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Article XVI. USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

Students officially enrolled at STCFI are granted access to various school facilities and are expected to adhere to the policies and guidelines specific to each facility. Below are the detailed rules for the use of the Computer Laboratory, emphasizing responsibility, proper use, and respect for school property.

 

Section 1. Use of the Computer Laboratory

The following rules and regulations apply to the use of the computer laboratory:

 

I. General Guidelines

1. Authorized Access:

   • Only students with a valid class schedule and dressed in the complete uniform are allowed to enter the computer laboratory.

   • Students without proper authorization or valid identification may not use the laboratory facilities.

2. Instructor Presence:

   • Students are not permitted to enter or remain in the computer laboratory unless the Computer Instructor is present.

   • Unauthorized entry may result in disciplinary action, and students may be marked absent or considered as engaging in unauthorized activities.

 

II. Facility Care and Management

1. Equipment Care:

   • Handle all computers, peripherals, furniture, and other laboratory equipment with care.

   • Any damage, loss, vandalism, or littering, including chewing gum, will be the financial and disciplinary responsibility of the student.

   • Computers, tables, and chairs are tagged with serial numbers and must not be moved, rearranged, or transferred to other locations.

2. Cleanliness:

   • Keep workstations clean and free of clutter.

   • Food and beverages are strictly prohibited in the laboratory. Students wishing to eat or drink must do so outside the computer room.

3. Return of Borrowed Items:

   • Any items borrowed, such as keyboards, mouse, printed, cords, headphones or other accessories, must be returned promptly and in their proper place after use.

4. Personal Belongings:

   • Students are responsible for their personal items. The school is not liable for the loss, theft, or damage of personal belongings within the laboratory.

 

III. Rules for Computer and Internet Use

1. Appropriate Internet Use:

   • Internet access is provided strictly for educational purposes.

   • Browsing or viewing pornographic or inappropriate sites is strictly prohibited and will result in severe disciplinary action.

   • Only websites that support the comprehension of the subject matter and are approved by the Computer Instructor may be accessed.

2. Software and File Management:

   • Do not install, uninstall, or modify software without prior approval from the Computer Instructor.

   • Only licensed and pre-approved software is allowed.

   • Avoid downloading large files or engaging in bandwidth-heavy activities without permission.

   • Save your work frequently, delete temporary files after use, and refrain from storing personal data on laboratory systems.

 

IV. Class Conduct and Behavior

1. Adherence to Instructor Guidelines:

   • Follow all instructions given by the Computer Instructor regarding class activities, laboratory use, and workstation assignments.

   • Leaving the laboratory during class time is at the instructor’s discretion. Unapproved departures may result in being marked absent or considered as cutting classes.

2. Respect for Others:

   • Maintain a quiet and respectful environment conducive to learning and productivity.

   • Avoid disruptive behavior, loud conversations, or misuse of laboratory resources.

 

V. Shutdown and Security Procedures

1. Proper Shutdown:

   1. Shut down computers properly after use and turn off monitors, power strips, and other devices.

   2. Ensure the laboratory is secure by switching off lights and ensuring all equipment is in its proper place before leaving.

2. Reporting Issues:

   1. Report any technical issues, damaged equipment, or suspicious activity immediately to the Computer Instructor or laboratory supervisor.

 

Section 2.  Use of the School Library

Only officially enrolled students of STCFI are permitted to use the STCFI Library and its resources. All users must adhere to the following policies:

 

1. Library Card: A valid STCFI Student Library Card must be presented when borrowing books or using library facilities.

2. Overnight Borrowing: Books may not be taken home overnight. A fine of Php 50.00 per day will be imposed for each day a book is kept beyond the return date.

3. Damage or Loss: In the event of damage or loss of a borrowed book, the borrower is responsible for replacing the damaged or lost item.

4. Permission for Borrowing: Always seek permission or approval from the library staff before borrowing any item or using library facilities.

5. Quiet Environment: The library is intended for study and research. Maintain silence and respect others by avoiding disruptive behavior.

6. Food and Beverages: Eating and drinking are strictly prohibited inside the library. Please consume food and beverages outside.

7. Research Materials: Books and research materials should be used responsibly. Take only one item at a time and return it to its proper place after use.

8. Cleanliness: Before leaving, clean and arrange your study area. Ensure that all research materials are returned to their designated locations.

9. No Vandalism: Do not deface or write on library materials or property. Respect the library environment.

 

Section 3. Use of the Electronic Tools and Equipment

1. Identification and Borrowing: Always present your borrower’s card with a photo when borrowing any electronic tools and equipment.Ensure that the equipment is only used within the designated computer electronics room.

