e-Safety Policy for Students and Parents

 

The Online Learning e-Safety Policy applies to all students and parents at Fay School.  The purpose of this policy is to strive to maintain a safe, secure, and supportive environment for all students. While the School will take steps to provide support and guidance to help ensure that our students remain safe online, students are also expected to employ safeguards and manage the risks independently.

 

The Online Learning e-Safety Policy covers the use of the Internet and school-enabled electronic communication devices including, but not limited to, email, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and social networking sites. This policy is intended to work in concert with the Fay School Parent and Student Handbook (the “Handbook”) and should be treated as an additional policy to the Handbook.  The Handbook will remain in effect to the extent practicable while students engage in distant learning off campus. Students and parents are therefore expected to continue to comply with all School policies, rules, regulations, and standards of academic and social behavior as stated in the Handbook, including, but not limited to, the School’s Technology Use, Electronic Communications and Acceptable Use, Social Media, and Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation policies.

Being online is an integral part of students’ lives. Social media, online games, websites, and apps can be accessed through mobile phones, computers, laptops, and tablets – all of which form a part of students’ online ecosystem. Online technology provides new opportunities for students’ learning and growth, but it can also expose them to new types of risks. e-Safety is a fundamental part of the School’s safeguarding and child protection measures.

Fay School recognizes that children, as individuals, have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, free from emotional or physical danger, abuse, and neglect. Safeguarding children is fundamental to the general social, emotional, and physical well-being of each child. It is essential to have clear guidelines and procedures in place when dealing with matters involving child safety and protection.

 

The School is committed to anti-discriminatory practices and recognizes students’ diverse circumstances. We are further committed to ensuring that all children have the same protection, regardless of any barriers they may face.

 

Fay School will not tolerate abuse or inappropriate use of technology, whether offline or online, from any member of the Fay School community, including administrators, teachers, staff, students, or parents. Communication by all parties should be courteous and respectful at all times and reflect the highest standards of conduct. Any reported incident of bullying or harassment, or other unacceptable conduct should be handled in a manner consistent with the guidelines set forth in the Handbook.

Electronic contact is defined as the communication or publication of information -- including images -- between two or more people using an electronic device. This may occur using various devices such as computers, landline and mobile phones, and other handheld electronic devices. Electronic contact may include (but is not limited to) voice communication, text communication, instant messaging, email, social networking sites, blogs, photos, and videos.

 

All electronic contact is subject to the Fay School’s Electronic Communications and Acceptable Use policy in the Handbook. 

Live video broadcasts will be scheduled at times that are convenient to as many students as possible, and faculty will record the attendance of each live video broadcast. All broadcast times will be shared with the academic leadership of Fay School. Recorded classes will be available to view for those not able to attend the live class times. Every live video broadcast will be recorded and added to the Google Site and/or Google Classroom corresponding to the area of study. Students should be mindful that these sessions are being recorded and available online.

 

During video sessions, students and parents must use appropriate language at all times, respect faculty and all other students’ right to privacy, and be dressed moderately, neatly, and appropriately when visible online.