Acceptable Use Policy
Acceptable Use Policy-Use the "Select Language" menu in the top right corner to translate into another language that best fits your needs.
Introduction
The Mayfield Independent School District is pleased to offer access to devices, the internet and other communication technologies through the district’s network. Access to the network, as well as access to district devices, is a privilege and carries responsibilities. The information in this document covers access to Internet, e-mail and all technology and telecommunications resources, which include all hardware, apps/software and network access.
Available Resources
Mayfield Independent Schools offers a wide variety of technology to staff and students. These devices include, but are not limited to, desktops, laptops, notebooks, Chromebook and iPads. Classrooms are equipped with SMART Interactive flat panels. Each classroom has a phone available for communication as needed. These items are replaced in accordance with the documentation found in the district’s District Technology Plan.
Network Resources
Mayfield Independent Schools offers both wired and wireless network access. Any user that has access to the district's network will be asked to sign a User Agreement Form confirming that they have read and agree to the terms and restrictions set forth in this document. It is imperative that users understand our network is monitored to ensure acceptable use and no activity nor communication sent out or received is to be considered private in nature. Accounts can be reviewed as needed to ensure the safety of our users, as well as to ensure compliance with the acceptable use policy.
User Privacy/Network and Device Monitoring
Access to the Internet will allow users access to countless libraries, databases and an unlimited amount of information and resources throughout the world. Through social media, chat groups, communication applications and email, users may be able to communicate with a variety of individuals or groups. Communications on the network and/or school devices are public and therefore can be viewed, shared and/or retained by anyone, including network administrators who may review files to maintain system integrity and to ensure responsible use and user safety. Users must exercise acceptable, responsible, respectful and safe behavior on the district network and all devices, including devices that are personally owned. Indicating during the online registration process that this document has been read signifies the understanding of the public nature of all activities on district devices and networks.
Communications and other activities will be reviewed periodically by designated school officials for inappropriate use as described in this document.
In compliance with Senate Bill 230, district wide digital activity (email, internet usage, etc) is monitored by using a blocking/filtering solution similar to a proxy server. This solution runs software that logs all internet activity by every user. This software also allows blocking and filtering of sites deemed inappropriate by Mayfield Independent School District. Although this software is very restrictive, it is to be understood that it does not block 100 percent of the sites that would be deemed inappropriate or unsafe. This is next to impossible due to the fact that new sites of this nature are created every day and to catch them all is not possible. This is one reason we ask faculty, staff, students and parents to work as a team to communicate inappropriate use as soon as possible so we can keep all stakeholders as safe as possible.
Bringing Personal Devices into the District
Mayfield Independent Schools prefers that students use district provided devices for all schoolwork and classroom participation. A parent must request a waiver if they have a valid reason their child is unable to use a district provided device. If the waiver is granted, or in the case of cell phones or other similar personal property, if students bring a personal device to school, it is the parent/guardian and student’s responsibility to ensure they understand the rules that go along with that privilege. Currently, each school has a different policy regarding the use of personal devices because of the difference in age levels at each location. School specific rules can be found in the school’s student handbook. Parents can also contact the school principal to find out information and ask any questions they might have. When joining the Wi-Fi access at any building, individuals are required to acknowledge that they accept this Acceptable Use Agreement. Faculty and staff can find information concerning their access in the faculty/staff handbook, or by speaking with their principal or immediate supervisor.
Since personally owned devices are the property of the individual who purchased it and pays the bill, the district assumes no responsibility for monitoring activity or content via these devices. Persons providing a student with a device need to understand the capabilities of that device, as well as the legal consequences of misuse of it. It is recommended that when a student receives a device with a data package that parents/guardians discuss with them appropriate use of the internet and set limits that parents/guardians are comfortable with for their child.
Although the device is not district property, if misuse is brought to the attention of any Mayfield Independent School District employee, under no circumstances (at any school) will the following be permitted while using a device during instructional hours or at school activities. This is for all faculty, staff and students, in an effort to protect all users:
- Taking or transmitting sexually explicit messages or photos of self or others.
- Photographing or videoing any teacher or student with the intent to harm them, their character or their mental well-being.