2. Inventory and Responsibility: The person in charge will conduct a daily inventory of the tools and equipment on the electronic shelves. Borrowers are responsible for any damage or loss. They must replace any damaged or lost items at their own expense.

3. Usage Guidelines: Handle all electronic tools and equipment with care. Misuse or careless handling can lead to damage or safety issues. Use the tools and equipment for their intended purpose only. Avoid any form of horseplay or inappropriate use.

4. Maintenance: Report any malfunction or issues with equipment immediately to the person in charge to prevent further damage. Ensure that all equipment is returned in the same condition as it was borrowed.

5. Conduct: Maintain a respectful and focused attitude while using the equipment. Distractions or disruptive behavior are not permitted.

 

Section 4. Use of Computer Laboratory

 

1. General Guidelines:

   • The computer laboratory is accessible to students, faculty, and staff during scheduled class times and designated open lab hours.

   • A teacher or authorized lab supervisor must be present during lab use to ensure adherence to the rules.

   • Students must sign in and out when using the lab, noting the time of use.

   • All users must treat computers, peripherals, and other equipment with care.

   • Eating, drinking, and placing any liquids near computers are strictly prohibited to prevent damage.

   • Users must report any malfunctioning or damaged equipment to the lab supervisor immediately.

   • Each user must log in with their assigned school username and password. Users are responsible for all activity on their account.

   • Personal software, applications, or hardware modifications are not permitted unless authorized by the school’s IT department.

   • Users must log out and shut down the computers after use to conserve energy and secure the system.

2. Laptop Use

   • Laptops provided by the school can only be used with prior authorization from the teacher or lab supervisor.

   • Students must sign out and return laptops after use, ensuring they are properly accounted for.

   • Laptops must be used under the supervision of a teacher or lab supervisor. Students should not take laptops out of the laboratory without permission.

   • Handle laptops carefully and use them on flat, stable surfaces. Avoid moving them while in use.

   • Do not place food, drinks, or any liquids near the laptop to prevent spills or damage.

   • Always carry laptops with both hands and avoid placing heavy objects on top of them.

   • Students should ensure laptops are fully charged before use, as access to power outlets may be limited.

   • If a laptop battery runs low during use, students must inform the lab supervisor for assistance in locating a charging station.

   • Do not overload power strips or create hazards with charging cables in walkways.

   • Use laptops for their intended academic purposes only. Any misuse, such as horseplay or distracting behavior, is prohibited.

   • Do not tamper with laptop hardware, including keys, screens, and ports.

3. Use of Personal Laptop 

   • Students may use personal laptops in the computer laboratory with prior approval from the lab supervisor or instructor.

   • Personal laptops must connect to the school's network following IT department security protocols.

   • Any files or programs installed on personal laptops that violate school policies will be subject to removal or action.

   • Power outlets are available for laptop use, but users must bring their own chargers and be mindful of the limited availability of sockets.

   • Ensure that cables do not create tripping hazards or obstruct pathways.

4. Internet and Software Usage:

   • Internet access is provided for academic purposes only. Personal browsing (e.g., social media, gaming, or streaming) is not allowed during class hours unless approved by the instructor.

   • Access to inappropriate websites (e.g., those containing explicit content, violence, or promoting illegal activities) is strictly prohibited. Violations will lead to disciplinary action.

   • Downloading or uploading unauthorized files, especially pirated software or illegal content, is forbidden.

   • Only school-approved software and applications may be used in the lab.

   • Installing, copying, or distributing unauthorized software is not permitted.

   • Any student or staff found using illegal or pirated software will face disciplinary measures in line with the school’s policy on intellectual property rights.

5. Behavior and Conduct

   • Students are expected to maintain a quiet and focused atmosphere while in the computer lab to ensure it remains conducive to learning.

   • Any form of horseplay, loud conversations, or distracting behavior is prohibited.

   • To ensure equal access to computers, students may be assigned specific time slots or time limits, especially during peak periods.

   • Priority will be given to users working on school projects, research, or assignments.

6. Data Security and Privacy

   • Students must save their work on personal storage devices (e.g., USB drives) or cloud storage. The school is not responsible for files left on lab computers, which may be deleted regularly.

   • It is recommended that students regularly back up their work to prevent data loss.

   • Users must not attempt to access other students’ or staff’s files or personal data without permission.

   • Respect for privacy is expected, and misuse of confidential information or data will result in disciplinary actions.

