SpringNET
SpringNET is the District's acceptable use policy for staff and students.
Electronic Communications System - SpringNET
SpringNET is something that each parent needs to sign in order for students to have access to district technology. This is a requirement for us to be Children's Internet Protection Act compliant, something that we need to do in order to be eligible for some Federal funds such as Erate. SpringNet is the name for Board Administrative Regulation IIBGA-AR which is available on the district website under Communications.
Currently all students are required to have a completed SpringNet form on file at the school they are attending. This is normally something that happens as part of the registration process. Once signed and filed, that form is good as long as the student is at the school. When they change schools for any reason (transfer, promote and transfer) they are required to complete a new SpringNet form and submit it to their new school.
Students new to a school need to sign the SpringNET policy — they do not need to sign it every year.
Staff will sign a SpringNET during the hiring process through Human Resources. They will not need to sign again.
Any other staff (contracted, temporary, interns, long-term sub, outside services) requesting a SPS account will need to sign a SpringNET before the account can be set up, and will need to sign a new SpringNET each school year.
Other documents that you might find helpful are:
District policies and procedures are available through the District's online policy manual.
SpringNET Examples
Below are example scenarios of situations that are governed by SpringNET.
Political Emails
You receive an email from Safe Schools talking about the bond levy. You would like to forward the email to fellow staff members. Can you do this? Why or why not?
You are not allowed to forward any political emails.
You are also not allowed to forward emails that take an advocacy position. Just as an FYI, all bond information that the District sends out has been approved by the state of Oregon's bond council.
SpringNET Violations
You witness what you believe is a violation of SpringNET guidelines. How do you report it?
If it is a student, report it to your principal and the parent. If it is a staff member, report it to your principal.
Equipment Loans
A student needs access to a computer over winter break to complete a school project. You would like to check out a COW computer for them to do this. Can you do this? Why or why not?
Because of CIPA requirements, teachers are required to monitor and supervise students when they use district equipment, which wouldn't be an option if the student took it home.
This is strictly prohibited as outlined on Page 4 of the SpringNET Guidelines.
Note: If staff want to take equipment home over breaks (e.g., winter, spring, summer), they will need to fill out the EDC-AR - Loan of District Computer Equipment form. Equipment is for District use (you can't profit from it); family members should not be using the equipment. If you are unclear about how equipment can be used, please see the IIBG - Computer Technology policy.
Online Posts
A teacher would like to post questions and comments out to an online educational forum. Can they do this? Why or why not?
Yes, so long as the topic is pertinent to your instruction and your response is professional. However, you cannot act as though you are the "official" district representative on a topic. Please remember that your posts are most likely time stamped and shouldn't be posted during instructional time (unless the posting is part of your classroom instruction).
Forwarding Email
You received a cute picture of a puppy from a family member. You would like to forward it to a few other staff members. Can you do this? Why or why not?
You will need to use your professional judgement when you forward emails, especially when it comes to racial, sexual, or other materials.
Streaming Video
Can you stream NetFlix videos to the classroom?
No, Netflix terms of service clearly state is for personal use only.