Acceptable Use Policy

The use of the Central Community School District’s technology resources is a privilege, not a right. The privilege of using the technology resources provided by the Central Community School District is not transferable or extendible by students to people or groups outside the District and terminates when a student is no longer enrolled in the Central Community School District. This policy is provided to make all users aware of the responsibilities associated with efficient, ethical, and lawful use of technology resources. If a person violates any of the user terms and conditions named in this policy, privileges may be terminated, access to the school district technology resources may be denied, and appropriate disciplinary action shall be applied.

Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension/expulsion for students. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

• Talk to your child(ren) about the values and standards your child(ren) should follow when using the Internet and school device.

• Should you want your child(ren) to opt out of taking an iPad or laptop home (NOTE: Only 7th-12th grade students take devices home), you will need to sign a form indicating this and understand that your child(ren) is still responsible for meeting the course requirements.

• Understand that if your child(ren) is dual enrolled/homeschooled for part of the school day, your child(ren) will not be allowed to use the iPad or laptop outside of school.

School Responsibilities

• Provide Internet to students at school.

• Provide as much as possible Internet blocking of inappropriate materials at school.

• Provide guidance and educational opportunities to help students better understand compliance of the acceptable use policy.

• In accordance with state law (Iowa HF 2676), the district limits student digital instruction (lessons, assignments, or activities delivered via device software) to no more than 60 minutes per school day for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.

• Statutory Exceptions: This daily limit does not apply to device usage required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, assistive technologies, state assessments/progress monitoring, teacher-directed smartboard/projector demonstrations, or dedicated computer science curriculum.

• Parental Rights: Parents or guardians maintain the explicit right to request additional reductions in their child's digital device instruction time by submitting a written request to the elementary principal's office.

Student Responsibilities

• Use iPads and laptops in a responsible and ethical manner.

• Obey general school rules concerning behavior and communication that apply to use of technology.

• Use all technology resources in an appropriate manner so as to not damage school equipment. This “damage” includes, but is not limited to, the loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by the student’s own negligence, errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via Central Community School District’s designated Internet system is at your own risk. Central Community School District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

• Students are expected to practice healthy digital habits, including taking necessary screen breaks. If a student encounters online interactions, cyberbullying, or digital content that causes distress, anxiety, or safety concerns, they are highly encouraged to report it immediately to a school counselor, administrator, or via the district's trusted safety channels.

• Help Central Community School District protect our network and devices by contacting a staff person about any security problems you may encounter.

• The use of Generative AI tools to complete, synthesize, or ghostwrite academic assignments without explicit, written authorization from the instructor constitutes academic dishonesty and will be penalized under the district's plagiarism framework.

• Monitor all activity on your school accounts.

• When finished with the iPad or laptop , secure the device to protect your personal information, homework and the device.

• If an email or other communication is received containing inappropriate or abusive language, or if the subject matter is questionable, report it to a staff person immediately.

• Return the iPad or laptop and accessories to Central Community School at the end of each school year. Students who graduate early, transfer to alternative school, withdraw, are suspended or expelled, or terminate enrollment at Central Community School for any other reason must return the iPad or laptop and accessories on the date of termination.

Student Activities Strictly Prohibited

• Using iPad or laptop for non-educational purposes during class times

• Illegal installation or transmission of copyrighted materials

• Any action that violates existing Board policy or public law

• Sending, accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing offensive, profane, threatening, pornographic, obscene, discriminatory, or sexually explicit materials

• Using chat rooms or websites to sell or purchase term papers, book reports, and other forms of student work

• Using messaging services except those authorized by staff

• Playing online games except those authorized by staff

• Using outside data disks or external attachments without prior approval from tech support

• Changing iPad or laptop settings (exceptions include personalized settings such as desktop background image, font style, etc.)

• Downloading apps

• Spamming/sending mass or inappropriate emails

• Gaining access to other student accounts, files, and/or data

• Using the school accounts for financial or commercial gain or for any illegal activity

• Using anonymous and/or false communications

• Giving out personal information, for any reason, over the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, setting up Internet accounts including those necessary for chat rooms, social media and gaming sites, email, etc.

• Students will adhere strictly to the district's standalone Personal Electronic Device Policy (Board Policy 502.14) regarding personal mobile phones, smartwatches, and personal media players. 

