Williamsville Central School District

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Use of Personal Technology

Adoption Date: 1/13/2015
7000 - Students

7317 - STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY

The Board of Education seeks to maintain a safe and secure environment for students and staff. Advances in technology have made it possible to expand the learning environment beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Using personal electronic devices during instructional time can enable students to explore new concepts, personalize their learning experience and expand their global learning opportunities. Additionally, the use of personal technology devices is found throughout today's society and standards for student use during non-instructional time should adapt to this change. This policy defines the use of personal technology during instructional and non-instructional times and reinforces the standard that all use, regardless of its purpose, must follow the guidelines outlined in the Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), the District's Code of Conduct, and the Dignity for All Students Act.

Personal technology includes all existing and emerging technology devices that can take photographs; record audio or video; input text; upload and download media; and transmit or receive messages or images. Examples of personal technology includes, but are not limited to, iPods and MP3 players; iPad, Nook, Kindle, and other tablet PCs; laptop and netbook computers; personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones and smart phones such as BlackBerry, iPhone, or Droid, as well as any device with similar capabilities. Unacceptable devices shall include, but are not limited to, gaming devices or consoles, laser pointers, modems or routers, and televisions.

Instructional purposes include, but are not limited to, approved classroom activities, research, college admissions activities, career development, communication with experts, homework and other activities as deemed appropriate by school staff.

Personal technology use by students is permitted during the school day for educational purposes and/or in approved locations only. Teachers will indicate when and if classroom use is acceptable. Students are expected to act responsibly and thoughtfully when using technology resources. Students bear the burden of responsibility to inquire with school administrators and/or teachers when they are unsure of the permissibility of a particular use of technology prior to engaging in such use.

Appropriate use of personal technology during non-instructional time is allowed only in accordance with guidelines established in the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), District Code of Conduct and building established guidelines. Non-instructional use includes, but is not limited to:  texting, calling and otherwise communicating with others conducting internet searches, reading, listening to music, and watching videos. Use during non-instructional time must be conducted under the supervision of a teacher, administrator, or staff member and be directly connected to an instructional activity unless allowed by building established guidelines.  In all cases, use must be conducted in a safe and unobtrusive manner. Devices must be in silent mode to avoid disrupting others.

The District shall not be liable for the loss, damage, misuse, or theft of any personal technology brought to School. The District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, and/or confiscate personal technology when administration has reasonable suspicion to believe that a violation of school policy or criminal law has occurred.

The Board expressly prohibits use of personal technology in locker rooms, restrooms, Health Offices and any other areas where a person would reasonably expect some degree of personal privacy.  Videotaping and/or audio recording others is strictly prohibited unless directly connected to a class assignment/school activity and expressly permitted by the teacher supervising the project and/or building administrator.

Students will not be permitted to use personal technology devices in school or at school functions until they have reviewed the AUP, the applicable sections of the Code of Conduct and associated technology guidelines, and have affirmed such review via electronic acceptance of the Student Use of Technology (#7317F) Agreement Form. The District reserves the right to restrict student use of District-owned technologies and personal technology on school property or at school-sponsored events, at the discretion of the administration.

Students must follow the guidelines for use set out in the District Code of Conduct and the Acceptable Use Policy at all times. Consequences for misuse will follow guidelines in the District's Code of Conduct. The District will develop regulations for the implementation of this policy that shall include, but are not limited to, instructional use, non-instructional use, liability, bullying and cyberbullying, and privacy issues.

Policy References:
  • #7315 -- Student Use of Computerized Information Resources
  • #7550 -- Dignity for All Students
  • #7551 -- Bullying in the Schools
  • #8271 -- Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy
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