7. Disciplinary Measures

   • Failure to follow these policies may result in restricted access to the lab, disciplinary action, or compensation for damages caused by negligence or intentional misuse.

   • In cases of severe violations (e.g., hacking, unauthorized access, or property damage), students may face suspension or expulsion, depending on the gravity of the offense.

 

Section 5. Use of Free Internet Access

1. Each student is entitled to 30 hours of free internet access every semester.

2. Unused hours will be forfeited and will not be carried over to the next semester.

3. Students must provide a username and password to the person in charge to create their account, which will be used for logging in.

4. Students must be in STCFI uniforms when logging in.

5. Proper netiquette (etiquette on the internet) must always be observed.

6. Viewing of pornographic sites is strictly prohibited.

7. Students are encouraged to use their free internet access hours responsibly.

 

Section 6. Use of Comfort Rooms

1. Always clean up after yourself before leaving the comfort room.

2. Use the toilet bowl properly: do not urinate on the floor. Use toilet paper or squat as needed.

3. Flush or pour water after using the toilet bowl or urinal.

4. Never leave the faucet unattended. Always ensure faucets are fully turned off after use.

5. Dispose of trash properly in designated receptacles.

6. Report any maintenance issues or concerns to the school administration promptly.

 

Section 7.  Use of Health Consultation Services and Accident Insurance

1. Each student is entitled to unlimited dental and medical consultation services in every school year provided by the School Dentist and School Doctor.

2. A student who wishes to avail of the health consultation services must book an appointment to have a smooth scheduling and to avoid conflicts of schedules with the health practitioners and other students.

3. In case of immediate health attention such as emergencies, the student will immediately be taken to the nearest emergency facility in the city.  

4. For situations where the student’s health conditions have triggered due to school or class activities where students have refused to divulge his/her condition to the school and its teachers, the school and its personnel shall not be held liable.

5. Students with known health conditions must keep themselves responsible for their health and safety by avoiding situations that trigger their conditions.

6. Each student is covered by an accident insurance provided by the school’s contracted insurance company for the entire school year.

 

Section 8.  Use of Guidance and Counseling

The Guidance and Counseling Services aim to support students’ academic, personal, emotional, and social development through professional counseling and guidance activities. To ensure the efficient use and accessibility of these services, the following policies are established:

1. Eligibility for Services:

• All enrolled students have the right to access the school's guidance and counseling services. These services are provided to assist with personal concerns, academic difficulties, career planning, and social or emotional challenges.

• Referrals may also be made by teachers, school staff, or parents if they believe a student would benefit from counseling.

2. Scheduling Appointments:

• Students can request appointments with the guidance counselor by visiting the Guidance Office or through an online booking system (if available).

• Walk-in sessions are permitted for urgent or immediate concerns, though availability may be subject to the counselor’s schedule.

• For non-urgent matters, students are encouraged to schedule their appointments in advance to ensure adequate time for their session.

3. Confidentiality:

• All discussions between the student and the guidance counselor are strictly confidential. Information shared during counseling sessions will not be disclosed to third parties without the student’s consent, except in cases where there is an immediate threat to the student’s safety or the safety of others, or when required by law.

• Students will be informed of confidentiality limits at the start of their counseling relationship.

4. Parental Involvement:

• In cases where a student’s issue may benefit from parental involvement, the counselor may recommend a parent conference. However, parental involvement will only be pursued with the student’s consent unless the situation warrants urgent intervention (e.g., significant mental health concerns).

5. Referrals and Specialized Support:

• If a student's needs exceed the scope of the school’s guidance and counseling services, the counselor may refer the student to external specialists (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers) for further support.

• The school will assist in facilitating these referrals, but is not responsible for any external services or fees that may be incurred.

6. Guidance Activities and Programs:

• The Guidance and Counseling Office will offer periodic programs, workshops, and group sessions addressing topics such as stress management, career development, conflict resolution, mental health awareness, and interpersonal skills.

• Participation in these programs is strongly encouraged, as they provide valuable tools for personal and academic growth.

7. Use of Facilities:

• The Guidance Office is a safe and supportive space dedicated to students seeking assistance. The space is open during school hours, and students are welcome to visit for consultation, counseling, or simply for a quiet space to reflect.

• Any misuse or disruption of the space (e.g., loitering, creating disturbances) will result in restricted access to the facility.

8. Counseling for Behavioral Concerns:

• Students referred to the Guidance Office for behavioral concerns (e.g., disciplinary actions or violation of school rules) will be required to attend counseling sessions as part of their corrective measures. These sessions aim to provide students with the necessary support to improve behavior and decision-making.

