5131.81

USE OF PRIVATE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES BY STUDENTS
Students

Students may possess privately owned technological devices on school property and/or during school-sponsored activities, in accordance with the mandates of this policy and any applicable administrative regulations as may be developed by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

Definitions:

Board Technology Resources

For the purposes of this policy, “Board technology resources” refers to the Hamden Board of Education’s (the “Board’s”) computers and instructional technologies, communications and data management systems; informational technologies and the Internet; and any other technology resources owned and/or used by the Hamden Public Schools (the “District”) and accessible to students.

 

Privately Owned Technological Devices

For the purposes of this policy, “privately owned technological devices” refers to privately owned desktop computers, personal computing devices, cellular phones, headphones, ear buds, Smartphones, Smartwatches, network access devices, radios, tablets, personal gaming systems, Bluetooth speakers, readers and other electronic signaling devices.

 

Generative Artificial Intelligence

For the purposes of this policy, “generative artificial intelligence” refers to a technology system, including but not limited to:  ChatGPT, capable of learning patterns and relationships from data, enabling it to create content, including but not limited to text, images, audio or video when prompted by a user.

 

Use of Privately Owned Technological Devices

The Board acknowledges that technology can be a useful and helpful tool in supporting and furthering educational objectives for students.  However, use of privately owned technological devices at school, when not specifically permitted by instructional staff or otherwise authorized, can create challenges by serving as a source of distraction, interfering with student engagement and learning, and curtailing opportunities for relationship-building and in-person interpersonal communication.  As such, privately owned technological devices may not be used during instructional time except as specifically permitted by instructional staff or unless necessary for a student to access the District’s digital learning platform or otherwise engage in remote learning if remote learning has been authorized in accordance with applicable law.

The Board directs the Superintendent of Schools to develop administrative regulations to accompany this policy.  Such regulations shall address the possession and use of privately owned technological devices at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

 

Prohibited Uses

On school property, at a school-sponsored activity, while in use for a remote learning activity if remote learning has been authorized in accordance with applicable law, or while being used to access or utilize Board technology resources, the use of any such device for an improper purpose is prohibited.  Improper purposes include, but are not limited to:

·         Using a privately owned technological device in violation of this policy and/or the administrative regulations that accompany this policy;

·         Sending any form of harassing, threatening, or intimidating message, at any time, to the extent such communication may violate other applicable Board policy, regulation, or school rule (such communications may also be a crime);

·         Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to Board technology resources;

·         Accessing or attempting to access any material that is obscene, obscene as to minors, or contains child sexual abuse material;

·         Cyberbullying;

·         Using such privately owned device to violate any Board policy, including the unauthorized recording (photographic, video or audio) of another individual without the permission of the individual or a school staff member;

·         Using such privately owned device for the unauthorized use of generative artificial intelligence; or

·         Taking any action prohibited by any Federal or State law.

 

Search of Privately Owned Technological Devices

 A student’s privately owned technological device may be searched if the device is on Board property or in a student’s possession at a school-sponsored activity in accordance with the applicable Board policy for search and seizure.

 

Responsibility for Privately Owned Technological Devices

Students are responsible for the safety and use of their privately owned technological devices.  If a privately owned technological device is stolen, lost, or damaged while the device is on school property or during a school-sponsored activity, a report should be made to the building principal, who will investigate the loss, or cause the loss to be investigated, in a manner consistent with procedures for stolen or damaged personal property.  Students and parents should be aware that the Board is not liable for any privately owned technological device that is stolen, lost or damaged while at school or during a school-sponsored activity.  For that reason, students are advised to use good judgment when deciding to bring such items to school and are advised not to share or loan their privately owned technological devices with other students.

 

Disciplinary Action

Misuse of the Board’s technology resources and/or the use of privately owned technological devices to access or utilize the Board’s technology resources in an inappropriate manner or the use of such privately owned technological devices in any manner inconsistent with this policy or its accompanying regulations will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.  Violation of this policy may result in the loss of the privilege to participate in extracurricular activities and/or suspension or expulsion, if deemed appropriate by school administration, and in accordance with the Board’s policies related to student discipline.

