POLICY NUMBER:
500.06
ADOPTED:
12.12.2023
Board Policy
- The Board of Education recognizes foremost the critical value of in-person instruction and in-person communication with students in the educational process.
- The Board of Education is equally mindful that the education of students and work of employees are increasingly facilitated and maintained through technological means, including online instruction resources, online student supplemental materials, computer assessment, and electronic employee evaluations. The Board is also aware of the proliferation and accessibility of personal electronic devices for individuals at all ages, and the potential for their presence in schools and recognizes a need to offer guidance to students and employees for access to personal electronic devices in schools and their use in instruction.
- The Board of Education believes in the importance of teaching “Digital Citizenship” for both students and employees for technology use in the District and as members of society. Digital Citizenship has been defined as “the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to technology use, including digital literacy, ethics, etiquette, and security.” (See, Utah Code §53G-7-1202). Digital Citizenship includes, but is not limited to issues of internet safety, digital reputation, privacy and security, digital relationships and communication, cyberbullying, and information literacy.
- The Board of Education believes all students and employees need Digital Citizenship skills to participate fully in their communities and make smart choices online and contribute positively in family and civic life. The Board of Education also recognizes the requirement for a policy to restrict access to the Internet or online sites that contain obscene material in accordance with state and federal law (See, Utah Code §53G-7-1002; Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)), and to prohibit the use of electronic devices to bully, humiliate, harass students, employees, and guests (See, R277-609; R277-613).
- The Board authorizes the Superintendent and District Administration to development administrative regulations consistent with this policy, subject to review and approval by the Board.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-1
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Definitions - 500.06-1
- “Electronic Device”: means a device that is used for audio, video, or text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument including, but not limited to:
- a smart phone;
- a smart watch;
- a tablet; or
- a virtual reality device.
- “Electronic Device Accessories”: means an add-on (electronic or wireless) to make an electronic device more useful or versatile. Accessories may include, but are not limited to: earbuds; earphones; headsets, speakers; chargers; and microphones.
- “Guest”: means an individual who is not a student, employee, or designated volunteer of the District who is on school property or at the site of a school-sponsored activity or event.
- “Inappropriate matter”: means pornographic or indecent material as defined in Utah Code §76-10-1235 (1)(a).
- “District-owned electronic device”: means any device that is used for audio, video, text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is owned, provided, issued or lent by the District to a student or employee.
- “Personal electronic device”: means any device that is used for audio, video, text communication or any other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is not owned by the District.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-2
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Scope - 500.06-2
1. This policy references the use of electronic devices and electronic information resources made available to students of Canyons School District. These resources include, but are not limited to, voice mail, electronic mail, the Internet, and other network files or accounts provided to students. Student use of electronic information resources must be in support of education and research and must be consistent with the educational objectives of Canyons School District. While access to all materials on a worldwide network cannot be controlled, Internet access in Canyons School District is filtered and monitored on an ongoing basis.
2. The Superintendent and District Administration have authority to review, monitor, update, and determine appropriate use of District-owned electronic devices, network settings, security protocols, software, hardware, and associated decisions to accomplish the educational objectives of a system of instruction for students in accordance with Board policy.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-3
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Individual School Electronic Device “Policy/Procedure”; School Level Guidelines for Personal Electronic Devices - 500.06-3
- Each individual CSD school shall develop a school electronic device policy/procedure for students, employees, and guests, governing the use of electronic devices on school premises and at school sponsored activities. See, R277-495-3(1).
- The school electronic device policy/procedure will be developed with input from teachers, students, parents, employees, school community councils, and community members and will include permissible and restricted uses of electronic devices that promote classroom learning and minimize disruptions.
- The school electronic device policy/procedure will be communicated to parent/legal guardians and students, and will be posted on the school’s website.
- A school electronic policy/procedure will include applicable provisions from the Board’s Policy—500.06—Technology Resources—Electronic Devices and Network Acceptable Use (Students) including, but not limited to:
- Definitions;
- Use of Electronic Devices in Schools; Student Safety and Social Media
- Terms and Conditions;
- Reporting Misuse; and
- Expectations of Privacy.
- A school electronic policy/procedure will be reviewed annually by the Office of School Performance.