• Students will keep personal devices silenced and securely stored out of sight during all "bell-to-bell" classroom instructional times. Enforcement, storage protocols, and parental emergency communication channels are governed entirely by that specific framework and remain independent of school-issued device privileges.

• Participating in credit card fraud, electronic forgery or other forms of illegal behavior.

• Vandalizing (any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware, software or data, including, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses or programs that can infiltrate computer systems and/or damage software components) school equipment will not be allowed

• Transmitting or accessing materials that are obscene, offensive, threatening or otherwise intended to harass/demean others

• Bypassing the Central Community School web filter through a web proxy

• Taking photos or videos of other students, staff or anyone without their permission. The possession, forwarding, or uploading of unauthorized photos or video to any website, network storage area, or person is strictly forbidden. Photos and video taken with the iPad or laptop are for educational purposes only

• Using FaceTime or other recording tools without permission

iPad / Laptop Care

• Students will be held responsible for maintaining their school-issued iPad or laptop and keeping the device in good working order.

• iPad and laptop batteries must be charged and ready for school each day.

• Only labels or stickers approved by the Central Community School District may be applied to the iPad or laptop.

• iPad and laptop covers and sleeves furnished by the school district must be returned with only normal wear and no alterations to avoid paying a replacement fee.

• iPads and laptops that malfunction or are damaged must be reported to tech support as soon as possible. The school district will be responsible for repairing iPads and laptops that malfunction. See Section 8 of this Agreement for costs to students and parents for damaged iPads.

• iPads and laptops that are stolen must be reported immediately to the school office and the Elkader Police Department.

Legal Propriety

• Comply with trademark and copyright laws and all license agreements. Ignorance of the law is not immunity. If you are unsure, ask a teacher or parent.

• Plagiarism is illegal. Give credit to all sources used, whether quoted or summarized. This includes all forms of media on the Internet, such as graphics, movies, music, and text.

• The utilization of generative artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or AI-assisted writing/editing applications) to complete, ghostwrite, or misrepresent academic assignments without explicit teacher authorization is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized use of AI tools constitutes academic dishonesty and will be treated under the district’s plagiarism guidelines.

• Use or possession of hacking software is strictly prohibited and violators will be subject to applicable state or federal laws that may result in criminal prosecution or disciplinary action by the District.

INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT

Students will be expected to abide by the following online etiquette:

• Student access to e-mail and additional school-issued online accounts and apps will be for educational purposes only.

• Students will only access their own assigned device, accounts and files, unless permission is given otherwise.

• Students will not give out identifying information and will respect the personal information of others.

• Students will not access social networks, websites, blogs, email, etc. with the purpose of creating, viewing, and/or participating in cyberbullying and harm to others.

• Students will not access materials that are obscene, profane, violent, discriminatory, or depicts illegal activities.

• Students will respect all copyright and license agreements, and cite all quotes, references, and sources.

Students will be expected to abide to the following off-campus web filtering & responsibility:

• Students will remain subject to remote district web filtering while utilizing school-issued devices outside of school grounds. 

• Students will not connect to unmanaged networks, personal mobile hotspots, or utilize Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to deliberately bypass school filters. 

• Students and their parents will maintain ultimate responsibility for monitoring internet activity while devices are off school grounds.

Students will be expected to abide by the following online video conferencing (i.e., Zoom, Google Meet) etiquette, both at school and at home:

• Students should be mindful of what background activities could potentially be heard or seen during their participation in video conferencing.

• Students should use the video conferencing tools near enough to an adult in case issues arise, yet private enough that they can concentrate on their work.

• Students should dress appropriately when video conferencing.

• Students should make sure their surroundings are free of distractions that could prevent them from concentrating on their work.

• Students should not take photos, screenshots, or record any video or audio of the video conferencing lessons. This is a violation of Board Policy Code No: 605.6R1 TECHNOLOGY: ACCEPTABLE USE REGULATION and INTERNET SAFETY POLICY.

• Students should have their devices (i.e., iPad, laptop) that they will be using for a video conferencing lesson or activity charged and ready to go before the lesson/activity is scheduled to start.

In regards to recording video conferencing lessons, staff may record and post the lessons for students who cannot attend the live sessions. Staff will follow the guidelines below regarding recordings: The recordings will not be publicly available, and will only be shared within protected websites and online programs that require usernames and passwords to access, such as Google Classroom and SeeSaw

Staff will announce their intention to record the lessons giving students the opportunity to turn off their camera and/or microphone if privacy is of concern.