EUHSD Ethical Tech Use Policy

2024-25 ESCONDIDO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Computing Device / Network / On-line Services
Technology Ethical Use Policy

Every student and his/her parent/guardian must review the Escondido Union High School District TECHNOLOGY ETHICAL USE POLICY. Parents/guardians must then provide authorization before their student(s) can use school technology computer systems on campus. A parent’s authorization indicates that the student understands and agrees to abide by specified user obligations and responsibilities. Please read this document carefully.

 

TECHNOLOGY ETHICAL USE POLICY

 

1. Personal Responsibility: The student in whose name an account is issued is responsible for its proper use at all times. Users shall maintain privacy of account names/numbers, passwords, and personal information. They shall use the system only under the assigned account.

 

2. Digital Literacies: The EUHSD District recognizes the importance of preparing students for college and careers by providing instruction in digital literacies (keyboarding, Internet search, ethical use/Internet safety, collaboration, and productivity tools). The district creates and manages third-party accounts for students so they can complete a specific class-oriented task/teaching strategy or to complete a class project. Examples include: Office 365, Google Apps for Education and Canvas (an educational collaboration site). Staff and students may also use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter in educational ways in accordance to the District’s School Board social media guidelines (Board Policy 1114).

 

3. Acceptable Use: The use of the account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the District.

 

• Users shall not publish, display, transmit, or receive any material which they know or have reason to know is defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, potentially offensive to others, or disrupts the educational process.
• Neither the school's network nor the broader Internet, whether accessed on campus or off campus, either during or after school hours, may be used for the purpose of harassment often called cyberbullying. All forms of cyberbullying are unacceptable.
• Use of other organizations’ networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate to that network.
• Transmission, receiving, or downloading of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulations is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.
• Use for product advertisement, political lobbying, or partisan political activities, except as an approved part of a course to teach students about the American political system in accordance with District-approved curriculum, is also prohibited.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) has become increasingly prevalent in many areas, including the education sector. The use of AI can, when used appropriately, enhance student learning by improving the efficiency of education, providing new and creative ways to support learning, and encourage independent research, curiosity, critical thinking, and problem solving. AI has the potential to serve as a supplemental tool to support and expand on classroom instruction, facilitate personalized learning opportunities, and increase educational and learning opportunities.

The District has developed the following guidelines and protocols for the use of AI:

         a) Any use of AI in the classroom or on class assignments must align with the teacher’s instructions and use expectations.

         b) Any student use on AI on schoolwork must be cited to as any other source and may not be submitted as the student’s original work.

         c) Students should not rely on AI tools as a fact-checker to confirm their work or research as AI may not always provide accurate or up-to-date information.

        d) Students are prohibited from using any AI system to access, create, or display harmful, deceptive, or inappropriate matter that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit, or that could be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based on their race/ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or political beliefs or interact with the AI in a manner that supports any of the above.

       e) Students shall not share confidential information or personally identifiable information with an open AI system of themselves, another student, staff member, or other person. Personally identifiable information includes, but is not limited to, a person’s name, address, email address, telephone number, Social Security number, or other personally identifiable information.

       f) Students shall not adjust any privacy settings on an AI tool unless directed to do so by a teacher or staff member.

      g) Students are not permitted to access AI for assistance with assignments or research unless done under the guidance and approval of a District staff member. Unpermitted use of AI may lead to penalties for academic misconduct. Inappropriate use may also result in disciplinary action and/or legal action in accordance with the law and Board Policies.

 

4. Privileges: The use of the information system is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a termination of this privilege. Staff will determine whether a use is inappropriate under this Ethical Use Policy and Contract and the decision is final. The administration has the authority to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts for violation of this Ethical Use Policy and Contract. An administrator may close an account at any time and for any duration as deemed necessary for violation of this Ethical Use Policy and Contract.

 

5. Network Etiquette: You are expected to abide by accepted rules of network etiquette. These rules include (but are not limited to) the following:

       a. Be polite. Never send or encourage others to send abusive messages.

       b. Use appropriate language. Never swear; never use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. Do not reveal your or any other person’s personal or private information such as: home address, phone number, student ID, or similar information.

      c. Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities must be reported to school authorities, or law enforcement agencies.

      d. All activities may be monitored. The network is not private; there is no confidentiality, including use of your own device on the school’s network.

      e. Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt the use of the network by others.

