Search Our Site

St. Luke’s School Technology/Internet Acceptable Use Policy

St. Luke’s School allows internet access to your child during certain instructional times. We believe that the internet can be a research tool that needs to be respected and used for the enrichment of learning. With this in mind, it is important that we remember that our school is founded for Faith development and all tools that we use in the education process keep this fact in the forefront.  At St. Luke’s School, we further believe that the parent, student and school form a partnership which embraces the ideals of the Catholic faith in word and action. 
                Internet access offers vast, diverse, and unique resources.  It is provided to the students and school personnel to promote educational excellence.  The purpose of this document is to inform parents, guardians, and students of the availability of internet resources and the rules governing its use, as well as the use of the students and school’s technology in general (including, but not limited to cell phones, storage devices, laptops, tablets, portable gaming devices, e-mail, texting, and social media sites), and to obtain express parental or guardian permission for an individual student to use the technology while at school.  Please be aware that not all of the internet services outlined in this document are available to the staff and/or student body.
 
Purpose
                St. Luke’s School provides computer technology and Internet access in the classroom for the sole purpose of enhancing each child’s education.  The computers can offer the students an opportunity to build and sharpen many basic skills through software.  They also afford staff and students alike, tools to help organize, communicate, and store their work efficiently.  In order to maintain the integrity of the hardware and software provided by the school, care must be taken to handle them responsibly.
                The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world.  This can give students and teachers access to a variety of rich educational resources that are traditionally difficult to obtain in a classroom environment.  The internet contains a wealth of up-to-the-minute information, in hundreds of fields, including science, history, math, language, social sciences, art, and music. Some of this information is specifically designed for children and an educational environment.  The information is richly presented in text, pictures, sound and video. 
                St. Luke’s School considers the information gathered from the internet and obtained from all other software in the same manner as all other reference materials, in that such resources must enhance the learning environment.  The educational value of appropriate information on the internet is substantial. The World Wide Web is composed of information provided by institutions and people all over the world, and thus, also includes information that is not of educational value in the context of the school setting.  There is information that may be judged as inaccurate, abusive, profane, sexually oriented, or illegal. St. Luke’s School does not condone or permit the use of such material.  It is the joint responsibility of school personnel and the parent or guardian to educate the student about his or her responsibility when using the internet.
                It is our goal to support students in the responsible use of this vast reservoir of information.  Internet access is available to students on computers in the classrooms, library, TAC class, and computer lab. However, parents and guardians must be aware that, while at school, direct supervision of each student using the computers is not always possible.  Students are expected to use the resources in a manner consistent with this contract and will be held responsible for any misuse.  Additionally, parents should discuss with their children their own expectations for their child’s Technology/Internet use.
 
Student Responsibility
                In order for students to utilize school provided Internet access, he/she must obtain the written permission of his/her parent or guardian.  The parent or guardian has the option of denying their child internet access.  Students utilizing the internet are responsible for their behavior on-line in accordance with the school’s disciplinary policy.  Students violating policy outlined in this document, governing standards of conduct and use of technology and the internet shall be subject to revocation of privileges and potential disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action.  The following conditions of being a digital citizen within the Diocese of Brooklyn are expected: Respect one's self (public names should be appropriate and students should be mindful of any and all content they post including photos, personal views, comments, and personal information) Respect others (be mindful of comments, posts, photos, or any content directed towrad or including others and refrain from engaging in inflamatory, harassing, or any other such disrespectful behavior), Protect one's self and others (report any and all cyber-abuse committed against you or others to teachers and/or administrators, Respect Intellectual Property (cite sources when using any content not originally authored to you).
 
Parental Responsibility
                Given the dynamic nature of technological advancements and the volatile nature of resources available on the internet, the school acknowledges its inability to completely monitor the information received or sent by students.  As such, the school cannot assure parents that students will be denied access to every and all inappropriate materials or sending or receiving communications contrary to the school’s philosophy, goals, and educational mission.
                Parents and guardians of students should be aware that some material accessible via the internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people.  In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the internet which could result in unwanted financial obligations for which a student’s parent or guardian would be held responsible.
                Although the school recognizes its obligations in these matters, parents and guardians of students are equally responsible for establishing and communicating the standards that their son/daughter should follow when using media and information resources.
 
