Responsible Use

The Canton Public Schools (“CPS” or “District”) endeavors to provide technology tools for all aspects of learning, including collaboration, discovery, research, and communication, with the goal of encouraging educational excellence. Thus, the District seeks to ensure that technology is an integral component of our educational community. Equipment made available for student use includes networked computers and wireless devices with Internet/Intranet access, peripheral equipment, as well as other forms of technology. CPS technology access includes, but is not limited to, the CPS Network, the Internet, instructional database subscriptions, wireless devices, networked equipment and other technologies that may become available for student use over time.

The purpose of the District’s Responsible Use Policy (RUP) is to promote positive digital citizenship for our students, a citizenship that involves accessing appropriate resources and using electronic devices safely and effectively. It also seeks to avoid unauthorized access or disclosure of sensitive, confidential and proprietary information and avoid unlawful activities.

The RUP applies to student use of computers, Internet, wireless devices, instructional database subscriptions, electronic mail and all other forms of electronic equipment or communication provided by the District/network, regardless of the physical location of the user. Thus, the RUP applies even when a student uses District-provided equipment or accounts while not on school property and/or uses non-District devices to access the District network or databases.

CPS technology access for students in Canton is a privilege, not a right. With this privilege, come certain responsibilities for all users. All users must conform to the responsibilities established by this District policy.

Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in loss of access privileges or disciplinary action according to the school or District handbooks. The school District cannot provide access to any student who fails to sign this policy.

Student responsibilities:

I am responsible for practicing positive digital citizenship.

  • I understand that CPS Technology is provided only for the purpose of my participation in CPS educational programs.

  • I will ensure that my interactive contributions to websites, social media, discussion boards, media sharing sites, and all other electronic communications, including new technologies are designed to maintain a productive and appropriate educational environment for other students and staff.

  • I will be honest in all digital communication, including accurately identifying my own postings and contributions.

  • I understand that what I do and post online must be consistent with maintaining a safe and secure school environment for all.

  • I understand when given permission to access another individual’s personal accounts, I am still responsible for my actions when accessing these accounts.

  • I will use school appropriate language in all electronic communications, including email, social media, audio recordings, video conferencing, and artistic works.

I am responsible for keeping personal information private.

  • I will not share personal information about myself or others including, but not limited to: name, home address, telephone numbers, birth dates, usernames, passwords or visuals such as pictures, videos, or drawings.

  • I will not meet anyone in person that I have met only on the Internet.

  • I will be aware of and adhere to privacy settings on websites that I visit

I am responsible for my passwords and my actions on District accounts.

  • I will not share any school or District usernames and passwords with anyone.

  • I will not access the account information of others without permission.

  • I will log out of my accounts and equipment to ensure my privacy and security.

  • I will log out of unattended equipment and accounts if another student hasn’t logged off in order to maintain their privacy and security.

  • I understand that technology can be interrupted and unpredictable and will use multiple means to save and backup my information.

I am responsible for treating others with respect and dignity.

  • I will not send and/or distribute hateful, discriminatory, harassing digital communication, or engage in inappropriate sharing of images.

  • I understand that bullying and harassment in any form, including cyber bullying, is unacceptable.

I am responsible for accessing only educational content when using District technology.

  • I will not seek out, display, or circulate material that is deemed hurtful, sexually explicit, or violent.

  • I understand that any exceptions must be approved by a teacher or administrator as part of a school assignment.

  • I understand that the use of the District network and equipment for illegal, political, or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden.

  • I understand that the District has internet filters and will immediately notify District personnel if inappropriate content is accessed.

I am responsible for respecting and maintaining the security of the District electronic resources and networks.

  • I will not gain unauthorized access or violate District security settings and filters, including the use of proxy servers to access websites blocked by the District.

  • I will not install or use illegal software or files, including copyright protected materials, unauthorized software, or applications on any District computers, tablets, chromebooks, smartphones, or other new technologies.

  • I will not access my personal data plan on my own device during the school day to participate in classroom assignments or activities. Personal data plans do not have District filters.

  • I will not use the District network or equipment to obtain unauthorized information, attempt to access information protected by privacy laws, or impersonate other users.

I am responsible for taking all reasonable care when handling District equipment.

  • I understand that vandalism in any form it prohibited.

  • I will report any known or suspected acts of vandalism to the appropriate authority.

  • I will report any misuse of the CPS Network and all other technology. Misuse means any violations of this policy or any other use that is not included in the policy but has the effect of harming another or his/her property.

  • I will take care of the physical condition of the District equipment.

  • I will only make modifications to system or software settings with District equipment when instructed by school personnel.

I am responsible for respecting the works of others.

  • I will follow all copyright (http://copyright.gov/title17/) guidelines, and properly cite all sources.

  • I will not copy the work of another person and represent it as my own.

  • I will not download illegally obtained music, software, applications, and other works.

I am responsible for personal technology when I bring in my own device (BYOD) to the school’s buildings.

  • I understand that I am responsible to safeguard my own equipment.

  • I will only use my equipment when the teacher has given me permission. At the elementary level, the use of cellphones is prohibited during the school day. Students who bring cellphones to school must keep them turned off, and cell phones must remain in their backpack at all times. Cell phones may be used for emergencies only under the direction of school personnel. When electronic devices are needed to access the curriculum, teachers will provide them. Elementary students do not need cell phones during the school day.

  • I know that I am not to use any other student’s equipment without permission of that specific student.

  • I will only access the District wireless capabilities, not my personal data plan, when using my equipment because of the appropriate filtering for my educational research.