Security & Privacy Policies

COMPUTER USE AND INTERNET INFORMATION 
 

Acceptable Use of the District’s Electronic Networks 

All use of the District’s electronic networks shall be consistent with the District’s goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. These procedures do not attempt to state all required or prohibited behavior by users. However, some specific examples are provided. The failure of any user to follow these procedures will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or legal action. 
 

Terms and Conditions 

The term electronic networks includes all of the District’s technology resources, including, but not limited to: 

1. The District’s local-area and wide-area networks, including wireless networks (Wi-Fi), District-provided Wi-Fi hotspots, and any District servers or other networking infrastructure; 

2. Access to the Internet or other online resources via the District’s networking infrastructure or to any District-issued online account from any computer or device, regardless of location; 

3. District-owned and District-issued computers, laptops, tablets, phones, or similar devices. 

Acceptable Use - Access to the District’s electronic networks must be: (a) for the purpose of education or research, and be consistent with the District’s educational objectives, or (b) for legitimate business use. 
 

Acceptable Use for District-Issued Technology (Including One-To-One Programs) 

The District may issue technology to students for educational or extracurricular purposes and/or District business, including through a one-to-one program. Use of District-issued technology is governed by the policies and procedures governing the use of District electronic resources, regardless of when, where, or for what purpose the use occurs. This includes use that occurs outside of normal school hours, for personal purposes, and/or off District property or away from related events or activities. 

The student is responsible for the reasonable care of District-issued technology at all times during which the technology is issued to the user, regardless of whether the technology is on school property or at related events or activities. This includes the requirement that the student not allow others to use the technology without authorization from an administrator. Costs associated with the repair or replacement of technology damaged as a result of a user's failure to exercise reasonable care will be the responsibility of the student and his/her parents/guardians, including any fees for insurance premiums and deductibles, regardless of whether the damage is caused by the user or a third party. Students may be required to obtain and/or pay for insurance for District-issued technology in order to be issued such technology by the District. 

Students may only use or access District-issued technology outside of school with parental or guardian supervision. The District is not responsible for unacceptable use of District-issued technology by students at any time, including outside of school, although students may face consequences for such misuse under this and other District policies. 

Privileges - Use of the District’s electronic networks is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a cancellation of those privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. The system administrator or Building Principal will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time. His or her decision is final. 

Unacceptable Use - The user is responsible for his or her actions and activities involving the electronic networks. Some examples of unacceptable uses are: 

a. Using the electronic networks for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other intellectual property rights or contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any State or federal law; 

b. Using the electronic networks to engage in conduct prohibited by board policy; 

c. Unauthorized downloading of software or other files, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or scanned for malware; 

d. Unauthorized use of personal removable media devices (such as flash or thumb drives); 

e. Downloading of copyrighted material for other than personal use; 

f. Using the electronic networks for private financial or commercial gain; 

g. Wastefully using resources, such as file space; 

h. Hacking or attempting to hack or gain unauthorized access to files, accounts, resources, or entities by any means; 

i. Invading the privacy of individuals, including the unauthorized disclosure, dissemination, and use of information about anyone that is of a personal nature, such as a photograph or video; 

j. Using another user’s account or password; 

k. Disclosing any network or account password (including your own) to any other person, unless requested by the system administrator; 

l. Posting or sending material authored or created by another without his/her consent; 

m. Posting or sending anonymous messages; 

n. Creating or forwarding chain letters, spam, or other unsolicited messages; 

o. Using the electronic networks for commercial or private advertising; 

p. Accessing, sending, posting, publishing, or displaying any abusive, obscene, profane, sexual, threatening, harassing, illegal, or knowingly false material; 

q. Misrepresenting the user’s identity or the identity of others; and 

r. Using the electronic networks while access privileges are suspended or revoked. 
 

Network Etiquette - The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following: 

a. Be polite. Do not become abusive in messages to others. 

b. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. 

c. Do not reveal personal information, including the addresses or telephone numbers, of students or colleagues. 

d. Recognize that the District’s electronic networks are not private. People who operate District technology have access to all email and other data. Messages or other evidence relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities. 

e. Do not use the networks in any way that would disrupt its use by other users. 

f. Consider all communications and information accessible via the electronic networks to be private property. 
 

No Warranties - The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages the user suffers. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or the user’s errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services. 
 

Indemnification - By using the District’s electronic networks, the user agrees to indemnify the District for any losses, costs, or damages, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by the District relating to, or arising out of, any violation of these procedures. 

