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Student Acceptable Use Agreement

STUDENT PROCEDURES FOR THE ACCEPTABLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

Purpose:

The Novi Community School District (“NCSD”) provides students, teachers, employees and administrators with access to NCSD’s Technology Resources (as defined below), which includes access to the Internet. NCSD’s Technology Resources are appropriate and adequate to support the instructional purposes. NCSD uses Technology Resources as one way of enhancing the mission to provide impactful opportunities for all to cultivate lifelong learning.

In an effort to increase access to 21st century skills, NCSD allows approved personal technology devices (“PTD”) (as defined below) on the NCSD guest network and school grounds, in accordance with these procedures. The use of PTD is optional. Users who do not elect to use PTD will not be penalized and alternate modes of participation will be available. 

Students shall receive age appropriate education about safety and security while using email, social media, and other forms of electronic communications, the dangers inherent with the online disclosure of personally identifiable information, and the consequences of unauthorized access, cyberbullying and other unlawful or inappropriate activities. NCSD will review cyber-safety rules with students throughout the course of the school year, and will offer reminders and reinforcement about safe and appropriate online behaviors. 

Users shall adhere to the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of NCSD, including but not limited to the Student Code of Conduct, Board of Education policies, and the Procedures and Rules for the Acceptable Use of Technology Resources and Personal Technology Devices. Users shall sign the Acceptable Use Agreement as a prerequisite to the use of NCSD Technology Resources and PTD. 

Definitions:

Personal Technology Devices (“PTD”): PTD is defined as an electronic device owned by the student, staff, or volunteer user, including, but not limited to, a user’s own laptop, cell phone, eReader, iPad, smartwatch that is used on school property, and is approved for such use. Not all devices are approved for use on school property. Devices that are dangerous or potentially dangerous are not approved for use at any time. NCSD reserves the right to limit the types of devices that are approved for use on school property. 

Technology Resources: Includes, but is not limited to, all NCSD provided devices (iPads, Chromebooks, laptops), network, electronic mail (“email”), Computer Systems (as defined below), cameras, televisions, video cassette recorders, DVDs, telephones, and NCSD-issued cellular/smartphones and all voice, video and data systems.  

Computer System and/or System: Includes, but is not limited to, computer hardware, software (operation and application), disk drives, printers, scanners, the network and any and all other associated equipment. These may include software installed on the computer or systems and applications hosted in the cloud such as Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft 365 or other hosted systems.

School property: Includes on school premises (buildings, classrooms, virtual courses), on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, or at a school sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises. 

 

Student Procedures and Rules for the Use of Technology Resources and PTD: 

All individual users of Technology Resources and PTD shall accept responsibility for the acceptable use thereof:

  1. NCSD is the owner of the Technology Resources and reserves the right to:

    1. Make determinations as to whether specific uses of its Technology Resources and/or PTD are inconsistent with the goals, educational mission, policies and/or procedures of NCSD.

    2. Monitor and keep records of Internet use and to monitor file server space utilization by users.

    3. Terminate a user’s privilege to access Technology Resources and/or the use of PTD, including Internet access, at any time.

    4. Subject a user to disciplinary action for conduct that causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment, in accordance with the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of NCSD and applicable law.

    5. At any time, strictly monitor Technology Resources electronically by NCSD.

  2. Failure to follow the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of NCSD may result in termination of the user’s privilege to access the Technology Resources and/or to use PTD. In addition, the user may be subject to other disciplinary or legal action.

  3. Students may use Technology Resources and/or PTD only for the purpose of accessing materials that are relevant to the curriculum.

  4. Messages sent by users via Technology Resources and/or PTD shall not contain profanity, obscene comments, sexually explicit material, expressions of bigotry, racism or hate.

  5. Disclosure, use and/or dissemination of personally identifiable information of students such as but not limited to user’s name, address, telephone number, social security number, pictures or other personally identifiable information is prohibited, except as expressly authorized by the minor student’s parent or guardian or as permitted by law.

  6. Users are expected to charge Technology Resources and/or PTD prior to school along with bringing their charger to school.

  7. Users shall maintain Technology Resources and/or PTD in silent mode at all times when on school property, unless otherwise permitted by school staff.

  8. Each user is responsible for their own PTD, and should use it responsibly and appropriately. NCSD takes no responsibility for stolen, lost, or damaged PTD, including lost or corrupted data on PTD.

  9. The content, use and maintenance of a user’s email account is the user’s responsibility. Accordingly, users shall: 

    1. If applicable, maintain user passwords to ensure security of their account;

    2. Check email regularly and remain within their file quota;

    3. Delete unwanted messages immediately since they take up file storage;

    4. Keep messages remaining in their email to a minimum;

    5. Save email messages in accordance with NCSD’s Record Retention Policy;

    6. Never assume that their email cannot be read or accessed by others; and

    7. Not open attachments from unsecured sources.

  10. Any and all websites and apps used for or representing NCSD or NCSD-related business shall be used, designed and published in accordance with the Website Creation Guidelines. 

  11. Users shall not use Technology Resources and/or PTD to harass or intimidate.

  12. Students shall not record, transmit or post images or video of a person or persons during school activities and/or school hours.

