Improper
content found on O’Hara computer
By Lou Baldwin
Special to The CS&T
SPRINGFIELD — William McCusker, president of Cardinal O’Hara
High School in Springfield, sent a letter to all students, parents and
guardians on March 13 to notify them of an incident that occurred the
previous day involving a computer used by one of the school’s faculty
members.
“One of our students reported to a school official that they had
seen ‘inappropriate content’ on a computer. Immediately upon
receipt of this report the teacher’s laptop computer was confiscated
and the Marple Township Police were called. The teacher was immediately
placed on administrative leave pending completion of the police investigation.
We are fully cooperating with the police in the investigation.”
In his letter, McCusker stressed that a safe environment is something
Cardinal O’Hara strives for, and expressed pride that the two students
who discovered the material came forward to report it.
In the incident, McCusker reported, the two students were working in the
school library checking sites where file sharing is permitted on the school’s
linked computers. They stumbled on the material with inappropriate titles
listed for the laptop computer of the faculty member. They did not open
the files but reported the matter to the librarian, and action was taken
immediately.
The laptop, which is school property, was confiscated and turned over
to police officials.
It is not known how the material got on the computer, but because the
school’s internet portals have powerful filters that normally do
not allow downloading inappropriate material, it may have occurred away
from the school. At this point in the investigation, the Archdiocese has
not released the name of the teacher involved.
Nancy Caramanico, director of technology for grades K through 12 for the
archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education, said the Archdiocese has been
“proactive in making our schools a safe place for learning and technology.
“There is no such thing as too much education regarding technology
protocols,” Caramanico added. “We have administrative meetings
and technology coordinating meetings almost on a daily basis. Internet
safety and education is a priority. In this case the students knew exactly
how to handle the situation when it did arise.”
McCusker added: “I’m proud. These kids did what they are supposed
to do.When they came across the inappropriate headings, they reported
it immediately. Something went wrong and it was fixed.”
To view the Acceptable Use Policy for Technology for schools of the Archdiocese
of Philadelphia and links to internet safety resources see: www.catholicschools-phl.org./schools/Technology.
Lou Baldwin is a member of St. Leo Parish and a freelance writer.