Building 21 values the use of technology and encourages its use in creative ways to support student learning in a safe and secure learning environment. This policy is a guide to ensuring the appropriate use as well as safety for all community members. While these technologies provide powerful learning opportunities, they must be used responsibly.

These rules apply to any electronic device including laptops, mobile phones, MP3 players, gaming devices, digital cameras, and any other devices that are connected to the School District of Philadelphia network. Learning always takes priority while using B21’s wireless and hardwired internet connections.

The following guidelines are in addition to the School District of Philadelphia Acceptable Use Policy.

No Tresspassing

• Do not touch another personʼs laptop/device unless invited by the owner.
• Do not play with, use, or change another personʼs user account.
• Do not access another personʼs files or resources.
• Only access areas of the network you have been given permission to access.

No Fooling Around

• Do not load any game, video or music file on your machine that is not paid for or that you do not have the rights to use.
• Do not play games at school, unless sanctioned and agreed to by staff and parents.
• Do not access inappropriate websites (obscene, violent, etc.) on your laptop.
• Do not chat online or play music/videos unless given permission by your teacher.
• Leave mobile phones turned off or in silent mode in your bags/pockets unless their use is sanctioned by a teacher for a learning activity or for listening to music during independent work.
• Do not post or send any message/picture/sound/video that is obscene, rude, harassing or insulting to anyone.
• Do not attack, threaten or intimidate another student via technology (or otherwise).
• Do not take pictures or post pictures of others without asking their permission.

No Hogging

• Do not take up bandwidth by downloading movies, music, pictures, or by playing online games not directly connected to your learning.
• Do not store music, movies, pictures or files not related to your learning on the device, school network, or school Google Drive - all personal files must be saved on an external hard drive or flash drive.

No Stealing

• Do not download any illegal materials (e.g. cracked software, pirated music or movies, or any copyrighted materials) or intellectual property that was not purchased by you or that you do not have the rights to use.
• Peer to peer file sharing is strictly prohibited and monitored by the School District of Philadelphia - these software programs can be detected by the District and they will shut off your access to the SDP Network.
• Do not plagiarize i.e. present anybody elseʼs work as your own - for more information see B21ʼs academic integrity policy.
• No spamming, hacking, hawking, or trolling.
• Do not forward or send any content not directly associated with your learning (e.g. advertisements, games, pictures).
• Do not deliberately or negligently spread viruses, malware, or spyware.
• Do not attempt to access any areas of the school network, or other peoplesʼ devices you do not have permission to visit.
• Do not run a business or seek to make profit using the school network unless sanctioned by the school district.

Guidlines

• Building 21 Ferguson and The School District of Philadelphia will monitor user data and internet access and check the contents of any electronic device brought onto the schoolʼs premises or on any official school event.
• Educational use of the network and computer resources takes precedence over non- educational use including games not related to class work.
• This statement covers (but is not limited to) the use of electronic devices owned by the school and by students that are brought onto schoolʼs premises, or on excursions, camps or other official school functions - including computers, laptops, digital video and music players, cameras, other recording devices, mobile phones and organizers.
• Building 21 Ferguson reserves the right to ensure all student laptops and online storage have sufficient space to support learning activities. This may include the school need to deleting non-essential games, music and video files.

Laptop Audits

Audits of student laptops can be done by any staff member at anytime.

Sanctions

Sanctions for violations stated above may include the following measures:

• Confiscation of the device for a defined period.
• Withdrawal of privileges including online access for breaches of online policy.
• Withdrawal of the right to bring or use electronic devices to Building 21 Ferguson.
• Blockage from the network of any and all devices downloading illegal files such as music, video and photographs.
• Community work for Building 21 Ferguson outside of school hours.
• Payment for the cost of repairs.

