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Universal Student Technology Acceptable Use & Safety Policy
Purpose & Introduction
The DeForest Area School District (DASD) provides technology resources to engage, challenge, and inspire students, promoting learning, collaboration, and innovation. Access to District technology—including the network (wired and wireless), hardware, 1:1 devices, software, email, and web-based tools—is a privilege, not a right. Technology use entails personal responsibility, and users must comply with all provisions of this policy and the Student Code of Conduct.
To maintain a safe and educational environment, DASD retains the following rights regarding network and device usage:
No Expectation of Privacy: Use of the District’s networks, devices, and communication resources should not be considered private. Network activity, browsing history, and emails are actively monitored, logged, and reported regularly to ensure the safety of students and the network.
Filtering and CIPA Compliance: Pursuant to the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), DASD uses technology protection measures to filter and block access to materials that are obscene, constitute child pornography, or are harmful to minors. Internet access is filtered regardless of whether a school device is used at school or at home. The technology protection measures may not be disabled at any time students are using District resources. Any student who attempts to disable the technology protection measures will be subject to discipline.
Access Control: The District reserves the right to deny, revoke, or suspend user privileges, and/or take disciplinary action if this policy is violated.
DASD issues devices (generally Acer or Lenovo Chromebooks) to students for educational purposes. Students must adhere to the specific daily expectations based on their grade level:
High School (Grades 9-12): Students should take their devices home every night and are responsible for charging them overnight. Devices must be fully charged each day.
Middle School (Grades 7-8): Students should leave their devices at school overnight in charging carts. If there is a need to use at home for school purposes; contact teacher or administration for approval.
Elementary/Intermediate (Grades K-6): Devices are kept in Chromebook carts and remain at school.
Device Alterations: Students may not alter the device, disassemble it, change the operating system, or attempt repairs without authorization.
1. Accessing School Resources and Student Network Access on Personal Devices: As a measure of security, students will have access to internal student networks for personal use and requires authentication using the student's official Google or Microsoft school account credentials. While personal devices are permitted on school property, access to the District's student network is limited and filtering is more severe than on the student network. This restriction is in place to preserve bandwidth and provide the best possible resources for purely academic and school purposes.
2. General Usage Rules by Building: Appropriate use rules apply whenever personal devices are brought to school or connected to the DASD network. Students bring personal devices to school at their own risk; the District is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items. This doesn’t apply for those needing such devices for medical, or other educationally approved purposes.
High School: Phones and electronic communication devices may be used during passing periods, lunch, and before or after school. Phones and electronic communication devices (including smartwatches) are strictly prohibited during class time, Advisory, FLEX periods, locker rooms, and restrooms. During all designated Instructional Time students are only permitted to use their school-issued Chromebook or other designated school-provided devices. All personal electronic devices must be powered off or silenced, put away, and may not be visible or in use during these instructional periods without Administration approval.
Personal Devices Connected to Guest WiFi
Authentication is required using Windows or Google credentials.
This network is dedicated to student-owned personal devices.
Re-authentication is required every 45 days, or upon connecting with a different device.
Access is segmented from the Staff Wi-Fi network and internal organizational resources.
Standard student web filtering policies are applied while connected.
If a student's phone routinely alters its MAC address, the system will prompt for re-login. It is recommended that, as part of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), students be required to disable MAC address randomization on their personal devices while utilizing the network.
Middle School: Cell phones and electronic communication devices (including smartwatches used for communication) are prohibited from 8:30 AM to 3:50 PM. Other personal devices are prohibited without administrative approval. They must be kept off or silent and stored in the student's locker.
Elementary and Intermediate Schools: Are not allowed for use on school property during school hours without permission from Administration.
K-3 from the hours of 7:20 am-2:40 pm
4-7 from the hours of 7:30 am-3:10 pm
3. Personal Computers and Tablets: Students are not allowed to use personal Computers or Tablets during school hours unless they have explicit permission from Administration. "Preference" is not a valid reason for exception, as the devices provided by the district are specifically chosen to be compatible with all necessary school software, programs, and applications.
4. Prohibited Wearables (AI Smart Glasses): The use of AI Smart Glasses or any similar wearable technology equipped with cameras or microphones is strictly prohibited from being worn or used during school hours. Recording or photographing others without consent poses a direct threat to the privacy rights of students and staff and is strictly prohibited.
Educational Purpose: All use of the Internet must support educational and research objectives.