Staff Responsibility
                All school staff members and volunteers whose duties include supervising students and/or staff using school computers, networks, internet access, or e-mail are obligated to educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social media websites and in chat rooms as well as cyber-bullying awareness and response. They are expected to adhere to this policy.  They should enforce the rules concerning acceptable use of school technology.  Whenever a staff member or volunteer, in the course of their duties, becomes aware of a violation of the Technology/Internet Acceptable Use Policy, he/she is required to advise the user and address the matter in accordance with the school’s disciplinary policies.
  
Terms
                The educational value of the school’s use of technology, including student access to the internet, is the responsibility of the school staff, as well as the students and their parents or guardians.  In exchange for the access and use of the school’s technology, students and their parents/guardians agree to use these resources judiciously in accordance with the following guidelines.
 
Social Networking
               The use of YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Face Book,  online posted video feeds, posting videos, posting comments about St. Luke School, students or staff is forbidden, even with permission of another student or group of students.  The posting student may be subject to disciplinary action ranging from suspension to expulsion.  Any messages relating to, or in support of, illegal activities will be reported to the New York City Police Department.  

Cyber-Bullying

               It is important to understand that not all undesirable interactions on the internet are cyber-bullying.  By definition, bullying is a recurring behavior.  Repeated attacks through email, forum posts, instant or text messages or the like constitute cyber bullying.  A single incident, while not condoned or accepted, is not necessarily cyber bullying.  The instant transfer and duplicative nature of digital mediums expands the threat of cyber-bullying and must be considered in its identofication.  If an act is deemed to be inappropriate is conducted even once, but then is shared and transmitted repeatedly over a digital medium, that act crosses into a case of cyber-bullying even if it was the first/only occurence and will be handled as such.  Cyber -bullying may include flaming, denigration, bash boards, impersonation, outing, trickery, exclusion, harassment, happy slapping, text wars/attacks, online polls, sending malicious code, online polls, unfavorable images and videos, griefing, and trolling.  Students and parents must be vigiliant in protecting themselves and others from cyber-bullying by avoiding sharing personal information over certain sites, sharing credentials with others, and setting social media accounts to private.  Incidents should be reported to teachers and/or administration.

Smartphones

       Saint Luke School does not allow students to use their smartphones for instructional or personal use during the school day.  Phones must be turned off in the building and will be either collected by the homeroom teacher and stored in the office or kept in their backpacks.  Students who are seen with their phone will have it confiscated as per the guidelines in the Parent/Student Handbook.

Students Shall Not:

  • Have web sites or post information/images to a web site such as, but not limited to, Instagram, Snapchat,  Facebook,  ratemyteacher.com, etc. that threatens any individual or portrays the school, parish, or any member of the parish/school community, or staff in a negative light.
  • Deliberately use school computers, networks, e-mail, or access to the internet to create or transmit text, images, or audio which could be considered as - damaging to another’s reputation, abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, offensive, threatening, inflammatory, discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise illegal and contrary to school policy.
  • Intentionally damage, misuse, or tamper with any hardware or software, network system, or information belonging to others, or allow others to do the same.
  • Access another person’s materials, information, or files without the direct permission of that person. Deliberately interfere with the ability of other persons to send/receive electronic mail.
  • Remove technology hardware or software from the school without permission of the teacher or administrator.
  • Use or attempt to obtain another user's password.
  • Use computers, networks, electronic mail, or the internet for reasons of personal profit or any other non-instructional or non-administrative purposes.
  • Use the school’s technology to access established individual internet and/or e-mail accounts, not associated with the school.
  • Use the school’s Internet access to make any financial transactions, without the expressed permission of the school administrator.
  • Install, download, or otherwise add any software without the expressed permission of the school administrator.
  • Use school computers, networks, or access to the internet for unlawful purposes, such as the illegal copying or installation of software, or violation of copyright laws.
  • Copy, change, or transfer any software or documentation provided by the school or teachers, or that of another student without permission from the school administrator.
  • Write, produce, generate copy, propagate, or attempt to introduce any computer code designed to self replicate, damage, or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer’s memory, file system, or software.
  • Gain unauthorized access to resources or entities (such as chat rooms) or invade the privacy of others.
  • Use the school network or internet access for private or commercial advertising.
  • Use the school network or electronic mail in a fashion inconsistent with the directions from teachers and other staff, or generally accepted etiquette.
  • Use e-mail for any illegal activity, including, but not limited to, violation of copyright laws.
  • Forge electronic mail messages or web pages.
  • Post anonymous messages or any material created by another user without his/her consent.
  • Subscribe to or use fee based on-line services without prior written approval of the school administrator.
  • Transmit personal information about students, including but not limited to, names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, or credit card numbers without the written permission of the student’s parent or guardian.
  • Shall not respond to any unsolicited electronic messages from any source that consists of obscene, suggestive, illegal, offensive, pornographic or objectionable content.

