BE SAFE • BE RESPECTFUL • BE RESPONSIBLE • BE KIND • BELONG
TECHNOLOGY USE
Per BVUSD Board Policy 6163.4, students and parents are required to sign and return an Acceptable Use Agreement (part of the Handbook Acknowledgement Form) which outlines the guidelines and behaviors that are expected when using technology at school. Key agreements are listed below:
District technology is provided for educational purposes.
The Bennett Valley Union School District makes a reasonable effort to ensure students' safety and security online, but will not be held accountable for any harm or damages that result from use of school technologies.
Online content is filtered through the Sonoma County Office of EducationStudents shall not have any expectation of privacy in any use of district technology. All activity may be monitored and retained.
Students are expected to use district technology safely, responsibly, and for educational purposes only and are prohibited from using district technology for improper purposes
Users of the district network or other technologies are expected to alert a teacher, or the Director of Technology immediately of any concerns for safety or security.
All users are expected to use good judgment and the same expected behaviors and respectful conduct online and offline.
Misuse of school resources can result in disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to the following: suspension of network, technology, or computer privileges, notification to parents, suspension from school and school-related activities, legal action and/or prosecution.
Online behavior that disrupts or harms a member of our school community may result in disciplinary action even it occurs outside of school and on a personal device.
ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENTS
The Bennett Valley Union School District authorizes students to use technology owned or otherwise provided by the district as necessary for instructional purposes. The use of district technology is a privilege permitted at the district's discretion and is subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in applicable Board policies, administrative regulations, and this Acceptable Use Agreement. The district reserves the right to suspend access at any time, without notice, for any reason.
The district expects all students to use technology responsibly. The district may place reasonable restrictions on the sites, material, and/or information that students may access through the system. Every family shall sign the Acceptable Use Agreement as an indication that they have read and understand the agreement. This agreement is part of the Handbook Acknowledgement page in the online registration process, and is available here for review at any time.
DEFINITIONS
District technology includes, but is not limited to: computers, the district's computer network including servers and wireless computer networking technology (wi-fi), the Internet, email, USB drives, wireless access points (routers), tablet computers, smartphones and smart devices, telephones, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, pagers, MP3 players, wearable technology, any wireless communication device including emergency radios, and/or future technological innovations, whether accessed on or off site or through district-owned or personally owned equipment or devices.
STUDENT OBLIGATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are expected to use district technology safely, responsibly, and for educational purposes only. The student in whose name district technology is issued is responsible for its proper use at all times. Students shall not share their assigned online services account information, passwords, or other information used for identification and authorization purposes, and shall use the system only under the account to which they have been assigned.
Students are prohibited from using district technology for improper purposes, including, but not limited to, use of district technology to:
Access, post, display, or otherwise use material that is discriminatory, libelous, defamatory, obscene, sexually explicit, or disruptive
Bully, harass, intimidate, or threaten other students, staff, or other individuals ("cyberbullying")
Disclose, use, or disseminate personal identification information (such as name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, or other personal information) of another student, staff member, or other person with the intent to threaten, intimidate, harass, or ridicule that person
Infringe on copyright, license, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights
Intentionally disrupt or harm district technology or other district operations (such as destroying district equipment, placing a virus on district computers, adding or removing a computer program without permission from a teacher or other district personnel, changing settings on shared computers)
Install unauthorized software
"Hack" into the system to manipulate data of the district or other users
Engage in or promote any practice that is unethical or violates any law or Board policy, administrative regulation, or district practice
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE & UNACCEPTABLE USE
The examples below are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should adhere to the same standards of expected behavior and use their own good judgment when using technology.
Acceptable Use Examples
Using technology for school-related activities and learning while following the same guidelines for safe, respectful, and responsible behavior online that I am expected to follow offline
Using school resources carefully, and alert staff if there is any problem with their operation
Alerting a teacher or other staff member if I see threatening, inappropriate, or harmful content (images, messages, posts) online
Understanding that use of school technology is a privilege and and it can be revoked
Being careful to protect the safety of myself and others
Unacceptable Use Examples
Using school technologies in a way that could be harmful
Attempting to find inappropriate images or content
Engaging in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful behavior toward others
Posting personally-identifying information, about myself or others
Agreeing to meet someone I meet online in real life
Using language online that would be unacceptable in the classroom.
PRIVACY
Since the use of district technology is intended for educational purposes, students shall not have any expectation of privacy in any use of district technology. The district reserves the right to monitor and record all use of district technology, including, but not limited to, access to the Internet or social media, communications sent or received from district technology, or other uses. Such monitoring/recording may occur at any time without prior notice for any legal purposes including, but not limited to, record retention and distribution and/or investigation of improper, illegal, or prohibited activity. Students should be aware that, in most instances, their use of district technology (such as web searches and emails) cannot be erased or deleted. All passwords created for or used on any district technology are the sole property of the district. The creation or use of a password by a student on district technology does not create a reasonable expectation of privacy.
