Student and Family Technology Handbook:

District-Owned Devices for Student Learning

at Home and School

WHY NKSD CONNECTED

The 2021-2022 school year brought the exciting launch of NKSD Connected, a new approach to teaching and learning that harnesses the power of digital resources and tools to ensure all students are given authentic, relevant, and engaging learning experiences. As part of NKSD Connected, all NKSD students are provided a district-owned device. This privilege will allow all students to engage with their learning at school and at home in new, exciting, and innovative ways that prepare them to be empathetic, active and collaborative problem solvers in a global society.

NKSD Connected aligns with the district strategic plan in four main areas outlined below:

Acceptable Use Procedures

NKSD students and families must understand that:

1. All users of the North Kitsap School District (NKSD) network and equipment must comply at all times with the district’s Student Network/Internet User Agreement.
2. All district-issued devices for student use remain the property of NKSD.
3. All users are accountable to all school, district, local, state and federal laws.
4. All use of devices and network must support education.
5. Students and families must follow all guidelines set forth in this document and by NKSD staff.
6. All rules and guidelines are in effect before, during, and after school hours, for all NKSD devices whether on or off the school campus.
7. All files stored on NKSD equipment or the network are the property of the district and may be subject to review and monitoring.
8. Students are permitted to personalize their devices with stickers. However, there are to be no stickers or other coverings over the student’s name or the device asset tag.
9. The term “equipment” or “technology” refers to devices and power cords/chargers. Each piece of equipment is issued as an educational resource. The conditions surrounding this equipment can be equated to those of a textbook.
10. Students are expected to keep the devices in good condition. Failure to do so may result in bills for repair or replacement.
11. Students may not tamper with any asset tag, serial numbers, or other identifying marks on the devices. Removal of these items could result in disciplinary action. Devices with removed asset tags and serial numbers are still able to be identified by the technology department.
12. Students are expected to report any damage to their device as soon as possible to the library. This means no later than the next school day.
13. Students who identify or know about a security problem are expected to convey the details to their teacher without discussing it with other students. The use of proxy servers or other exploits to bypass security measures is strictly prohibited.
14. Students are expected to notify a staff member immediately if they come across information, images, or messages that are inappropriate, dangerous, or threatening.
15. All users are expected to follow existing copyright laws and educational fair use policies.
16. Students may only log in under their assigned username. Students may not share their password with other students.
17. Students should not loan equipment to other students. Students who do so are responsible for any loss or other damages incurred.
18. Students are expected to return their device upon graduation or leaving/withdrawing from the district or fees will apply. Unreturned equipment will result in a $300 (device) or $45 (charger) fee being placed on the student account.
19. Any failure to comply may result in disciplinary action. NKSD may remove a user’s access to the network without notice at any time if the user is engaged in any unauthorized activity.
20. NKSD reserves the right to confiscate the property at any time.

NKSD 1:1 Program

All NKSD students receive a district-provided Chromebook to use as a resource in their learning. In order to ensure network security and stability and the ability to provide in-time technology support, students are required to use their district-provided device during school hours as it will be the only device allowed on the secure network. This handbook documents numerous policies, procedures, and expectations for the management of the 1:1 program including the expectations for device use and care.

Damaged Device Procedure

        All devices are inside a protective shell. The shell acts as the device’s insurance. As long as the shell is on the device when it is damaged, most accidental breakage will be repaired at no cost or a flat deductible of $35. Only two insurance claims can be made per device in a three-year time frame. If your student has more than two claims on the device, it is possible they could be responsible for more costs not covered by the insurance, up to $300 device replacement. The shell should never be removed. It is highly likely that the device could be damaged during the removal process. If a device is out of claims, the student will be financially responsible for any required repairs.

When a device is damaged, it should be reported to the library media specialist (LMS) as soon as possible. If needed, the LMS will send the device out to be repaired and will checkout a loaner device to the student. Depending on the needed repairs, the original device might be returned to the student after being repaired, or the student may be issued a permanent replacement. If a device is intentionally damaged and must be replaced, the student will be assessed a fine of $300.

     Deductible and Fine Procedure

• A $35 deductible will be added to the student account when a device is sent to the Technology Department for repair.

• Following the intake evaluation of the device, this deductible will be removed by the Technology Department if there is no visible signs of physical damage and one or more of the following are true:

• Device does not boot
• Does not charge
• Trackpad does not work
• Keyboard does not work
• Camera doesn't work
• Backlight for screen does not work
• OS fails and/or needs to be reinstalled
• Routine maintenance like powerwash and OS updates

• If the device shows visible signs of physical damage or is experiencing an issue not listed above, the $35 deductible will remain on the student account.
• Keyboards are usually repaired in house. If the key, spring, and pad are turned in with the chromebook and are undamaged and usable, there will be no deductible. If necessary parts are missing when the device is returned, the $35 dollar fine will remain on the student account.

