​The school must own and control all internet presence including all social media. Individuals or groups may not personally launch anything that can be regarded as owned, sponsored, endorsed, or supported by the parish, school, or any related or affiliated ministry. Individuals or groups may not host any school website on their own domain or with a web hosting service that does not have a contract with the school itself. Those who violate this section will be asked to shut down their site or turn it over to the school. Failure to comply may result in removal of student from school.

Technology Policies

Technology has become an important element in education, from teachers presenting lessons to students learning how to utilize it for daily class work, projects and research. St. Jude the Apostle has a long-range technology plan that focuses on increasing the number of devices on campus and on-going maintenance. The plan also includes looking at adding software programs and apps that allow maximum integration of technology into the curriculum, i.e. Edmodo, One-Note, Google docs, and android-based apps for use with tablets.

The Archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools directs all schools to have in place specific policies regarding the responsible and safe use of the internet, computer equipment and software programs.

This is not a periodic remodel, but a commitment by St. Jude the Apostle School to provide the highest quality technology possible to its students.

Acceptable Use Policy

Students are to report any misuse of the network to a teacher or administrator. Misuse is the intentional accessing of an Internet site deemed inappropriate by the administration, illegally accessing (hacking) the school's systems, downloading and uploading copyright protected music, videos, or images or the posting or transmission of any message(s) sent, posted, or received that indicates or suggests harassment, racism, sexism, and inappropriate language or symbols. Transmission of any material in violation of school policy or any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited.

Netiquette and Social Media

• Be polite. The use of inappropriate language, symbols, and images reflects negatively upon yourself, your family and the school.
  
• Do not send or post information which disparages the reputation of St. Jude, its faculty, staff, employee or student.
• Do not email, IM, post to websites or blogs, or text message inappropriate graphics, images, pictures or video of employees of St. Jude or fellow students.
• Do not video, record or take images of others (including teachers) without permission. 

Security

• If a student identifies a security problem on the Internet, he or she must notify a teacher immediately.
• Students may not use another individual's account at any time. Attempts to log onto the Internet as anyone else will result in cancellation of Internet privileges.​
• Any student identified as a security risk will be denied access to the Internet.​ 

Privacy

• Students should not post his/her home address or personal phone number or that of any member of the school to anyone on the Internet.
• Students should assume that none of their data is private or confidential. Any data or communication is subject to review by network or school administration.
• Personal and school email, social networking sites, and other data located on school owned devices are subject to search. DO NOT put personal email or social networking apps on the school owned computers.
  

Vandalism/Hacking

• Vandalism or hacking will result in cancellation of privileges.
• Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, network, or agency that is connected to the Internet.
• Examples: destruction of hardware, software and peripherals, and the uploading or downloading of games and viruses.
  

Digital cameras and mobile devices

• Students may not take or transmit images that violate the Acceptable Use Policy.
• Taking or posting pictures, videos or recordings of faculty or staff at St. Jude's without their knowledge or consent is considered a serious violation and will be subject to detention and possible suspension/expulsion as determined by the school's Administration.
• The transmission, display, and sharing of inappropriate images is subject to disciplinary and legal action.

Hardware:

All hardware at St. Jude the Apostle School is restricted to educational use only. Students' use of the interactive boards will only be permitted with prior approval and under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher. No hardware may leave the premises without specific written permission signed by the principal. No hardware may be introduced into the school network without written permission authorized by the principal. All hardware that is damaged or not functioning properly must be immediately reported to the teacher/supervisor in the room who will then report it to the principal.

Software:

Unlicensed or improperly licensed software will not be used at St. Jude the Apostle School. No software licensed to the school may be copied or transported to unauthorized hardware. Unauthorized software may not be introduced to the school network. 

Donations: ​

Cash donations for technology are gratefully accepted and will be held as restricted funds for the improvement/updating of technology resources. The school is limited in its ability to accept donations of used hardware unless it can be determined that it is not outdated and fits appropriately into the school's server and infrastructure system. ​

Appropriate Internet and Technology Usage by Minors

Internet & Technology Guidelines:

The internet is a place where I go to learn, meet friends and play games.  I know that through the Internet I can reach all sorts of people all over the world who are of good will and who, like me, sign on to the Internet to share ideas and what we've discovered about ourselves and the world around us. It's a place where I can be myself, have deep discussions or let my imagination roam. I can be creative and do serious work.

But I also know that the Internet can be a place where I can get lost, waste time and sometimes say or do things that I shouldn't. It's also a place where I need to be careful about people and information that could harm me. Following the approved directions of my teachers and parents when using the Internet is essential for my own personal safety, as well as the safety of my classmates and the school.

