Overview                

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools creates a culture of EXCELLENCE, while providing innovative programming to address the changing learning strategies of today’s learners and new outcomes for future competitiveness. Students, families and staff work collaboratively to ensure that students are well prepared for postsecondary and career experiences in a demanding and ever changing environment.

By putting the needs of our students first, we have nurtured innovation throughout the district. The School District and Board of Education consider the financial realities of the future, as well as the changing needs of each student. They also recognize the importance of providing the means to implement 21st Century Skills that demonstrate measurable academic and behavioral results. To that end, Sauk Rapids-­Rice Public Schools provides increased access and opportunity through technology for all students in grades 6-12.

Sections Include:

1. Student Responsibilities
2. Parent/Guardian Expectations
3. General Care Instructions
4. Security and Theft Prevention
5. Damage, Theft and Repair
6. Network and Networked Resources
7. Student Privacy
8. Terms of the Device Loan

I. Student Responsibilities                

1. Students are expected to use their device for educational purposes only.
2. The device may only be used by the student to whom it was assigned or by the parents/guardians of

        the student. The student may not loan it to another student unless directed by your school.

3. Students are expected to have their device present and fully charged at school each day.
4. Students are permitted to download any content approved or assigned by their instructors. If a family does not have adequate internet access at home, students should download the content before, during or after school.
5. Students will only be able to download district approved apps. Only appropriate material that follow the Acceptable Use Policy (School Board Policy #524) will be allowed. The use of software or music that is not provided by the district must be legally obtained. The presence of inappropriate music, photos or software may result in the loss of the device and/or other disciplinary action.
6. Students are encouraged to store documents, worksheets, notes and other files to Google Drive;  students are responsible for backing up and saving all work.
7. Students are to alert administration immediately if the device is malfunctioning. Students are not to reconfigure the devices or software on the devices.
8. Students will use their school assigned password for their device. Students are not to share any account passwords.
9. All email communication will go through the ISD47 Google account assigned to the student.
10.  For security and safety reasons, students will leave their device in a locked locker when they are not being used for educational reasons. If a locked locker is not an option, students should leave the device in a secure place. The device should not be left unattended.
11. All district policies apply even when off­ campus. (i.e. After school sports and activities.)
12. Students must be given permission to take pictures and/or video of any students and/or staff. Students may not post photos or videos to Social Media (For Example: Schoology, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat) without the consent of the students and staff involved. Always respect the privacy of other students and staff.
13. The device is subject to inspection at any time without notice and remains the property of ISD47. Students must not circumvent any managed settings, hack, or otherwise attempt to inappropriately access the network or misuse a device.

II. Parent/Guardian Expectations                

1. Supervision is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility when their child’s internet use is not in a school setting.  Check with your internet provider to see if they offer parental controls as part of their services.
2. The district asks for parent/guardian support to communicate proper electronic device use while at home. Resources to support parents/guardians and to provide guidance can be located on the district website at https://www.isd47.org/portal/student-tools.
3. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to become familiar with the technology their child is using.
4. Parents/Guardians must assist their child in completing any forms needed to report theft or damage.

III. General Care Instructions                

1. Screens on all devices should only be cleaned with a soft, clean cloth. Chemical cleaners or liquids, including water, should not be used on any device.
2. Laptops should be placed in district provided cases when not in use. iPads must remain in the case they are issued in at all times.
3. The best places to charge a device are a table, desk or countertop. Devices should never be charged in a bed or under blankets or pillows.
4. Students should not put weight on the device. They should not be stacked or wedged tightly into a backpack. The case or laptop should not be used as a folder or for holding other items.
5. Liquids, food, and other debris can damage the devices. Devices should be kept away from such material at all times.
6. Devices should not be exposed to extreme temperature conditions. Students should not leave a device in an area that would have temperatures below freezing or above 95 degrees. Devices should never be left in a vehicle overnight.
7. Battery life is shortened by using Wi­Fi, Bluetooth, a high screen brightness and certain apps. Students are encouraged to learn to manage these settings to help improve battery life.
8. All repairs must be completed through the ISD 47 Technology Department. Due to warranty guidelines, students and/or their families should not complete or arrange for any repairs.

