Windsock Visitation

Brother Michael O'Neill McGrath OSFS

Saint Helena Statue in Front of our New Church

The Parent Handbook

This document contains the following topics.  This information is also printed in the school directory.

Ø   Mission

Ø   Teaching Philosophy

Ø   Curriculum

Ø   Honor Roll

Ø   School Hours

Ø   Transportation

Ø   Inclement Weather

Ø   Lunch

Ø   Conduct Code

Ø   School Uniform

Ø   Parent Visitation

Ø   Parent Conferences

Ø   Attendance

Ø   Homework

Ø   Information Changes

Ø   Telephone

Ø   Middle States Information

Ø   Communications

Ø   Asbestos Information

Ø   Acceptable Use Policy for Technology

Mission

We are a Catholic elementary school, located in Montgomery County, providing educational programs in Pre– K and Kindergarten through eighth grades to children with various intellectual abilities.  Our school is deeply rooted in the legacy of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy.  In the Mercy tradition, we proclaim our mission to be Beacons of Light and Hope through Service.  We affirm the gospel values through our commitment to the teachings of Jesus and provide our students with the knowledge and tools to make just choices in life.    Our tradition of academic excellence is due to the work of a dedicated faculty and administration, as well as an involved parent group.  All work together to form a nurturing community for our students.

Teaching Philosophy

“Catherine McAuley animated many to walk with her.  She animated others at centers of wealth, power, and influence to share in her heroic efforts. She connected the rich to the poor, the healthy to the sick, the educated and skilled to the uninstructed, the influential to those of no consequence, the powerful to the weak to do the work of God on earth.”  Tender Courage

Strong in our belief in God’s message as revealed by Jesus Christ, we are led by the Spirit to live a life of faith in action.  Our work is deeply rooted in the legacy of Catherine McAuley.  In the Mercy tradition, we proclaim our message of hope in our task of building the City of God on earth.  This calling is evidenced in our daily response of making a commitment towards a conversion of the heart.  Our chosen path is distinct;  it calls each of us to be the best that we can be so that each person will be able to walk confidently with a strong faith, a vision of hope, and a love for one another.  Our faith community continues to make a significant difference in bringing about the Kingdom of God on earth.  We believe that the experiences we share with our children in doing God’s work will lead them to choose to walk in the ways of the Lord.

We affirm that Catholic Education is built upon the Christian values which are rooted in the family.  Our school community continues to nurture these values through a commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Our pastor shepherds his people and calls each of us to share in this ministry.  Our faculty is strengthened through a spiritual and emotional support system evidenced in our shared prayer life, celebrations, and our daily noon meal.  Our community’s shared time together is cherished as an opportunity to grow towards wholeness in relationship with God and with one another as we seek to build the Kingdom.

We are called through the Church’s mission of service to live the message we proclaim.  The teachers willingly assume the responsibility of role models in creating an atmosphere of service.  Our children are challenged by this awareness of service to live the gospel message as peacemakers.  Our school community responds to injustices on a local, national, and international level through the impetus of our Social Justice Outreach Organization which fosters service to God, church, and neighbor.

Within each child we seek to nurture the desire to learn through a variety of experiences in religious, intellectual, social, personal and physical activities and programs.  The acquisition of knowledge is encouraged as an ongoing process.  Our children are taught how to learn, as well as basic skills, which are mastered as stepping stones to be utilized in seeking truth in myriad avenues of life.  Firmly rooted in our teaching is a strong emphasis on developing the faith life of each child.  We seek to enable each child to make just choices.

Our faculty consciously seeks to strengthen basic skills and to develop abilities in self-expression, critical thinking, problem solving, and creative thought.  We value highly the self-esteem of each child;  we call each other to personalize our school by identifying the unique individuals who come to learn, to pray, and to play each day.

We as a faculty are eclectic in our intellectual thought and approach.  We draw upon the professional expertise each member brings to the school through training, experiences, and resources.  Intellectual activity operates under conditions of freedom, whereby the children learn to accept responsibilities for their choices and actions and the consequences of those decisions.

