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Laptop Policies

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Smoky Valley USD #400 Laptop Policy

The Apple iBook and carrying case that have been issued to each student are the property of the Smoky Valley Public Schools. This computer is on loan to the student and must be used in accordance with the following policies:

Laptop Computer Security Policy

• During the school day, students must have laptops with them, or locked in their school lockers. Laptops must never be left unattended. Faculty will pick up and give unattended laptops to the Office.
• Laptops must be kept in the backpack or sleeve issued with the iBook. They may not be kept in regular book bags or backpacks without being in their protective sleeve. Laptops are not to be carried unless they are secured in the protective sleeve or backpack provided by USD 400.
• Coaches/Sponsors for individual activities may limit whether or not laptops are allowed on buses or to particular events.
• It is recommended that when laptops go home with students for the evening they should be recharged overnight and be ready for use upon return to school.
• Students are not to deface their iBook and carrying case in any way, for example, with stickers, whiteout, etc. If there are any questions, please check with an administrator.
• Students are not to remove, deface or alter the USD 400 identifying stickers, labels, or barcodes in any way.

Laptop Acceptable Use Policy

USD 400's network facilities and/or laptops are to be used in a responsible, efficient, and ethicalmanner in accordance with the philosophy of Smoky Valley USD 400. Students must acknowledge their understanding of this policy as well as the following guidelines. Failure to adhere to these standards may result in suspension or revocation of the offender’s laptop and/or network privileges.

• The administration and /or their designee(s) have the right to inspect any computer, application, or peripheral device associated with any or all USD 400 computers. This includes but is not limited to email, documents, pictures, or other components associated with all USD 400 computers.
• E-mail and all other forms of electronic communication are to be used in a responsible manner. Students may not use vulgar, derogatory, or obscene language. Students may not engage in personal attacks or harass others.
• Students are not allowed to register or sign up for anything via Internet or e-mail unless it is approved by a teacher or administration. When signing up or registering via the Internet or e-mail, they are not to use their assigned USD #400 e-mail address.
• Use of the computer for anything other than a teacher-directed or approved activity is prohibited during school hours.
• The Internet is to be used for research and as a means of obtaining academically relevant information. Material obtained through research on the Internet and then used in academic work is to be properly documented.
• Students may not access material that is obscene or that promotes illegal activity. If a student does accidentally access this type of information, he or she should immediately notify a teacher.

• Internet and computer games are prohibited during school hours.
• Installation of peer-to-peer file-sharing programs is strictly forbidden. (Ex. LimeWire) Using
  • iTunes or similar programs to share music is also forbidden.
• Copyright laws must be respected. If you have any questions about what constitutes a copyright violation, please contact an administrator, media specialist, or language arts department person.
• If you have a specific need for additional software or you want to add personal software, you must fill out an application that can be picked up at the technology office.
• Computers may not be used to make sound recordings without the written consent of all those who are being recorded. Sound must be turned off at all times, except when being used as a part of a class. Students may use their own headphones to listen to music, etc., if they have instructor permission.
• The school has a limited amount of information that it can transfer at any one time. When downloading large files over the Internet or backing up files to the server, students should be hard- wired to the network.
• Students are encouraged to back-up school related files regularly to the USD 400 student server. This space is reserved solely for educational purposes. Any item that is not educationally related will be deleted from the server. If you have any question as to whether your information should be placed on USD 400 servers, please contact the laptop coordinator, technology director, or the building administrator.
• Deliberate attempts to degrade the USD 400 network or to disrupt system performance will result in disciplinary action.
• School administrators reserve the right to remove student accounts on the network to prevent unauthorized activity.
  
  • Smoky Valley Public Schools reserves the right to define inappropriate use of technology.
  • Continued misuse or abuse of a laptop may result in the loss of the computer for the remainder

    of the year, as determined by the administration.

• Students must be enrolled in a minimum of four class periods in order to be eligible for the laptop program.

Laptop Costs

Before a student is issued a laptop, he or she must have paid a $50 rental fee (7-12 grades only) for the current school year, and have signed the acceptable use policy.

• Students are expected to pay for damages to their computer. If damages or loss of equipment occurs off school grounds, parent/guardian must check with personal insurance policy to determine coverage. That information must be shared with school officials prior to determining cost to student. However, a student will never pay more than $100 per incident.
  
  • In addition, lost power adapters and batteries are the responsibility of the student/parent.
  • Each student is expected to return his or her laptop in good working condition.
  • Each laptop must be checked in by the last day of the school year or criminal charges may be filed for theft.

    Voiding the Warranty

• Should a student do anything to the laptop or power adapter that voids the warranty (i.e. take it apart, remove parts from it, etc.), the student is held responsible for the full deductible of the incident, will have to pay for any parts replaced due to damage (as determined by the USD 400 price list), and will have to pay for the labor required to repair the laptop (as determined by Apple's repair guides, at a rate of $60 an hour). An example: If a student takes apart a laptop and damages the CD Drive in the process, the student will have to pay the full $100 deductible, $50 for the CD Drive, and an additional $75 in labor. This will need to be paid in full before the laptop is returned to the student.

ID Stickers and Labels

• Students will be assessed a $2 charge for any missing, damaged, or modified stickers or labels. If the damage is done through normal wear and tear, no penalty will be assessed. However, if a sticker or label has been "picked at" or drawn on, it will require replacement and the student will be charged accordingly.