- Cheating on homework, tests or any other assignment or assessment given by a teacher.
- Using the device for anything not directly instructionally related without the specific permission of a teacher or individual in charge.
- Bullying, harassing or endangering of any form, including but not limited to social media posts, texting, calling, photographing/videoing, etc.
- Causing harm to any district network component or other technological device.
- Other reckless use determined inappropriate by school authorities
These activities during school hours may result in disciplinary action at the school and/or district level, just as the behavior would be reprimanded if a technological device was not involved. For example, displaying pornographic material via an electronic device would have similar consequences to bringing pornographic material in hard copy to school; cheating via electronic device has similar consequences to cheating without one. If misuse is suspected, school authorities may confiscate the device in question and call the student’s parents/guardians and/or legal authorities in order to handle the issue correctly.
*Please note a personal device is any device used to take photos, create documents, access e-mail, internet, district network resources, instant or text messaging, social media platforms, make phone calls, etc.*
Taking District Owned Devices Home
Mayfield Independent School District allows students and staff to take devices home for the purpose of work/learning related activities as required of the user. This access is a privilege, not a right. It comes with the expectation of responsible use for all individuals involved. Teachers will offer ways for a child to successfully complete homework and testing tasks without the use of a device; however the district maintains that part of preparing our students to be college and career ready in the 21st Century includes teaching students how to use technology for day to day communications and work related tasks. Teaching our students the importance of Internet Safety and responsible Digital Citizenship is equally as necessary in order to prepare them for college life and/or the workforce.
Anytime a student, faculty or staff member has a district owned device in their possession, they are bound by the district’s Acceptable Use Agreement. This means even when not on school grounds this device can be tracked, monitored and content can be blocked/filtered by the district. Once again, there is no block or filter that is going to catch everything, so as hard as we try through filters, it is ultimately the responsibility of the user and/or their parent/guardian (when applicable) to know the rules and set boundaries when this device is being used off school grounds. Misuse of the device in any way will result in appropriate disciplinary actions. The district reserves the right to seek financial compensation up to the cost of replacement of the device if it is lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair. The district also reserves the right to seek compensation for repairs in cases of negligence or carelessness by the user.
Any student who is suspended, in ISD, A-School, Day Treatment or similar programs may have their device taken from them and kept until they return to normal school functions. The return of the device will be at the discretion of school administration. If a student starts the school year on one of these corrective action plans, that student may not be issued a device until they return to normal school attendance.
Google Workspace for Education
Mayfield Independent School District currently uses Google Workspace for Education. By signing the User Agreement Form digitally or physically, you are giving your permission to us to provide and manage a Google Workspace for Education account for your child. Google Workspace for Education is a set of education productivity tools from Google including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Classroom, and more used by tens of millions of students and teachers around the world. Mayfield students will use their Google Workspace for Education accounts to complete assignments, communicate with their teachers, sign into their Chromebooks, watch videos, create student designed content and learn 21st century digital citizenship skills.
This notice describes the personal information we provide to Google for these accounts and how Google collects, uses, and discloses personal information from students in connection with these accounts.
Using their Google Workspace for Education accounts, students may access and use the following “Core Services” offered by Google. You can find descriptions of these services at https://workspace.google.com/terms/user_features.html):
Further, we allow students to access additional third-party services with their Google Workspace for Education accounts. Our school administrator enables access to these third-party services with your student’s Google Workspace for Education account, and authorizes the disclosure of data, as requested by the third party services. Additional information about these third-party services is available online by searching for the third party services listed below.
Google provides information about the information it collects, as well as how it uses and discloses the information it collects from Google Workspace for Education accounts in its Google Workspace for Education Privacy Notice. You can read that notice online at https://workspace.google.com/terms/education_privacy.html You should review this information in its entirety, but below are answers to some common questions:
What personal information does Google collect?
When creating a student account, [insert name of school/district] may provide Google with certain personal information about the student, including, for example, a name, email address, and password. Google may also collect personal information directly from students, such as telephone numbers for account recovery or a profile photo added to the Google Workspace for Education account.