We acknowledge each child’s intellectual ability and encourage our children to work towards their potentials.  Basic skills are developed through a sequential process from the concrete to the abstract.  Our educational program fosters opportunities for reinforcement and enrichment.

We view personal development as the continual growth of our children, from their perception as an extension of their family to that of independent decision makers.  We provide each child with the opportunity to interact with other children, to develop leadership qualifies, and to make choices which will strengthen self-image.   In light of our Christian values and beliefs, we emphasize our commitment to help our children realize that they are indeed made in the image of Jesus Christ.  Their choice to follow Jesus is a personal one but is guided by a community which truly believes in the gospel message of love and service.

We believe that the social development of our children involves the commitment of our community to help seek a just society.  We come together to serve one another in the name of Jesus.  The faculty fosters a spirit in which every individual is valued and treated with respect.  The children are given models to follow, while their ability to make choices is nurtured.  Social justice issues are incorporated into the curriculum so that the children will be able to think critically about their response to our call to live as Jesus did.  The faculty views itself as a catalyst in awakening and empowering the community to build the Kingdom of God.

We view the goal of physical education as an understanding and acceptance of the capabilities and limitations of one’s body.  Physical education is vital to the development of the total child.  We affirm the value of group play and cooperation, which teach respect for one another.

We maintain that the spiritual development of our children is an ongoing process as we nurture their faith life.  We call the children to recognize their Christian identity and to make a response to the call of Jesus.  A variety of liturgical experiences enriches both the personal and communal dimensions of our lives.  It is our hope that as our children journey through life, they may learn to accept its joys and sorrows, and become the image of Christ in the world.  “Catholic education is an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to the Church He founded.  Through education, the Church seeks to prepare its members to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation into action.”

Curriculum

In all subject areas, St. Helena School follows the curriculum guidelines established by the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Religion

At St. Helena School, we hold the belief that faith is a lifelong journey, undertaken in the community and guided by the Spirit.  The family is the primary community in which faith is shared and nurtured.  The whole church community, beginning with the parish, puts itself at the service of the family to help form young Catholics.  The school intends to support the family and the church community in this mission.  The children will experience, integrate, and express the fullness of mature Catholic faith... what we believe and how we celebrate, live, and pray... at every age level, according to their stage of development.  We will be using Blest Are We, published by Silver, Burdett, Ginn.

Integrated Language Arts (ILA)

Integrated Language Arts is an instructional philosophy that involves the use of a literary work as the integrating source of instruction in reading, writing, thinking, listening, and speaking.  In grades K – 5, the children use the Houghton Mifflin curriculum, and various trade books (novels) for classroom instruction.  Grades 6 – 8 use a variety of novels, short stories, and poetry for classroom instruction, as well as Prentice Hall, Writer’s Solution and Sadlier, Vocabulary Workshop.

Mathematics

The math curriculum is comprised of a variety of strands as recommended by the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Standards For K-12 Mathematics Programs in PA.  The standards included in this guide are: readiness concepts, number theory, problem solving, operations, mental math, estimation, geometry, measurement, reasoning skills, using data and statistics, probability, and pre-algebra skills.  This year we are beginning a new Math program for our students in Kindergarten through Grade 8.  The children in K through 5 will be using Macmillan McGraw Hill and the students in Grades 6 through 8 will be using McGraw Hill Glencoe.  In addition to a differentiated instructional approach to Math, this program has a tremendous technology component which we have purchased to enhance our children’s understanding and application of Mathematics.  It also provides on-line help and review for students when they are absent from school and will be a wonderful asset for parents who want to be involved with the newest methods in the world of mathematics.

Students who are able to work at an accelerated pace my be admitted to the Elementary Honors Math Program.  Participants are generally identified at the end of third grade and begin the process of acceleration at the fourth grade level.  The criteria for admission is determined by the Office of Catholic Education and is not arbitrary.  The student must have:

CSI (Cognitive Skills Index) of 125 or better,

CAT Scores at or above 90%,

And consistent high scores on the Diocesan Mastery Tests.

