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Marlboro County School District

Bring Your Own Device Program







BYOD Begins
(for students who submit fully completed Acceptable Use permission forms)

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Bring Your Own Device Program Table of Contents
Section 1: Parent Letter
Section 2: Appropriate Devices / Environments for Allowable Use
Section 3: Examples of Inappropriate Student Device Use and Outlined Consequences
Section 4: BYOD FAQs (Bring Your Own Device/Frequently Asked Questions)




















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Dear Parents/Guardians,
Technology has become an essential part of education here in Marlboro County School District.
To be able to live, learn, and work successfully in our information-rich society, students must be
able to utilize technology effectively. Many students lives today are filled with technology that
gives them abundant access to information and resources, enabling them to pursue their interests
in their own way and at their own pace. The opportunities are limitless, borderless, and
instantaneous.
With many students owning mobile computing devices and frequently using these devices for
their school work while at home, we recognize the need to allow students to utilize their own
technology in a more seamless way at school. In an effort to put students at the center and
empower them to take control of their own learning, Marlboro County School of Discovery and
Clio Elementary/Middle School are investigating an option that would allow students to use
personal technology devices for educational use while at school.
This month our class will pilot the Bring your own device (BYOD) program. Students in the
pilot phase of this investigation will be able to bring their own mobile computing devices to
school for use in their classes. This procedural change is an experiment to examine the feasibility
of allowing students wider use of their own technology. A filtered Internet connection will be
provided for students to use for educational purposes.
The student is solely responsible for any equipment that he/she brings to school. The Marlboro
County School District is not liable for damaged, lost, or stolen equipment. Marlboro County
School District staff are unable to provide technical support for personal devices brought to
school. All students must adhere to the Acceptable Use Agreement. When students use
technology inappropriately while on the school network, the same consequences apply,
regardless of who owns the device.
Students will only be allowed to use the wireless access provided by the district. They must turn
off any other internet access while in the classroom.
Sincerely,





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Important Facts
When a student brings his/her own device to school, it is required that they use the
Marlboro County School District (MCSD) wireless network. Students will log in to the
pre-filtered guest network. Students are not permitted to use personal data plans
(3G/4G) at school as part of the BYOD program.
By connecting to the MCSD public WI-FI, users accept the terms of the districts
technology use policies and guidelines as set forth in School Board Policy.
Students are expected to exhibit digital citizenship and follow the guidelines while using
their personal devices.

Responsibility for Devices
Students who bring their own device to school do so at their own risk. Neither the school
nor the district may be held liable for loss, theft, or damage to personal property.
Theft of items on school property will be handled according to the schools discipline
policy.
Students are to keep their devices secure at all times and not loan them to others.
Students may not use their own devices during instructional time unless approved by the
classroom teacher.
Clearly and permanently label all devices with your students name.
Set a password on the device and do not share that password with others.
Bring devices fully charged to school and in good working order.
Record the device serial number and model information to be kept at home.
Students should power off when not using their device in order to save battery power.
Also, unless otherwise directed, students should set their device to the silent setting.

List of Acceptable Devices

iPod Touch
eReaders (e.g. Nook/Kindle)
Smart Phone
Mp3 players
Tablets

Appropriate Use For BYOD Pilot (When and Where)

Before /After School
(eg: Bus or Lobby)
YES
In my class when my teacher designates use for
learning
YES
In between classes/in hallway NO
During lunch/recess NO



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Examples of Inappropriate BYOD Use (These uses are NOT allowed):

Using the districts electronic communication system for illegal purposes including, but
not limited to, cyber bullying, gambling, computer hacking or pornography
Disabling or attempting to disable any system monitoring or filtering or security
measures
Sharing user names and passwords with others; and /or borrowing someone elses
username, password, or account access
Purposefully opening, viewing, using, or deleting files belonging to another system user
without permission
Electronic posting of personal information about ones self or others (i.e. addresses,
phone numbers, and pictures)
Downloading or plagiarizing copyrighted information without permission from the
copyright holder.
Intentionally introducing a virus or other malicious programs onto the districts website
Electronically posting messages or accessing materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually
oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to anothers reputation, or illegal
Accessing the internet through use of 3G/4G instead of through the schools guest
network
Gaming on personal devices

