Student Use of Technology

Article 1 of 11

Purpose and Scope

In plain wordsThis policy explains how students use District technology, wherever learning happens.

Helendale School District provides technology to support instruction, communication, administration, research, student services, and District operations. This policy (“Policy”) establishes reasonable expectations for student use of District technology.

This Policy applies to all students who access or use District technology. It applies whether the technology is used on or off District property, including when a District device or account is used away from school or when a personal device is connected to a District system.

District technology includes District-owned or District-managed devices, networks, internet access, email, user accounts, applications, cloud services, online platforms, electronic communications, files, and data.

Technology access is provided to support legitimate educational purposes. Access may be limited or withdrawn as provided in this Policy, applicable law, and District policy.

Article 2 of 11

Acceptable Use

In plain wordsUse technology for learning, take good care of it, and be kind and honest online.

Students may use District technology for legitimate educational, instructional, and school-related purposes.

Limited personal use may be permitted when it:

• Does not interfere with instruction or District operations;
• Does not create an unreasonable security, privacy, legal, or financial risk;
• Does not consume unreasonable District resources; and
• Complies with this Policy and other applicable District policies.

Students are expected to:

• Use District technology lawfully, responsibly, and respectfully.
• Protect passwords, authentication information, devices, and District data.
• Use only accounts, applications, files, systems, and information for which they have authorization.
• Respect the privacy, dignity, safety, civil rights, and intellectual property of others.
• Use reasonable care when creating, accessing, relying upon, or distributing digital information.
• Follow applicable copyright, licensing, accessibility, and confidentiality requirements.
• Obtain appropriate authorization before recording, photographing, or publicly sharing images, audio, video, student work, or information concerning students, families, or employees.
• Promptly report suspected unauthorized access, phishing, malware, ransomware, loss or theft of a device, accidental disclosure, or other security or privacy concern to a teacher, site administrator, or the District’s technology department.

Article 3 of 11

Personal and Confidential Information

In plain wordsKeep your own information safe and respect the privacy of others.

Students shall protect their own personal information and respect the personal information of others. Students shall not access, collect, or share confidential or personally identifiable information about other students, families, or employees without authorization.

Confidential or personally identifiable information includes, but is not limited to:

• Student names when combined with other identifying information;
• Student identification numbers;
• Grades, assessments, individualized education program information, discipline information, or health information;
• Family contact information; and
• Passwords and authentication credentials.

The District will administer student information consistent with applicable student-record and student-privacy requirements, including 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, 34 C.F.R. pt. 99, Cal. Educ. Code § 49073.1, and Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 22584–22585.

Article 4 of 11

Third-Party Applications and Services

In plain wordsUse your school account and District-approved apps for schoolwork.

The District may use third-party websites, applications, software, online platforms, cloud services, and other technology tools to support instruction. The District reviews and approves these services consistent with applicable student-privacy requirements.

Students shall use the District-provided account or access method when available and shall use only applications and services approved or authorized by the District for schoolwork.

Article 5 of 11

Prohibited Uses

In plain wordsIf it is unsafe, unkind, dishonest, or against the law, it does not belong on school technology.

Students shall not use District technology to:

• Violate federal, state, or local law, regulation, court order, or District policy;
• Threaten, harass, bully, intimidate, discriminate against, or substantially disrupt others;
• Access, alter, damage, destroy, disclose, or distribute information without authorization;
• Share passwords or use another person’s account, identity, or credentials;
• Circumvent security controls, content filters, access restrictions, or monitoring tools;
• Introduce malware, ransomware, viruses, spyware, or other harmful code;
• Engage in unlawful discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or the creation or distribution of unlawful material;
• Obtain, possess, or distribute confidential information without authorization;
• Conduct unauthorized commercial activity, fundraising, or solicitation using District resources;
• Infringe copyrights, trademarks, licenses, or other intellectual-property rights;
• Record or distribute communications, images, or other content without required authorization;
• Use technology in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk to the safety, security, or operations of the District;
• Impersonate another person or falsely suggest that a communication is made on behalf of the District; or
• Misrepresent, alter, falsify, conceal, or improperly delete District records or information.