 

6. Security: Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you identify a security problem notify, immediately, the teacher or adult in charge. Never demonstrate the problem to other users. Never use someone else’s account and never give out your password to anyone. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the network system.

 

7. Privacy: The EUHSD takes student’s privacy very seriously. The EUHSD makes every effort to keep personally identifiable information about students private and secure.

 

8. Services: The District will not be responsible for any damages consequential, incidental, or otherwise that you may suffer arising from use of the information system, including damages arising as a result of the negligent or intentional action of the District. This includes loss of data for any reason. Use of any information obtained via the network is at your own risk. Some systems may contain inaccurate, defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, or illegal material, and the District does not condone or permit the use of such material in the school environment. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the network and on-line services.

 

9. Vandalism: Users, or parents of users who are minors, will be held responsible for damage to hardware and/or software, pursuant to State law. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, damage to or theft of system hardware or software; the altering of system software; the placing of unlawful information, computer viruses or harmful programs on or through the computer system in either public or private files or messages. The District reserves the right to remove files, limit or deny access, or to pursue legal remedies for loss sustained, including but not limited to, replacement of hardware and/or software and related labor charges (currently billed at $100.00 per hour), fines, or imprisonment, as applicable.

 

10. Materials: The District reserves right of access to any material stored in files that are accessible by others and may in accordance with law, remove any material that is obscene, defamatory or otherwise unlawful. Users will not use their account or access privileges to obtain, view, download, or otherwise gain access to such materials.

 

11. Account/Password: The District network system is intended for the exclusive use of its registered users, who are responsible for the use of their account/password. Any problems that arise from the user’s account are the responsibility of the account holder. Misuse of the account or use of the account by someone other than the registered holder will be grounds for loss of privilege.

 

12. Updating: The District may occasionally require new registration and account information from you to continue the service. You must notify the teacher or adult in charge of any changes in your account information. Please be aware that the above rules and regulations may change as deemed necessary. The account holder will be informed about subsequent changes.

 

13. Discipline: Students found to be in violation of the computer Ethical Use Policy are subject to school disciplinary measures. Refer to document: “Technology Infractions” in the student handbook.

 

Examples of Technology Infractions

• Improper use of the network
• Unauthorized downloading
• Unauthorized streaming of audio and video
• Unauthorized use of mobile hotspots on campus
• Downloading/use of Applications unrelated to school
• Unauthorized IM or “chatting”
• Peer to peer sharing applications
• Hacking
• Stealing of passwords
• Building backdoors
• Launching DOS attacks
• Intentional spread of viruses or malware
• Intentionally bypassing network security and web content filtering devices
• Attacking external sites
• Unauthorized access to network equipment
• Intentionally bypassing network software or hardware configuration
• Deleting or modifying items or aspects of the network
• Any form of harassment/threats/slander
• Using district property to view or disseminate inappropriate material (i.e. porn, hate crimes, violent material, etc.)
• All forms of cyberbullying are unacceptable.
• Use of other student accounts
• Unauthorized and/or unsupervised use of teacher / staff computing device
• Physical theft/vandalism
• Attaching unauthorized devices to the network
• Using school computing devices after privileges have been suspended
• Negligence
• Distribution of virus, malware, phishing, or spam messages
• Distribution of passwords
• Installing unauthorized software
•  

Cyberbullying

Neither the school's network nor the broader Internet, whether accessed on campus or off campus, either during or after school hours, may be used for the purpose of harassment.

All forms of harassment in cyberspace, often called cyberbullying, are unacceptable.

Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or Website postings (including blogs). Often the author (sender or poster) of the inappropriate material is disguised (logged on) as someone else.

 

Community members who feel that they have been the victims of such misuses of technology should not erase the offending material from the system. They should print a copy of the material and immediately report the incident to a school administrator.

 

All reports of cyberbullying will be investigated fully. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, the loss of computer privileges, detentions, suspensions, expulsion from school, fines, imprisonment and further legal action.