Technology

Personal technology may not be utilized during school hours and students are required to turn off all personal technology and keep it off their person. Personal technology will be permitted before and after school. Personal devices may be used if it is provided in the student’s IEP or an approved waiver for medical or academic purposes is on file. Inappropriate use of personal technology is subject to disciplinary action. The school district is not responsible for personal technology devices in the event of loss, damage, or theft. They may not be used for creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing indecent visual depictions or non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images as defined in State law. (6:235, 7:190, 7:236)

Students have access to district computers, network and technology for educational purposes. The district cannot guarantee that filtering software will always block access to inappropriate materials. The district’s electronic network is part of the curriculum and is not a public forum for general use. To gain access to the district’s electronic network, parents and students must sign the Access to Electronic Network Form. Violations may result in disciplinary action. Students who use their home computer or other technology to harass, bully, cyberbully, intimidate or ridicule fellow students, staff or the school will be subject to disciplinary action. (7-180, 7:346)

Under Illinois’ Student Online Personal Protection Act, or SOPPA (105 ILCS 85/), educational technology vendors and other entities that operate Internet websites, online services, online applications, or mobile applications that are designed, marketed, and primarily used for K-12 school purposes are referred to in SOPPA as operators. SOPPA is intended to ensure that student data collected by operators is protected, and it requires those vendors, as well as school districts and the Ill. State Board of Education, to take a number of actions to protect online student data.

For all students, personal technology will not be utilized during school hours, unless use is authorized by an approved Acceptable Use of Personal Technology Authorization. During school hours, personal technology must be powered off and put away, kept off and out of sight. This includes removing smartwatches from wrists. Use of personal technology is permitted before and after school. (7:236)