This section does not prohibit lawful academic discussion, reporting, criticism, or other expression protected by law. Such activity remains subject to reasonable, content-neutral rules concerning security, privacy, access, time, place, and operational requirements.

Article 6 of 11

Privacy, Monitoring, and District Records

In plain wordsSchool accounts and devices are not private. The District can review activity to keep everyone safe.

The District will maintain technology protection measures and internet-safety procedures as required by applicable law, including 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(5). Filtering tools may not block all inappropriate or harmful content, and students remain responsible for complying with this Policy.

Electronic communications and other information created, received, or maintained through District technology may constitute District records and may be subject to applicable retention, disclosure, investigation, or litigation-hold requirements. Students shall not delete, alter, or conceal records after being directed to preserve them.

Article 7 of 11

Security and Personal Devices

In plain wordsLock your device, guard your password, and report problems right away.

Students shall use reasonable care to protect District technology and information. Students shall:

• Lock devices when unattended;
• Protect passwords and authentication credentials;
• Avoid connecting unauthorized devices or storage media to District systems;
• Store District information only in approved locations; and
• Report lost, stolen, compromised, or improperly accessed devices or accounts promptly.

A personal device may connect to District systems only as authorized by District procedures. The District may protect or remove District data, disable District access, or require reasonable security measures for a personal device used to access District systems. This Policy does not authorize the District to inspect unrelated personal content on a student-owned device except as permitted by law, consent, or other lawful authority.

Article 8 of 11

Internet Safety and Implementation

In plain wordsThe District teaches safe and responsible online habits.

The District may provide age-appropriate instruction regarding safe and responsible online behavior, including cybersecurity awareness, digital citizenship, and appropriate responses to cyberbullying.

The Superintendent or designee may develop administrative procedures, student guidance, approval processes, and security standards necessary to implement this Policy. Administrative procedures shall be consistent with this Policy and applicable law.

Article 9 of 11

Enforcement and Consequences

In plain wordsBreaking the rules can mean losing access or other consequences under District policy and state law.

The District may temporarily limit, suspend, or restrict access to District technology when reasonably necessary to protect students, employees, information, systems, property, or District operations. A temporary technology-access restriction imposed as a protective or security measure is not necessarily disciplinary.

Violations may result in:

• Limitation, suspension, or termination of technology access;
• Student discipline or other student consequences;
• Removal from a technology program or activity;
• Referral to law enforcement when appropriate; or
• Other action authorized by law or District policy.

Student consequences shall be administered consistent with applicable law, including Cal. Educ. Code § 48900 et seq., applicable due-process requirements, and applicable District procedures.

The District may take immediate protective or security action when a violation presents a substantial risk to safety, privacy, cybersecurity, property, or District operations.

Article 10 of 11

Notice and No Signature Requirement

In plain wordsThis policy applies to every student, with or without a signed form.

This Policy is adopted by the Helendale School District Board of Trustees pursuant to the Board’s authority under Cal. Educ. Code §§ 35160–35160.1.

The District will provide reasonable notice of this Policy through one or more appropriate methods, including student handbooks, the District website, enrollment materials, technology login notices, or other District communications.

This Policy applies to covered students without requiring a separate signature, acknowledgment form, or consent form. The absence of a signature or acknowledgment does not exempt a student from complying with this Policy.

Article 11 of 11

Review and Revision

In plain wordsThe District revisits this policy as technology and law change.

The Superintendent or designee shall periodically review this Policy and recommend revisions to the Board when necessary to address changes in law, technology, District operations, privacy practices, or cybersecurity risks.

Appendix

Legal References

Statutes and regulations cited in this Policy.