Consequences for Inappropriate BYOD Technology Use

Failure to follow the BYOD guidelines or district policy may result in these actions:
Loss of the right to use a personal device at school for a specific period of time
commensurate with the offense (to be determined on a case-by-case basis), including
confiscation of the student personal device:
As is the practice with cell phones already, when a personal device is confiscated
for the first time the student may retrieve the device at the end of the school day
and parents will be notified of the incident.
In the event of a second incident where a BYOD guideline is violated by the
student and the personal device is confiscated, a parent is required to retrieve the
device from the school principal. (A parent may also be required to come in upon
the first offense if merited.)
Students who continue to abuse BYOD guidelines will receive additional
consequences for insubordination and continued violation of school rules,
including the full removal of BYOD privileges for the school year.
Depending on the nature of the infraction, a student may also experience loss of
privileges to use school district-owned technology resources.
In cases of theft of a personal device, disciplinary action will be given by the school level
administrator.



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BYOD FAQs
(Bring Your Own Device / Frequently Asked Questions)

What does BYOD stand for?
Bring Your own Device is simply a program where staff and students can bring their own
personal computing devices on campus and connect them to a new school district wireless
network that will allow filtered internet access.

What is the BYOD Program?
The Bring Your Own Device program will be implemented in under the guidelines established
and stated in this document. The purpose of BYOD is to enhance and increase student access to
technology and integrated technology resources in the classroom.

Is this a 1:1 initiative:
No, 1:1 models presume that all students have devices at all times in the instructional day, often
with a prescribed device or product. While there may be instances in which all or most students
have devices in a given classroom, it is not expected that all students have devices or that
they will be required for success in the class. In a BYOD model, a variety of personal computing
devices may be used either as a part of individual, small group or large group instruction.

Are students allowed to bring their devices to school?
Yes, at their own risk and choice.

Are teachers allowed to bring their own devices to school?
Yes, at their own risk and choice.

Are parents (or other guardian) required to purchase a personal electronic device for this
BYOD Pilot?
No.

If a parent (or other guardian) does choose to purchase a personal electronic device for
this BYOD Pilot can a certain level of device usage be expected during the school day?
No, device usage is subject to each individual teacher and classroom and is not a requirement.

Are either teachers or students required to bring devices to use at school?
No.

How will my son/daughters device be used in the classroom?
Schools must challenge students with rigorous, personalized academic learning experiences that
foster innovation and creativity. Students will engage in a cohesively integrated curriculum,
access information, and apply it to solve authentic problems in a collaborative setting.

Will a student be at a disadvantage if they dont have a personal computing device when
they come to school during the BYOD Pilot?
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No. District curriculum remains the same. This district will continue to purchase basic
supplementary textbooks, support materials, computers and software to support student learning.
When electronic devices are used to enhance learning in the classroom, students without a
personal device will be provided access to an appropriate district-owned device as needed
individually, in pairs or as part of a group.

Can a teacher require students to have a personal computing device in their class?
No.

What if my childs device is stolen and damaged? What recourse can I take?
Students bring personal electronic devices to school at their own risk, just like any other personal
items. The school district will not be held responsible if a personal electronic device (or other
personal item) is lost, stolen, damaged or misplaced. Some personal devices have a device
locator; it is recommended that you enable this feature if possible and label all personal devices,
cables and other related items.

What network access will users have with their own devices?
Students will have access to district filtered Internet access only by logging into the guest
network. Students will not have access to district purchased software, building printers, or
network files and folders when logged into the guest network on their own personal devices.

As a parent, am I required to add additional software (virus protection, filter, tracking
device, etc) to my childs device?
Virus protection for all personal electronic devices having internet connection capability is
strongly recommended. Device location/tracking software is also recommended, but not
required.

Are students and teachers still bound to district technology ethics policies and guidelines if
they bring their own devices into school to use?
Yes. The same policies and guidelines apply to personal computing devices as to district-
purchased computers and devices.