Student Internet & technology access at school:

1. All students will have access to Internet resources through the use of approved school electronic devices and under teacher direction and guidance.  This will include the use of school approved educational software and cloud-based programs such as LanSchool, StoneWare, Jupiter Grades, Edmodo, Typing.com, Spelling City, IXL, Brain Pop, ABCya, Classzone and Vocabtest.
2. Students will NOT be allowed to download, post or have access to any type of social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat or any other type of online community . . . this is strictly prohibited.
3. The school will provide a secure and monitored server-based network that includes software that restricts access to sites such as YouTube, as well as tracks student usage.
4. The school will provide a variety of devices* for the appropriate integration of technology into the curriculum.  The school is committed to the proper care and maintenance of all devices on campus as well as the development of a long-range technology plan. The faculty and staff are committed to their own continuing professional education regarding technology as well. 
   
   School devices include the following:  Epson interactive white boards, Wolfvision document cameras, Library computer stations and Dell and Lenovo laptops.

Electronic Devices / Phones

 Students in Grades 5^th to 8^th are allowed to bring their cell phones to campus. Kindergarten to 4^th are not allowed to bring cell phones to campus. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices/cell phones.

For 5^th to 8^th grades, cell phones (or any type of electronics) are to be kept in a basket on the homeroom teachers' desks from beginning of the school day until dismissal. At dismissal, phones are returned and should immediately be placed in the backpack. Phones will be confiscated if found in use or out on campus and appropriate discipline consequences given.​

​Contract

Because I want to be the best person I can be and live my life in the footsteps of Jesus, I promise to abide by the following rules:

Internet Usage

1. If I find a website where I see hate, racism, violence or demeaning content of any kind, I will leave it immediately and report to my teacher, if at school.
2. I will not give my personal information in communications or on websites online without parental permission and guidance.  This includes my name, address, email address, cell number, credit card numbers, school or parish location.
3. I will not buy anything online without my parents' permission.
4. I will not download music or videos or games at school.
5. I will practice good manners and be polite to other people when I communicate with them on the Internet.  I will say nothing about anyone else that I wouldn't want someone to say about me.
6. I will not impersonate or pretend to be others.
7. I will not use the Internet to hurt, bully or intimidate others.
   
   Device and Equipment Respect

1. I agree to use the computer and other electronic devices as tools for learning.
2. I agree to follow directions given by my teacher, both oral and written.
3. I agree to use the computer only when instructed to do so by my teacher.
4. I agree that if a computer error occurs, I'll raise my hand and wait for a teacher's assistance.
5. I agree that I will NOT change any settings on the computer without the permission of my teacher.
6. I understand that it is my responsibility to report any accidental damage to the teacher immediately.
7. I understand that I am never to put anything in the computer (CD, DVD or flash drive).
   
   Shared Workspace

1. I agree to cooperate with other students when completing a project or an assignment and to respect classmates' feelings and opinions.
2. When helping another student, I agree to only use my voice and allow them to use the mouse.
3. I agree to only open my own files and to ask adult permission before using someone else's computer.
4. I agree to NEVER delete files from the computer or network without the direct permission of my teacher or the administration.
   

Consequences for violations

I understand that if I violate any of these rules, I may be disciplined by:

*Parental contact will be a required component of all consequences.

1. Loss of use of the school's network, computers, software, including Internet access.  I will then be expected to complete my work at home or at school with parental supervision as determined by the administration.
2. Serving of detention or suspension consequences as determined by the school's administration.
3. Being suspended or dismissed from the activity in which I am participating when the violation occurs.  Depending on what I did, my parents and I may also be subject to legal action by the school, parish or by civil authorities or other people involved.
   
   I have read and reviewed this Contract with my parent(s), understand it, and I agree to abide by what it says.
   
   Name of Student:
   
                                                                                                                                                                          
   
   Signature of Student:
   
                                                                                                               Date:                                                  
   
   
   As the parent(s) of:                                                                             , I (we) understand and agree with the contents of this contract, and I (we) accept full responsibility for supervising my child when my child's use of the Internet is not in a school or parish setting.
   
   Name of Parent or Guardian:
   
                                                                                                                                                                          
   
   
   Signature of Parent or Guardian:
   
                                                                                                               Date:                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Limited Liability:

The school makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the school's computer system will be error-free or without defect. The school will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mistaken deliveries, or interruptions of service. The school is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The use of any information obtained via this service is at the user's own risk. The school will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system.

In granting permission for their student to use the computers, parents/guardians are releasing the school, its personnel, and any institutions with which it is affiliated, from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from a child's use of, or inability to use, the school system, including, but not limited to claims that may arise from the unauthorized use of the system to purchase products or services.