 
Consequences
Violation of the above will result in one or more of the following consequences:

  • Loss of the use of school technology or network privileges
  • Loss of the use of school technology or internet privileges
  • Suspension from school
  • Expulsion from school
  • Further disciplinary actions as warranted in cases of harassment, cyber-bullying, vandalism, plagiarism, distributing of obscene or objectionable material, pornography, or any criminal activity as specified in the St. Luke’s School Parent/Student Handbook.  Policy violations are listed in detail in the Parent/Student Handbook.

 
Monitoring and Maintenance
                The use of St. Luke’s School’s computer technology and internet access is a privilege, not a right.  All use, whether or not enumerated within this policy, must be consistent with the philosophy, goals, and educational mission of St. Luke’s School.  The school administrator reserves the right to make determinations that particular uses are or are not consistent with the purpose of the school.  Users shall report illegal or unauthorized use of the network to the supervising teacher, technical or school administrator.
                Insofar as school and/or technology administrators and faculty may review files and monitor all student computer, network, and Internet activity to maintain system integrity, the privacy of student files is not guaranteed within the school environment.  The school administrator and/or his/her designees may add/remove applications, delete/archive user files, and/or modify hardware and software configurations without prior notice to maintain the operation of technology resources for all users.  A firewall attempts to protect our students against inappropriate content.
 
Policy Amendments
St. Luke’s School reserves the right to amend this policy as it sees fit, providing all parties to the policy with written notice of any changes.

Pre-K 2
2022 COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Updated COVID Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines

 

The New York State Approach to COVID Quarantine

Effective March 8, 2022

 

After review of the NYC DOH and NYS DOH updated COVID Quarantine and Isolation please see the updated Quarantine and Isolation guidelines for the Catholic Academy’s and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn effective March 8, 2022.

 

Updated Quarantine Guidelines

 

NYS DOH Quarantine Exception for Schools (K-12)

  • Exposed unvaccinated students, teachers and staff who are required to quarantine can attend or work at school during the quarantine period where COVID Health and Safety protocols i.e.  masking and test to stay programs are monitored and enforced.
  • They may also attend or work at school-based extracurricular activities that do not involve participants from other schools. (e.g., not competitive sports events with other schools)
  • They may attend or work at certain eligible childcare programs for school-age children, such as early drop off programs and aftercare.  
  • However, these individuals should continue to quarantine as otherwise required outside of school and these school-related activities. 
  • Face coverings are recommended (optional) while riding the school bus.
  • Face coverings are required in the Nurses Office/Medical Room.
  • Fully vaccinated 5–11-year-old children who are not eligible for the booster, have no further restrictions.

 

 

Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten

Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten, including NYC DOE funded programs, students who were exposed to COVID-19 can return to school after 10 days where the Exposure Date is Day 0 or when:

  • Children can return from quarantine on Day 8, with proof of a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test performed on Day 5 or later after exposure.  (Day 0 is the date of exposure)
  • The test can be any molecular test, or an at home-test that is explicitly intended for use by children as young as 2.
  • If an at home test is used, two tests within 24 hours are required to return to school on Day 8.

 

Who does Not Have to Quarantine After Close Contact with Someone With COVID-19?

• Anyone ages 12 or older and who has received all CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters if eligible and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.

• Anyone ages 5-11 years old who has completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.

• Anyone who has had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (tested positive using a viral test, e.g., antigen or PCR).

