Administrative Procedure 145
USE OF PERSONALLY OWNED DEVICES
Background
New and future technologies can create opportunities for positively impacting instructional processes as well as the operations of VCS. Further, regulated use of some personally owned devices in the school and community may contribute to the safety and security of students and staff. However, unregulated use of such devices may pose a risk to personal safety; disrupt instruction; invade personal privacy; or compromise academic integrity.
Definition
Personally owned devices include student or staff owned laptops, mobile phones, tablets, e- readers, USB storage devices, and any other electronic data or communication device.
Procedures
1. Generally, the use of personally owned devices is permitted at VCS.
2. The Principal may have additional guidelines or restrictions for the use of personal devices in the School and every teacher may have additional guidelines or restrictions for the use of personal devices in his/her classroom.
3. Students and staff are responsible for the content of the data stored on their personal devices when using that personal device for school or work purposes.
4. Personally owned devices are not to be operated by students during regularly scheduled instructional time, or during any school sponsored activity, such as an assembly or talk by a guest speaker, unless such use is approved by the classroom teacher or supervisor to facilitate learning activities.
5. Personally owned devices are not to be taken into test or examination settings, unless students have been given permission to do so.
6. Personally owned devices are not to be used in settings such as change rooms, washrooms, private counselling rooms, that have the potential to violate a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
7. Students who bring personally owned devices to the school are expected to comply with all parts of Administrative Procedure 350 – Student Conduct. Students who consistently refuse to comply with the School’s procedures for use of personally owned devices in the school setting may be subject to disciplinary measures detailed in the school’s rules, as well as the steps outlined in Administrative Procedure or Board Policy regarding suspension and/or expulsion.
8. Staff who bring personally owned devices to school shall comply with Administrative Procedure 140 – Information Technology Use and Administrative Procedure 141 – Portable Technology Security.
9. The Superintendent requires the Principal to ensure students, parents, and staff are aware of their rights and responsibilities with regard to the use of student-owned devices in School.
10. In the event of an emergency, such as a lockdown or an evacuation, the Principal will develop and inform the school community of the acceptable use of personally owned devices in that emergency situation.
11. The Superintendent requires the Principal to clearly articulate issues relating to student- owned devices to students, parents, and staff. These include but are not limited to storing the devices in a secure location, responsibility in case of loss, theft or damage and technical support.
12. Personally owned devices are valuable electronic devices. The security and storage of these items is the sole responsibility of the owner/user. The School assumes no responsibility for the safety, security, loss, repair or replacement of personally owned devices.
Table of Contents
12.1 Personally owned devices which are taken temporarily from students by teachers or administrators must be
securely stored.
References: Section 25, 26, 31, 33, 52, 53, 196, 197, 222, 225 Education Act