IV. Damage, Theft and Repair

1. Parents/Guardians of middle and high school students may opt to purchase an annual Protection Plan for each device. The Protection Plan is structured to significantly offset the cost of most "First Incident" damages that occur. Please see the chart below for full details.

1. MacBook Air: $60.00 for grades 9­-12.
2. iPad: $30.00 for grades 6-8.
3. Family cap of $120 for protection plans.
4. Protection plan fee reductions - qualifying free lunch students pay ⅓  - reduced lunch students pay ⅔. The Application for Educational Benefits (free and reduced meals) form can be found here. Students must be approved for Educational Benefits (free and reduced meals) by September 15th in order to qualify for the protection plan fee reduction.

The Protection Plan must be purchased before September 15 (or within 10 school days of entry for new students). The annual Protection Plan fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.                        

5. Expiration Date: The last day of school for the current school year or the day the student withdraws from school, whichever comes first. Note: If a student withdraws from the district the protection plan agreement becomes null and void on that date. There are no refunds once this agreement becomes active on the date the device is issued.
6. If a student withdraws and then re-enrolls, the protection plan will still be honored for the remainder of the school year.
7. If you have a major damage incident with a device, you have the option to purchase a second protection plan to cover the replacement device for damage protection. Any subsequent damage will be billed at the full repair cost.
8. Contact alicia.wagner@isd47.org if you need to have the Protection Plan fee split out into 3 equal installments: 1st payment due by September 15, 2nd by November 15 and 3rd by March 15.

2. Damage or hardware issues must be reported immediately. For instances of hardware failure or accidental damage, a temporary device will be provided, if available, for the student throughout the repair/replacement process.
3. Any device that malfunctions or is damaged must be reported to administration.
4. The school district will be responsible for repairing the device.
5. Irreparable damage will result in families being charged the replacement cost of the device.
6. Breakage or damage that occurs as a result of intentional user induced damage will result in families being charged the replacement cost of the device and any items damaged or not returned.
7. In order to qualify as theft, a police report must be filed and a copy given to the school.
8. Explanation of charges below:

V. Security and Theft Prevention        

1. The device may ONLY be used by the student to whom it was assigned. The student may not loan it to another student unless directed by your school.
2. The student is responsible for the security of the device at all times. The device should never be left unsecured. When not with the student, the devices should be secured or stored in a locked location. During after school activities and/or away events, students are responsible for securing the device.
3. It is the responsibility of the student to keep his/her information secure.        
4. Theft must be reported immediately to administration by calling the building office the student attends:

1. High School Office: 320-253­-4700 
2. Middle School Office: 320-654-9073
3. Mississippi Heights Elementary: 32-252-0122
4. Pleasantview Elementary: 320-253-0506
5. Rice Elementary: 320-393-2177

5. Students/Parents/Guardians will be required to complete a theft report through the district’s police/liaison officer.
6. A police report must be filed in order to use the theft option with the protection plan.
7. The devices contain software that may assist in tracking and recovering devices. The district will coordinate with law enforcement to track and locate missing devices when possible.  

VI. Network and Networked Resources        

Networked resources are provided for students to conduct research and complete work assigned in our educational program. Communications over a network, as our Sauk Rapids-Rice network, are public in nature; therefore, general rules and standards for acceptable behavior and communications will apply.

Users will observe the following acceptable use guidelines for network etiquette.

1. EXPECTED BEHAVIORS

1. Be polite. School rules regarding all forms of harassment apply to electronic communication.
2. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language, material or images.
3. Do not reveal names, personal addresses, or phone numbers to unknown Internet users.
4. All computer use must be related to the educational objectives of the district.

2. PURPOSE OF USE

1. The use of the network must be consistent with the education objectives and Board policies of Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools. The district Acceptable Use Policy must be observed.
2. Inappropriate sites include any web resources not related to our educational program.

3. CONFIDENTIALITY

1. Electronic communication should not be utilized to share confidential information. Messages are not entirely secure. Users should not expect that files stored on district equipment will be private. Your computer use will be monitored at random to ensure that proper use is occurring.