 

Access to Board Technology Resources

The Board may permit students, using their privately owned technological devices, to access the Board’s computers and instructional technologies; communications and data management systems; informational technologies and the Internet; and any other technology resources used by the District and accessible by students.  Additionally, it is the expectation of the Board that students who access these resources while using privately owned technology devices will act at all times appropriately in ways that are fully in accord with applicable policies concerning technology use as well as local, state and federal laws.

Through the publication and dissemination of this policy statement and others related to use of the Board’s computer systems, as well as other instructional means, the Board educates students about the Board’s expectations for technology users.

The Board’s technology resources shall only be used to access educational information and to promote learning activities both at home and at school.  Students are expected to act at all times appropriately in ways that are fully in accord with applicable policies concerning technology use as well as all local, state, and federal laws when using the Board technology resources.  Failure to do so will result in the consequences outlined herein and in other applicable policies (including, but not limited to the Student Discipline Policy and the Student Use of the District’s Computer System Policy).

Students must abide by the procedures outlined in this policy and all policies and applicable regulations outlined in the Board’s computer use and other applicable policies.  Students will be given specific information for log-on and access procedures for using school accounts.  No user may deviate from these log-on/access procedures.  Students are advised that the Board’s network administrators have the capability to identify users and/or to monitor all privately owned technological devices while they are logged on to the network.  Students must understand that the Board has reserved the right to conduct monitoring of Board technology resources and can do so despite the assignment to individual users of passwords for system security.  Any password systems implemented by the Board are designed solely to provide system security from unauthorized users, not to provide privacy to the individual system user.  The system’s security aspects, message delete function and personal passwords can be bypassed for monitoring purposes.  Therefore, students should be aware that they should not have any expectation of personal privacy in the use of privately owned technological devices to access Board technology resources.  This provision applies to any and all uses of the Board’s technology resources and any privately owned technological devices that access the same.

 

Harm to Board Technology

Any act by a student using a privately owned technological device that harms the Board technology resources or otherwise interferes with or compromises the integrity of Board technology resources will be considered vandalism and will be subject to discipline and/or appropriate criminal or civil action.

 

Closed Forum

This policy shall not be construed to establish a public forum or a limited open forum.

 

Legal references:

Conn. Gen. Stat.  10-233j

Conn. Gen. Stat.  31-48d

Conn.  Gen.  Stat.  53a-182b; 53a-250 et seq.

Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, 28 U.S.C.  2510 through 2523

New Jersey v. T.L.O.  469 U.S. 325 (1985)

Connecticut State Board of Education, Position Statement on Policy Guidance:  Personal Technology use in Connecticut Schools (August 2024).

 

Policy adopted: January 14, 2025 

Hamden Public Schools     Hamden, Connecticut

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HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT POLICIES

5131.81- Use of Private Technology Devices (Regulation)

 

Students

Use of Private Technology Devices

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF PRIVATE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES (STUDENTS)

 

The Hamden Board of Education (the “Board”) has determined that students may not use privately owned technological devices during instructional time in the Hamden Public Schools (the “District”) except as specifically permitted by instructional staff or unless necessary for a student to access the District’s digital learning platform or otherwise engage in remote learning if remote learning has been authorized in accordance with applicable law.

 

The Board and the District acknowledge that technology can be a useful tool in supporting and furthering educational objectives for students. For example, appropriate use of artificial intelligence and the internet can serve as useful tools to enhance student learning.  However, use of privately owned technological devices at school, when not specifically permitted by instructional staff or otherwise authorized, can create challenges by serving as a source of distraction, interfering with student engagement and learning, and curtailing opportunities for relationship-building and in-person interpersonal communication.  Excessive use of personal technology devices and accessing social media during the school day may negatively impact students’ ability to be fully present in their classroom (UNESCO) and interfere with students’ ability to engage in discourse with peers and adult members of the school community. (Connecticut State Board of Education Policy Guidance).