PERSONALLY OWNED DEVICES
Except with permission (see forms below), students should not bring personally-owned devices (including laptops, tablets, smart phones, and cell phones) to school.
If they are brought, with permission, they must be turned off and put away during school hours-unless otherwise instructed by a teacher or staff. If a student uses a personally owned device, with district permission, to access district technology, he/she shall abide by all applicable Board policies, administrative regulations, and this Acceptable Use Agreement.
Any such use of a personally owned device may subject the contents of the device and any communications sent or received on the device to disclosure pursuant to a lawful subpoena or public records request.
DOWNLOAD MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AGREEMENTS HERE.
Download English Form • Download Spanish Form
Agreements are also available in any office and must be submitted prior to bringing a device to school.
REPORTING
If a student becomes aware of any security problem (such as any compromise of the confidentiality of any login or account information) or misuse of district technology, he/she shall immediately report such information to the teacher or other district personnel.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Users should not share any personal information online.
Users should protect personal information of themselves and others. Users should never agree to meet someone they meet online in real life without parental permission.
Users should bring any message, comment, image, or anything else online that could be concerning for personal safety, to the attention of a trusted adult immediately.
ONLINE BEHAVIOR
Users should always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful manner. Users are expected to communicate online and offline with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, and courteous conduct. There are always consequences when online behavior harms or upsets a member of our school community. Students can face consequences for online behavior that harms or upsets a member of our school community, even if the behavior happens on a personal device and outside of school.
ONLINE INFORMATION
Users should also recognize that among the valuable content online is unverified, incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should use trusted sources when conducting research via the Internet.
Users should be mindful to avoid posting anything online that they wouldn't want parents, teachers, or future colleges or employers to see. Once something is online, it may not be possible to remove it, and it can be shared and spread in ways never intended
EMAIL
Students do not typically have access to email, but the following agreements are established for adults:
District email accounts are for the purpose of school-related communication only.
Users should not attempt to open files or follow links from unknown or untrusted origin; should use appropriate language; and should only communicate with other people as allowed by the district policy or the teacher.
Email usage may be monitored and archived.
Availability and use may be restricted based on school policies.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Personal social media accounts may not be accessed via a district-issued device or on the district network.
Social Media should be used responsibly, carefully, legally, and under the close supervision of an adult.
Many social media accounts are restricted by age. As age-appropriate, families are encouraged to have regular conversations about social media use expectations.
Activity that occurs off campus and on a person device may still result in a school consequence to the extent that it impacts the school community
CYBERBULLYING
Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, impersonating, disrespecting, excluding, and cyberstalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Engaging in these behaviors, or any activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime.
Remember that activity on district devices or the district network are monitored and retained.
Activity that occurs off campus and on a person device may still result in a school consequence to the extent that it impacts the school community
CHROMEBOOKS
CHROMEBOOK DEVICES
The Bennett Valley Union School District does provide learners with devices to promote learning outside of the classroom. Use of school-issued mobile devices off the school network may be monitored. Users should abide by the same acceptable use policies when using school devices on and off campus.
Student Responsibility -Chromebook
The Chromebook is an educational tool and is intended for educational purposes only.
Users are expected to treat these devices with extreme care and caution. Students are responsible for the general care of their Chromebook and for bringing their charged device for use during their instructional day unless otherwise specified.
Users should report any loss, damage, or malfunction to the district Technology Director immediately
Users may be financially accountable for any damage resulting from negligence or misuse.
Terms of Use - Chromebook
The Chromebook is considered district property while the student is enrolled at school in the Bennett Valley Union School District.
The student shall return the Chromebook and power cord in good operating condition to Bennett Valley Union School District at the designated date and time set forth by the District.
If the student terminates enrollment with the District for any reason, he or she must return the Chromebook and power cord to the site/District within seven days.
The District may require the student to return the Chromebook and power cord without notice, at any time and for any reason.
Use of Equipment - Chromebook
In accordance with BVUSD Board Policy 6161.2 (Damaged or Lost Instructional Materials), students are responsible for the proper care of school issued property and the equipment.
Parents/guardians will be responsible for District-owned technology property that is issued to their student(s) and shall be responsible for reparation equal to the current replacement cost.
CONSQEUNCES FOR VIOLATION
Violations of the law, Board policy, or any part of this Acceptable Use Agreement may result in revocation of a student's access to district technology and/or discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion. In addition, violations of the law, Board policy, or this agreement may be reported to law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
PARENT RESOURCES
This is free online training opportunity to help parents learn more about keeping kids safe online.