Serious Breaches of Rules

• All incidences will be handled on a student by student basis.
• Suspension or expulsion
• Law enforcement agencies may be involved.
• Simple finder will be installed on your computer this which limits the applications on your laptop to strictly educational use.
• The laptops are the School District of Philadelphiaʼs property. All users are responsible for caring for and properly maintaining their laptops. Any damage may result in a fee up to the replacement cost of the laptop ($325).

Responsibility

• Keep the computer in a safe clean place.
• Notify B21 administration if the user changes residence at any point during the time they possess the laptop.
• Provide B21 administration and school police with a police report in the event of fire or theft of the laptop.
• Keep the laptop in a PADDED backpack.

Administration of Computers

All users will be granted with the power to change the settings within the computer. That way updates to software can be made and peripherals can be hooked up to the laptop with ease. The user may not change password settings or computer name settings, these are uniform to the school and are necessary for the maintenance and upkeep of the laptop.

File Storage No personal files should be kept on the laptop, these must be saved to an external drive - this includes all music files and photographs. B21 is not responsible for any lost school or personal files.

All students will be assigned a Google account by the School District of Philadelphia. This account includes online storage. This is for school files ONLY.

Students are responsible for maintaining the organization of their Google Drive - further instruction on doing so will be given in the technology course during the first week of school.

You will be expected to turn in your work on time even in the event that your laptop fails - the Technology Team cannot recover your files.

Network (Connecting to the Internet)

The entire school is covered by a high-speed wireless internet network. All students will be able to access the internet, as long as they follow this policy. With this connection comes a degree of risk. This policy is made to help users avoid these risks, keep our community safe and abide by internet laws.

Email

Users will have access to an email account during the four years they are at B21. You may use this to communicate with parents, teachers, friends, experts and fellow students around the globe. An email address with the format @philasd.org will be provided to all students. This address is to be used for all school-related business. Your private account should be used for all other communications. Users will have access to their other email accounts during “off” times during school, like lunch and free periods.

Email/Chatting Etiquette

Communicating online is very much like communicating with people in person. You must be respectful of others at all times. Remember that all email and Edmodo messages can be read by the B21 Technology Team and the administration. Donʼt write anything you would not want to share with teachers and parents.

While many members of B21, including staff members, use instant messaging and blogging software to communicate, part of the learning experience at B21 is to responsibly use these types of communication methods as part of your school day. Students need to be aware that chatting during class time when off topic is a distraction. Students asked to refrain from using or to quit using chatting during class time must do so immediately.

Publishing or Uploading to the Web

In some cases, your class work will be published or students will be asked to hand in assignments that are published. Having work published means the world can see what you have uploaded. This is a great opportunity for students as well as people not directly involved with B21; it provides you and other students a chance to share your work and have it viewed. People curious about B21 will be visiting our web portal to see what goes on daily.

Support

The B21 Technology Office will be located in the room 006, and staffed by our IT Support Specialist. In addition, B21’s Technology Coordinator is Ms. Hillary Van Anda, who can be found in the science studio (room 113-114).

Annual Technology Fee

Each year you will pay a technology fee that will help support the laptop program at Building 21 Ferguson. This fee will only go towards replacement parts for laptops, tools to help fix laptops, and other supplies for the Technology Office. The Technology Fee for 2014-15 is $5. You must pay this fee to receive your laptop. If your family cannot afford this fee, you may set up a payment plan.

Damage and Abuse Policy

The Dell Chromebook 11 is valued at $325. All users may be charged a fine for damage that is caused to the laptop. The technology office will consider this on a case by case basis. If the part is replaceable, we will charge you for the cost of that part. Please check the website frequently for fines.

If a damage does occur, your parent or guardian will receive a call, notifying them of the damage. Most damages occur when the laptop is not kept in a PADDED bag or sleeve. You are responsible for getting ALL work done when your laptop is in the Technology Office for repair.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are permitted in “texting zones” only. Texting zones are areas in the building that students are allowed to use cell phones. Students who use their phones during non-permitted times will be redirected by their teachers (see cell phone policy on school wide discipline plan).