Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF DISTRICT FROM LIABILITY (STUDENTS)
 
The Kern High School District strongly believes in the educational value of technology and recognizes its potential to support and enhance curriculum. The District authorizes students to use technology owned or otherwise provided by the District as necessary for instructional purposes. The use of District technology is a privilege, permitted at the District's discretion, and is subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in applicable Board policies, administrative regulations, and this Acceptable Use Agreement. The District reserves the right to suspend access at any time, without notice, for any reason.
Student Expectations
The District expects all students to use technology responsibly in order to avoid potential problems and liability. The District may place reasonable restrictions on the sites, material, and/or information that students may access through the system. Technology is an integral part of distance learning. The District expects that all students using District hardware and technology in distance learning do so in a responsible manner, consistent with this policy, and the District’s objective that technology be used for educational purposes. Each student authorized to use District technology and their parent/guardian shall sign this Acceptable Use Agreement as an indication that they have read and understand the agreement.
Definitions
District technology includes, but is not limited to, computers, the District's computer network including servers and wireless computer networking technology (wi-fi), the Internet, online learning platforms, online conferencing platforms, hotspots, email, USB drives, wireless access points (routers), tablet computers, smartphones and smart devices, telephones, cellular telephones, wearable technology, any wireless communication device including emergency radios, and/or future technological innovations, whether accessed on or off site or through District-owned or personally owned equipment or devices.
Student Obligations and Responsibilities
Students are expected to use District technology safely, responsibly, and for educational purposes only. The student in whose name District technology is issued is responsible for its proper use at all times. Students shall not share their assigned online services account information, passwords, or other information used for identification and authorization purposes, and shall use the system only under the account to which they have been assigned. Students are prohibited from using District technology for improper purposes, including, but not limited to, use of District technology to:
 
  • Access, post, display, or otherwise use material that is discriminatory, libelous, obscene, sexually explicit, or disruptive;
  • Bully, harass, intimidate, or threaten other students, staff, or other individuals ("cyberbullying");
  • Disclose, use, or disseminate personal identification information (such as name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, or other personal information) of another student, staff member, or other person with the intent to threaten, intimidate, harass, or ridicule that person;
  • Infringe on copyright, license, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights;
  • Intentionally disrupt or harm District technology or other District operations (such as destroying District equipment, placing a virus on District computers, adding or removing a computer program without permission from a teacher or other District personnel, changing settings on shared computers);
  • Share access information for online learning platforms or meetings with unauthorized users, or otherwise disrupt
    computer-based distance learning modules (e.g. “zoombombing”);
  • Audio or video record District staff or students without the express written consent of the District;
  • When using a District-provided internet connection, including a District-provided hotspot, maintain acceptable
    bandwidth and data use;
  • Install unauthorized software;
  • Unauthorized access into the system to manipulate data of the District or other users; and/or
  • Engage in or promote any practice that is unethical or violates any law or Board policy, administrative regulation, or District practice.
Privacy
District technology is intended for educational purposes. Students shall not have any expectation of privacy in any use of District technology.

The District reserves the right to monitor and record all use of District technology, including, but not limited to, access to the Internet or social media, communications sent or received from District technology, or other uses. Such monitoring/recording may occur at any time without prior notice for any legal purposes including, but not limited to, record retention and distribution and/or investigation of improper, illegal, or prohibited activity. Students should be aware that, in most instances, their use of District technology (such as web searches and emails) cannot be erased or deleted. Further, students should not have an expectation of privacy when using a District provided internet connection, such as a hotspot, whether connected through a personal or District-provided device.

All passwords created for or used on any District technology are the sole property of the District. The creation or use of a password by a student on District technology does not create a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Personally Owned Devices
If a student uses a personally owned device to access District technology, he/she shall abide by all applicable Board policies, administrative regulations, and this Acceptable Use Agreement. Any such use of a personally owned device may subject the contents of the device and any communications sent or received on the device to disclosure pursuant to a lawful subpoena or public records request.
Reporting
If a student becomes aware of any security problem (such as any compromise of the confidentiality of any login or account information) or misuse of District technology, he/she shall immediately report such information to the teacher or other District personnel.
Consequences for Violation
Violations of the law, Board policy, or this agreement may result in revocation of a student's access to District technology and/or discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion. In addition, violations of the law, Board policy, or this agreement may be reported to law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Children’s Internet Protection Act
The District is committed to meeting the provisions established in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which protects the safety and privacy of minors. In compliance with California legislation, E-Rate, and CIPA, KHSD addresses the appropriate and ethical use of information technology in the classroom so that students and teachers can distinguish lawful from unlawful uses of copyrighted works, including the following topics: the concept and purpose of both copyright and fair use; distinguishing lawful from unlawful downloading and peer-to-peer file sharing; and avoiding plagiarism. The District provides for the education of minors about Internet safety, including appropriate online behavior that encompasses interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms, cyberbullying awareness and response, and protect online privacy and avoid online predators.
 
 
Please return this form to the administrative office at your student’s school if you want your student to use Kern High School District Internet services at school under professional supervision.

Student Acknowledgment
I have received, read, understand, and agree to abide by this Acceptable Use Agreement and other applicable laws and District policies and regulations governing the use of District technology. I understand that there is no expectation of privacy when using District technology. I further understand that any violation may result in loss of user privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.
Student Name:_________________________________________________UID:_______________
                                                                                        (Please print)

School:__________________________________________________________________________
 
 
Student Signature:______________________________________________Date:_______________
 
 
Parent or Legal Guardian Acknowledgment
If the student is under 18 years of age, a parent/guardian must also read and sign the agreement.

As the parent/guardian of the above-named student, I have read, understand, and agree that my child shall comply with the terms of the Acceptable Use Agreement. By signing this Agreement, I give permission for my child to use District technology and/or to access the school's computer network and the Internet. I understand that, despite the District's best efforts, it is impossible for the school to restrict access to all offensive and controversial materials. I agree to release from liability, indemnify, and hold harmless the school, District, and District personnel against all claims, damages, and costs that may result from my child's use of District technology or the failure of any technology protection measures used by the District. Further, I accept full responsibility for supervision of my child's use of their access account if and when such access is not in the school setting.
 
Parent/Guardian Name:____________________________________________Date:____________
                                                                                                     (Please print)

Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________________Date:____________
 
 
POSTING OF STUDENT IMAGES AND NAMES ON KHSD AND SCHOOL DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TOOLS

The District offers a number of opportunities to publicize positive school and student events and accomplishments through District and school digital communication tools, such as its official District website or school site websites.
Parents/guardians have the choice to withhold their student’s images (photo and video) and name from being posted by checking and signing below. The publication of student image(s) along with both first and last name requires prior written consent of the student’s parent/guardian.

The only exception to this rule is the District may post student photos with the first and last name into a District
administrative system such as the student information system, Synergy, or the library system. These are closed systems that only District teachers, administrators, and limited support staff have access to through password protected log-ons. There is no opt-out of these closed systems.

By checking the box below and signing you are choosing to NOT allow the posting of your student’s name or image through digital communication tools. Please know that this will result in your student’s name not being published electronically for recognitions, student honor roll, awards, events, contests, school newspaper articles, and clubs.
 
_____ I DO NOT want my student’s image and name posted through any Kern High School District digital communication tool.
 
 
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________Date:___________
 
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