Science

We utilize the Scientific Method, the most highly recommended method of instruction.  Using this method, students may achieve six categories of objectives.  Knowledge is the ability to read and state the meaning of certain scientific principles.  Using this knowledge, students will develop the instrumental skills of manipulating basic scientific equipment, interpreting maps, graphs, charts, and tables appropriate to problems.  Of particular importance is the development of problem solving skills.  To demonstrate these skills, students will practice observing, inferring, making hypothesis, testing, investigating, drawing conclusions, measuring, and communicating results.  Students will further demonstrate scientific attitudes such as the development of open mindedness and a willingness to consider new facts.  To describe the uses, benefits, and limitations of science today, students will develop an appreciation of Science and an interest in reading, studying, and becoming involved in scientific pursuits.

Social Studies

We seek to prepare our young people to be able to identify, understand, and someday work to solve the problems that face our increasingly diverse American Nation and interdependent world within the framework of Catholic Christian values.  Social Studies, as defined by the National Council for Social Studies, is a basic subject of the K-12 curriculum which:

Derives its goals from the nature of citizenship in a democratic society that is closely linked to other nations and peoples of the world.

Draws its contents primarily from History, the Social Sciences, and in some respects, from the Humanities and Science.

Teaches in ways that reflect an awareness of the personal, social, and cultural experiences, and the developmental levels of the learners.

The scope and sequence includes:  Awareness of Self, Family Life, Neighborhoods, Communities, Pennsylvania, United States Regions, Western Hemisphere, Eastern Hemispheres, and United States History.  Our texts are published by Scotts, Forseman, and Glencoe Publishers.

Art

Our Art Express program is run by volunteer parents on each grade level.  Our desire is to expose our children to a variety of art techniques and mediums: drawing, watercolor, charcoal, mixed media, sculpture, painting, etc. and provide hands on experience.  To familiarize students with art terms and styles.  To help students develop creative ideas and ways to express themselves artistically.   To enlighten our students knowledge of art and have fun while doing art.  We also participate in the annual Archdiocesan Art Contest.

Technology

We, at St. Helena, see our responsibility as educators to give all students the opportunity to augment their education with as many tools as possible.  The teachers themselves utilize the technology available to them in developing the techniques necessary for our children to become functionally successful in today's community and tomorrow's world.  In order for us to accomplish this goal, we stress cooperative learning, integration across the curriculum, higher order thinking skills and the importance of the teacher as a facilitator rather than as a master.  We emphasize the computer as a tool rather than an object to program.  Through the employment of the Internet, word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software packages, the children are required to view the computer as an effective tool and a consistent resource in curriculum work.

An Acceptable Use Policy for the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is distributed to each family at the beginning of the school year.  Students are expected to abide by the conditions set forth for Internet usage.

Music

In weekly music class, students follow the archdiocesan music guidelines.  They also prepare for school liturgies.  Children in grades 1 - 8 may join the choir, while those in grades 4 – 8 are encouraged to audition for the chorus, which performs works in 2 and 3 part harmonies.  Instrumental band lessons enrich the music program and are available to students beginning in 4th grade.

Spanish

To enable our children to have a broader vision, world-view and understanding of our multi-cultural reality, Spanish will be taught to all students in Grades 5 through 8.

Study Skills Program

A study skills course has been added to the curriculum for our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.  Our goal is to improve students’ study skills, thereby enabling them to be active, organized learners with useful learning strategies.  This will allow them to be more successful in the classroom.  Each student will meet in a small group setting once a week for on-quarter (approximately 8 weeks) of the school year.  The topics will include:  methods of study and student study habits, listening skills, time management, and note taking.  The students will also spend time on the bibliography and outlining skills necessary for their research paper.

Honor Roll

Children in grades 4 – 8 may qualify for First or Second Honors.  The following standards need to be met:

First Honors:  A mark of 90 or above in all subject areas.  A mark of Satisfactory or above in Effort and Conduct.