 

Who Has to Quarantine After Close Contact with Someone With COVID-19?

• Anyone ages 12 or older who has completed the primary series of recommended vaccine abut are not up to date with vaccines, meaning they have not received a booster when eligible

• Anyone who has not completed a primary vaccine series.

• Anyone who is not vaccinated.

Please Note: These individuals may attend or work at school; they may also attend or work at school-based extracurricular activities that do not involve participants from other schools. (e.g., not competitive sports events with other schools) and they may attend or work at certain eligible childcare programs for school-age children, such as early drop off programs and aftercare during the quarantine period where COVID Health and Safety protocols i.e.  masking and test to stay programs are monitored and enforced.

 

How to Quarantine

  • Stay home for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after the date of the last contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of contact (exposure) is considered day 0.
    • For example: A person is exposed on January 2, this would be Day 0, count 5 days of quarantine until January 7, this would be Day 5. Return to school on January 8, this would be the first day quarantine free.
  •  

 

  • To continue to attend school or work after an exposure to COVID-19 please note the following:
    • Strongly recommended: Wear a face covering while at school/work for five days after the date of exposure. The date of exposure is considered day 0.
    • Required: Participate in the Test to Stay Strategy. Faculty, staff, and students required to quarantine are required to test at days 2-3 (or the first school day after the exposure is identified) and day 5 using COVID tests available from Federal, City and State resources. 
    • Required: Submit the signed testing affirmation to the school on days 1 and 5.
    • Faculty, Staff and Students can continue to attend school/work if the COVID tests are negative.
    • If a Faculty, Staff or Student tests positive they should stay home and follow the Isolation protocols and notify the school of the positive test result.
  • Continue to monitor for 10 days after the date of the last close contact with someone with COVID-19, watch for fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms.  If symptoms develop, get tested immediately and isolate until test results arrive. If test result is positive, follow isolation guidelines.
  • Unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated or 12 years or older -Fully Vaccinated, Booster eligible, but NOT received a Booster, faculty, staff, or student who are identified as a close contact who does not follow the test to stay preventive strategy and does not submit proof of a negative COVID test on Day 1 and Day 5 are required to quarantine for five days from date of exposure where the exposure date is Day 0.

 

Updated Isolation Guidelines

 

New York State Approach to COVID-19 Isolation

Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19.

 

Who Has to Isolate?

People who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 need to isolate regardless of their vaccination status. This includes:

  • People who have a positive viral test (e.g., antigen or PCR) for COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
  • People with symptoms of COVID-19including those who are awaiting test results (Rapid or PCR) or have not been tested
  • People with symptoms should isolate even if they do not know if they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

 

 

How to Isolate

  • Stay home, in a separate room from other household members, if possible, for at least 5 days from onset of symptoms or positive test date, whichever came first.
  • Isolate for at least 5 days, if symptoms persist a longer isolation will be required.
  • Return from Isolation after a minimum of 5 days and the following: (Positive Test date or Symptom Onset Date is Day 0)
    • Fever free for 24 hours with no fever reducing medication
    • Symptoms are improving
    • Licensed Healthcare Provider Note, dated after Day 5, stating the individual can safely return to in person instruction
  • REQUIRED: To wear a face covering while at school/work for Days 6-10 after returning to school/work after testing positive for COVID-19.

 

 

Exhibit COVID-19 Symptoms During the School Day:

If an individual exhibits COVID-19 symptom during the school day, schools should implement Isolation protocols.

Individuals who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms during the school day are required to isolate and get tested for COVID-19. The individual can return to school when:

 

  • Negative Lab based COVID-19 test or alternative diagnosis (healthcare provider)
  • Fever free for 24 hours with no fever reducing medication
  • Symptoms are improving

 

Please Note: These guidelines are subject to change as the pandemic continues to evolve and updated information is received by City and State agencies.

Please Note: Currently, NYC is identified by the CDC as a Low COVID-19 Community Level. If NYC is identified as a High COVID-19 Community Level the mask mandate can be reinstated by city and state health officials.

Please Note: The Office of the Superintendents of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn reserves the right to implement COVID health and safety guidelines that go above the required city and state COVID health and safety guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-8-22