School Level Guidelines for Personal Electronic Devices
- For school level guidelines please refer to Exhibit—1—School Level Guidelines for Personal Electronic Devices.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-4
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Use of Electronic Devices in Schools; Student Safety and Social Media - 500.06-4
Personal Electronic Device brought to school or school activities at student’s own risk.
- Students bring individual personal electronic devices on school property or to school activities at their own risk.
- The District or school is not responsible for borrowed, misused, lost, stolen, or damages to personal electronic devices.
Electronic Devices may be used during school or school events as follows:
- CSD supports District-owned electronic devices for instruction in the classroom and off-site assignment under the direction the principal and teacher, as part of a systemic instructional program. Systemic decisions regarding use of district electronic devices, network settings, network filtering, software and hardware, security protocols, and network applications are under the direction of the Superintendent and District Administration.
- Personal electronic devices may be used in accordance with school level policies under the direction of the principal and classroom teacher. Individual schools, the principal, or teacher may limit the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time and other school activities in accordance with the school policy/procedure.
- Teachers will provide within the course disclosure statement information regarding technology use in the classroom.
- Students shall not be required to use or share personal electronic devices for instructional purposes. If a parent/legal guardian requests that their student not use their personal electronic device for instruction, the parent must notify the principal in writing.
- If a teacher desires to allow technology use (District-owned electronic devices or personal electronic devices) during instruction, all students must have access to technology.
- CSD Teachers choosing to allow the use of District-owned electronic devices or personal electronic devices, shall use District Approved applications.
- Electronic devices may not be used during standardized assessments, unless specifically allowed by statute, regulation, student IEP, or assessment directions.
Electronic devices may not be used during school or school events as follows:
- Students are prohibited from using district-owned electronic devices or personal electronic devices in ways that bully, humiliate, harass, or intimidate school-related individuals (students, employees, or guests) or violate local, state, or federal laws (see, Policy—500.02—Student Conduct and Discipline).
- Use of electronic devices to access inappropriate matter or pornographic images on school premises is illegal, and may have both criminal and disciplinary consequences, and where appropriate, shall be reported to law enforcement.
- Picture taking or recording by students in school or school activity in private areas, such as locker rooms, counseling sessions, restrooms, and dressing areas is strictly prohibited.
- Unauthorized audio recordings, capturing of images, transmission of recordings or images or invasions of reasonable expectations of student and employee privacy is strictly prohibited.
Student Safety and Social Media
- District and school employees must maintain boundaries that are consistent with the legal and ethical duty of care school personnel have for students. A boundary violation has the potential to abuse the employee-student relationship. (See, Policy 400.01, Employee Conduct and Professionalism). Personal communication with a student should be for instruction or official school business. If a student is contacted by a District or school employee by for reasons unrelated to instruction or official school business by electronic means or social media, the student should report it to the school principal or other appropriate administrator.
- The District encourages students to exercise caution in providing personal information, passwords, and other student data on social networking sites. It may make it easier for hackers, or others to steal personal information, access data, or engage in other crimes.
- For additional information regarding student safety and social media, please refer to Exhibit—2—Social Media Safety Tips.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-5
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Terms and Conditions; Reporting Misuse - 500.06-5
Acceptable Network Use
- Students will use the Internet and other electronic information resources in an appropriate manner, abiding by the rules and regulations described in this policy.
- Students are expected to abide by generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These rules include, but are not limited to, being polite, never sending or encouraging others to send abusive messages, and never using inappropriate language.
Unacceptable Network Use
- Students may not intentionally transmit or receive material in violation of law or district policy. This includes, but is not limited to, pornographic, indecent or sexually suggestive materials, weapons, controlled substances or alcohol, or incendiary devices. A student may not be in possession of or use pornographic material on school property. Users are prohibited from posting or sending content that contains threats or is hatefully or racially, ethically or otherwise objectionable.
- Students may not participate in or promote any illegal or inappropriate activities, disruptive use of the network, or activities of any kind that do not conform to the rules, regulations and policies of Canyons School District.
- Students may not use the network for product advertisement or political lobbying.
