Expectations and Guidelines

Students enrolled on a full-time basis will be assigned either an iPad (Kindergarten and Grade 1) or a laptop computer (Grades 2-12) to enhance learning. These devices are to be returned as received, except normal wear and tear as determined by the District, at the conclusion of each school year or when requested by any school District official. The Salisbury Township School District Board Policy 7A.1 – Acceptable Use of the Internet and the District’s Network, Policy 7A.2 – Acceptable Use of District-Owned Technology, and Policy 2B.8 – Care of School Property apply to all students and staff using laptop computers, regardless of location. The assignment and use of a laptop computer is considered to be a privilege. Inappropriate use or neglect of a laptop computer, sleeve, charger, the Internet and/or any installed software could result in the loss of laptop computer privileges. Loss of privileges will not change classroom expectations and/or assignment completion.

Best Practice Guidelines and Expectations for the Use of Digital Devices

Every student is responsible for the appropriate use of their digital device both at school and at home, if applicable. District-issued digital devices are to be used for educational purposes only. All commercial, illegal, unethical and inappropriate use of district-issued digital devices is prohibited, as outlined in School Board Policy 7A.1 – Acceptable Use of the Internet and the District’s Network, and Policy 7A.2 – Acceptable Use of District-Owned Technology.

  • Consider a digital device like a pile of cash. Students are responsible for keeping track of their device and taking precautions to keep it safe. Make certain the locker is completely closed and locked when story your device. If you store the device in a backpack, make certain the backpack is never left unattended.

  • The top four repair requests for laptop computers: cracked casing, cracked screens; frayed charger cables; and beverage spills on keyboards. To avoid these issues:

    • Do not place anything on the keyboard before closing the lid (i.e. pen, pencil, disks).

    • Do not eat or drink while using your laptop computer. Students prone to spills may wish to invest in a keyboard cover.

    • When using USB storage devices or connecting the power cord to the laptop computer, carefully remove and attach these devices.

  • It is expected that all laptop computers will be fully charged at home for the start of the school day. Failure to charge the laptop computer is equivalent to not being prepared for class. Students will have the opportunity throughout the day to charge laptop computers in classrooms.

  • It is expected that all secondary students will bring their laptop to school with them everyday. Students who forget to bring their laptop computer to school will not be provided with a loaner.

  • Cords, cables and removable storage devices should be inserted carefully into the laptop computer.

  • Students should not carry laptop computers while the screen is open.

  • Laptop computers must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers or labels that are not the property of the District. MacBook Pro skins and covers are acceptable and can be useful to distinguish laptop computers from each other.

  • Students must follow all copyright laws. Familiarize yourself with School Board Policy 4B.3 – District Use of Copyrighted Material.

  • Downloading unauthorized games, applications or software by students is not permitted.

  • Downloading purchased music or music from a purchased CD is permitted (i.e. songs purchased online). Any personal information or material on the laptop computer is the sole responsibility of the student and should not interfere with laptop usage or school work.

  • All software will be licensed, approved and installed by a District computer technician.

  • Students should not loan the laptop computer to anyone (including family members) and should not share login or password information for any web site or services, including Falcon Apps. Treat logins and password like the PIN to a bank debit card.

  • Do not lean on the top of the laptop computer when it is closed.

  • Do not poke the screen.

  • Clean dirty screens with an anti-static cloth. Do not use tissues, paper towels or any other kinds of material that will scratch the laptop computer screen.

  • Always place the laptop computer in the District-provided sleeve, or adequate substitute.

  • Be careful not to drop or throw backpacks or laptop sleeves. The laptop computer will get damaged.

  • Never use the laptop computer on the bus.

  • When closing and storing the laptop computer in the sleeve, put the computer in sleep mode or turn it off to prevent overheating.

  • If a student notices the laptop computer is running slow or functioning in an abnormal manner, report to the computer technician’s office for support.

  • Inappropriate language and materials used as screensavers and/or desktop images are not permitted on laptop computers.

  • When using Falcon Apps Email:

    • Do not open, forward or reply to suspicious email. If you have a question about a suspicious email, ask your teacher or visit the computer technician’s office.

    • Be wary of email attachments from unknown senders. The email could be a virus.

    • Never respond to emails that ask for personal information, logins, or passwords.

    • Think before you write and send an email. Be polite and courteous at all times.

    • Know your audience. For example, an email to a potential employer is more formal than an email to a friend.

  • When using the Internet:

    • Do not visit inappropriate web sites or click on questionable links.

    • The use of proxies to bypass District filtering is not acceptable and violates School Board Policy 7A.1 – Acceptable Use of the Internet and the District’s Network

    • Use social networking sites when appropriate. Keep the following in mind and review the STSD Social Media Guidelines:

      • Be polite and courteous. Offensive language should be left out of social network posts and comments.

      • Do not post photographs or information that could embarrass you, your family or your friends. Once posted online, information is hard if not impossible to erase.

      • Do not post personal information such as address, cell phone number, class schedules or daily activities.

      • Potential employers, colleges and universities, graduate programs and scholarship committees search the Internet and social networking sites to screen applicants.

The District does not routinely monitor the District network for violations of school rules or District policies and is limited in its ability to monitor laptop computers for cyber bullying and other behavior violations. If students have reason to believe another student is using the District network or laptop computers in a manner that violates School Board Policy 7A.1 – Acceptable Use of the Internet and the District’s Network, or Policy 7A.2 – Acceptable Use of District-Owned Technology contact the Principal or Assistant Principal.