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Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship Understanding

Ss. Cosmas & Damian School aims to offer opportunities and support for our students to learn to become positive digital citizens. The following is a document of understanding for students.

Students’ Digital Citizenship Understanding

As a student I will, in my actions and behavior, demonstrate:

Respect for God.

This includes…

  • I am God’s creation. I will conduct myself, treat others and use information and communication technologies (ICT) in a way that celebrates His creation.
“But, as He who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, ‘Be holy because I AM holy.'” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Respect for myself.

This includes…

  • I will show that I am God’s creation.
  • I will leave a positive digital footprint.
  • I will be honest and trustworthy.
  • I will think of consequences before I communicate.
  • I will use proper language.
  • I will keep my personal details private.
  • I will protect my password(s).
  • I will seek the support of a trusted adult who I know personally if I experience problems or feel uncomfortable online.
  • I will use the tools available to me for learning.
  • I will keep up-to-date with information sent to me.

Respect for others.

This includes…

  • I will show God’s love for others, online.
  • I will treat others how I want to be treated.
  • I will not bully or tease.
  • I will respect the privacy and personal details of others.
  • I will ask permission before capturing, editing or publishing/sharing images, video, audio and work of others.
  • If I have a problem, I will talk face to face with the person with whom I have a problem in a respectful way.
  • I will respect the efforts of other people to support the learning and behavior of all students.
  • I will allow staff to access and handle my personal technology to assist me and support appropriate use and behavior.

Responsible and lawful behavior.

This includes…

  • I will respect all laws and the legal rights of others.
  • I will behave in accordance with the rules, policies and procedures of Ss. Cosmas & Damian School.
  • I will behave in accord with my responsibilities to my family.
  • I will accept responsibility for my actions.

I accept that if any action of mine contravenes this agreement, Ss. Cosmas & Damian School or state and federal laws will respond appropriately and in accordance with school procedures. I acknowledge that the consequences of inappropriate behavior use may include one or more of the following:

  • instruction to delete inappropriate apps or content
  • confiscation of my institutional technology
  • blocking or restriction of Internet and network access
  • detentions or suspension at school or home
  • cancellation of enrollment
  • notification of my actions to Police and/or the relevant authorities.

The following staff will address problems that arise:

  • Teachers
  • Principal
  • Pastor

School Support

In support of appropriate student use of information and communication technologies (ICT), the school will:

  • Assist students to understanding and demonstrate appropriate behavior and positive digital citizenship.
  • Provide:
    • an email account to support communication (3rd-6th grade and staff only)
    • controlled or filtered internet connection
    • storage for files on the school network
    • a log of internet access.
  • Files saved on the school network are part of our back-up regime.

Note: all messages sent and received in Google Apps (Gmail, Hangouts and Drive) are archived for a period of 10 years. Ss. Cosmas & Damian reserves the right to access user data as part of investigations authorized by the Principal and/or Pastor or their delegate.

In the case of inappropriate or unacceptable use:

  • Ss. Cosmas & Damian will respond in accord with our rules, policies and procedures.
  • The accounts of users may be suspended.
  • Appropriate law enforcement agencies and Government authorities may be notified.
  • IT Support staff will address problems encountered in one working day, if possible.  In the case of a major intrusion or misappropriation of our facilities, services may be suspended to protect privacy, and re-establish security.  Implications of such action for school educative and business processes will be addressed as required by the Executive team with support from the IT Manager.