The Use of Computers, the Internet and Electronic Mail
Ballymena Primary School
Acceptable Use Policy

Ballymena Primary School is pleased to offer pupils access to a computer network for electronic mail and the Internet. To gain access to e-mail and the Internet, all pupils must obtain parental permission as verified by the signatures on the form below. Should a parent prefer that a student not have e-mail and Internet access, use of the computers is still possible for more traditional purposes such as word processing.

What is possible?
Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable pupils to explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other repositories of information and to exchange personal communication with other Internet users around the world. Access to the Internet will be via a special filtered educational web site provided by C2K. While the purposes of the school are to use Internet resources for constructive educational goals, there is always the unlikely possibility that pupils may find ways to access other materials. We believe that the benefits to pupils from access to the Internet in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed the disadvantages. But ultimately, parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. As a school we are required under the ICT initiative to seek parental permission before children are allowed to use the Internet. Therefore, we support and respect each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

What is expected?
Pupils are responsible for appropriate behaviour on the school's computer network just as they are in a classroom or on a school playground. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General school rules for behaviour and communications apply. It is expected that users will comply with acceptable standards and the specific rules set forth below. The use of the network is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused. The user is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the school's computer resources. The pupils are advised never to access, keep, or send anything that they would not want their parents or teachers to see.

What are the rules?

Privacy
Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review communications to maintain system integrity and will ensure that pupils are using the system responsibly.
Storage capacity
Users are expected to remain within allocated disk space and delete e-mail or other material which take up excessive storage space.
Illegal copying
Pupils should never download or install any commercial software, shareware, or freeware on to network drives or disks, unless they have written permission from the teacher nor should pupils copy other people's work or intrude into other people's files.
Inappropriate materials or language
No profane, abusive or impolite language should be used to communicate nor should materials be accessed which are not in line with the rules of school behaviour. A good rule to follow is never view, send, or access materials which you would not want your teachers and parents to see. In the unlikely event. of pupils encountering such material by accident, they should report it their teacher immediately.
Chat
Children are not permitted to engage in chat with any other Internet user without the specific approval of the teacher. Such communication is only permissible for approved educational purposes, eg contacting another school, asking an expert for educational information.
Ordering
No user is permitted to order or purchase materials via the Internet without the approval of the Principal.

Succinct Advice
In simple terms the following guidelines will be explained to pupils at Ballymena Primary School.

• Do not use a computer to harm other people or their work.
• Do not damage the computer or the netvork in any way.
• Do not interfere with the operation of the network by installing illegal software, shareware, or freeware.
• Do not violate copyright laws.
• Do not view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures.
• Do not share your password with another person.
• Do not waste limited resources such as disk space or printing capacity.
• Do not trespass in another user's folders, work, or files.
• Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials which violate the rules of appropriate use.
• BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your actions and for the loss of privileges if the Rules of Appropriate Use are violated.

Parental agreement
Having read the school's Internet acceptable use policy parents are asked to complete and return a permission form and user agreement on behalf of their child. This is available from the Office and will be given to all new pupils upon entry to the school. Alternatively, the permission form may be viewed from the link below, printed off and completed.

Go to Parental Permission Forms

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