a student from a website, they may seek permission from the classroom teacher or Director of Technology for access. The school will provide sufficient bandwidth to ensure that academic learning is maintained throughout the school day.
- Copyright laws should be respected. All quotations, references, graphics and sources must be cited to give credit to the originator as stated in the NDA Honor Code.
- School issued devices are the property of Notre Dame Academy. Any misuse of these devices, including taking pictures or videos, leaving notes or non-educational documents, updating the iOS/OS, changing the background, icon setup or wallpaper may result in disciplinary action.
- Taking pictures or making or transmitting any video or audio recording of other students or school staff is prohibited at all times, unless the student has obtained advance permission from a teacher or administrator.
Violations of established policies and procedures will result in a disciplinary referral with the consequences as listed in the Handbook. Individual users are ultimately responsible for their activity when using technology. NDA may review files and communications to ensure the safety of students, maintain system integrity and ensure that users are demonstrating acceptable use of technology. NDA will not be held liable for any information that may become lost, damaged or unavailable due to technical or other difficulties. NDA is not liable for losses, claims or demands against NDA or any user by any other party based on the user’s unethical or illegal use of technology.
Notre Dame Academy reserves the right to impose consequences for inappropriate behavior that takes place off campus and outside of school hours. Thus, inappropriate use of technology (for example, on a home computer or personal electronic device), may subject the student to the consequences of the Technology Acceptable Use Policy as well as other pertinent sections of the Handbook. Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to: harassment; use of school name or logo; remarks directed to or about other students, teachers, staff or administrators; offensive communications and safety threats.
Notre Dame Academy does its best to educate students about the appropriate use of technology at all times. NDA monitors student use of technology to the extent possible when students are at school or involved in school related projects (email, Google Drive, internet blogs, social networking sites, chat rooms, etc.). Like other policies in the Handbook, students represent NDA, its mission, and Core Values at all times through their conduct using technology, internet, social media, etc.
While our filtering system establishes parameters for appropriate use within our building, students and parents/guardians are primarily responsible for the appropriate and ethical use of technology, especially in the home and when devices use cellular data plans. Parents/guardians are responsible for the filtering of devices at home or when cellular data plans are in use.