STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES

All students are responsible for their actions and activities involving school unit computers/devices, network and Internet services, and for their computer files, passwords and accounts. These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of the school unit’s computers/devices, network and Internet services, and examples of prohibited uses. The rules do not attempt to describe every possible prohibited activity by students. Students, parents and school employees who have questions about whether a particular activity is prohibited are encouraged to contact a building administrator the Director of Technology. These rules apply to all school computers/devices wherever they are used, and all uses of school servers, third-party services (such as Google Workspace for Education and PowerSchool), Internet access and networks regardless of how they are accessed.

1. Acceptable Use

The school unit’s computers/devices, network and Internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the school unit’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.

Students must comply with all Board policies, school rules and expectations for student conduct and communications when using school computers/devices, whether on or off school property.

Students also must comply with all specific instructions from school employees and volunteers when using the school unit’s computers/devices.

Students are required to provide their passwords for any school-issued computers/devices to the building administrator and/or the Director of Technology.

2. Prohibited Uses

Unacceptable uses of school unit computers/devices include, but are not limited to, the following:

Accessing or Communicating Inappropriate Materials – Students may not access, submit, post, publish, forward, download, scan or display defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, bullying/cyberbullying, and/or illegal materials or messages.

Illegal Activities – Students may not use the school unit’s computers/devices, network and Internet services for any illegal activity or in violation of any Board policy/procedure or school rules. The school unit assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of students while using school computers/devices.

Violating Copyrights or Software Licenses – Students may not copy, download or share any type of copyrighted materials (including music or films) without the owner’s permission; or copy or download software without the express authorization of the Technology Coordinator. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties. The school unit assumes no responsibility for copyright or licensing violations by students. See Board policy/procedure EGAD – Copyright Compliance.

Violating Third-Party Provider Terms of Service – Students must abide by the terms of use/service that apply to the third-party service provider services that students use.

Downloading “Apps” – Students may not download any “apps” without prior approval from an authorized school employee.

Plagiarism – Students may not represent as their own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, music, etc.) or through the use of generative AI (e.g., entering a prompt on an AI tool and using the output in school work). When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and web site must be identified. 

Use for Non-School-Related Purposes - Using the school unit’s computers/devices, network and Internet services for any personal reasons not connected with the educational program or school assignments. 

Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access – Students may not share passwords (except with authorized school employees); use passwords belonging to others; access or use the accounts of others; or circumvent, or attempt to circumvent network security.

Malicious Use/Vandalism – Students may not engage in any malicious use, disruption or harm to the school unit’s computers/devices, network and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses.

Avoiding School Filters – Students may not attempt to or use any software, utilities or other means to access Internet sites or content blocked by the school filters. If a student believes filtering should be less restrictive on a temporary basis for specific, bona fide research purposes, they should discuss the matter with their teacher.

Unauthorized Access to Blogs/Social Media, Etc. – Students may not access blogs, social networking sites, etc. to which student access is prohibited. 

3. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages

Students and their parents are responsible for compensating the school unit for any losses, costs or damages incurred for violations of Board policies/procedures and school rules while the student is using school unit computers/devices, network and/or Internet services, including the cost of investigating such violations. The school unit assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by students while using school unit computers/devices, network and/or Internet services.

4. Student Security

Students are not allowed to reveal their full name, address, telephone number, social security number, photograph or other personal information on the Internet while using a school computer/device, network, and/or Internet service without prior permission from a teacher. Students should never agree to meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission. Students should inform their teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.

5. System Security

The security of the school unit’s computers/devices, network and Internet services is a high priority. Any student who identifies a security problem must notify their teacher or building administrator immediately. Students shall not demonstrate the problem to others or access unauthorized material.

6. Rules for Devices Issued to Students

7.  Additional Rules for Use of Privately-Owned Computers/Devices by Students [in Lieu of or in Addition to School-Issued Computers/Devices]

A student who wishes to use a privately-owned computer/device in school (which, for the purposes of these rules includes use for remote learning) for school purposes, in lieu of or in addition to a school-issued computer/device, must complete a Student Request to Use Privately-Owned Computer/Device form. The form must be signed by the student, their parent, a sponsoring teacher, the building administrator and the Technology Director. There must be an educational basis for any request.

The Technology Director will determine whether a student’s privately-owned computer/device meets the school unit’s network requirements.

Requests may be denied if it is determined that there is not a suitable educational basis for the request and/or if the demands on the school unit’s network or staff would be unreasonable.

The student is responsible for proper care of their privately-owned computer/device, including any costs of repair, replacement or any modifications needed to use the computer at school.

The school unit is not responsible for damage, loss or theft of any privately-owned computer/device.

Students are required to comply with all Board policies, administrative procedures and school rules while using privately-owned computers/devices in school.

Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of a privately-owned computer/device while at school. The school unit reserves the right to search a student’s privately-owned computer/device if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated Board policies, administrative procedures or school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using the computer/device.

The school unit may confiscate and/or disallow use of any privately-owned computer/device used by a student in school without authorization as required by these rules. The contents of the computer may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

Violation of any Board policies, administrative procedures or school rules involving a student’s privately-owned computer/device may result in the revocation of the privilege of using the computer at school and/or disciplinary action.

8. Google Workspace for Education

The school unit will, at its discretion, create Google Workspace for Education accounts for students. Accounts will be terminated when a student ceases to be a student in the school unit. 

Google Workspace features will be enabled on a user-by-user-basis at the discretion of the Technology Director. Use of Google Workspace is subject to Google’s acceptable use policy (available at https://workspace.google.com/terms/use_policy/ or upon request from the Technology Director), and all school unit policies, procedures and rules. The school unit maintains the right to suspend or terminate a student’s access to their account for violations of policies, procedures, rules or applicable laws. Students must, at all times, take reasonable measures to protect files and information in Google Workspace, including, but not limited to, not sharing passwords and following all security and access rules.

Cross Reference:

EGAD - Copyright Compliance

IJNDB - Student Computer and Internet Use

Adopted: June 14, 2012

Revised: 3-11-2025