When a student uses Google core services, Google also collects information based on the use of those services. This includes:
- Account information, which includes things like name and email address.
- Activity while using the core services, which includes things like viewing and interacting with content, people with whom your student communicates or shares content, and other details about their usage of the services.
- Settings, apps, browsers & devices. Google collects information about your student’s settings and the apps, browsers, and devices they use to access Google services. This information includes browser and device type, settings configuration, unique identifiers, operating system, mobile network information, and application version number. Google also collects information about the interaction of your student’s apps, browsers, and devices with Google services, including IP address, crash reports, system activity, and the date and time of a request.
- Location information. Google collects information about your student’s location as determined by various technologies such as IP address and GPS.
- Direct communications. Google keeps records of communications when your student provides feedback, asks questions, or seeks technical support
The Additional Services we allow students to access with their Google Workspace for Education accounts may also collect the following information, as described in the Google Privacy Policy:
- Activity while using additional services, which includes things like terms your student searches for, videos they watch, content and ads they view and interact with, voice and audio information when they use audio features, purchase activity, and activity on third-party sites and apps that use Google services.
- Apps, browsers, and devices. Google collects the information about your student’s apps, browser, and devices described above in the core services section.
- Location information. Google collects info about your student’s location as determined by various technologies including: GPS, IP address, sensor data from their device, and information about things near their device, such as Wi-Fi access points, cell towers, and Bluetooth-enabled devices. The types of location data we collect depend in part on your student’s device and account settings.
How does Google use this information?
In Google Workspace for Education Core Services, Google uses student personal information primarily to provide the core services that schools and students use, but it’s also used to maintain and improve the services; make recommendations to optimize the use of the services; provide and improve other services your student requests; provide support; protect Google’s users, customers, the public, and Google; and comply with legal obligations. See the Google Cloud Privacy Notice for more information.
In Google Additional Services, Google may use the information collected from all Additional Services to deliver, maintain, and improve our services; develop new services; provide personalized services; measure performance; communicate with schools or users; and protect Google, Google’s users, and the public. See the Google Privacy Policy for more details.
Does Google use student personal information for users in K-12 schools to target advertising?
No. There are no ads shown in Google Workspace for Education core services. Also, none of the personal information collected in the core services is used for advertising purposes.
Some additional services show ads; however, for users in primary and secondary (K12) schools, the ads will not be personalized ads, which means Google does not use information from your student’s account or past activity to target ads. However, Google may show ads based on general factors like the student’s search queries, the time of day, or the content of a page they’re reading.
Can my child share information with others using the Google Workspace for Education account?
We may allow students to access Google services such as Google Docs and Sites, which include features where users can share information with others or publicly. For example, if your student shares a photo with a friend who then makes a copy of it, or shares it again, then that photo may continue to appear in the friend’s Google Account, even if your student removes it from their Google Account. When users share information publicly, it may become accessible through search engines, including Google Search.
Will Google disclose my child’s personal information?
Google will not share personal information with companies, organizations and individuals outside of Google except in the following cases:
With our school: Our school administrator (and resellers who manage your or your organization’s Workspace account) will have access to your student’s information. For example, they may be able to:
- View account information, activity and statistics;
- Change your student’s account password;
- Suspend or terminate your student’s account access;
- Access your student’s account information in order to satisfy applicable law, regulation, legal process, or enforceable governmental request;
- Restrict your student’s ability to delete or edit their information or privacy settings.
With your consent: Google will share personal information outside of Google with parental consent.
For external processing: Google will share personal information with Google’s affiliates and other trusted third party providers to process it for us as Google instructs them and in compliance with our Google Privacy Policy, the Google Cloud Privacy Notice, and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures.
For legal reasons: Google will share personal information outside of Google if they have a good-faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of the information is reasonably necessary for legal reasons, including complying with enforceable governmental requests and protecting you and Google.
What choices do I have as a parent or guardian?
First, you can consent to the collection and use of your child’s information by Google. If you don’t provide your consent, we will not create a Google Workspace for Education account for your child, and Google will not collect or use your child’s information as described in this notice.
