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Technology Responsible Use Policy

The purpose of Marian Catholic technology is to enhance and support education by providing access to unique resources and opportunities for collaborative work. It promotes responsible use of today’s ever-changing technology and narrows the digital divide among students. Use of the school’s technology is strictly for academic purposes and must be consistent with the educational objectives and mission of the school. In their use of technology, students are expected to model the Dominican Pillars of study, prayer, community, and service, and emulate Marian Catholic’s ethical standards as “Scholars with a Soul.”

Policy Enforcement: The Technology Department, Dean, faculty, staff, and administration will work together to enforce the Technology Responsible Use Policy. Violations of this policy will be enforced by the Dean’s Office and should be reported to the Dean and the Technology Department immediately. Legal authorities will be contacted if situations warrant. In the event of violation(s) of this policy, and in consideration of the nature and degree of the violation and/or number of previous violations, one or more of the following consequences may apply:

  • Personal electronic devices, including those owned by the student, may be confiscated and/or searched. If asked to surrender the device, students are required to immediately unlock the device (if applicable) and surrender it to the staff member making the request.
  • Student use of technology may be limited for an extended period of time.
  • Disciplinary decisions, including possible suspension or expulsion, will be consistent with school policies.

Regardless of any disciplinary action, completion of all class work remains the responsibility of the student. Marian Catholic High School is not responsible for financial loss due to the deletion of personal material, including apps, music, or other media purchased by the student.

Student Responsibilities: Students may only use the iPad for educational purposes. They are responsible for maintaining their iPad and keeping it in working condition and prepared for class each day. Students are responsible for:

  • Any and all damages that might occur while on campus or at school activities.
  • All homework is due at the assigned time, whether or not their iPad is available.
  • Backing up files to avoid loss of data in the event of a mechanical failure. They should not expect that files stored on the network are private.
  • Storing their iPads in a secure place when not in use, including after school activities on and off campus.
  • Taking iPads home every day after school. Marian Catholic also recommends securing the iPad with a pass code and the “Find My iPhone” app. It is strongly recommended that the registration numbers and IP addresses be recorded and kept at home.

Students are allowed to connect one iPad to Marian Catholic’s network. No other student devices are allowed to utilize the Marian Catholic network connection. Student iPads must be named in the following manner: STU-Student ID Number-Last Name (i.e., STU-95123-Doe). Any iPad not following Marian Catholic’s naming convention will not be granted access to Marian Catholic’s network.

Lost or stolen iPads should be brought to the attention of the Security Officer, Dean, or Principal immediately. Families are responsible for the replacement of lost or stolen devices.

All technology, including but not limited to wearable technology, must be placed in a location that is inaccessible to the student during any test or quiz. Teachers reserve the right to have any technology, including but not limited to wearable technology, removed during class.

Unless given explicit permission, no headphones, ear buds or listening devices may be used by students during the school day.

Students must act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner when utilizing technology. Student electronic postings and communications referencing the name of Marian Catholic High School or any members of the Marian community are subject to the demands of good journalism and Christian values. Any derogatory comments, personal attacks, rude or inflammatory language, or postings on the internet will result in disciplinary consequences. Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Academic Dishonesty: Storing, sending, sharing, or viewing information that could be used for cheating.
  • Any type of cyberbullying, “sexting,” or any form of harassment using technology, including but not limited to students, faculty, or staff, either within or outside of school hours.
  • Taking pictures or recording any other students or staff members without their explicit consent. This can be a felony in the State of Illinois, and Marian Catholic has a zero-tolerance policy for it. It will carry an automatic suspension and, depending on the severity, a possible referral to the Discipline Board for consideration of expulsion. Posting, sending, or sharing the content worsens the offense and increases the likelihood of major disciplinary consequences.
  • Reposting or sharing pictures or recordings that have been taken of others without their knowledge or consent. To be certain that students are not engaging in this unknowingly, students should always have the explicit consent of the individual depicted in the content before sharing, reposting, or sending it to others. This includes direct sending to other individuals and posting/reposting/sharing on social media.
  • Inappropriate media representing or suggesting illegal, and/or immoral language and/or behavior.
  • Use of any internet source other than the Marian Catholic network during school hours.
  • Tampering with or hacking of an iPad device.
  • Damage to or tampering with hardware components, network configuration, or tampering with account or resource permissions.
  • Attempting or gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities (i.e., hacking).
  • Violation of copyright laws or any U.S. or state regulations. Use of the network for illegal activity or storage of inappropriate software which may be used for illegal activities.
  • Wasting of limited resources, including disk space, Internet connection resources (streaming videos/music outside of educational purposes), and paper.
  • Using the Marian Catholic Network/Internet for personal business or for financial gain (including, but not limited to, online shopping, gaming, browsing dating sites, accessing or downloading recreational entertainment).

SEXTING

Sexting (or sex texting) is the sending or receiving of sexually explicit or sexually suggestive images, messages, or video via cell phone or the internet. Examples of sexting include nude or nearly nude photos or “selfies,” videos that show nudity, sex acts, or simulated sex, and text messages that propose sex or refer to sex acts.

The sharing of sexual videos and pictures of children under the age of 18, even if the child/young person shares an image of themselves, is a criminal offense. Specifically, crimes involving indecent photographs of a person under 18 years of age fall under federal and state child pornography laws.

As Illinois Mandated Reporters of child abuse, Marian Catholic is obligated to report the possession, storage, or transmission of sexually explicit photographs or videos that involve children under the age of 18 to the Department of Children and Family Services, as well as local law enforcement. Sexting activities are a violation of Marian Catholic’s Technology Responsible Use Policy and may carry disciplinary consequences.