Second Honors:  A mark of 85 or above in all subject areas.  A mark of Satisfactory or above in Effort and Conduct.

School Hours

Each child is expected to be on school grounds by 8:15 a.m..  The first bell rings at 8:15 a.m..  The school day concludes at 3:00 p.m..

Transportation

There are four modes of transportation for your child.  He/she may walk, ride a bike, use a private car, or take the bus.  If there is to be a change in the child’s mode of transportation, this is to be communicated to the teacher in writing.  Children may not be transported by a school district in which the child does not reside.  Since this is the regulation of the State of Pennsylvania, a written note from a parent or guardian will not change this regulation.  Therefore, if it is your desire for your child to go to another child’s home, and they are transported by a district different than your own, you must arrange private car transportation.

Car Access

If you are dropping off and picking up your children by private car, we ask that no parent enter the building with the children unless there is an emergency.  The procedure is as follows:

All cars enter via the top parking lot.  From 202, it is the first right hand turn off of 202 or from Yost Road, it is the third entrance on the left hand side.

When dropping off children in the morning, cars enter the top lot.  Please be aware of children crossing in front of your car or walking between cars to get to the lower parking lot.

When picking up children in the afternoon, cars proceed to the lower parking lot and form car lines.  Please do not park in top parking lot.  Parents are to remain with their cars and the children will come to you.  If you must get your child, please return promptly to your car so as to eliminate delays in starting the car line departure.  When all children are in cars, cars will begin to leave the parking lot.  Please follow the car in front of you and proceed to the lower parking lot exit onto Yost Road.

At no time, even in inclement weather, are cars to pull directly in front of school.  This space is reserved for the buses.

We ask for your cooperation in this matter to insure the safety of our children.  If you unexpectedly will be picking your child up from car line, please call the office before 2:45 p.m..  We will direct your child to the correct dismissal line.

Children not picked up by 3:15 p.m. or 12:15 p.m. on half days will be sent to CARES, which is our after school program.

Inclement Weather

If a decision to cancel school or delay our opening due to inclement weather is made, the Emergency Contact Chain will be implemented.  Each family will receive a call early in the morning to notify you of the situation.  Our school “snow number” is 294.  This number will be announced on KYW radio (AM 1060), WPVI – TV (ABC), NBC-TV, CBS-TV and listed on our website. 

In case of an early dismissal, an emergency e-mail blast will be sent.   Each parent is responsible to listen to the appropriate station or check e-mail during the school day because it is impossible to initiate an Emergency Chain call midday.  If the district makes the decision to close midday, we must send your child home on the bus if that is the regular means of transportation.  It is advisable to give your child/children a “Buddy-House” to go to in case you will not be home.  

We ask that you not call the school to confirm an unscheduled midday dismissal.  It is impossible to handle efficiently the number of calls that come in at this time.  It also ties the phone lines up while we wait to hear from the school districts regarding an emergency early dismissal decision.  However, we will be happy to facilitate an emergency call if necessary.

Lunch

Lunch may be brought to school or may be purchased in the school cafeteria.  Notification of menus, prices, and the official start of the program is communicated in mid-September.  We ask that each child bring a cloth napkin or placement everyday upon which he/she may layout the lunch.  This will aid in keeping the tables neat and it will also help in reducing trash. 

Conduct Code

Our rootedness in Gospel values holds that we strive to have respect for ourselves, our classmates, our teachers, and any adult standing in place of a teacher (teach-aides, lunch and recess aides, bus drivers, etc.).  This respect also includes property and personal belongings.  Any breach of these values will result in disciplinary action appropriate to the situation.  Contraband brought to school will result in immediate suspension or expulsion. 

Walkmen, Ipods, electronic games, Gameboys, cell phones, and beepers are not permitted in school or on field trips.  Chewing gum is not permitted on school property at any time.

For each marking period, three or more conduct referrals will automatically result in a school detention.  Any time a school detention is issued, it will be reflected in the child’s conduct mark on the report card.  This automatically disqualifies a child from school honors.

