Twin Rivers may provide technology devices and Internet access to students both at district locations and remotely. Internet access allows classrooms and individuals to have access to information, software, news and opinion, and communication by electronic mail that originates from any point in the world. All internet access provided by the district, regardless of medium, is considered part of the district network system.

 

All devices and internet access provided by the district, regardless of where and when used, may be monitored, filtered, or restricted by the district to ensure student safety and security.

 

Our network system and all district devices are provided for educational purposes including classroom activities, distance learning, direct and independent learning activities, individual and collaborative writing and publishing, career development, personal productivity, and other high-quality learning activities. Our district has the right to place reasonable restrictions on district provided devices and our network system, and the material students may post on the network system. By using district provided devices or the district network system, students and their parents/guardians agree to indemnify and hold harmless the district and district personnel for any failure of any technology protection measures, violations of copyright restrictions, or users’ mistakes or negligence. All users shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the district and district personnel for any damages or costs incurred.

 

For the purposes of this agreement, parents/guardians using district provided technology agree to abide by the rules and standards set forth for their students in this agreement.

 

When technology devices (Chromebooks, hotspots, etc.) are provided by the district, students and their parents/guardians agree to return those devices promptly when requested by district staff.  Technology devices must be returned in their original condition, normal wear and tear. Devices lost or damaged beyond normal wear and tear (i.e. cracked screens, significant cosmetic damage, etc.) may incur fees in accordance with Board Policy. (BP 6161.2)

 

When internet hotspots are provided by the district, students and their parents/guardians agree to return these hotspots once they are no longer needed by the student for distance learning or district provided education.

 

When students use district technology, they agree to follow the directions of teachers and school staff, rules of the school and school district, and rules of any computer network, system, or site they access. This includes but is not limited to:

 

 

District technology may not be used for commercial purposes, financial gain, personal business, product advertisement or political lobbying activities. Advertising on district or school websites may be accepted under the same restrictions and conditions set forth in law, Board Policy, and administrative regulations pertaining to advertising in district and school-sponsored publications. (BP1113)

 

Students should not post Personal Identifiable Information (PII) about themselves or other people on the district network. PII includes one's full name with other information that would allow an individual to locate you, including, but not limited to, your parent’s name, your home address or location, your telephone number, your school address or location, your work address or location, your email address, or your website or social media page(s). Students should not agree to meet with someone he/she has met online without parent/guardian approval. You will not disclose names, personal contact information, or any other private or personal information about other students under any circumstances. You will not forward a message that was sent to others privately without permission of the person who sent the message.

 

The district complies with state Assembly Bill 1584, relative to student data confidentiality. System accounts may be created for each student except when the student’s parent/guardian has requested in writing that the district not allow such accounts to be created.

 

No students will attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Twin Rivers network or any district computer or go beyond authorized access while using district technology. This includes attempting to log on through another person’s account. Students may not use any device or software to gain unauthorized access to another person’s files or private information. No student will attempt to disrupt the Twin Rivers network system, destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means, or attempt to obtain another student’s logon information. No student may use the Twin Rivers network to engage in any illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of another person, and engaging in gambling activities.

 

Each individual user is responsible for his or her individual account and should not provide his or her password to another person. All individual users will avoid the inadvertent spreading of computer viruses by following the district virus protection procedures when downloading material.

 

Students will not post chain letters or engage in spamming. Spamming is defined as sending an unsolicited message to an individual or a group of people.

 

Vandalism is not permitted and will be strictly disciplined. Vandalism is defined as any attempt to harm or destroy data of another user or of another agency or network that is connected to the Internet or Intranet (district internal network). Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, the uploading, downloading, or use of viruses, keylogging tools/software, Trojan horse programs, or any software utilized to scan the network for confidential information or bypass security measures put in place by the district.

 

Students have access to a Google Workspace for Education account. Google Workspace for Education is a set of education productivity tools from Google including but not limited to Drive, Calendar, Docs, Slides, Classroom, and more. Students will use their Google Workspace accounts to complete assignments, communicate with their teachers, and learn 21st century digital citizenship skills. Google does not serve ads or use personal information collected for advertising purposes. Additional services (YouTube, Maps) may use student information to offer tailored content, such as more relevant search results.

 

While many sites and online communities and communications are accessible as educational tools within Twin Rivers classrooms, some are deemed inappropriate and are blocked within the Twin Rivers network. Various online communities may be used for educational purposes including but not limited to: Google Workspace for Education, wikis, blogs, social networks, learning management systems, internal communication systems, video/photo sharing sites (e.g. YouTube), virtual classrooms/chat areas, video conferencing, and discussion boards.

