Technology Policies

The focus of the Central Catholic iPad Program is to provide our students and teachers with tools and resources for the 21st century. Excellence in education requires that technology be seamlessly integrated throughout the educational program.

These policies and procedures are intended to minimize potential disruptions and safeguard the iPads. Non-compliance will interfere with the learning environment and the success of the program, and therefore may result in disciplinary action. Individual teachers may set additional policies for their classes.

• At the start of each school year, all students and parents/guardians must sign the agreement for iPad use within the Central Catholic Memorandum of Understanding.
• Students who withdraw, are expelled, or terminate enrollment at Central Catholic for any reason must return their school-issued iPad, case, and charger on or before the date of termination. Upon graduation from Central Catholic, ownership of the iPad will be transferred to the graduate.
• A student in good standing may keep his iPad during the summer. Upon request, Central Catholic will store the iPad during the summer.

• Students are expected to check all classrooms/offices and contact teachers before reporting a lost iPad.
• If a lost iPad cannot be located, the student/family must pay the cost of replacement for an iPad and keyboard case ($400) before a new device is provided.
• In cases of theft, vandalism, and other criminal acts that occur outside the purview of Central Catholic, a police report must be filed by the student or parent in order for Central Catholic to replace the iPad. A copy of the police/fire report must be provided to the Office of the Vice Principal for Student Affairs.
• The student/family will be responsible for half the cost of replacement for a stolen iPad and case ($200). For any subsequent replacement, the student/family will be responsible for the full cost.

• A damaged or malfunctioning iPad should be taken to the Library as soon as possible; do not attempt to repair a school-issued iPad or take it somewhere for repair.
• Central Catholic will arrange for repairs to school-issued iPads. After repairs are complete, the student/family is responsible for a $50 deductible, to be submitted as a check made payable to “Central Catholic High School.”
• If an iPad sustains damages so significant that it cannot be repaired, the student/family will be responsible for the cost of replacement for an iPad ($300) and/or case ($100).

• The protective case provided with the school-issued iPad has sufficient padding to protect the iPad from damage under normal use and provides a suitable means for carrying the device.
• The iPad must always be in its school-issued protective case. The cost of repair of an iPad that is damaged while out of its case will be borne by the family.

• iPads are intended for use at school each day. In addition to teacher expectations for iPad use, school messages, announcements, calendars, and schedules may be accessed on the iPad.
• Students must bring their iPad to all classes unless specifically instructed by their teacher not to do so.
• Sound must be muted at all times unless a teacher directs otherwise for instructional purposes. Music is allowed on the iPad and can be used at the discretion of the teacher.
• Central Catholic reserves the right to review, monitor, and restrict information stored on or transmitted via Central Catholic-owned equipment and investigate inappropriate use of resources.
• The discipline procedure in the Central Catholic Student/Parent Handbook addresses serious offenses, such as stealing and destruction of school or personal property, which apply to the iPad. For these and other offenses, the iPad may be temporarily confiscated, the student may lose their iPad and/or network privileges, or the student may be subject to detention, suspension, or in extreme cases, expulsion.
• All school-issued iPads are monitored by a device management system called AirWatch. This software will regularly check each device for prohibited software, such as games, social media, and streaming video apps.
• The use of VPNs, pirated apps, unauthorized app stores, or other software designed to circumvent iPad policies or web filtering is strictly prohibited.
• Students who violate technology policies are subject to the following disciplinary consequences:
  • First offense: 1 point, 1 detention
  • Second offense: 2 points, 2 detentions
  • Subsequent offenses: 10 points, 7 detentions
• Students are required to observe these same policies and expectations when using school-issued iPads off-campus (after school, during weekends, holidays, etc.).

Social media includes websites and services that allow users to create and publish content online. As an organization, Central Catholic High School recognizes the benefits of maintaining social media accounts. School-sponsored social media accounts serve as a means of communicating with families, alumni, and prospective students. However, to ensure that communications are safe and constructive, students are asked to consider the following recommendations pertaining to social media use:

• Review privacy settings on all social media sites carefully, but still assume that all information posted is public and could be shared without your consent.
• Remember that anything posted or shared on social media is potentially visible for a long time. Even after a post is deleted, it may remain online permanently.
• Particularly on social media websites, be careful about sharing addresses, phone numbers, and other personal information.

Acceptable Use:

• When using social media, students are responsible for complying with expectations for behavior as detailed in the Student/Parent Handbook and all technology policies.
• Communications on social media websites should be respectful and positive. Students should interact in a way that reflects positively on themselves and Central Catholic High School.
• Students are responsible for their behavior and communications on social media websites; they must carefully consider all information posted online, including links and pictures that are shared and reposted.
• Students should not make statements on social media sites that violate school policies or damage the reputation of the school.
• Students may not disclose private or confidential information about other students, employees, and families of Central Catholic on social media sites.
• Any use of the school name/logo on social media sites must be approved in writing before use.
• Students may not promote unlawful activities on social media websites, including but not limited to: illegal drugs, underage drinking, violence, gang activity, sexual harassment, forgery, and hate crimes.
• Students may not engage in inappropriate communications on social media websites, including but not limited to: bullying and cyberbullying, disparaging or discriminatory statements, cheating and plagiarism, unauthorized sharing of personal photos, terroristic threats, and imitation of another person.

Student Services:

• Students must take responsibility for helping to create a safe school environment; bullying/cyberbullying, threats, suspicious activities, or other inappropriate communications must be immediately reported to school Administration.

Disclaimer:

• Central Catholic has the right, but not the duty, to review student accounts, internet traffic, and electronic communications sent and/or received on the school network; this applies to both school-issued and personal devices.
• Central Catholic has the right, but not the duty, to access and monitor all social media activity. 
• Central Catholic will cooperate as legally required with local, state, and federal officials in regard to investigations or legal requests pertaining to students’ social media activity.
• Social media websites are blocked on student devices connected to the school network. Students may not access these websites during school hours unless permission has been granted and may not use them to disrupt the learning environment and school activities.