Communication: Students are assigned a Google Workspace school email account, which must be used for all school-related electronic communications.
Account Security: Students are personally responsible for their accounts. Passwords must be kept secure and private. Students must never share their password or use an account, login, or device belonging to another person.
Digital Citizenship: Online behavior must reflect District standards of honesty, respect, and consideration. Students must follow copyright and intellectual property laws.
Users are strictly prohibited from engaging in the following behaviors:
Cyberbullying and Harassment: Using technology to deliberately and repeatedly support hostile behavior intended to harm others, including posting slurs, rumors, or embarrassing photographs.
Bypassing Security: Any attempts to bypass school filtering, firewalls, etc., are strictly prohibited. This includes attempting to disable technology protection measures, utilizing "Browser Proxies," Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), or using other means to circumvent DASD filters to access currently blocked or limited content. Any student who attempts to disable the technology protection measures will be subject to discipline.
Unauthorized Access to Others' Accounts and Devices: Intentionally accessing or using others' credentials, devices, email, or files that do not belong to you is strictly prohibited. This includes logging in as another student or staff member, using a device assigned to someone else, or modifying data and passwords belonging to other users.
Unauthorized Recording and Photography (AI Smart Glasses): Recording or photographing others without consent is strictly prohibited. Because devices like AI Smart Glasses can covertly record audio, capture video, and take images, they pose a direct threat to the privacy rights of students and staff. Prohibiting these devices protects student data and privacy in alignment with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, as well as State privacy laws designed to protect minors in the educational environment.
Hacking & Malicious Activity: Seeking unauthorized access to information, "data mining," digital piracy, or accessing the "darkweb" or material that poses a risk of introducing malware/viruses.
Inappropriate Content: Accessing, processing, or distributing pornographic material, obscenities, or other dangerous files.
Personal Safety: Disclosing personal identifiable information about oneself or another person, such as home addresses or phone numbers, online.
Commercial/Political Use: Using the District's network for commercial, for-profit, or political lobbying purposes.
While devices are provided by the District, families are financially responsible for damage caused by negligence, misuse, intentional vandalism, or loss. This is no different than any other school provided materials (textbooks, etc.)
Lost Device: Approximately $350 - $400 replacement fee.
Lost/Damaged Charger: $20 replacement fee.
Screen Repair: $50 - $100 depending on the device model.
Note: If a device is stolen, it must be reported immediately (within 24 hours) to the Help Desk [(608) 842-6535] and building administration, and a police report should be filed.
The DeForest Area School District makes no warranties of any kind for the technology service it provides. The District is not responsible for any damages suffered, including loss of data resulting from delays, service interruptions, or user errors.
The school district primarily utilizes Google Workspace and associated accounts for student access to most programs and applications, employing a Single-Sign On system for the majority of student-used software. All applications are rigorously evaluated to ensure adherence to student data privacy standards, specifically meeting the requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and the Federal Education Rights and Protections ACT (FERPA).
The DeForest Area School District maintains a list of approved applications. If a parent of a student under 18 wishes to object to the use of specific applications or programs, they should contact the school administration to assert their concerns.
Unauthorized Access: Sharing passwords or using another student's account.
Bypassing Security: Attempting to use VPNs, proxies, or other methods to circumvent district web filters.
Harassment and Bullying: Using district technology for cyberbullying, including harassing, threatening, or demeaning others.
Recording or Photographing Others: without consent poses a direct threat to the privacy rights of students and staff and is strictly prohibited.
Inappropriate Material: Accessing, sending, or storing content that is offensive, obscene, or illegal.
Malicious Use of Technology: Using AI, software, or the internet for illegal or harmful purposes such as fraud, spreading misinformation, or cyberattacks.
Academic Integrity: AI tools must not be used to engage in plagiarism or cheating. Submitting AI-generated work represented as your own original work is considered academic dishonesty.
Transparency and Citation: If GenAI is used to create or inform work, it must be openly cited using current MLA or APA formats. Citations should include the prompt used, the AI publisher, and the date. Students should document their thinking processes to show how they arrived at their conclusions.
Analyzing AI: Students must critically evaluate anything generated by AI for accuracy, appropriateness, and bias. AI can "hallucinate" wrong information, so verifying outputs with other sources is required.
Responsible Use: Students must not use AI to generate anything that disrupts or disparages the District, individuals, or groups.