 

Twin Rivers reserves the right to block network access to any online resources at any time. Any links to external websites shall support the educational mission and shall include a disclaimer that the district is not responsible for the content of the external websites. (BP 1113)

 

Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to all speech communication while using district technology, including but not limited to, public messages, private messages, and material posted on webpages. In general, users should make language choices appropriate for school situations. Students will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language when using district technology. Students will not post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption using district technology.

 

Students may not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks against another individual using the Twin Rivers network district technology. Students will not harass another person using district technology. Harassment is defined as persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If you are told by a person to stop sending them messages, you must stop. Students will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization using District technology.

 

No student may use district technology to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), material that has been designated as for “adults” only, or material that advocates illegal acts or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people. If an individual user mistakenly accesses inappropriate information, he or she should immediately tell his or her teacher or school administrator.

 

Users may possess or use personal technologies on campus (e.g. cell phones) provided that such devices are not used for illegal or unethical activities such as cheating on assignments or tests. All such student devices may be used only at the teacher’s discretion for instructional purposes (BP 5131). Students should under no circumstances record or photograph others without their expressed consent.

 

This includes publishing or posting such material online. Users who misuse or aid in the misuse of personal technology may be prohibited from possessing a mobile communications device at school or school-related events and may be subject to discipline in accordance with Board Policy and Administrative Regulation. (BP 5131)

 

A student’s possession or use of a personal electronic device (including a cell phone) on school grounds constitutes the student’s specific consent to the search by a school official of the student’s personal electronic device when there is a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence that a student is violating the law, Board Policy, or other rules of the district or the school. (EC 6163.4) In the case of district technology, there should be no assumption of privacy or confidentiality. The district reserves the right at any time to review all content on and sent from district systems and devices. It is a public asset that should only be used in the pursuit of learning and education opportunities.

 

The Governing Board expects district employees to maintain the highest ethical standards, behave professionally, follow district policies and regulations, abide by state and federal laws, and exercise good judgment when interacting with students and other members of the school community. Employees shall engage in conduct that enhances the integrity of the district, advances the goals of the district’s educational programs, and contributes to a positive school climate.

 

The Board encourages district employees to accept as guiding principles the professional standards and codes of ethics adopted by educational or professional associations to which they may belong.

 

Photographs of students with their names may be published by the district EXCEPT when the student’s parent/guardian has notified the district in writing to not allow the release of the student’s photograph without prior written consent. (BP 1113)

 

Twin Rivers’ Governing Board Policy 5131 defines “Student Disturbances” as: “Harassment of students or staff, including bullying, intimidation, so-called “eCyberbullying,” hazing or initiation activity, ridicule, extortion, or any other verbal, written, or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause bodily harm or emotional suffering. Cyberbullying includes the posting of harassing messages, direct threats, social cruelty, or other harmful text or images on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies, as well as breaking into another person’s account and assuming that person’s identity in order to damage that person’s reputation or friendships.”

 

Cyberbullying conducted using district-owned equipment or on school premises, as well as off campus cyberbullying that impacts school activity or school attendance, may be subject to discipline in accordance with district policies and regulations. If the student is using a social networking site or service that has terms of use that prohibit posting harmful material, the Superintendent or designee also may file a complaint with the Internet site or service to have the material removed. Students are encouraged to save and print any messages posted online that they feel constitutes cyberbullying and to notify a teacher or other employee so that the matter may be investigated. (BP 5131)

 

The Twin Rivers Board of Trustees believes that academic honesty and personal integrity are fundamental components of a student's education and character development. The Board expects that students will not cheat, lie, plagiarize, or commit other acts of academic dishonesty. (BP 5131.9)

 

Examples of misuse include, but are not limited to taking an online test for another student, using cell phones or email with the purpose of distributing answers or test questions, and “hacking" into a teacher’s computer or grade book.

 

Submitting another person’s work as your own, knowingly using or building upon another’s ideas without proper citation and using the Internet to purchase or find a paper are all acts of plagiarism. This applies not only to written work but to any school project for which technology is used as a research tool or method of presentation (e.g. PowerPoint presentations, wikis, etc.). Teachers may use online tools to check for plagiarism.

 

If a work contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, students should follow the expressed requirements for citing the work. If unsure whether or not one can use a work, one should request permission from the copyright owner.