Device Care

     General

• Students are responsible for the general care of their district-owned device.
• Updates are automatically pushed to the devices. In order for updates to take effect, students should completely shut-down their device at least once a week.
• Damaged devices or devices failing to operate properly must be given to the library media specialist as soon as possible.
• Cases are not to be removed from the devices because they are directly tied to the device warranty. Removal of the case can damage the device. If a case is removed and the device gets damaged, the student will be charged for the repair/replacement cost up to $300.
• Cords and cables must be inserted into and removed from the device carefully to avoid damage. All cords and cables should be removed before the device is placed in the backpack.
• Parents who do not want the device coming home should work with the teacher and library media specialist on keeping the device in the library charging cart overnight. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up the device each morning and return the device each afternoon.
• Devices must never be left unattended, in an unlocked locker, unlocked car, unsupervised area, or in extreme temperatures.
• Devices should always be placed on a flat surface such as a desk or table. Do not leave the device on the floor.
• Devices should be carried with the lids closed and with two hands at all times. Carrying the device by the screen or with one hand greatly increases the risk of device damage.
• Devices should always be transported to and from school in a backpack.

     Screen Care

• Only use a clean, soft cloth to clean the screen. No cleansers of any type should be used.
• Screen damage will occur when pressure is applied to the screen. Users must avoid leaning on top of the device when closed and placing objects in a book bag in such a way that would apply pressure to the screen.
• Do not store your pencil, pen, or any object in the keyboard area. If the device is closed with an object on the keyboard, it could lead to the screen cracking.
• The device should never be carried by the screen as this can result in screen breakage.

     Charging

• Students are expected to come to school with a fully charged device each day.
• Chargers should stay at home.
• Should a student need to charge while at school, they can use the charging carts located in the library media center.
• If a student loses or damages their charger, they will be given a new one and a $45 fee will be assessed to the student’s account.
• Should a student need to charge the device at school, they are responsible for any work missed while the device is charging.

     Access

Scaffolded time restrictions are in place to support the overall well-being of students. Research shows that the blue light from electronic screens can reduce or delay the body's production of melatonin, which can hinder a person's ability to fall asleep. Blue light can also shorten the amount of time people stay in rapid-eye movement (REM) and slow wave sleep. These two types of sleep are directly linked to cognitive functioning during the day. While we are very excited to be able to provide these resources to students, we also take the responsibility that comes with these tools very seriously        

• Elementary students’ access is restricted from 9:00 pm-6:00 am.
• Middle school students’ account access is restricted from 11:00 pm-6:00 am.
• High school students do not have time restrictions.

Digital Citizenship and Internet Safety

In recognition of the fact that students use technology to play, learn, and communicate while at home and at school, it is important that they learn how to use that technology responsibly. All students will receive instruction on the digital citizenship and internet safety categories below:

• Online safety, responsibility, and security- Students will learn how to be safe and responsible digital citizens, and they will be encouraged to teach others about issues such as cyberbullying, social networking, online predators, and risky communications.
• Media literacy- Students will learn how to produce their own media, how to examine the ways in which people experience or interact with media differently, how to identify bias and stereotypes, how to analyze words and images critically. and how to evaluate the various sources of information with which they are presented.
• Law, fair use, copyright, and intellectual property- Students will learn about the importance of navigating the digital landscape in ways that are legal, including access to and use of copyrighted materials. Students will also learn how to access and create intellectual property legally.
• Online identity and personal brand- Students will learn about their “digital footprint” and the persistence of their digital information, including on social media. Students will also learn about the creation and maintenance of their self image, reputation, and online identity.
• Ethics, digital communications, and collaboration- Students will learn about fairness and civil discourse in the digital environment, including the importance of collaborating and ethically interacting with others online.
• See Board Policy No. 2022, Board Policy No. 2023, Board Policy No. 2025, Board Policy No. 3245, and Board Procedure No. 3245P for more information.

Forgotten, Lost, or Stolen Device Procedure

        If a student forgets their device at home, they should try to contact their guardian and attempt to get their device brought to school. If this isn’t possible, the student should check-out a day loaner device from the library. The day loaner should be returned to the library at the end of the school day. If the loaner is not returned, a fee of $300 will be assessed to the student’s account until it is returned.

If a student device is lost, the student should report it to the principal or library media specialist as soon as possible. The device will be inventoried as lost and removed from the student account; however, a fee of $300 will be assessed to the student’s account. The library media specialist will assign a new device for the student to use.

        If a student device has been stolen, the student should report it to the principal or library media specialist as soon as possible. Local law enforcement should also be notified, and a copy of the report should be sent to the school office.  The device will be inventoried as stolen and removed from the student account. Should a police report not be submitted to the school, a fee of $300 will be assessed to the student’s account. The library media specialist will assign a new device for the student to use. See Board Policy No. 3520 and Board Procedure No. 3520P for additional information.

Inappropriate Behavior

Students are expected to follow all school rules when using their Chromebook.  Most tech-related behavior violations are equivalent to “traditional” classroom violations.

