INTERNET USAGE POLICY

Hot Spots: Students cannot set up hot spots on campus to circumvent our network and computer usage policies.

Chatting Online, Social Networking, and Online Gaming: Students are expected to be focused on their studies and academic concerns during school hours and study times. To limit distractions, the school makes an effort to block various online services throughout the school day, Monday to Friday.

Mobile Applications: Students are not permitted to take, share, or publish digital images, videos, or recordings without written permission. This includes, but is not limited to, recording teacher lessons and temporary recordings made and shared on applications such as Snapchat.

Network Storage: Private network storage space is provided for email and course material. Students will be held accountable for the content of this material.

Print Tracking: Print tracking is employed by the IT Department to control printer usage. Generally, students will have enough room on their accounts to fulfil all their academic printing needs. When students abuse this service, their printing will be restricted.

Community Standards: Do not visit sites or browse social media regarded as unacceptable by the school’s standards. Students must always uphold the school’s Code of Honour and Code of Conduct online.

Web Filtering: While on campus, the school’s internet firewall performs website filtering that restricts the sites students can visit. Web filtering restricts student access to pornographic, gambling, hate, racist, weaponry sites, etc. While useful, this software will not block all browsing of offensive material. While off-campus, there is no website filtering built into laptops. At their discretion, parents may want to do some form of website filtering at home.

Laptop Use at Home: The school recommends students do their homework and use their computers in areas with casual supervision because there is no built-in website filtering while off-campus. These will be the main family areas of the house, including the kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room. There is little or no reason for students to use their computers in their bedrooms.

URL Unblocking Procedure: Students who wish to have a site unblocked for valid educational or recreational reasons must get their advisor or a staff member to view the site and, upon approval, send an email request to the IT Desk stating they take responsibility for the removal of the site from the blocked list.

Bandwidth Management: Firewall technology has been installed to monitor and control traffic flow on our internet connection. This technology ensures the bulk of our internet traffic is devoted to educational use. It does this by limiting the bandwidth consumed by online gaming and user-to-user file sharing. Students should make no effort to circumvent this technology.

Internet Connection Termination: If a student is found subverting our safeguards and using large amounts of bandwidth, their internet connection can be terminated or restricted without notice. To restore their internet privileges, students will need to seek out a member of the IT Department and explain their conduct.