4. RESPONSIBLE/ETHICAL USE

1. Responsible and ethical use of Internet resources is required. Students must know and follow the rules relating to copyright and appropriate use of data and images from Internet sources.
2. Minnesota Law 120.06 states that school districts may impose rules and regulations on those students 18-21 years of age as those students under 18. Therefore, all students regardless of age, are expected to adhere to the same set of policies and guidelines.
3. Inappropriate behaviors will be reported and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Violations may result in a loss of access to the network and/or other disciplinary action taken. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.
4. A parent or guardian, will be asked to sign this document online to acknowledge receiving this information before network resources will be made available to the student as part of our educational program.

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5. NETWORKED RESOURCES AGREEMENT

Student access to the network is a privilege and will be available through an agreement reissued yearly to qualifying students. Your child MUST agree to ALL of the following items and adhere to the following statements to maintain current access.

5. I will use ONLY my own network account, I will not log in using someone else's account, without staff permission, or I risk losing network privileges.
6. I will NOT access any inappropriate areas on the Internet. Inappropriate sites include any web resources not related to our educational program, including game and music sites.
7. I will not use my district network account on someone else's device. My network account will be used on my device only.
8. I have read and agreed to the terms set by the ISD#47 School Board listed above.
9. I am responsible for the data accessed or sent through the computer at which I am working. This includes email, information entered into or retrieved from a website, or electronically sent in any other form.
10. I will follow the laws relating to copyright and appropriate use of data (images, music, movies, etc.) from Internet sources.
11. If I find myself in an area of inappropriate materials, I will immediately exit that area and notify my teacher, parent or guardian, or another adult. .
12. I understand that I need to be aware of printing sensibly and not wasting resources by printing large files. I will use the “2-up” printing feature when appropriate. I will ask if I am in doubt about printing.
13. I agree to follow the Internet rules or I will lose my network privileges and Internet access at Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools.

VII. Student Data Privacy

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and positive digital learning experience for students and staff.

The district uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

The district has an inventory of  technology related curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted at https://www.isd47.org/services/technology and include an outline of the student data elements within each tool. This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.

Please reach out to Cory Zimpel for additional questions regarding specific digital tools used in classrooms.

Additional Resources:

COPPA ­­ The Children’s Online Privacy & Protection Act ­­ governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information collected from children under age 13.

FERPA ­ ­ The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act​ protects the privacy of student education records.

Description of FERPA https://youtu.be/nhlDkS8hvMU

Teacher Training Privacy Video  https://youtu.be/deo2F19DK_o

Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board Policy 524

The security review process is one component of the larger Online Instructional Resources Approval Process. ISD 47 reviews the data privacy and security policies for all approved online instructional resources. The process is informed by Federal student data privacy regulations.

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools will consent on your behalf in order for your child to use district approved apps and resources.

VIII. Terms of the Device Loan

1. Parents/Guardians are required to read the handbook and consent to the contained policies, by completing the necessary form, in order for their child to receive the device.
2. Legal ownership of the device remains with the district. The use of the device is a privilege extended to the students and is conditioned upon compliance of this handbook, Acceptable Use Policy (School Board Policy #524) and all other district policies and guidelines.
3. All devices will be returned at the end of the current school year. Students who graduate early, withdraw, are suspended or expelled, or terminate enrollment within Sauk Rapids-­Rice Public Schools for any reason must return their individual school device on the date of termination. Students returning to school the following year will be issued the same device, if available. If a student fails to return the device and all accessories (case, cord, charging brick, etc.) at the end of the school year or upon termination of enrollment within Sauk Rapids-­Rice Public Schools, that student or their parent/guardian will be subject to civil liability. The student and/or their parent/guardian will also pay the replacement cost of the device. Failure to return the device within ten days will result in the device being reported as stolen.
4. The district reserves the right to repossess the device and accessories at any time if the student does not fully comply with the terms of this agreement. The district may also choose to limit and/or withdraw home use privileges for failure to comply.
5. The device will be subject to routine monitoring by teachers, administrators and/or technology staff at any time. Users have no expectation of privacy when using district owned devices.
6. If technical difficulties arise with the device, or non-­conforming content is discovered, the device will be restored by the Technology Department. If the device needs to be restored, the district is not responsible for loss of any content put on the devices by the student such as software, music, video, photo, documents, etc.
7. The use of the device during instructional times is governed by the classroom teachers.
8. Each device has an identifying label which must not be removed or altered. The device must remain free of all other writing, drawings, stickers or labels.