If you consent to your child’s use of Google Workspace for Education, you can access or request deletion of your child’s Google Workspace for Education account by contacting our Chief Information Officer/District Technology Coordinator. If you wish to stop any further collection or use of your child's information, you can request that we use the service controls available to access personal information, limit your child’s access to features or services, or delete personal information in the services or your child’s account entirely. You and your child can also visit https://myaccount.google.com while signed in to the Google Workspace for Education account to view and manage the personal information and settings of the account.
What if I have more questions or would like to read further?
If you have questions about our use of Google’s Google Workspace for Education accounts or the choices available to you, please contact the district’s Chief Information Officer/District Technology Coordinator. If you want to learn more about how Google collects, uses, and discloses personal information to provide services to us, please review the Google Workspace for Education Privacy Center (at https://www.google.com/edu/trust/ the Google Workspace for Education Privacy Notice(at https://workspace.google.com/terms/education_privacy.html and the Google Privacy Policy at https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/ and the Google Cloud Privacy Notice at https://cloud.google.com/terms/cloud-privacy-notice
The Core Google Workspace for Education services are provided to us under Google Workspace for Education Agreement (at https://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/terms/education_terms.html and the Cloud Data Processing Addendum (as https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum
Responsibilities of All Users
- Users agree they will not send, download or otherwise display offensive messages or pictures (examples include, but are not limited to, materials alluding to or containing pornography, inappropriate alcohol, tobacco or drug use, or engaging in or encouraging violence in any way)
- Users agree they will not use vulgar or obscene language
- Users agree they will not harass, attack or insult others online
- Users agree they will not damage computer systems or networks by creating or spreading viruses or other harmful programs.
- Users agree they will not violate copyright laws
- Users agree they will not participate in plagiarism of any materials accessed via the Web, e-mail or from any other resource
- Users agree they will not share their login credentials (username/password) with anyone and will not use anyone’s login credentials other than their own
- Users agree they will not trespass into other people's documents/files
- Users agree they will not attempt to break into any network
- Users agree not to purchase goods or services without prior approval from the appropriate person(s) as determined by district administration.
- Users agree not to participate in conversations via any digital resource (chat rooms, social media, online forums, etc) without approval from district administration.
- Users agree not to access any social networking site including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, etc. without prior approval of appropriate district personnel.
- Users understand that posts/comments made by anyone associated with Mayfield Independent Schools, on any digital platform (school related or personal) that could be detrimental to the educational process of our students or foster emotions that could lead to a volatile learning/work environment will be addressed to ensure the safety of our staff and students. The district reserves the right to request any comment to be reviewed and removed if it has potential to become a safety issue for others.
- Users agree not to share personal information to establish relationships with strangers on the network, unless this relationship has been coordinated by the student’s teacher and approved by the student’s parent/guardian
- Users agree not to use email for mass mailings, including but not limited to chain letters, invitations to activities not directly related to school functions and surveys not previously approved by appropriate district administration.
- Users agree not to download programs, games, music, movies/videos or other graphics not directly related to classroom assignments, unless approved by appropriate district administration.
- Users agree not to download any applications/software not approved by appropriate district personnel.
- Users agree not to access, transmit, copy or print another individual’s e-mail messages, documents, photos or other identifying personal information without permission, unless there has been a suspected violation of the acceptable use agreement.
- Users agree not to excessively use email for communications that are not directly related to instruction, sanctioned school activities or a person’s job.
- Users agree not to use phones/fax machines in offices or classrooms for any type of communication not pre-approved by the appropriate school authorities.
- Users agree not to physically abuse any type of technology device or related equipment, be it through negligence, carelessness or otherwise. Mayfield Independent reserves the right to collect monetary compensation up to the amount of purchase price for repair or replacement of any damaged, lost or stolen equipment.
- Users agree not to take any technology-related equipment off campus without prior approval and appropriate documentation by the school technology coordinator.
- Users agree not to bypass the proxy server by using an anonymizer or any other method.
- Users agree not to bring personally owned equipment in to access the district network without prior approval from proper district authorities.
