District Technology Guidelines for Students and Parents/Guardians, updated for 2015-16
Table of Contents Topic Page Forward... 1 Technology Guidelines... 1 Overview... 1 Acceptable Use... 1 Prohibited Uses and Activities... 2 No Privacy Guarantee... 3 Sanctions... 3 Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)... 3 Permitted Uses of Personal Technologies... 3 References to Board of Education Policy... 4
Forward Learning in the 21 st Century is not like the learning experienced by most parents. Students are regularly interacting with all kinds of technology from the daily use of interactive whiteboards and computers to experiences with tablets and electronic devices. Students take assessments on computers, write essays on computers, and interact with students all across the globe. One of the newest areas the District is beginning to utilize is students and teachers own personal technological devices. The goal is to support and promote college and career readiness through the creative and innovative use of technology. To be able to harness these new devices, the District s Technology Guidelines include their use by students, staff, parents, and visitors to the District. Technology Guidelines Overview The Washingtonville Central School District provides access for students, staff, and authorized visitors to the District s Computer System (DCS). The Technology Guidelines provide the framework for appropriate use of the system. Violation of the use of technology as outlined in these Technology Guidelines, or in the Code of Conduct, or as stated in the Board of Education policies, will result in disciplinary action. The District s Computer System includes, but is not limited to: networks (both wired and wireless), electronic communications, information systems, software, hardware, files and electronic storage of content, and the use of personal devices and technologies. The District expects users to adhere to the requirements for exemplary digital citizenship. Incidents involving cyber bullying will not be tolerated. Cyber bullying is a violation of the Code of Conduct. The Technology Guidelines apply to in-school and remote access of the DCS. The District makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the District s Computer System or the access provided. Furthermore, the District assumes no responsibility for the quality, availability, accuracy, nature, or reliability of the material or information provided via access to, or on, the DCS. Use of the DCS by students is a privilege, not a right. For Internet access, the District is in accordance with the Federal Children s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and utilizes filtering strategies. These filtering strategies may not prevent all inappropriate, offensive, or prohibited access to materials, information, or communications. Acceptable Use Acceptable use of the District s Computer System is for educational purposes only. The Technology Guidelines does not attempt to articulate all acceptable uses of the District s Computer System. In addition, it is not the intention of the Technology Guidelines to define all inappropriate usage. Therefore, all users shall adhere to the Technology Guidelines and the Page 1
laws, policies and rules governing computers and computer networks, the Internet, and technology. Prohibited Uses and Activities Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to: 1. Use that violates Federal law, state law, local law, regulations of the Commissioner of Education, School Board Policy, the student Code of Conduct or the Technology Guidelines. 2. Use for the reproduction or dissemination of information that violates privacy rights, copyright laws, licensing agreements, and policies and regulations of the District. 3. Access, whether from District premises or off-site, for purposes other than those relating to school work and instruction. 4. Unauthorized installation of software and hardware. (Software from outside sources, such as home or from the Internet, is not authorized to be used on the District s Computer System unless expressed written authorization has been obtained from District administration.) 5. Use of any personal technologies except as those authorized in the section of the Technology Guidelines entitled BYOT. 6. Unauthorized use of BYOT. This includes all non-district owned devices or technologies, such as laptops, cellular and smart phones, iphones, ipads, ipods, Kindle, Nooks, etc. It includes the use of BYOT whether accessing the District s Computer System or personal cellular or data plans. 7. Cause intentional harm or damage to the District s Computer System, including unauthorized modification of electronic information or conducting a Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) of others or the District by circumventing security and breaking into another s server, web site, or the like. This includes hacking and other activities that may knowingly harm or disrupt the District s Computer System or electronic information of others or the district. 8. View, create, download, reproduce, or disseminate any material, including electronic communications, considered harmful to minors or any illegal material. 9. View, create, download, reproduce, or disseminate any material, including electronic communications, considered to intimidate, harass, bully, or be menacing in nature. 10. View, create, download, reproduce, or disseminate any material, including electronic communications, that is obscene, offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, containing sexually explicit material, having no educational purpose, or is considered harassing. 11. Prohibits Internet bullying (also referred to as cyber-bullying ) including the use of instant messaging, e-mail, web sites, chat rooms, and text messaging when such use interferes with the operation of the school; or infringes upon the general health, safety and welfare of District students or employees. Page 2
12. Use of another individual s access or network account, or knowingly allowing another individual to use your network account. No Privacy Guarantee The District reserves the right to access and view any and all content (including but not limited to information, material, electronic communications, and files) that resides on, used in conjunction with, or used to access the District s Computer System. In addition, as part of standard procedures, student BYOT or electronic content, including files, may be removed at any time. This includes the deletion of this electronic content at the conclusion of each school year. This includes, but is not limited to student network space, such as Z: drives, District Google Apps accounts, and other systems owned or licensed by the District that stores electronic content. Sanctions Failure to abide by the Technology Guidelines will result in disciplinary action as per our Code of Conduct and may include loss of privileges to use the District s Computer System. Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) BYOT means authorized personal use of technologies that are intended to enhance the educational experience as part of 21 st century teaching and learning. Currently, BYOT is only applicable to students actively enrolled at Washingtonville High School and have received authorization from the District. BYOT is authorized expressly for specific teachers and their students and under the direct supervision and approval of both the District and teacher in the classroom for which BYOT is to be used. BYOT must adhere to the Technology Guidelines and must only be used in authorized classrooms. This means that BYOT is not permitted to be used in any other locations than a classroom setting and only when directly supervised by the teacher in that classroom. Permitted Uses of Personal Technologies The Technology Guidelines Specifically authorizes the use of personal technologies that have been approved for BYOT. Any other use of personal technologies is expressly forbidden and subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Conduct. Personal technology is permitted as noted below. Possession of personal technology is permitted for actively enrolled students. This possession is granted provided it is not used and kept out-of-sight when school is in session. This includes the Evening Academy. Exceptions are these acceptable uses of personal technologies: 1) before or after school hours; 2) during a student s lunch period while they are in the cafeteria area of the building; and 3) when directed by a teacher to do so while in a BYOT class. Page 3
References to Board of Education Policies Washingtonville Board of Education Policy #7314, Student Use of Computerized Information Resources (Acceptable Use Policy). Page 4