USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES BY STUDENTS
DIGITAL DRIVERS LICENSE AGREEMENT
(Bring Your Own Device)
Providing students and staff with a 21st century digital learning environment is part of the technology plan
for the Westlake City School District (the “District”). With the explosion of personal electronic devices
over the past few years, the District feels that allowing students to use certain approved devices in school,
pursuant to the Definitions and Guidelines set forth below, will benefit their education.
General Information and Definitions
The District will allow students to bring their own non-disruptive technology devices to use for
educational purposes at specified times during the school day. This policy is not intended as a
requirement that any student bring personal technology to school. All students will continue to be able to
utilize school equipment. No student will be left out of the instructional process.
For purpose of this policy, “non-disruptive technology devices” or non-disruptive electronic
communication devices (“ECDs”) are defined as electronic devices primarily used for educational
purposes with academic applications and functions and include the following:
•
Laptops and mobile computers
•
Mobile communication systems like smartphone technologies (Blackberry, iPhone, Android etc.)
•
Portable Internet devices such as iPod touch, iPad, tablet PCs, Personal Digital Assistants
•
eReaders (Kindle, Nook, etc..)
•
Other existing or emerging systems that can be used for: blogging, word processing, wireless
access, image capture/recording, sound recording and information transmitting/receiving/storing,
etc.
Use of approved non-disruptive devices to enhance learning in the classroom will be pursued when
deemed appropriate at each individual teacher’s discretion. Students should be aware that these devices
are to be used only for educational purposes. Each teacher will have the discretion to limit or forbid the
use of students’ non-disruptive personal electronic devices in their classroom.
Guidelines for Use
When using their non-disruptive personal technology devices, students must adhere to the following
guidelines:
1) Students are granted the limited right to use their personally owned technology resources at
Westlake City School District upon the return of this signed Digital Drivers’ License Agreement.
As part of signing this Digital Drivers’ License Agreement, students are also acknowledging and
agreeing to be bound by the Westlake City School District Accessible Use Policy (Board Policy
EDE, EDE-E, EDE-E2, EDE-R & IIDA).
2) A student’s use of their non-disruptive personal electronic device on school property is a
privilege, not a right. Students may be denied access at any time. As with other personal
property brought to school, students do not have an expectation of privacy on personal electronic
devices brought onto school property. If the administration, faculty, and/or staff have a
reasonable suspicion relative to alleged improper use of the technology or abuse of this policy,
the administration, faculty, and/or staff have the right to examine a student’s electronic device.
3) ECDs must be in silent mode while on school campuses and while riding school buses or school
vehicles.
4) Students using their own non-disruptive electronic device must use only the wireless Internet
access provided by the District. The District-provided wireless Internet access is filtered so that
students cannot access inappropriate materials during the school day or materials not permitted on
school grounds in order to ensure a safe, filtered access to the Internet. When granting Internet
access to students on school grounds, the District must abide by the Children’s Internet Protection
Act. Failure to follow the guidelines will result in the loss of ECD privileges for a time
determined by the administration.
5) Students must not create, publish, submit, or display any materials or media that is abusive,
obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal
and should report any instances encountered.
6) Students may not use the camera feature on their electronic device to capture, record or transmit
audio, video, or still photographs of other students, faculty, or staff. Unless given written
permission by the individuals involved and under the direct supervision of a teacher or
administrator during school hours. Students violating this provision may have their device
confiscated and held by the administration. Additional disciplinary consequences may apply,
depending on the severity of the violation.
7) Students may never use their non-disruptive electronic device in restrooms or locker rooms under
any circumstances other than an emergency.
8) Devices are for education use. During school hours, students may not use their devices to make
phone calls, play games, text, or access any social networks. Unless otherwise granted
permission by the Principal. Violations of this policy will result in loss of use and escalating
consequences, as determined by the Principal/designee. Use of a student’s non-disruptive
electronic device in the classroom or at any school-sponsored event is done at the discretion of
the administration, faculty and staff. During school hours, devices will be turned on only when
permitted by the teacher/administrator.
9) Students are responsible for keeping their personal electronic devices safe and secure. The
District is not responsible for any personal device that may be lost or damaged while on school
property.
10) Students must never use their personal electronic devices to “cheat” or plagiarize. Users shall
respect copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to materials entered into and obtained
via the Internet and other electronic sources.
11) Students using personal electronic devices will not be given access to school district printers,
copiers or servers. If a student wishes to utilize these devices, the student will need to transfer his
or her work to a school-owned computer or device.
