USE OF PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES The Otsego Local School District works to create an uplifting environment that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and social development. We recognize that constant access to technology and social media detracts from a students' ability to concentrate on their studies and interact meaningfully with their peers and teachers. We are committed to creating a focused and nurturing learning environment that uplifts students, frees them from distractions, reduces bullying, and focuses their attention on their learning experiences. By instilling responsible digital citizenship, promoting self-discipline, and fostering a sense of community, we aim to create a space where students can thrive academically and socially, build meaningful relationships, and develop important social skills. The Student Use of Personal Communication Devices policy is written in a way that supports these efforts. Therefore:
"Personal communication device" includes computers, tablets (e.g., iPads and similar devices), electronic readers ("e-readers"; e.g., Kindles and similar devices), cell phones (e.g. mobile/cellular telephones, smartphones [e.g., BlackBerry, iPhone, Android devices, Windows Mobile devices, etc.], telephone paging devices [e.g., beepers or pagers]), Smart Watches, and/or other web-enabled devices of any type.
1. Unless approved by a supervising teacher or an administrator students are prohibited from being in possession of or using PCDs or having them "On" (i.e., the device must be powered completely off and not just placed into vibrate or silent mode; a device will be considered "On" if it is ready to receive, send, capture or record any communication, visual image, sound, text message or other information) during the regularly scheduled school day (i.e. from the moment school begins until the last class of the day has ended for all students). This includes lunch periods, passing periods, as well as on school-sponsored trips and "behind-the-wheel" driver education classes or in school vehicles.
2. Students also may not use PCDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity to access and/or view Internet Web sites that are otherwise blocked to students at school.
3. Students may use PCDs while riding to and from school on a school bus or other Board-provided vehicle or on a school bus or Board-provided vehicle during school-sponsored activities, at the discretion of the bus driver, classroom teacher sponsor/advisor/coach. Distracting behavior that creates an unsafe environment will not be tolerated.
Possession and/or use of a personal communication device (PCD) by a student while at school during the school day is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of Policy 5136 or this guideline, or otherwise engages in abuse of this privilege. Strict adherence to Policy 5136 and this guideline is required.
PCDs, including but not limited to devices with cameras, may not be activated or utilized at any time in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstances include but are not limited to gymnasiums, locker rooms, shower facilities, rest/bathrooms, swimming pool, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes, whether here or at another school district where a school activity or athletic event is occurring. The building principal has authority to make determinations as to other specific locations and situations where use of a PCD is absolutely prohibited.
Students participating in extracurricular activities and athletics must contact their coach, advisor, or sponsor for their rules involving the use of PCDs after school hours or on after-school bus trips. Coaches and sponsors will set their rules and enforce consequences involving the use and/or misuse of these devices.
The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to, or misuse or unauthorized use of, PCDs brought onto its property. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to take appropriate precautions, if students possess PCDs at school, to make sure the devices are not left unattended or unsecured.
Using a PCD in an unauthorized manner or in violation of Policy 5136 or this guideline may result in loss of this privilege, additional disciplinary action (e.g., warnings, parental notification and conferences, suspension, expulsion), confiscation of the PCD (in which case, the device will only be released/returned to the student's parent/guardian after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequences that are imposed, unless the violation involves potentially illegal activity in which case the PCD may be turned over to law enforcement), and/or referral to law enforcement if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g. child pornography).
Under certain circumstances, a student may keep his/her PCD "On" with prior approval from the Principal.
Students are expressly prohibited from using covert means to listen-in or make a recording (audio or video) of any meeting or activity at school. This includes placing recording devices, or other devices with one or two-way audio communication technology (i.e. technology that allows a person off-site to listen to live conversations and sounds taking place in the location where the device is located), within a student's book bag or on the student's person without express written consent of the Superintendent.
Students shall have no expectation of confidentiality with respect to their use of PCDs on school premises/property.
Students may not use a PCD in any way that might reasonably create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed or intimidated. See Policy 5517.01 – Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior. In particular, students are prohibited from using PCDs to: (1) transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit or that can be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based upon their race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation/transgender identity), disability, age, religion, ancestry, or political beliefs; and (2) engage in "sexting" - i.e., sending, receiving, sharing, viewing, or possessing pictures, text messages, e-mails or other materials of a sexual nature in electronic or any other form. Violation of these prohibitions shall result in disciplinary action. Furthermore, such actions will be reported to local law enforcement and child services as required by law.
Students are also prohibited from using a PCD to capture, record, and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty. Likewise, students are prohibited from using PCDs to receive such information.
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the PCD. The Principal will also refer the matter to law enforcement or child services if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g., child pornography, sexting). Discipline will be imposed on an escalating scale ranging from a warning to an expulsion based on the number of previous violations and/or the nature of or circumstances surrounding a particular violation. If the PCD is confiscated, it will be released/returned to the student's parent/guardian after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequences that are imposed, unless the violation involves potentially illegal activity in which case the PCD may be turned-over to law enforcement. A confiscated device will be marked in a removable manner with the student's name and held in a secure location in the building's central office until it is retrieved by the parent/guardian or turned-over to law enforcement. School officials will not search or otherwise tamper with PCDs in District custody unless they reasonably suspect that the search is required to discover evidence of a violation of the law or other school rules. Any search will be conducted in accordance with Policy 5771 – Search and Seizure. If multiple offenses occur, a student may lose his/her privilege to bring a PCD to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis.
If a school teacher or administrator observes a violation of this guideline, they are required to confiscate the device and bring it to the building principal's office and provide the name of the student from whom the PCD was taken. Any confiscated device will be held in a secure location in the building's central office until the item is retrieved by the student's parent/guardian or turned over to law enforcement. Students whose PCDs are confiscated may be required to contact their parents/guardians to inform them that the item was confiscated and that it will only be returned to the parents/guardians.
Parents/Guardians are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the school office.