• Failure to attend mandatory counseling sessions may result in further disciplinary actions as outlined in the school’s code of conduct.

9. Counselor Availability:

• The school will ensure that qualified guidance counselors are available to meet the needs of the student population. Office hours will be posted outside the Guidance Office, and additional time may be allotted during peak periods such as examination seasons or major school events.

10. Emergency Counseling:

• In the event of a school-wide crisis or individual emergencies (e.g., traumatic events, grief, or emotional distress), the Guidance Office will provide immediate support to students in need.

• Special arrangements will be made to accommodate group counseling or debriefing sessions if necessary.

11. Feedback and Evaluation:

• Students and parents are encouraged to provide feedback on the guidance and counseling services to help improve the quality and relevance of the support provided.

• Periodic evaluations of the services will be conducted to ensure they are meeting the students' needs and aligned with best practices in guidance and counseling.

12. Consequences of Non-Compliance:

• Students who misuse or fail to adhere to the proper procedures when accessing the guidance and counseling services may face restrictions in their future access to the service, subject to the discretion of the Guidance Counselor.

• Any violation of the confidentiality of others within the context of counseling sessions will be dealt with seriously and may result in disciplinary measures.

This policy is intended to ensure that guidance and counseling services are accessible, confidential, and supportive to all students, fostering their holistic development in both academic and personal areas.

 

Section 9.  The Use of STCFI Official Online Platforms

STCFI Administration uses the online platform, and web or internet tools for communications and information dissemination. The students can freely express their thoughts, provided they observe the following online decorum guidelines:

Here are some things to keep in mind when posting: 

1. Online courtesy. Please treat STCFI, its faculty, staff, students, Board of Trustees, and other members of the online platform or community with courtesy and respect. 

2. Foul language and obscene images will not be tolerated. All posts must conform to a family-friendly standard and must act accordingly. 

3. Personal attacks and inflammatory behavior will not be tolerated. If you want to praise or criticize, give examples as to why it is good or bad. General attacks on a person or idea will not be tolerated.

4. Sock puppet accounts are not permitted. A sock puppet is an account made on an internet message board by a person who already has an account for posting anonymously. Use your own account for posting personal opinions. Posts from known sock puppet accounts will be deleted, and both the puppet and actual account may be banned from using the services of STCFI. 

5. Keep on topic. Responses to a particular thread or post should be on-topic and pertain to the discussion. Threads or posts that veer off topic may be closed by a moderator. 

6. Sometimes, a discussion thread or post strays off into a friendly dialogue or a heated debate among a very small number of users. For these exchanges, we ask that you please use the Private Messages.

7. Posting the same message, or an unsolicited commercial message, to one of our officially used online platforms is considered spam. Moderators can delete a thread or post when inappropriate. 

8. Commerciality and postings with a larger agenda. It is STCFI’s desire to maintain the official online platforms for the purpose of promoting the activity of STCFI and its online community information drive. As a result, we intend to limit thread or post discussions that promote a commercial, social, political, or charitable agenda insofar as the agenda does not reasonably relate to the activity of STCFI. Therefore, threads or posts perceived to have been made with the intent of promoting any of the above agendas will not be permitted. Please note that the assigned Online Moderators are authorized to exercise their discretion in providing some reasonable latitude for forum discussion postings relating to local events and issues in local discussion forums. Notwithstanding the above, STCFI reserves the right to include or permit the inclusion of limited commercial content in this forum, in its sole discretion.

9. We generally do not allow surveys to be conducted using these official online platforms. Special requests for permission to survey the forum members should be sent to STCFI prior to publicizing the survey.

10. Any messages you post will remain available to the public for as long as the platform is active online. Once you have posted your message, it will stay online. Please post carefully and with due consideration to the content of your post. We will not edit the content you wrote unless it does not conform to the online courtesy guidelines. In the unlikely event that we do edit your post and you do not like the changes, we can delete the message at your request. 

11. If someone has posted copyrighted material or otherwise illegal material, please notify STCFI so that we may take appropriate action. 

12. Abuse of the use of online platforms will not be tolerated.

 

Section 10.  The Use of STCFI Information Board

STCFI Administration provided a writing board where students can freely express their thoughts, provided they observe the following guidelines:

1. Use of profane language will not be tolerated. 

2. Any personal remarks that may cause moral damages to any person are strictly prohibited. 

3. Use the board to express your gratitude, comments, suggestions, and maybe, complaints.

4. TCFI Admin shall decide when the writings will be deleted.​

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