Security - Network security is a high priority. If the user can identify or suspects a security problem on the network, the user must promptly notify the system administrator or Building Principal. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Keep user account(s) and password(s) confidential. Do not use another individual’s account without written permission from that individual. Attempts to log-on to the network as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the networks. 
 

Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or any other network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of malware, such as viruses and spyware. 
 

Telephone Charges - The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees, including telephone charges, texting or data use charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs. 
 

Copyright Web Publishing Rules - Copyright law and District policy prohibit the re-publishing of text or graphics found on the Internet or on District websites or file servers/cloud storage without explicit written permission. 

a. For each re-publication (on a website or file server) of a graphic or a text file that was produced externally, there must be a notice at the bottom of the page crediting the original producer and noting how and when permission was granted. If possible, the notice should also include the web address of the original source. 

b. Students engaged in producing web pages must provide library media specialists with email or hard copy permissions before the web pages are published. Printed evidence of the status of public domain documents must be provided. 

c. The absence of a copyright notice may not be interpreted as permission to copy the materials. Only the copyright owner may provide the permission. The manager of the website displaying the material may not be considered a source of permission. 

d. The fair use rules governing student reports in classrooms are less stringent and permit limited use of graphics and text. 

e. Student work may only be published if there is written permission from both the parent/guardian and student. 
 

Non-School-Sponsored Publications/Websites 

Students are prohibited from accessing and/or distributing at school any pictures, written material, or electronic material, including material from the Internet or from a blog, that: 

a. Will cause or could reasonably be foreseen to cause a substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities; 

b. Violates the rights of others, including but not limited to material that is libelous, invades the privacy of others, or infringes on a copyright; 

c. Is socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to the maturity level of the students, including but not limited to material that is obscene, pornographic, or pervasively lewd and vulgar, or contains indecent and vulgar language; 

d. Is primarily intended for the immediate solicitation of funds. 

The distribution of non-school-sponsored written material must occur at a time and place and in a manner that will not cause disruption, be coercive, or result in the perception that the distribution or the material is endorsed by the school district. 
 

Use of Email - The District’s email system, and its constituent software, hardware, and data files, are owned and controlled by the District. The District provides email to aid students in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, and as an education tool. 

a. The District reserves the right to access and disclose the contents of any account on its system, without prior notice or permission from the account’s user. Unauthorized access by any student to an email account is strictly prohibited. 

b. Each person should use the same degree of care in drafting an email message as would be put into a written memorandum or document. Nothing should be transmitted in an email message that would be inappropriate in a letter or memorandum. 

c. Electronic messages transmitted via the District’s Internet gateway carry with them an identification of the user’s Internet domain. This domain is a registered name and identifies the author as being with the District. Great care should be taken, therefore, in the composition of such messages and how such messages might reflect on the name and reputation of the District. Users will be held personally responsible for the content of any and all email messages transmitted to external recipients. 

d. Any message received from an unknown sender via the Internet, such as spam or potential phishing emails, should either be immediately deleted or forwarded to the system administrator. Downloading any file attached to any Internet-based message is prohibited unless the user is certain of that message’s authenticity and the nature of the file so transmitted. 

e. Use of the District’s email system constitutes consent to these regulations. 
 

Internet Safety 

Internet access is limited to only those acceptable uses as detailed in these procedures. Internet safety is supported if users will not engage in unacceptable uses, as detailed in these procedures, and otherwise follow these procedures. 

Staff members will supervise students while students are using District Internet access to ensure that the students abide by the Terms and Conditions for Internet access contained in these procedures. 

Each District computer with Internet access has a filtering device that blocks entry to visual depictions that are: (1) obscene, (2) pornographic, or (3) harmful or inappropriate for students, as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act and as determined by the Superintendent or designee. 

The system administrator and Building Principals shall monitor student Internet access. 
 

No Expectation of Privacy 

Users of the District's electronic resources have no expectation of privacy with respect to use of the District's electronic resources, including access to the District's Internet or Wi-Fi using personal technology, or with respect to any material created, transmitted, accessed, or stored via District electronic resources. This includes material created, transmitted, accessed, or stored for personal use, including incidental personal use, on or through the District's electronic resources. The District reserves the right to monitor users' activities on District electronic resources at any time for any reason without prior notification; to access, review, copy, store, and/or delete any electronic information accessed or stored therein; and to disclose such information to others as it deems necessary and/or as required by law. Users should be aware that information may remain on the District's electronic resources even after it has been deleted by the user. This section of this policy may only be altered through amendment of this policy and may not be altered or diminished by the verbal or written assurances of any employee or representative of the District. 

