FILE:  JCDAE

Cf:  GAMH

STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

No student, unless specifically authorized by the school principal or designee, shall use or operate any electronic telecommunication device, including facsimile systems, radio paging device, mobile telephone service, intercom or electromechanical paging system in any school building or on the grounds thereof during the instructional day except in the event of an emergency which is defined as an actual or imminent threat to public health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury or property damage, all as provided by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:239.  The instructional day shall begin at the time students arrive on campus prior to the take-in bell and conclude upon the dismissal bell at the end of the day. 

Operation of such a device by the student for recording, taking pictures, creating videos during the instructional day and/or violating testing procedures shall be a serious disciplinary infraction punishable by expulsion or out-of-school suspension.  Such devices used in any manner that violates this or other Rapides Parish School Board policies shall be confiscated and may be retrieved only by a parent or guardian at the principal’s office upon paying a $15 administrative fee for each offense and signing a written receipt acknowledging receipt of the device.  Pick-up time is at the discretion of the principal as is disciplinary action for repeated offenses.  Any unclaimed devices will be forfeited and disposed of one week following the close of school.

Use or operation shall mean the device is either visible, turned on or is in a mode capable of receiving or transmitting signals.

No student, unless authorized by the school principal or his/her designee, shall possess, on his/her person, an electronic telecommunication device throughout the instructional day, including wearable technology capable of sending or receiving text messages and other similar notifications. The instructional day shall begin at the time students arrive on campus prior to the take-in bell and conclude upon the dismissal bell at the end of the day. 

If a student brings an electronic telecommunication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during an instructional day, the electronic device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of the instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the instructional day.  Electronic telecommunication devices, shall include, but not be limited to, cellular telephones, personal computers, laptops, electronic instruments, iPads, iPods, wearable technology such as smartwatches, tablet devices, e-readers, or similar devices.

These provisions shall also apply to any school-sponsored event, including athletic competitions and field trips, which take place during an instructional day.

These provisions shall not be applicable to a student whose Individualized Education Program, Individualized Accommodation Plan, Section 504 plan, or Individualized Health Plan requires the student's use of an electronic telecommunication device.

During the instructional day, parents or guardians may contact students through the school’s office.

Students shall not utilize school-issued devices to access personal messaging features and social media accounts not used for educational purposes.

A violation of these provisions may be grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and/or expulsion from school, as detailed in the Student Code of Conduct.

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

The Rapides Parish School Board (RPSB) 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 School Board also recognizes that it does not have the resources to provide these technologies to every student. 

In an effort to bring more technology tools into our classroom and to leverage student-owned technology, the Rapides Parish School Board will allow personal technology devices to be brought on district campuses and onto our network.  Students bringing such personal devices to school must follow all Louisiana law, RPSB policies, the Acceptable Use Policy and the guidelines 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 Rapides 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 B.Y.O.T. 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: laptops, cell phones, smart phones, eReaders, iPads, iPods, tablets devices, PDAs, 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 phone or other electronic communication devices must be used in accordance with applicable Louisiana statutes and Rapides Parish School Board policy.

Responsibility, Security and Damages

Responsibility to keep the PTD secure rests with the individual owner. The Rapides Parish School Board is 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 one student’s device from others.  Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged.  The School Board will not be responsible for any device 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 parents/guardians participating in B.Y.O.T. must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, Acceptable Use Policy, and all Board policies, particularly IFBGA, Internet Safety and Technology and this policy.
  
  

• Student takes 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 must 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 (such as making personal phone calls and personal text/instant messaging).
  
  

• 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 purpose.
  
  

• Only the Internet gateway provided by the school may be accessed while on campus. Personal Internet connective devices such as but not limited to cell phones / cell network adapters are not permitted to be used to access outside Internet sources at any time.
  
  

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

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

• Student must 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 RPSB 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 the RPSB policy and will result in disciplinary actions.
  
  

• The school district 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 will not be possible at school.
  
  

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

• RPSB will 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

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 6-3-08, 8-7-12, 3-11-25

Rapides Parish School Board