Harassment and/or Bullying

Any threatening, harassing, or violent acts by children or parents would constitute ground for immediate dismissal of the child.  In the case of children, we will investigate all such incidents promptly and confidentially.  A student under investigation will be suspended from school until the investigation is completed.  Any acts involving a weapon will be reported to the local police.  Threats of violence pending investigation will also be reported to the local police.

School Uniform

Each child is expected to be in complete uniform each day.  If for some dire reason your child needs to be out of uniform, there must be a note sent to the principal and teacher requesting permission.  Disregard of the uniform policy will warrant a conduct referral.  All clothing items are to be purchased at Flynn and O’Hara Uniform Company.  No other vendor is authorized to supply our uniforms.

Children need to be presentable at all times.  All shirttails are to be tucked in and school sweaters are to be worn.  Boys need to wear their pants securely at their waists.  If needed, a belt should be worn.  Hems on skirts and tunics should be a modest length.  The uniform consists of the following articles of clothing:

 Winter Uniform

Boys:  Grades K – 8

Navy or khaki slacks; white knit shirt with school logo; maroon sweater with school logo; school shoes.

Girls:  Grades K – 4

Plaid tunic with school logo; pink blouse; maroon sweater with school logo; maroon knee socks or leotards; school shoes.

Girls:  Grades 5 – 8

Plaid kilt; pink oxford cloth shirt; maroon crew neck sweater with school logo; maroon knee socks or leotards; school shoes.

Gym Uniform

Boys and Girls: K – 8

Green sweat suit with school logo; yellow T-shirt with school logo; green mesh gym shorts; sneakers; white sport socks.

Summer Uniform

The summer uniform may be worn from September to mid-October and from mid-April to the last day of school.  This uniform is optional.

Boys and Girls: K – 8

Khaki walking shorts for both boys and girls; pink knit shirts with school logo for girls and white knit shirts with school logo for boys; white socks which cover the ankle; school shoes.

Regulation School Shoe

A regulation school shoe has been adopted, tan Bucs by Skechers or Bass.  Shoes are to be purchased at:           

 Flocco’s / (610) 828-5544

110 Fayette St

Conshohocken, Pa

Make-Up

Seventh and eighth grade girls may wear light make-up that is appropriate for school.  Only clear or sheer nail polish may be worn to school.

Jewelry

Girls may wear small pierced earrings.  Oversized hoops or long dangling earrings are not appropriate for school attire.  Boys may not wear earrings at any time.  Earrings are not appropriate during school or at school functions.  Because of the high possibility of loss, we would ask that no other jewelry be worn to school.

Hair Appearance

Both boys and girls hair needs to be clean and neatly styled.  The length of the boys’ hair may not touch the shirt collar.  Their bangs need to be above their eyebrows and clearly out of their line of vision.  Girls may wear hair accessories that match their uniforms:  Pink/ navy /maroon with their school uniforms or green / yellow hair accessories with their gym uniform. Children who do not follow these guidelines will be sent home until their hair is within the recommended guide lines

Parent Visitation

Visitors are most welcome by appointment.  To arrange for a visit, visitors should contact the school office.  Parents coming to school to bring forgotten articles or to relay messages should come to the school office.  Classes may no be disturbed for these reasons.  Parents may not confer with a teacher or visit a classroom between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. without a pre-arranged appointment or unless the Principal gives permission for such a visit.  When parents come to school, we ask that they come to the school office first.  An atmosphere of quiet respect for the learning rights of others should prevail throughout the school building.  To avoid confusion, we ask that parents not be in the hallways at the beginning of the school day or at dismissal time.  This is necessary to protect each child’s safety. 

Parent Conferences

Formal parent conferences will be held three times a year.  Parents or teachers may request a conference at any time during the school year.  If you wish a conference with a teacher, please put that request in writing to the teacher or call the school office and the teacher will return your call at a convenient time.  Teachers are not to be telephoned at their own homes.  If you need to reach a teacher in the evening, please call the convent (610-272-1382) and Sister Cathe will notify the teacher of your desire to be in communication.