Student Use Of Personal Technology On District Property And At School-Related Events And Activities 

Students may bring personal technology on District property and to school-related events and activities, but must keep such technology powered off at all times except during an emergency. 

Student use of technology, including District electronic resources and personal technology, on District property and at school-related events and activities must comply with policies, procedures, handbook provisions, and other guidelines governing use of the District's electronic resources, as well as the District's Student Discipline policy. 
 

Internet Publications And District Social Media Pages 

In some circumstances, students may be authorized to create and/or operate Internet publications and/or social media webpages for educational, extracurricular, or other purposes related to District business. Such publications and webpages must comply with relevant District policies and procedures governing such use. Contact Nick Simov, Director of Technology, 708-467-5527 or nsimov@argohs.net for more information. 
 

Access to Student Social Networking Passwords & Websites 

School officials may conduct an investigation or require a student to cooperate in an investigation if there is specific information about activity on the student’s account on a social networking website that violates a school disciplinary rule or policy. In the course of an investigation, the student may be required to share the content that is reported in order to allow school officials to make a factual determination. 
 

Use of Artificial Intelligence 

“Artificial intelligence” or “AI” is intelligence demonstrated by computers, as opposed to human intelligence. "Intelligence" encompasses the ability to learn, reason, generalize, and infer meaning. Examples of AI technology include ChatGPT and other chatbots and large language models. 

AI is not a substitute for schoolwork that requires original thought. Students may not claim AI-generated content as their own work. The use of AI to take tests, complete assignments, create multimedia projects, write papers, or complete schoolwork without permission from a teacher or administrator is strictly prohibited. The use of AI for these purposes constitutes cheating or plagiarism. 

In certain situations, AI may be used as a learning tool or a study aid. Students who wish to use AI for legitimate educational purposes must have permission from a teacher or an administrator. Students may use AI as authorized in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). 

Students may not use AI, including AI image or voice generator technology, to violate school rules or school district policies. 

In order to ensure academic integrity, tests, assignments, projects, papers, and other schoolwork may be checked by AI content detectors and/or plagiarism recognition software. 

A student may not participate in the One-2-One program unless his/her parent/guardian has signed and returned an Authorization form for participation in the One-2-One program to the student's school.

The following are additional guidelines regarding student participation in a One-2-One Learning Program.
 

What is "One-2-One"?

One-2-One Learning Program refers to a program in which students are provided with a District owned mobile computing device for their use inside and outside of school. The District's One-2-One program for students is governed by numerous Board of Education Policies, including Policies 6:220, BYOT Program, Responsible Use and Conduct; 4:140, Waiver of Student Fees; 5:125, Personal Technology and Social Media, Usage and Conduct; 5:170, Copyright; 6:120, Education of Children with Disabilities; 6:235, Access to Electronic Networks; 7:140, Search and Seizure; 7:180, Preventing Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment; 7:190, Student Discipline; and 7:340, Student Records. It is the responsibility of students who participate in the One-2-One program, and their parents, to review, understand, and abide by all relevant policies. These procedures and guidelines provide additional specifics that students and their parents must review, understand, and abide by, as well.
 

Where and When May One-2-One Devices Be Used?

• Students may only use a One-2-One device in the classroom for educational purposes when instructed to do so by their teacher.
• Students may only use a One-2-One device outside of the classroom for educational or extracurricular purposes when instructed to do so by their teacher or another supervising school employee.
• Students may not use a One-2-One device to update a personal social media site/account during school hours.
• Students may not call, text message, or electronically communicate with others, including other students, parents, guardians, friends, and family, from a One-2-One device during the school day unless instructed by their supervising teacher or another supervising school employee.
• Students may not use headphones/earbuds without permission from the supervising teacher or another supervising school employee.
• The use of any electronic devices, including One-2-One devices, is strictly prohibited in locker rooms, bathrooms, study halls, and common areas such as cafeteria and hallways.
   

What Rules Apply Regarding Internet Access and Charging of Devices?

