STUDENT TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AGREEMENT

Homewood City Schools believes technology in school enhances learning, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Access to technology provides students with greater opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them for future work, life, and citizenship. We expect students to demonstrate responsible and ethical behavior online, showcasing good digital citizenship. This agreement outlines the guidelines for using school technology resources and personal devices on campus.

Homewood City Schools makes every effort to establish and enforce the following, however, due to the rapid pace of technological change, it may not always be possible to maintain complete compliance at all times.

CONDUCT

• Be responsible for your actions when using school technology.
• Do not use technology to access inappropriate content or disrupt others. This includes any material that is defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, violent, obscene, profane, sexually-oriented, threatening, racially offensive, or illegal.
• Do not change settings or configurations on school devices unless instructed by a teacher. This includes any alteration of the setup and configuration of any computer or system component unless it is a curricular objective under direct teacher supervision.
• Keep your login and password private. Sharing your login credentials or attempting to hack into secure areas is strictly prohibited.
• Follow all local, state, and federal laws when using technology. Any transmission of material, information, or software in violation of any local, state, or federal law, such as copyrighted material or software piracy, is a breach of these terms

RESOURCES

• Students will use tools like Google Workspace, Parent Square, Classlink, PowerSchool, and Schoology for communication, collaboration, time-management, document storage, and course content.
• Additional online tools may be introduced by teachers to enrich student learning. These tools can be accessed from most internet-connected devices with a web browser.
• School staff will monitor students' use of these tools while at school. Parents are encouraged to monitor their child's use when accessing programs from home.
• Content filtering is in place on school-issued devices to block access to inappropriate content. The content filter sends “Red flag” emails to administrators when inappropriate content is searched on a school-owned device, and administrators will follow up with students and/or parents as necessary.
• Student information is used solely for educational purposes, and no personal student information is collected for commercial use. These online tools require the use of student information, such as the student's name and school email address.

EMAIL

• Students will receive a Google Workspace account to facilitate the use of web tools and develop an appropriate digital presence.
• Use email for school-related communication only. Email services are to be used only for appropriate information exchange.
• HCS administrators will comply with inspection and disclosure requests when required by law or school policies.
• Teachers will communicate with students the best way to contact them - via Email, Schoology Messages, or ParentSquare.

STUDENT DEVICES

• All students in grades K-12 will receive a school-issued Chromebook. Grades K-4 will leave devices at school, while grades 5-8 will take them home each day. Students are not permitted to use a personal laptop or Chromebook at school.  

• Students in grades 5-12 will pay an annual $25 device fee. This fee covers up to three damage incidents including broken screens or lost power cords. After the third incident, additional fees will be incurred.
• A lost device will be charged a prorated fee based on the price and age of the device.

• Students must use the school’s filtered wireless network for internet access, not personal connections.
• Any device deemed malicious by IT staff must immediately be removed from the network.

Monitoring of Student Devices and Accounts

• To ensure a safe and productive learning environment, Homewood City Schools utilizes the Linewize suite of tools to help monitor students while using school technology resources. These tools help us filter inappropriate content, protect against cyber threats, and minimize distractions.
• Linewize School Manager allows HCS to filter websites that are not appropriate for the educational setting. School Manager helps the district protect students against harmful content, cyber-threats, and distractions in order to provide a safe and secure digital environment.
• Teachers utilize Classwize to help students stay focused on the lesson and reduce distractions. Classwize gives teachers a real time view of students' screens during class and allows them to focus student attention only on certain digital resources while blocking access to others during a lesson. This tool is only available to teachers during the school day.
• Linewize Monitor aims to create a safer environment for students by acting as a proactive safety net. It monitors student activity and If there are signs of cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts, or inappropriate content, the system alerts trained professionals who review the situation before notifying school staff. Anytime you’re logged in with your Homewood City Schools account—whether on a school device or a personal one—there’s a chance the school will get alerts about inappropriate activity. If that happens, you may be asked to talk with an administrator, and in some cases, your parents may be notified. Our goal isn’t to invade your privacy but to make sure everyone stays safe and focused.

STATEMENTS OF EXPECTATION

1. I will follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that I am expected to follow offline.
2. I will not seek, view, send, or display offensive messages or media.
3. I will not damage, change, or tamper with the hardware, software, settings, or network in any way.
4. I will not try to gain access to secure areas of the network.
5. I will not share my passwords with any other person.
6. I will use my device only when allowed by the teacher.
7. I will only access the internet through the school’s public wireless network.
8. I will take responsibility for any school-owned devices that I am using.
9. I will notify an adult immediately if I accidentally encounter materials that violate the rules of appropriate use.
10. I will be held accountable for my actions and for loss of privileges if these rules are violated.
11. I will use email only to send appropriate messages.

I understand that the purpose of any technology resource is to support research and education and will be consistent with the educational objectives of the Homewood Board of Education. The use of all technology resources and networks is a privilege and responsibility. I further understand that any or all of the following sanctions could be imposed if I violate any of the above policies and procedures regarding the use of Homewood City Schools Technology Resources, including the Internet.

• Loss of access
• Additional disciplinary action to be determined at the individual school in line with existing practice and the Student Code of Conduct
• Legal action when applicable

Student Name: __________________________________________ Grade__________________

Student Signature: _______________________________________ Date  __________________

Parent Name: __________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature: _________________________________________Date __________________