• Leaving your device at home is equivalent to leaving your textbook or school supplies at home.
• Cutting and pasting without citing sources or putting it into your own words is equivalent to plagiarism.
• Cyber-bullying is equivalent to bullying or harassment.
• Damaging or defacing the device or accessories is equivalent to vandalism or property damage.
• Using the device to access inappropriate or off-topic sites or materials is equivalent to bringing inappropriate print materials to class.
• Using Google, other search engines, or Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT to look up answers or complete assignments without teacher permission and without properly citing the resource is a form of plagiarism and is a violation of schools’ Academic Honesty, Cheating, and Plagiarism policy.
• Students who consistently make inappropriate and unsafe choices with their school technology could be placed on restricted access, which will only allow the students to access their Google Workspace tools and district-adopted curriculum sites.
• See Board Policy No. 3240 and Board Policy No. 3241 for additional information.

Internet Access at Home

The North Kitsap School District is committed to helping families get reliable internet access at home to allow students to continue to interact with their schoolwork outside of the school day. To meet the needs of as many families as possible, we have established the following procedures to work towards this goal:

1. First, all families without internet access at home are encouraged to apply for broadband internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Gaining internet access through the ACP provides the whole family connection across personal and school-provided devices. District hotspots will ONLY connect to district-provided devices.
2. NKSD has a limited number of hotspots families without internet access at home may request for students to use with their district-provided device to complete schoolwork at home. These hotspots are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Should there be a waitlist for a hotspot, monthly data usage will be examined and any unused hotspots will be redistributed. To apply for a district hotspot, please fill out the following form: NKSD District Hotspot Application.

Security, Filtering, and Monitoring

The school district is required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to provide certain levels of filtering and monitoring of the use of all district owned technology and electronic resources. All students are expected to support these efforts to provide a safe and legal electronic learning environment. It is expected that parents/guardians will monitor the student’s use of the Internet at home so that the district-owned device is not used to access illegal or inappropriate websites or download any material from those sites. Please be aware of these key points:

• GoGuardian- GoGuardian is the web filtering platform NKSD uses on all student devices. It allows for families to take a more active role in helping their children make responsible decisions when it comes to when and how they use their new digital devices. GoGuardian parent accounts are available and ready for you to use as you see fit. Parents can set-up email summaries, set wifi accessibility hours outside of school, and more.
• No filtering software is 100% effective. While filters make it more difficult for objectionable material to be received or accessed, filters are not a solution in themselves. Every student is expected to take responsibility for their use of the network and Internet and avoid objectionable sites.
• Do not use district equipment or electronic resources for commercial or personal gain.
• Do not use district resources for political purposes, like trying to influence elections.
• Do not use district resources for anything illegal or indecent such as bullying, posting inappropriate images or text, or passing along information that is harmful or inappropriate.
• Do not participate in any activity to alter, bypass or attempt to bypass the school district network, security settings, filters, safety settings, or user roles.
• Do not install or download personal software or applications (apps), games, or operating systems.
• See Board Policy No. 2022 and Board Procedure No. 2022P for additional information.

Student Email

All NKSD school students are issued an email account, which allows students to safely and effectively communicate and collaborate with NKSD staff and classmates, giving them an authentic purpose for writing. These accounts will be used at school for school-related projects. NKSD uses differentiated permissions for email based upon student age groups. High school and middle school students  are able to email with staff, peers, and outside organizations and entities. Elementary students can only email staff and other NKSD students. All students on restricted access are unable to send or receive any external emails. All emails are audited by GoGuardian to check for any unsafe or inappropriate material.

     Email Usage Guidelines

• The primary purpose of the student electronic mail system is for students to communicate with school staff and fellow students to collaborate on school activities.
• Students are responsible for good behavior while using school email (at school and at home), just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway.
• Access to email is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.
• Students are responsible for messages sent from their accounts.
• Students should not share their passwords.
• Students should not give out personal information over email, including home telephone numbers or home addresses.
• Students will not use email to bully, harass or threaten other students or individuals.
• Students will report any unusual activities such as "spam" communications, obscene email, attempts by adults to lure them into dangerous behaviors to their teacher or school administrator(s).
• Students will not use email to send chain letters, viruses, hoaxes or forward social or non-school related email to other students or staff.
• School email should only be used to sign up for school related accounts and other collaborative Internet tools.
• Student email is provided by the district and is district property. NKSD reserves the right to archive, monitor and/or review all use of its email system, and users should not have any expectation of privacy in any electronic message created, sent or received on the district’s email system.
• See Board Policy No. 2022 and Board Procedure No. 2022P for additional information.

Technical Assistance and Support

NKSD is committed to providing exemplary support to students and families when they need assistance with their district-owned device. Students and families should take the following steps to get technical assistance and support:

     At School

• Students should report any technical issues they experience at school to their library media specialist. The library media specialist will do an initial assessment of the issue and either provide support or submit a TSR for the student device. If a loaner is needed while the device is out for repair, one will be assigned.
• Students can also be proactive by accessing resources and submitting their own support request at www.nkschools.org/studenthelp.

     At Home

• Families can access resources and submit their own support request at www.nkschools.org/studenthelp.
• Between the business hours of 8:00-4:00, families can call our Technical Support hotline number at (360) 396-3953. However, we ask that, if possible, you first submit a ticket and wait for a response.