Attendance

Absence

In order to protect your child’s safety, a call to the school office on the day of absence is required.  Please call the school office (610-279-3345) between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. or send an e-mail to both Sister Cathe and Mrs. Cissone.  A written note explaining the reason for the absence is required the day the child returns to school.  A child will be sent home from school if she/he has an elevated temperature or is vomiting.  If a child is absent more than three consecutive days, a doctor’s note is required.

If a child needs to leave school due to a doctor’s appointment or for another urgent reason, that will be marked as an absence, even if it is only for a portion of the day.  A note is to be sent to the office and to the teacher stating the time of the appointment and the time the child will return.  The child is to be picked up from the office, not the classroom and be returned via the office.

If a child is absent, it is the child’s responsibility to complete missed assignments.  These assignments may be found daily on the school’s website.  In the case of prolonged illness, certainly every consideration will be given to the child to provide the assistance he/she needs in order to fulfill assigned tasks during the absence.

If a child will be out of school for a family vacation, the principal and the teachers involved need to be notified of these plans prior to the trip.  Missed assignments will be given upon returning to school.  A timeline will be established by the teacher for the child to complete the work.

Students that miss excessive school days without a physician’s note or known valid reason will be considered truants and retention or dismissal will be considered.

Lateness

If a child is late for school, it will be marked on the child’s report card.  Excluding emergencies, more than three late arrivals in a marking period will warrant a school detention and a conduct referral.  Detentions may be issued for continued disruption of class time due to persistent lateness.

Homework

Homework will be given Monday through Thursday evenings.  Long term projects may necessitate weekend work.  If homework is not completed on time, parents will be notified either in writing or by phone.  Conduct referrals will be issued for repeated infractions of this policy.  The following table may assist you in estimating the approximate time necessary to complete home assignments:

Grades 1 – 2:                       15 to 30 minutes

Grade 3:                                30 to 45 minutes

Grade 4:                                45 to 60 minutes

Grades 5 – 8:                       90 to 120 minutes

Homework will be listed on the website each evening.

Information Changes

If during the course of the school year there is any change of address or phone number, please inform the school office in writing so that our records are kept current.

Telephone

A child may not receive telephone calls at school.  If it is urgent, a message may be delivered to a child through the school office.  A child may call home with the direct permission of the Principal.

Middle States Information

We are now listed on the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools website.  To access this site please go to www.ces-msa.org.  Go to “The Registry” and double click.  Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see Search Criteria.  Enter Helena for the school name.  Click on the SEARCH button and scroll down.  Double click on Saint Helena, Center Square, PA. 

Communications

Going along with our Care of the Earth program, we are going to make a valiant effort to minimize communication on paper and increase electronic communication.  In order to fulfill this dream, we need to be sure that everyone has given us correct email information.  If you have any email address changes during the school year, please inform the school office.   Each Wednesday, we will send an email blast to each family instead of the weekly Communications Envelope.  It will be your responsibility to regularly check your email in order to be aware of school happenings. 

Asbestos Information

Please be advised that we are required to notify all employees and parents on a yearly basis that St. Helena has and maintains an asbestos program as required by the Asbestos Emergency Response Act of 1986.  St. Helena School has developed and maintains an Asbestos Inspection and Management Plan.  A copy of the plan is available for inspection at the parish during regular office hours in our business office.  Our Asbestos Program Manager is Anderson Consulting Engineers. All inquiries regarding the plan should be addressed to:

Charles Anderson

Anderson Consulting Engineers

1110 Fairview Avenue

Wyomissing, PA 19610

All Our Invited To Attend:

 “Our parish school admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at our school. Similar policies apply to the school staff. Our school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, its admission policies, or in any school-administered program.”

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR TECHNOLOGY

Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia / August 2008

PURPOSE

Technology is a valuable educational vehicle. Our schools are committed to teach its students, faculty, administrators, staff, and school community to work and to learn effectively with technology and to ensure responsible use of technology.   The policy outlined below applies to all technology use including, but not limited to Internet use.  The Acceptable Use Policy for Technology applies to all students, faculty, administrators, staff, volunteers or community members allowed access to school technology resources.