• Students must always use the school's wireless network, not personal data plans, to access the web when using a One-2-One device at school. One-2-One privileges will be revoked for students found to be visiting or attempting to visit websites that are blocked by the District's content filter, whether the student's access is through the school's wireless network or a personal data plan.
• Instructions on how to connect to the school's wireless network will be provided at Student Registration and available on the school's website.
• Students should bring devices fully charged to school. At this time, opportunities for students to recharge their devices will be limited and not guaranteed.
   

What Rules Apply Regarding Loaner Devices?

As part of the One2One agreement, students are expected to bring their devices to school fully charged each day. Additionally, students should bring their stylus and charger. Since the Technology Department has only a limited number of loaner devices, styluses, and chargers, ACHS is implementing the following policy to ensure fairness:

a. Loaner Devices: For students who come to school with an uncharged device or forget their device at home, the Technology Department will maintain a stock of 20 loaners. These loaners will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

b. Loaner Limit: Each student is allowed to obtain a loaner five times throughout the school year. After the fifth time, the student will no longer be eligible to check out a loaner.

c. Exemptions for Repairs: Loaners checked out due to the repair of a school-issued device will not count towards the five times limit per year.

d. Chargers and Styluses: The Technology Department does not check out chargers or styluses. Those are available for purchase at the Spirit Store. A low-cost loaner stylus will also be available from the classroom teacher.
 

Who is Responsible for Charges, Theft, Loss, Damage, or Other Problems With a Device?

• The District is not responsible for any charges incurred on a student's One-2-One device caused by the student's negligence or misuse.
• The District's staff, including Technology staff, will not configure, troubleshoot, or repair One-2-One devices unrelated to use at District facilities.
   

Who May Access the One-2-One Device?

• The device must be maintained and in good working condition when returned. The student may be asked to return the device for any reason, with or without prior notice. The device must be returned within a week of notification if the student is dropped, expelled, transfers out, or graduates. After this one-week period, the device will be considered stolen property and a police report will be filed.
• Argo Community High School maintains ownership of the device. District 217 has authorized students to possess and use the Property under the One-2-One Learning program so long as they comply with the policies contained in this document and in the student handbook. Under no circumstances does ownership of the device transfer to the student or parents/guardians.
• Students have no expectation of confidentiality or privacy with respect to any usage of a school-issued device, regardless of whether that use takes place on campus or off, occurs during school hours or on the student's own personal time, or relates to school-related purposes, to the extent allowed by law. ACHS may, without prior notice or consent, log, supervise, access, view, monitor, and document use of a student device, including by use of monitoring software that allows ACHS employees to view the screens and activity on the computers, at any time for any reason related to the operation of the District, as long as such conduct complies with relevant law. The camera devices on the computers cannot be accessed remotely by the District.
   

What Can Happen if a Student Uses a One-2-One Device Inappropriately?

Violation of these procedures and guidelines, or any other policy, procedure, guideline, or rule governing student use of technology, can lead to discipline and other consequences, including: (a) the loss of access to the District's electronic network and/or the student's One-2-One privileges; (b) disciplinary action pursuant to Board Policies 7:190, Student Discipline; 7:200, Suspension Procedures; or 7:210, Expulsion Procedures; and/or (c) appropriate legal action, including referrals of suspected or alleged criminal acts to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

In order to maintain order, safety and security in the schools, school authorities are authorized to conduct reasonable searches of school property and equipment, students, and their personal effects. Reasonable seizures may be affected where warranted. “School authorities” includes school liaison police officers.
 

School Property & Equipment/Personal Effects Left by Students

School authorities may inspect, and search school property and equipment owned or controlled by the school (such as lockers, desks, and parking lots), as well as personal effects left by a student within them, without notice to or the consent of the student. Students have no reasonable expectation of privacy in these places or areas or in their personal effects left there. The administration may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to conduct inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and equipment for illegal drugs, weapons, or other illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including searches conducted through the use of specially trained canine units.
 

Students

School authorities may search a student and/or the student’s personal effects in the student’s possession (such as purses, wallets, electronic devices, knapsacks, book bags, lunch boxes, etc.) when there is a reasonable ground for suspecting that the search will produce evidence the particular student has violated or is violating either the law or the school or district’s student rules and policies. The search will be conducted in a manner that is reasonably related to the objective of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the student’s age, sex, and the nature of the infraction.
 

Seizure of Property

If a search produces evidence that the student has violated or is violating the law, school rules, or District policies or rules, evidence may be seized and impounded by school authorities, and disciplinary action may be taken. When appropriate, evidence may be transferred to law enforcement authorities.