12) The District will only provide technical support for school-owned computers and devices.
13) The District will not provide users of personally owned devices the opportunity to charge those
devices on school property.
14) All accessories, cases, screen wallpaper and backgrounds must be school-appropriate.
15) Streaming videos from the Internet or from YouTube during school hours must be in support of
curriculum and research and consistent with the purposes of the District. They may only be used
with the direct permission of the teacher/administrator.
16) All messages or postings to any Internet site on or off campus at any time (notes, email,
newsgroups, bulletin boards, wikis, or other interactive form of communication such as Instant
Messaging) shall be educationally purposeful and appropriate. Hate mail, harassment,
discriminatory remarks, vulgarity, swearwords, other antisocial behaviors, chain letters, and
threats of any kind are prohibited, and may result in both school consequences and involvement
of the local Police Department. Appropriate messages would include such communication that
relates to District academics, co-curricular events, and school community life.
17) Users are responsible for all activities conducted when using personal devices and accounts.
18) Personal devices may not be used to access or to attempt to access information on, but not limited
to, pornographic material, gambling, illegal drugs, alcohol use, online merchandising, hate
speeches, criminal skills, and chat rooms. Use must be consistent with the mission of the District
and reflect the accepted standards of a public educational institution.
19) Students may not access social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. without prior
permission of the teacher, principal or other District administrator.
20) Students may access school email accounts under the approval of and under the supervision of a
teacher, administrator and/or computer teacher.
21) Users of the Internet will not give their real name, address, phone number, school name or any
personal information to anyone on the Internet unless under the supervision of a teacher or
administrator. For example, students may be asked to provide personal information when signing
up for Web tools or when registering to access online textbooks and resources.
22) Student use of a device under this policy is also subject to the Student Code of Conduct, the
District’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy, and Computer Usage Rules posted in the classroom.
Students who violate these policies and/or who make inappropriate references about the school
and/or its students, faculty, staff or administrators on any public Internet site, chat room, or other
public electronic media will be subject to disciplinary action that will be determined by
administrators and could include suspension and expulsion, and involvement with the local Police
Department.
23) Personally owned electronic devices used on the District network must have an up to date
antivirus software application installed and functioning on the machine. The District will not
provide virus software/protection.
24) Westlake City Schools will not be responsible for any damages suffered including loss of data
resulting from delay, non-deliveries, service interruptions, or inaccurate information. The person
operating the device accepts personal responsibility for any information obtained via the Internet
or other electronic sources. The person operating the device accepts personal responsibility for
actions on the Internet.
25) Vandalism will result in immediate disciplinary action by the Principal/designee. Vandalism is
defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy any part of the District’s technology
resources or personal technology items belonging to another student or teacher. This includes,
but is not limited to, uploading, creating, transmitting computer viruses or “hacking” into any part
of the District’s system.
26) Searches. A device may be searched by the District in accordance with District policy and Ohio
law.
These guidelines as well as all other applicable District policies apply when students are at school or
attending a school-sponsored or related activities off-campus. These activities include, but are not limited
to:
• Attending a class on or off campus
• Socializing in hallways and elsewhere on school grounds
• Using school media centers, restrooms, locker rooms, gyms, and other school facilities
• Going to and from school
• Eating lunch on campus
• Attending school-sponsored activities off campus, such as field trips, dances
• Attending school-related activities off campus, such as athletic games
Consequences for Inappropriate Use of ECDs
Any user who does not comply with these guidelines will be subject to the Student Handbook and related
disciplinary measures and may lose the privilege of bringing their device to school for a period of time,
that period of time to be set at the discretion of the Principal or his/her designee. Students who have
repeated or severe infractions of the policy will be subject to disciplinary action by the Principal.
Violations of federal and state regulations, such as sending threatening email and accessing or distributing
obscene material, will be reported to and dealt with by the local Police Department and any other
governing law enforcement agency.
Security and Damages Responsibility
The Westlake City School District is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal equipment. It
is recommended that decals, engravings, or other custom markings are used to physically identify your
device from others. Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged. Do not leave personal
equipment unattended or in an unsecured location.
Student and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement
I have received a copy of the Digital Driver’s License Agreement governing my use of electronic
communication devices (ECDs). I understand that misuse of the device or district policies governing
technology use on or off campus may result in discipline and affect my right to use ECDs while at school
and at school-sponsored or related activities both on and off campus.
_____________________________________
Name of Student (print)
_____________________________________________________ Date:_______________
Student Signature
_____________________________________________________ Date:_______________
Signature of Parent/Guardian