Burr Oak Community Schools

Internet safety or "e safety" has become a fundamental topic in our digital world and includes knowing about one’s Internet privacy and how one’s behaviors can support a healthy interaction with the use of the Internet. Students explore how the Internet offers an amazing way to collaborate with others worldwide, while staying safe through employing strategies such as distinguishing between inappropriate contact and positive connections. These foundational skills and learning more about the Internet safety definition helps students learn how to be safe on the Internet.

Many adults fear that kids use the Internet to connect with strangers. In reality, most kids and teens use the Internet to keep in touch with people they already know offline, or to explore topics that interest them.

Some protections for children online are provided by Federal law and regulations, such as the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). CIPA aims to protect children from obscene or harmful content on the Internet. Burr Oak Community School meets CIPA requirements by using monitoring and filtering software on all school owned devices; the software used by the District is GoGuardian.

While CIPA may help prevent students from accessing inappropriate content on the Internet, this will not protect students from the full range of online threats. To help address these, information is provided below on the most common online threats facing students.

Online Threats to Students

Students also need to be aware of what to do if they are a victim of an online threat. They can be encouraged to report threats to a teacher, a school counselor or another trusted adult. Parents can contact the following school personnel to report inappropriate or questionable on-line activity: Kris Owens kowens@burroakcs.org or Terry Greene tgreene@burroakcs.org

Burr Oak Community Schools will be reviewing internet activity that occurs on District owned devices on a daily basis. Should inappropriate or questionable materials be detected the parent/guardian will be contact and be made aware of such activity.

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5208 Student Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy  

Student use of District technology is a privilege, not a right, and is governed by Policy 3116 (see statement below) and the applicable acceptable use agreement. A student’s failure to comply with Policy 3116 and the applicable acceptable use agreement may result in discipline or loss of technology privileges. Students have no expectation of privacy in or right to continued use of District technology resources.

3116 District Technology and Acceptable Use The Board will provide students, staff, volunteers, and other authorized users access to the District’s technology resources, including its computers and network resources, in a manner that encourages responsible use. Any use of District technology resources that violates federal or state law is expressly prohibited.

5209 Student Use of Cell Phone and Electronic Communication Devices  Students may use cell phones or other electronic devices while at school, so long as they do so safely, responsibly, and respectfully, and comply with all other school rules while using the devices. Students are personally and solely responsible for the security of their cell phones and other electronic devices. The District is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage of any cell phone or other electronic device. 

Students may not use cell phones or other electronic devices while they are in locker rooms, restrooms, or any other area in which others may have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Talking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal photographs, video, audio, or other similar data, whether or otherwise (including via cell phone or other electronic device), may constitute a crime under state or federal law. A student engaged in any of these activities at school, at a school event, or on school provided transportation, may be subject to discipline pursuant to this Policy and the student code of conduct. A student engaged in any of these activities outside of school may be disciplined if the student’s activities substantially disrupt or negatively affect the school environment. 

The superintendent, building principals, and teachers are authorized to develop building-level and classroom rules for students' use of cell phones and other electronic devices. Those rules must be clearly communicated to students. A student who violates the rule or this Policy are subject to corrective or disciplinary action, consistent with Policy and the student code of conduct. 

School administrators and teachers may confiscate a student's cell phone or other electronic device if the student’s use or possession of a cell phone or electronic device violates this Policy, the student code of conduct, or any applicable building or classroom rule. The building principal or designee may  require a meeting with the student’s parent/guardian to discuss the rule violation before returning the cell phone or electronic device. 

Cell phones are only allowed to be in use in the classroom at the teacher’s discretion.  Teachers and staff maintain the right to take equipment away when a student is in their classroom, as well as ask students to put it away.  If equipment is taken away, it may be necessary for parents to pick up in the office.  If the student refuses the teacher's request, it is considered insubordination.

If equipment is used inappropriately, administration maintains the right to revoke student privileges regarding the use of said equipment. 

 All school Internet/Wi-Fi/network connections are secure and devices are monitored by GoGuardian.