Student Owned Technology Usage Policy
Effective: January 20, 2009
Students of Mother of Mercy High School will have access to multiple laptop carts and numerous computer resource centers throughout the building. General computer use and internet acceptable use policies are included in the Student Handbook and all students and parents have previously signed a form indicating their intent to abide by these policies. In addition, students will now be permitted to bring their own technological devices to school for educational purposes.
The following is a description of the policies pertaining to the use of these personally-owned devices.
1. Devices Allowed for Educational Use
a. Laptops
b. Handheld devices / cell phones with Internet access capabilities including PALM, Blackberry, iPhone, iPod Touch, etc.
2. Usage policy (in addition to our current usage policies)
a. Individual teachers will set guidelines for technology usage within their classrooms. This includes the Library/Media center and all computer labs.
b. Usage may be restricted to certain areas of the building, or be prevented in certain areas or during certain times (i.e. homeroom, printing only to the labs).
c. Students are responsible for following school rules and guidelines REGARDLESS of whether they are using a school-owned or a personally-owned device. Outside of classtime, students may not stream video or music. In addition, they are never permitted to text or talk on their cell phones during school hours.
d. Students connecting personally-owned devices to Mercy’s wireless network must have current anti-virus software on their devices.
e. There will be no expectation of staff, faculty, or other students to trouble-shoot or repair personally-owned devices.
f. Mother of Mercy High School, The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas South Central Community, Inc., and all employees, officers and directors of said organizations are hereby released of any liability for any damage, loss, or theft that occurs to a personally-owned device while connected to the school’s wireless network or any electrical power source or while the device is at Mother of Mercy.
g. Violations of internet and electronic usage guidelines can result in suspension of all technology usage privileges.
h. The parents and/or guardians of any student bringing personal technology to school agree to be responsible for and to reimburse Mother of Mercy for any damage that their student may cause arising out of and relating to the use of the wireless network with their personally-owned device.
i. All computer files, accounts and network activity is subject to monitoring and review by the school REGARDLESS of whether students are using a school-owned or a personally-owned device. At any time misuse is suspected, the device can be confiscated by the teacher and searched by an administrator.
j. These policies are subject to change at the discretion of the school’s administration. Students and parents shall receive written notice of any changes.