Chromebooks and Technology Policies

At PHS, all students are issued a Chromebook, a case, and a charger. This device is an important tool in many classes and students are expected to arrive at school with their computer (fully charged) and to handle it with care on and off-campus. If a student is having difficulty with their Chromebook, PHS has onsite technology support in Room 109 and students can access that resource before school, between classes, during study halls, or at lunch. Families should be aware that if a Chromebook or charger is lost or damaged while in the student’s possession, the family will be charged. Additionally, students who demonstrate improper stewardship of their computers (e.g. leaving it unattended or using it improperly ) may lose the right to use their computer for some duration of time. Repeated negligence may result in computer loss for up to a semester.

Computer & Internet Use: The Portland Public Schools’ computers, network and Internet access are provided to support the educational mission of the schools. This policy and the accompanying rules also apply to laptops issued directly to students, whether in use at school or off school premises.

Students are allowed to use privately-owned computers at school with prior authorization, provided that they comply with this policy and the accompanying rules. Compliance with the Portland Public Schools’ policies and rules concerning computer use is mandatory. Students who violate these policies and rules may, after being given an opportunity to respond to an alleged violation, have their computer privileges limited.

The building administrator shall have the final authority to decide whether a student’s computer privileges will be altered, based on the circumstances of the particular case. Violations may also result in disciplinary action, referral to law enforcement and/or legal action.

Portland Public Schools’ computers remain under the control, custody and supervision of the district at all times. The Portland Public Schools monitor all computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, whether they are used on or off school property.

The Portland Public Schools utilize filtering technology designed to block materials that are obscene or harmful to minors and child pornography. The Portland Public Schools take precautions to supervise student use of the Internet and also educates students about appropriate use of the Internet, but parents/legal guardians should be aware that the Portland Public Schools cannot reasonably prevent all instances of inappropriate computer use by students that may violate Committee policies and rules, including access to objectionable materials and communication with persons outside of the school.

Students and parents/legal guardians shall be informed of this policy and the accompanying rules through handbooks, the district and school websites and/or other means selected by the Superintendent.

The Superintendent or their designee is responsible for implementing this policy and the accompanying rules. Additional administrative procedures or school rules governing the day-to-day management and operations of the school unit’s computer system may be implemented by the Superintendent, consistent with Committee policies and rules.

Computer/Laptop Use: All students using the PPS network and PPS computers will abide by the computer use policies. There are two fundamental rules:

• When a student is assigned to use a school computer, the student is responsible for its care and security at all times.
• Students will be given a school email which will be used responsibly and will be monitored.

At school, computers should only be used for educational purposes. Failure to comply with the “Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy” may result in denial of computer access. (A full text version of this policy can be viewed at: http://portlandschools.org). Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for learning consistent with the educational goals of the Portland Public Schools. The Portland Public Schools reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review, and store at any time, and without prior notice, any and all usage of school computers, the computer network and Internet access, and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such information files shall be and remain the property of Portland Public Schools, and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding such materials. Any user who violates this Policy may have his or her access to the computer network and Internet terminated, which Portland Public Schools may refuse to reinstate for the remainder of the student’s enrollment in Portland Public Schools. A user violates this Policy by their own action or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user. Further, a user violates this Policy if they permit another to use their account or password to access the computer network and Internet, including any user whose access has been denied or terminated. Portland Public Schools may also take other disciplinary action in such circumstances.