FILE:  JCDAE

Cf:  IFBGA, JCDA, JD

STUDENT USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER

ELECTRONIC TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES

STUDENTS GRADE PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 8

No student in grades Pre-K through Grade 8, unless specifically authorized by the school principal or his/her designee, shall have in their possession, use or operate any cell phone, camera, video tape records, digital recorders of any kind or any other electronic telecommunication device in any public school buildings, public school grounds or on any school buses used to transport public school students.  A violation of these provisions may be grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension from school.  In all cases, administrators are to confiscate and notify parents to pick the device up at school.  LaSalle Parish Schools are neither responsible nor liable if confiscated phones are lost, damaged, or stolen as a result of the violation of this policy.

STUDENTS GRADE 9 THROUGH GRADE 12

No student, unless specifically authorized by the school principal or his/her designee, shall use or operate any electronic telecommunication device in any public school buildings, or on any school bus used to transport public school students.  Use is defined for this policy as the cell phone or device being in the on position or mode.  Student cell phones or devices are required to be kept out of sight and turned off during school hours in a school building or on school grounds, or whenever on a school bus.

Operation of such a device by the student for communication, recording, taking pictures, recording videos during regular school hours and/or violating testing procedures shall be a serious disciplinary infraction punishable by suspension and/or expulsion.  Such devices used in any manner that violates this or any other LaSalle Parish School Board policy shall be confiscated.  the device shall be confiscated and the parents notified of a specific date and time to pick up the device principal’s office.  A parent/guardian signature of receipt of the device shall be required, as well as fee payment of $25.00 upon pick up for each occurrence.

Subsequent violations of these provisions may also be grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to, loss of privileges, detention, suspension, and or expulsion from school.  Note:  If the student becomes disrespectful due to the item being confiscated, more serious corrective action may be assigned.

LaSalle Parish Schools are neither responsible nor liable if confiscated phones are lost, damaged, or stolen as a result of the violation of this policy.  Any unclaimed devices will be forfeited and disposed of one week following the close of school.

Exception:  Nothing shall prohibit the use and operation by any person, including students, of any electronic telecommunication device in the event of an emergency.  Emergency shall be defined as an actual or imminent threat to public health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.

BRING YOUR OWN TECHNOLOGY (B.Y.O.T.) RESPONSIBLE USE GUIDELINES

The LaSalle Parish School Board recognizes that our information based world is becoming increasingly complex and students who are skilled in creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and information technologies are better prepared to be successful citizens in the global community.  Just as new technologies are changing the world in which we live, they are providing new and positive educational benefits that help students develop these skills.  The LaSalle Parish School Board also recognized that it does not have the resources to provide these technologies to every student.

In an effort to bring more technology tools into our classrooms and to leverage student owned technology, the LaSalle Parish School Board will allow personal technology devices to be brought on district campuses and onto our network.  Students bring such personal devices to school must follow all Louisiana laws, LaSalle Parish School Board policies, the Acceptable Use Policy and the guidelines as set forth in this document.  In addition to the rules outlined in these guidelines, students will be expected to comply with all class and school rules while using personal devices.

The LaSalle Parish School Board currently provides technology that is appropriate and relevant to support instructional purposes.  Therefore, the use of personal devices by students is optional.  Students who do not participate in the B.Y.O.T. Pilot Program will not be penalized, and alternative modes of participation will be available.  However, if particular classes are designated as technology-based, personal or district-provided technology may be required.

Definition of Personal Technology Device

A personal technology device (PTD) is any privately owned technology device that includes but is not limited to the following:  Laptops, eReaders, iPads, tablet devices, or other current or emerging devices that can be used for word processing, wireless or wired Internet access, recording of images/sound, email, etc.  Cell phones and/or smart phones will not be considered to be a personal technology device (PTD).  Electronic communication devices must be used in accordance with applicable Louisiana statutes and LaSalle Parish School Board policy.

Responsibility, Security and Damages

Responsibility to keep the PTD secure shall be the individual owner’s sole responsibility.  The LaSalle Parish School Board shall not liable for any device stolen, infected, or damaged on campus, at school functions, or on the school bus.  If a device is stolen or damaged, it will be handled through the administrative office similar to other personal artifacts that are impacted in similar situations.  It is recommended that skins (decals) or other custom identification be used to physically identify individual owner’s/student’s PTD from others; protective cases for technology are encouraged.  The School Board shall not be responsible for device monetary charges to a student’s account that may be incurred by using the PTD, whether or not the use is during approved, school related use as outlined in this document.

It is a privilege rather than a right for a student to bring personal technology devices to school.  When the policies are followed, the learning environment will be enhanced.  However, when policies are abused, the privileges may be taken away and confiscation and/or disciplinary action may occur.

Guidelines

• Students and parent/guardians participating in B.Y.O.T. must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, Acceptable Use Policy, and all School Board policies, Internet Safety and Technology and this policy.

• Student shall take full responsibility for the PTD at all times.  The school is not responsible for storing or keeping the PTD secure at any time.

• Each teacher shall have the discretion to allow and regulate the use of personal devices in the classroom and for use during specific projects.

• Approved devices shall be in silent mode while on school campuses, unless otherwise allowed by a teacher.  Devices must be in silent mode while on the school bus.

• Devices may not be used to cheat on assignments or tests or for non-instructional purposes.

• Students may not use devices to record, transmit, or post photographic images, sound, or video of a person or persons on campus during school activities and/or hours, unless otherwise directed by a teacher for specific educational purposes.

• Only the internet gateway provided by the school may be accessed while on campus.  Personal Internet connective devices are not permitted to be used to access outside Internet sources at any time.

• Student acknowledges that the school’s network filters shall be applied to one’s connection to the Internet and student shall not attempt to bypass them.

• Devices may only be used to access files on a computer or Internet site that are relevant to the classroom curriculum.  Games shall not be permitted.  Unless specifically directed by a teacher, a student turning on or activating electronic devices during testing or assignments except in the case of emergency, as defined by this policy, shall be subject to discipline and confiscation of the device in accordance with policy.

• Student shall comply with all teacher requests regarding technology, such as shutting down, closing screen, storing, etc.

• Student understands that bringing on premises or infecting the network with a Virus, Trojan, or program designed to damage, alter, destroy, or provide access to unauthorized data or information is in violation of School Board policy and may result in disciplinary actions.

• Student realizes that activities or unauthorized access of information related to “hacking”, altering, or bypassing security policies is in violation of School Board policy and shall result in disciplinary actions.

• The School Board has the right to collect and examine any device that is suspected of causing problems or being the source of an attack or virus infection.

• Printing from personal laptops or devices shall be allowed only with the permission of the teacher.

• Personal devices should be charged prior to school and run on battery power while at school.  The School Board shall not be responsible for providing charging stations/facilities.

• The School Board shall not provide repair or software installation services to any PTD.

Any violation of these guidelines may result in the loss of B.Y.O.T. privileges as well as other disciplinary action.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:239, 17:416, 17:416.1

Board minutes, 6-1-09, 3-10-14, 6-26-18, 1-11-21

LaSalle Parish School Board