  13. Students shall not use Technology Resources and/or PTD to cheat on assignments or tests.

  14. Use of Technology Resources and/or PTD is prohibited in the following areas/situations: 

    1. Locker rooms 

    2. Bathrooms 

    3. Any private areas used for the purpose of changing clothes 

    4. Any other areas as designated by administration

  15. Users shall not attempt to obtain any other user’s password(s) and shall not read, copy or alter other user’s data without their permission, unless it is required to perform the user’s job function. Users shall not intentionally seek information, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the Internet.

  16. Users shall not knowingly or intentionally allow others to use their PTD and/or Technology Resources. Users shall immediately notify administrators or teachers if a security problem is suspected or identified.

  17. Users shall not play video games, visit chat rooms or otherwise use Technology Resources and/or PTD on school property for nonacademic purposes.

  18. Users shall not modify any of the Technology Resources without written permission from the Technology Department.

  19. Users shall not knowingly or intentionally damage or alter any aspect of the Technology Resources.

  20. Users shall not use Technology Resources for purposes other than for NCSD-related business. The Internet and Technology Resources shall not be used for illegal activity, for-profit purposes, lobbying, campaigning, advertising, fundraising, transmitting offensive materials, hate mail, mass emailing, discriminating remarks, or obtaining, possessing, or sending sexually explicit, obscene, or pornographic material.

  21. Users shall not knowingly or intentionally disclose, transmit, disseminate or otherwise distribute with Technology Resources and/or PTD, copyrighted, private, confidential or privileged information.

  22. Users shall not make copies of software from the NCSD’s Computer Systems. Use of Technology Resources for fraudulent or illegal purposes in violation of law is prohibited and will be referred to federal authorities. The illegal use of copyrighted software or terms of use for subscription based solutions is prohibited. NCSD upholds the copyright laws of the United States.

  23. Users shall report any problems or malfunctions with Technology Resources of Computer Systems to the Technology Department.

  24. Users shall not infiltrate, “hack into”, attempt to access or actually access Technology Resources, data, materials, or files that they are not authorized to access or the individual knows or reasonably believes may negatively affect the integrity of Technology Resources.

  25. Users shall not install any software on NCSD computers, servers or any Technology Resources without the express prior written permission of the Technology Department.

  26. Users shall not knowingly or intentionally introduce malware or engage in any other malicious action that affects Technology Resources. NCSD may collect and examine any Technology Resource and/or PTD that is suspected of causing technology problems or was the source of a malware infection or attack.

  27. Users shall not give computer software to others unless it is clearly identified in the public domain as freeware, or if they have written permission from the copyright owner.

  28. Users shall not bypass the network filters and security policies, or process or access information related to the network filters and security policies. NCSD may collect and examine any Technology Resource and/or PTD that is suspected of bypassing the network filters and security, or processing or accessing information related to the network filters and security policies.

  29. NCSD’s network filters will be applied to a PTD’s connection to the Internet and other Technology Resources.

  30. Users are responsible for making sure their PTD is up-to-date, including but not limited to operating system, antivirus/malware software, if applicable.

  31. Technology Resources have not been established as a public access service or a public forum. 

  32. Users have no right or expectation of privacy when using Technology Resources and Computer Systems, including, but not limited to, Google Workspace for Education accounts (including Chrome Profiles on NCSD devices and PTD), network communications, email, data on a device or server, Internet use, telephone, voice mail, and video recording.

  33. NCSD may collect and examine a student’s PTD when there is a reasonable suspicion that, through the use of PTD, a student is violating or has violated the law, and/or the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of NCSD.

  34. Administration has the discretion to prohibit, allow, and otherwise regulate the use of Technology Resources and/or PTD during the school day.

  35. Each teacher has the discretion to allow and regulate the use of Technology Resources and/or PTD in the classroom to support instruction and learning. Students in violation of classroom rules will be subject to discipline actions per the student code of conduct and/or district policies and guidelines. 

  36. It is the responsibility of teachers and staff to monitor and manage all use of Technology Resources and/or PTD on school property by students that they are supervising. Monitoring includes classroom management strategies and may include software and applications approved by NCSD to support the operations and curriculum of the NCSD.

  37. The use of all Technology Resources and/or PTD on school property is a privilege, not a right, and NCSD has the right to limit, restrict, or prohibit the use of Technology Resources, and/or limit, restrict, or prohibit the use of PTD on school property.

  38. NCSD will not service any PTD, which includes troubleshooting, software or hardware issues.

  39. Parents or legal guardians of users under the age of eighteen have the right to revoke their student’s user account. 

 

Network Considerations: 

Users should strive to maintain appropriate bandwidth for school-related work and communications when using the NCSD network. NCSD does not guarantee connectivity or quality of connection with PTD.
 
 

Disclaimer: 

NCSD will make every effort to provide appropriate Technology Resources and services, however, NCSD makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the Technology Resources it is providing. NCSD will not be responsible for any damages incurred by a user of the Technology Resources and/or PTD, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions. NCSD does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy or quality of information obtained via the Internet or email. NCSD shall not be held responsible for any possible charges to an account that might be incurred during approved school-related use of PTD. 

In no event shall NCSD be liable for any damages (whether direct, indirect, special or consequential) arising out of the use of the Internet, accuracy or correctness of databases or information contained therein, or related directly or indirectly to any failure or delay of access to the Internet or other network application.