School District Of Westfield
Administrative Guidelines
 

5136 - PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Students may possess wireless communication devices (WCDs) in school, on school property, during after school activities (e.g. extra-curricular activities) and at school-related functions, provided that during school hours and on Board authorized vehicles the WCDs are powered completely off (i.e., not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and concealed and secured in hall lockers (but not locker room lockers) or vehicles.

Students are prohibited from using WCDs to capture, record or transmit the words (i.e. audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person in the school or while attending a school-related activity, without express prior notice and explicit consent for the capture, recording or transmission of such words or images. Using a WCD to take or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without his/her consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted, unless authorized by the building principal. Students who violate this provision and/or use a WCD to violate the privacy rights of another person may have their WCD confiscated and held until the end of the school year.

"Sexting" is prohibited at any time on school property or at school functions, while under the supervision of school authorities, or transmitted to others at school. Sexting is the electronic transmission of sexual messages or pictures, usually through cell phone text messaging. This also explicitly includes displaying images received to a third party. Such conduct not only is potentially dangerous for the involved students, but can lead to unwanted exposure of the messages and images to others, and could result in criminal violations related to the transmission or possession of child pornography. Such conduct will be subject to discipline and possible confiscation of the WCD.

The use of WCDs that contain built-in cameras (i.e. devices that take still or motion pictures, whether in a digital or other format) is prohibited in locker rooms, classrooms, bathrooms.

Students are prohibited from using a WCD in any way that might reasonably create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed or intimidated. See Policy 5517.01 – Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior.

Students are also prohibited from using a WCD to capture and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty. Likewise, students are prohibited from using their WCDs to receive such information.

Possession of a WCD by a student is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy, or otherwise engages in misuse of this privilege.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the WCD. The building principal may also refer the matter to law enforcement if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g. child pornography). Discipline will be imposed on an escalating scale ranging from a warning to an expulsion based on the number of previous violations and/or the nature of or circumstances surrounding a particular violation. Any WCD confiscated by District staff will be marked in a removable manner with the student's name and held in a secure location in the building's central office until it is retrieved by the parent/guardian. WCDs in District custody will not be searched or otherwise tampered with except in accordance with Policy 5771 – Search and Seizure. If multiple offenses occur, a student may lose his/her privilege to bring a WCD to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis. If the WCD is confiscated, it will be released/returned to the student's parent/guardian after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequences that are imposed.

A person who discovers a student in possession of or using a WCD in violation of this policy is required to report the violation to the building principal.

Students are personally and solely responsible for the care and security of their WCDs. The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, damage, or vandalism to WCDs brought onto its property, or the unauthorized use of such devices.

Parents/Guardians are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the school office.

Students may use school phones to contact parents/guardians during the school day.

Definition of Personal Technology Device

For purposes of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative, Personal Technology Device (PTD) means a privately owned wireless and/or portable electronic hand-held equipment that includes, but is not limited to, laptop and mobile computers, portable Internet devices (iPod touch, iPad, Kindle, tablet PC), personal digital assistants, handheld entertainment systems or other portable information technology systems that can be used for word processing, wireless Internet access, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting, receiving, and storing. Cell Phones/Smart Phones cannot be used during the school day. Cell Phones/Smart Phones must be turned off and stored in the student’s locker.

General Rules

 A.Staff members may allow students to use personal technology devices (PTDs) on the School District of Westfield (SDOW) wireless network by completing and submitting the BYOD agreement. The ultimate authority of whether students may use (PTDs) rests with the classroom teacher.

 B.Under the provisions of the BYOD program, parents who choose to allow students to use their own technology and students who bring personal technology do so knowing that it will diminish their expectation of privacy regarding their personal electronic device while at school. The school reserves the right to search a privately owned electronic device in accordance with applicable laws and policies if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated SDOW policies, administrative procedures, school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using the device.

 C.The use of the PTD is solely limited to support and enhance instructional activities currently occurring in the classroom environment. PTD’s may not be used for non-instructional purposes, to include texting and non-authorized communications between students, and the un-authorized posting on social media.

 D.Recognizing that all such devices may not be appropriate for instructional situations, PTD’s will be considered for classroom use if they are mobile and have the capability of browsing the Internet. These items include, but are not limited to laptops, netbooks, tablets, and e-readers. The final determination of devices that are appropriate to connect to the School District of Westfield network rests with the SDOW.

 E.Connecting a privately owned electronic device may not be successful if the technical specifications for wireless protocol are not met. Devices must use 802.11g or 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity only to access the school’s wireless network.

 F.No privately owned electronic device may be attached to the SDOW network if a signed AUP and BYOD policy form are not on file in the SDOW student information system.

 G.All information related to the privately owned electronic device(s) that is requested by this form will be submitted by the student prior to accessing the network.

 H.No student shall establish a wireless ad-hoc or peer-to-peer network using his/her PTD or any other wireless device while on school grounds. This includes, but is not limited to using a PTD as a cabled or wireless hotspot. Example: Using a personal device as a server so that students can play an online game.

 I.Teacher permission is necessary for student use of a privately owned electronic device during classroom instruction or the classroom period. Final authority rests with the teacher.

 J.Voice, video, and image capture applications may only be used with prior permission from a teacher and for specific instructional purpose(s). Under no circumstances will video/sound/pictures be used for harassing others, cyber-bullying, academic dishonesty, or other actions prohibited by school policy or state and federal law.

 K.The teacher may request at any time that PTD’s be turned off and put away. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action and revocation of access to the network.

 L.Sound should be muted unless the teacher grants permission for use of sound associated with the instructional activities.

 M.PTD’s may only be used by their registered users.

 N.No student shall use another student’s log-on credentials.

 O.No student shall knowingly attempt to gain access to any computer, computer system, computer network, information storage media, or peripheral equipment without the consent of authorized school or division personnel.

 P.No SDOW owned academic or productivity software can be installed on personal devices.

 Q.No student shall use any computer or device to illegally collect any electronic data or disrupt networking services. Students may not engage in any malicious use, disruption or harm to the school network, Internet services, learning environment or any other electronic device owned by the school, any school personnel and/or student.

 R.Students may not attempt to use any software, utilities or other means to access Internet sites or content blocked by school division internet filters.

 S.Student takes full responsibility for the PTD at all times. The school is not responsible for storing or keeping the PTD secure at any time.

 T.The SDOW will not provide repair or software installation services to any PTD.

 U.This policy is in addition to all SDOW technology and Internet related policies, including the Acceptable Technology Use and Safety Agreement. Any student in violation of this policy may have their privileges suspended or revoked. The SDOW has the right to determine when and where PTD device use is appropriate.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged Devices

Each user is responsible for his/her own Personal Technology Device, and should treat it and use it responsibly and appropriately. The SDOW takes no responsibility for stolen, lost, infected, or damaged devices, including lost or corrupted data on those devices. While school employees will help students identify how to keep personal devices secure, students will have the final responsibility for securing their personal devices.

Please complete the Personal Technology Bring Your Own Device Agreement found on our district webpage under forms and turn in to your school office.

© Neola 2012