MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL RESPONSIBLE USE AND DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AGREEMENT

The Dover-Sherborn Public Schools want to make sure that all students, teachers, and staff have access to digital tools that help them learn and share information. We believe that being able to use technology and find resources online is really important for education.

To help students learn how to use technology safely and responsibly, we follow guidelines set by the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Every year, the School Committee reviews and approves our Responsible Use Policy. This policy helps us use technology while also protecting students from any risks or problems that might come up.

Using your device is a privilege, and any privilege comes with responsibility. Here are the expectations for using your personal devices at school or anytime you are using school-provided devices.

Digital citizenship

I am responsible for modeling positive digital citizenship. I will treat people with dignity and kindness when using technology and online.

• I will be honest and ethical in all digital communications.
• I will be kind and avoid making threats or insulting, gossiping or teasing others with cruelty while I am online or using a computer.
• I will give credit to authors or sources when using information or ideas that are not my own. I know that failure to properly cite my sources of information is called plagiarism and is a form of cheating.
• I understand that things I post may be seen by others at school and at home, and that things that are posted on the internet can be seen by anyone in the world.
• I will not share personal information (either my own or another student’s), including where I live, details about family or friends (including names), my age, birthday, home address or telephone number on the internet.
• I will consider whom I am communicating with and think about how they might interpret my words.
• I will give constructive criticism and provide comments in ways that help others feel supported.
• I will use respectful and appropriate language without swearing, name-calling or causing others to feel uncomfortable due to their gender, race, appearance, behavior or beliefs.
• I will fact-check information before I share it digitally.
• I will not impersonate others or try to trick people into thinking something I wrote was done by someone else.

Learning and curiosity

I understand that school technology and networks are primarily provided to help support my learning and curiosity.

• I will use technology to learn new things.
• I will use technology to complete school activities or assignments.
• I will use my device to check information to verify that it is accurate.
• I will give credit to the creators of any content I use that is not my own.

Personal responsibility and safety

I know that school computers and internet communication tools must be used properly and responsibly.

• If I find content that is not appropriate on the internet, I will notify a teacher or a trusted adult, especially if I reached the inappropriate material in the course of completing an assignment.
• I will take care of the computer and all technology equipment from the school as if it belonged to me.
• I will respect the district network’s security measures and only download apps or content I have permission to access.
• I will only log in to the computer or network with my own username and password.

I understand that using any school technology, networks or personal devices at school is a privilege I must earn through responsible use; but we all make mistakes.

When I do something with my device that is not in line with this agreement, I will let a trusted adult know and ask them to help me make it right. If I can’t consistently keep my part of this agreement, I understand that privileges may be removed for a time and that I may face additional consequences.

Student Signature: ____________________________________________  Date: _______________________