Are there risks of students accessing inappropriate material from the internet through the
BMS Guest network?
Although our network security and filtering system prevents over 99% of inappropriate online
material from access, there is always a chance that a student may be exposed to an unintended
pop-up or screen. Through our digital citizenship lessons, students have been informed to
immediately notify the classroom teacher if this occurs.

Will students have access to chat rooms, instant messaging (IMing), or other social
network type vehicles through the district network.
No. All chat and IMing capabilities have been disabled. Students cannot access Facebook
or other social network sites.



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Specific student FAQ questions:

I brought my device to school to use in the classroom, but my teacher said I couldnt use it
in his/her classroom. Can I still use it?
No. The teacher in the classroom has the final say on procedures 6 in that classroom (including
specific directions left for any substitute teacher). If the teacher (or substitute teacher) asks a
student not to use the device, then the student must follow those directions.

I have my device with me in class. How do I get on the Internet now?
Most devices will detect a wireless connection when you are near one. When you attempt to
access the Internet, an Access Denied screen will appear. You will need to log on with your
network log in.

My device was stolen or damaged when I brought it to school. Who should I contact
about this?
Bringing your own devices to school can be useful; however some risks are involved as well.
The school district is not responsible for the theft, loss or damage to personal devices. It is
always a good idea to record the devices serial number to have in case of theft. Also, label
personal devices in a permanent way so that they may be identified. In the event that your
personal device is damaged, lost or stolen, please report it to your teacher and the school office
immediately. It is best to report stolen items prior to the end of the school day so that the school
may attempt to prevent the stolen item from leaving school grounds.

When should I not use my personal device at school?
Students should not use personal devices during class when a teacher has stated that personal
devices are not going to be used in the lesson today and should be put away; during lunch or
recess (unless under the supervision of a teacher during lunch detention); or in the hallways
during school hours. In fact, it is best to have your personal device powered down during these
stated times in order to save battery life and prevent disruption to classroom instruction.

Are there risks for me as a student in accessing inappropriate material from the internet
through the District network?
Although our network security and filtering system prevents over 99% of inappropriate online
material from access, there is always a chance that you may be exposed to an unintended pop-up
or screen. You are to immediately notify the classroom teacher if this occurs.

Will I as a student have access to chat rooms, instant messaging (IMing), or other
social network-type vehicles through the district network.
No. All chat and IMing capabilities have been disabled. Consequences will be issued for
improper use.

Am I allowed to access the internet during class using a source/access point other than the
District network?
No. The district network is the only allowed internet source/access point for BMS students.
Students attempting to access the internet outside of the district network (eg: personal data plans)
will be subject to the Consequences for Inappropriate Use outlined on page 4 of this packet.
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BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE POLICY - STUDENT AND PARENT FORM

Students last name: _____________________________________________________________

Students first name: ____________________________________________________________

Students date of birth: _________________________________________________________

School: _______________________________________________________________________

Grade: Homeroom teacher: _______________________________________________________

Current Address:________________________________________________________________

Current Phone Number___________________________________________________________
Parent/Legal guardian: As the parent/legal guardian of this student, I have read and agree to the
terms and conditions the Bring Your Own Device Program. I understand that access to these
devices on school property is for educational purposes and the student named is expected to
follow the specified guidelines. I have discussed these guidelines with the student and believe
he/she has an understanding of them. I recognize that, in spite of filtering devices used, it is
impossible for the school district to control all information available to students through the
Internet. I will not hold the School District of Marlboro County or any of its employees
responsible for the materials this student may acquire on the district network. I hereby give
permission for the student named to use his/her own technology device to access the Internet at
school and certify that the information contained on this form is correct.

Parent/Legal guardians name (please print)
_____________________________________________________________________

Signature: _______________________________________________________

Date: ____________

Student: I have discussed the rules and guidelines for using school technology. I understand why
the Internet is available to me at school and I will abide by the rules and guidelines. I know that
if I do not follow these guidelines I may be denied access to the Internet and school disciplinary
action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

Students signature:_________________________________________________________