- Students may not reveal personal information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, credit card numbers or social security numbers. Releasing personal information of others or that of organizations associated with the district is prohibited.
- Students may not intentionally harm or destroy district data, the network, or network performance. This includes, but is not limited to, creation and introduction of computer viruses, hacking (obtain unauthorized access to restricted systems or programs), or using the district network to illegally access other systems. (See, Exhibit—3—Responsible Use Guidelines).
Reporting Misuse
- Students should report misuse of electronic devices by other students to a teacher or administrator.
- Students that use electronic devices to access inappropriate or pornographic images on school premises is illegal, may have criminal consequences, and where appropriate, shall be reported to law enforcement.
- Students should report any misuse of electronic devices by an employee to the principal or other appropriate administrator.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-6
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Expectation of Privacy - 500.06-6
- Student files, documents, etc., which have been used or created with district electronic information resources are not considered private.
- Electronic mail transmissions are not private.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-7
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Discussion/Submission - 500.06-7
- Students will participate in a discussion with a parent or legal guardian District Policy—500.06—Technology Resources: Network Acceptable Use (Student), which includes proper behavior and use of the network.
- Students will be required to submit a new Student Signature of Agreement Form each year or upon special request.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-8
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Signatures; Disciplinary Action - 500.06-8
- The combined signatures indicates that the student and parent/legal guardian has carefully read, understands and agrees to abide by these terms and conditions regarding proper behavior and use of the network. The signatures on the Student Signature of Agreement Form are legally binding.
- Students who violate the terms and conditions of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including the possibility of suspension or expulsion from school and appropriate legal action. Access to electronic information may be limited, suspended or revoked.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-9
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Service Disclaimer - 500.06-9
- Canyons School District makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the electronic information resources it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages a student suffers while using these resources. These damages may include, but are not limited to, loss of data as a result of delays, employee errors or omissions, or non-deliveries or service interruptions caused by a network system. Use of information obtained by the network system is at the employee’s own risk. Canyons School District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through the electronic information resources.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
500.06-10
APPROVED:
12.12.2023
Training - 500.06-10
Each school shall, within the first 45 days of each school year, provide school-wide or in-classroom training to students that covers:
- The District and school’s internet and electronic device policies;
- The importance of digital citizenship;
- The District and school’s student conduct and discipline policies;
- The benefits of connecting to the internet and using the school’s internet filters while on school premises; and
- The discipline related consequences of violating internet and electronic device policies.
Forms
None
Document History
Revised – 12.12.23. Policy – 500.06 Technology Resources: Electronic Devices and Network Acceptable Use (Students) was revised to clarify language in the policy regarding the authority of the school principal and District-owned electronic devices. The policy language indicated that systemic decisions regarding use of district electronic devices, network settings, network filtering, software and hardware, security proposals, and network applications are under the direction of the Superintendent and District Administration.
Revised – 10.15.19. Policy – 500.06 – Technology Resources: Electronic Devices and Network Acceptable Use (Students) was revised to to include required legal provisions from Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Rule R277-495. Electronic Devices in Public Schools and offer guidance regarding electronic devices in schools. The revised policy includes:
- A revised title including “Electronic Devices.” Specifically, “Technology Resources: Electronic Devices and Network Acceptable Use (Students);
- A revised Board policy statement including the statutory requirement to restrict access to the Internet or online sites that contain obscene material in accordance with state and federal law;
- Required definitions for electronic devices consistent with R277-495;
- Required language for development of an individual school electronic device “policy/procedure”;
- Required language regarding student safety and social media;
- Required language prohibiting uses of electronic devices that bully, humiliate, harass, or intimidate school-related individuals, including students, employees, and guests;
- Required language for permitted and restricted uses of electronic devices, reporting student misuse, and training requirements).
To assist individual schools in developing procedures for electronic devices, a school level guideline exhibit was developed. (See, Exhibit—1—School Level Guidelines for Personal Electronic Devices).
Adopted – 7.10.07.
This online presentation is an electronic representation of the Canyons School District’s currently adopted policy manual. It does not reflect updating activities in progress. The official, authoritative manual is available for inspection in the office of the Superintendent located at 9361 South 300 East Sandy, UT 84070.