GOAL

The school’s goal is to prepare its members for life in an electronic, global community. To this end, the school will:

provide a variety of technology based tools

teach technology skills

integrate technology with curriculum

encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills

facilitate evaluation and synthesis of information

encourage ethical practices

RESPONSIBILITIES OF USER

Our schools will make every effort to provide a safe environment for learning with technology including Internet safeguards. The students, faculty, administrators, staff, and school community are granted the privilege of using the computer hardware and software, peripherals, and electronic communication tools including the Internet. With this privilege comes the responsibility to use the equipment correctly, respect the name and intellectual property of others, and follow the policies outlined below.

TECHNOLOGY USE GUIDELINES

Educational Purpose/ Appropriate Use: All technology use and Internet access at schools for all faculty, staff and students is provided solely for educational purposes. Educational sites and teacher created assignments are to be used to enhance student learning. Students must not access entertainment sites, for example social networking sites or gaming sites, except for educational purposes under teacher supervision.  Expressed permission to use the Internet and hardware/software in any area of the school must always be obtained.

Copyright/Intellectual Property: All sources obtained for teacher and student work should be properly cited. Users are to respect the rights of and the intellectual property of others in accordance with Federal Copyright Law.  Transferring copyrighted material to or from a school without expressed permission of the owner is a violation of Federal Law.  Examples of Unacceptable Uses:

Users must not use equipment to harass, threaten, deceive, intimidate, offend, embarrass, or annoy any individual.

Users must not post, publish, or display any defamatory, inaccurate, violent, abusive, profane or sexually oriented material.  Do not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude or threatening language.  Do not knowingly or recklessly post false information about any persons, students, staff or any other organization. 

Users must not use a photograph, image or likeness of any student, or employee without express permission of that individual and of the principal.  Users must not use school equipment to create any site, post any photo, image or video of another except with express permission of that individual and the principal.  Maintaining or posting material to a Web site or blog that threatens a likelihood of substantial disruption in school, including harming or interfering with the rights of other students to participate fully in school or extracurricular activities is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy and subject to the disciplinary measure found herein.

Users must not attempt to circumvent system security, guess passwords, or in any way gain access to secured resources, another person’s files or another person’s password.

Users must not install, move, delete, download, upload, reconfigure, or modify any software or files on school equipment without permission.

Users must not move, repair, reconfigure, modify, or attach external devices to the systems without permission.

Users must not deliberately visit a site known for unacceptable material or any material that is not in support of educational objectives.  Students must not access entertainment sites, for example social networking sites such as myspace.com or facebook.com or gaming sites, except for educational purposes under teacher supervision. 

Users are not to plagiarize content and may not present the work of another as their own without properly citing that work.

Users must not violate license agreements, copy disks, CD-ROMs, or other protected media.  Users must not use technology for any illegal activity. Use of the Internet for commercial gains or profits is not allowed from an educational site.

Reporting: Users must report immediately any damage or change to the school’s hardware/software that is noticed by the user.

Electronic Devices: Users must adhere to local school policy regarding the use of additional electronic devices including but not limited to personal digital assistants (PDA), calculators, gaming devices, cellular phones, and pagers. Access will be determined by the administrator of the school. The school’s technology policy regarding authorization, use, responsibility, integrity, intellectual property, and monitoring will be applied to these devices.

Administrative Rights: The Office of Catholic Education or the school administration at any time may add additional rules and restrictions.  The school has the right to monitor both student and employee use of school computers.

Violation of the above rules will be dealt with by the administration of the school. Violation of these rules may result in any or all of the following:

Loss of use of the school network, computers and software, including Internet access. The student will be expected to complete work on a non-networked, stand-alone computer system.

Issuance of demerits/detentions, if applicable.

Disciplinary action including, but not limited to, dismissal and/or legal action by the school, civil authorities, or other involved parties.