Inappropriate student use of technology during the school day may negatively impact students’ ability to be cognitively present during classroom instruction.  In addition, in certain circumstances, use of privately owned technological devices (including, but not limited to cell phones, Smart Watches) to access online spaces and social media also negatively impact students’ mental health.

Excessive student use of private technology may also decrease, and otherwise negatively impact, students’ opportunities to communicate with one another in-person.  In curbing student use of privately owned technological devices during the school day, the Board and the District seek to enhance students’ ability to communicate with one another in-person, find commonalities, and form enduring friendships with one another.

In light of these considerations, the Board and the District seek to balance the benefits of technology with its potential harm to students, particularly during the school day.  The following rules are intended to promote student engagement and be developmentally appropriate for the various grades.

 

Rules regarding the use of privately owned technological devices during the school day

All students are prohibited from using privately owned technological devices during instructional time except as specifically permitted by instructional staff to aid in instruction or for instructional purposes or unless to engage in authorized remote learning.

Elementary students (grades K-6) may bring privately owned technological devices to school.  However, all such devices must be turned off and be completely out of view (e.g., in the student’s backpack of locker) for the entire school day (i.e., from arrival to until dismissal).

Middle school students (grades 7 and 8) may bring privately owned technological devices to school.  However, all such devices must be turned off and be completely out of view (e.g., in the student’s backpack or locker) throughout the entire school day (i.e., from arrival until dismissal). 

High school students (grades 9-12) may bring privately owned technology devices to school.  However, all such devices must be turned off and be completely out of view (e.g., in the student’s backpack of locker) during instructional time for all classes for the entire school day, including all study halls.  High school students may use their privately owned technological devices during their lunch period and during passing time in the hallways.  In such instances, students must use their devices in accordance with applicable Board policy.

 

Exceptions

If a student has needs that require the use of a privately owned technological device during the school day, the principal or designee may accommodate those needs as outlined in the student’s Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 Accommodation Plan.

 

Tiered disciplinary consequences for violations

Violations of these rules may result in disciplinary consequences, in accordance with the Board’s student discipline policy.  Students who violate these rules may have their items confiscated.  In general, if an alleged violation is found to have occurred, students will be subject to the following consequences, and may be subject to additional discipline for each offense or for additional offenses depending on the individual circumstances, including whether any other school rules or Board polices were violated.

Elementary School students

·         First offense:  The student will be directed to put the personal device away. 

·         Second offense: The student’s privately owned technological device will be confiscated and stored in the main office until the end of the school day in which the infraction occurred.

·         Third offense: The student’s privately owned technological device will be confiscated and stored in the main office.  The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted and required to pick-up the device from the principal or designee

 

Middle School students

·         First offense:  The student will be directed to put the personal device away. 

·         Second offense: The student’s privately owned technological device will be confiscated and stored in the main office. The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted and required to pick up the device from the principal or designee.  Middle school students who refuse to give the device to the teacher or administrator when directed will face disciplinary consequences in accordance with the school’s student handbook and/or applicable Hamden Board of Education policies.

 

High School students

·         First offense:  The student’s privately owned technological device will be confiscated and stored in the main office until the end of the school day in which the infraction occurred.  The student may retrieve the device at the end of the school day.

·         Second offense:  The student’s privately owned technological device will be confiscated and stored in the main office.  The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted and required to pick up the device from the principal or designee. High school students who refuse to give the device to the teacher or administrator when directed will face disciplinary consequences in accordance with the school’s student handbook and/or applicable Hamden Board of Education policies.

 

Notice

The District shall provide notice of the Board’s policy and regulations regarding the use of privately owned technological devices in its student handbook.

 

Legal references:

Conn. Gen. Stat.  10-233j

Conn. Gen. Stat.  31-48d

Conn.  Gen.  Stat.  53a-182b; 53a-250 et seq.

Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, 28 U.S.C.  2510 through 2523

New Jersey v. T.L.O.  469 U.S. 325 (1985)

Connecticut State Board of Education, Position Statement on Policy Guidance:  Personal Technology use in Connecticut Schools (August 2024).

 

Regulation adopted: January 14, 2025 

Hamden Public Schools     Hamden, Connecticut