Additional Responsibilities of Faculty and Staff
- Faculty and staff agree to inform parents before allowing interactions where strangers will be contacted for ongoing correspondence with students.
- Faculty and staff agree to provide reasonable supervision during all types of technological/network use during school hours and other school sponsored functions..
- Faculty and staff agree to enforce all rules regarding Internet, e-mail and other network usage in a positive and consistent manner
- Faculty and staff agree to explain, discuss and promote by example proper digital citizenship techniques and behaviors.
- Faculty and staff agree to contact the school technology coordinator before allowing any technological devices to leave their building with anyone, including themselves. The school technology coordinator, or other tech team staff will document use of school equipment off campus as needed.
- Faculty and staff agree that If a student’s personally owned device must be taken from them due to misuse, they will immediately turn off the device and deliver it to the school principal who will call parents/guardians or proper authorities. Faculty and staff are not to search through student devices for any reason.
- Faculty and staff agree not to allow the use of their personal devices by students for classroom projects, recording purposes or any unsupervised phone calls or text messaging.
Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement
Mayfield Independent School District believes that the benefits to users exceed any possible disadvantages, but the final decision must be made by a student's parent/guardian. Mayfield Independent School System respects each family’s right to decide whether to grant permission for student access. Parents/guardians agree that they understand Internet access outside the school requires their attention too. Although this user agreement is binding any time an individual is using a school owned device, it is expected that parents/guardians will set rules, regulations and boundaries for use of school owned devices above and beyond this agreement as needed. We also encourage parents to be involved in student use of personally owned devices, because since students are minors, if there are instances where inappropriate use of personal technologies affects the educational process and/or safety of anyone that attends or works for Mayfield Independent Schools, proper authorities will be contacted to handle those issues as needed, either by school officials or by other parents/guardians of those affected.
As the parent or legal guardian when the user agreement form is signed, you are granting permission for your child to use district provided devices and access networked and cloud based services such as email, the internet and cloud based storage. It signifies that you understand that this access is designed for educational purposes while also recognizing that some materials on the internet may be objectionable, offensive and even dangerous. It certifies that you understand these risks and accept responsibility for guidance of internet use by setting and conveying standards for your child (ren) to follow when selecting, sharing, researching, or exploring all digital platforms, applications and devices.
The User Agreement form you are signing is your consent for use. By signing this form physically or digitally, you are accepting and agreeing that your child’s rights to use the electronic resources provided by the District, and/or the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in District policy/procedure. Please also be advised that data stored in relation to such services is managed by the District pursuant to policy 08.2323 and accompanying procedures. Signing implies your understanding that the e-mail address provided to your child can also be used to access other electronic services or technologies that may or may not be sponsored by the District, which provide features such as online storage, online communications and collaborations, and instant messaging. Use of these services is subject to either standard consumer terms of use or a standard consent model. Data stored in these systems, where applicable, may be managed pursuant to the agreement between KDE and designated service providers or between the end user, their legal parent/guardian (when applicable) and the service provider.
The User Agreement Form requires the signature of a parent or legal guardian. The parent/guardian’s digital signature during the time of registration serves as a binding agreement between the school, the parent and the student. The acceptable use agreement will be discussed with students once school has begun for the year. They will be asked to sign a sign in sheet stating they understand the contents of the AUA at that time. Parents and guardians are recognized stakeholders in policy implementation for students.
Violations of this Agreement
Users will be contacted about any possible violations. Violation of this agreement may result in immediate removal of all network access including Internet and email privileges and/or the loss of a district provided device. Inappropriate social media/digital platform postings will be discussed with the individual who posted the material. Disciplinary actions for all those involved in misconduct will be discussed and shared with offenders and their parents/guardians (if applicable) or supervisors as soon as possible.
Obtaining Network Access
To acquire access to any device, internet connection and/or user account provided by Mayfield Independent School District a user must read this document and sign the User Agreement Form provided.
Questions or Concerns About Content of this Document
Any questions or concerns about the content of this document can be discussed with the Chief Information Officer/District Technology Coordinator and/or the Superintendent. This document is reviewed annually and changes are made as needed, with the approval of the Board.