Google Workspace for Education

Book: I

Section: Instruction

Title: Student Computer and Internet Use Rules

Code: IJNDB-R

Status: Active
 

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STUDENT COMPUTER/DEVICE AND INTERNET USE RULES

 

All students are responsible for their actions and activities involving Portland Public Schools’ computers/devices, network and internet services (including Google for Education and/or other third-party services), and for their computer files, passwords and accounts.  These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of the district’s computers/devices, networks, and internet services, and examples of prohibited uses.  The rules do not attempt to describe every possible prohibited activity by students.  Students, parents and school employees who have questions about whether a particular activity is prohibited are encouraged to contact a building.  These rules apply to all school computers/devices wherever they are used, and all uses of school servers, internet access and networks regardless of how they are accessed. 

A. Acceptable Use  

1. Portland Public Schools’ computers/devices, network and internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the district’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.
2. Students must comply with all Board policies, school rules and expectations for student conduct and communications when using school computers/devices, whether on or off school property.
3. Students also must comply with all specific instructions from school employees and volunteers when using Portland Public Schools’ computers/devices.
4. Students are required to provide their passwords for any school-issued computers/devices to a building administrator.

B. Prohibited Uses 

Unacceptable uses of district computers/devices include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Accessing or Communicating Inappropriate Materials – Students may not access, submit, post, publish, forward, download, scan or display defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, bullying/cyberbullying, and/or illegal materials or messages.
2. Illegal Activities – Students may not use Portland Public Schools’ computers/devices, network and internet services for any illegal activity or in violation of any Board policy/procedure or school rules.  Portland Public Schools assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of students while using school computers/devices.
3. Violating Copyrights or Software Licenses – Students may not copy, download or share any type of copyrighted materials (including music or films) without the owner’s permission; or copy or download software without the express authorization of the Technology Coordinator.  Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties.  The district assumes no responsibility for copyright or licensing violations by students. 
4. Downloading “Apps” – Students may not download any “apps” without prior approval from an authorized school employee.
5. Plagiarism – Students may not represent as their own work any materials obtained on the internet (such as term papers, articles, music, etc) or through the use of generative AI (e.g., entering a prompt in a generative AI platform and presenting the output as their own in school work) .  When internet sources or generative AI is used. in student work, proper credit and citation of the source must be given.
6. Use for Non-School-Related Purposes - Using Portland Public Schools’ computers/devices, network and internet services for any personal reasons not connected with the educational program or school assignments. 
7. Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access – Students may not share passwords (except with authorized school employees); use passwords belonging to others; access or use the accounts of others; or circumvent, or attempt to circumvent network security.
8. Malicious Use/Vandalism – Students may not engage in any malicious use, disruption or harm to the district’s computers/devices, network and internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses.
9. Avoiding School Filters – Students may not attempt to or use any software, utilities or other means to access internet sites or content blocked by the school filters.  If a student believes filtering should be less restrictive on a temporary basis for specific, bona fide research purposes, they should discuss the matter with their teacher.
10. Unauthorized Access to Blogs/Social Media, Etc. – Students may not access blogs, social networking sites, etc. to which student access is prohibited.  
11. Violating Third-Party Provider Terms of Service – Students must abide by the terms of use/service that apply to the third-party service provider services that students use.

C. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages 

Students and their parents are responsible for compensating Portland Public Schools for any losses, costs or damages incurred for violations of Board policies/procedures and school rules while the student is using district computers/devices, networks, and/or internet services, including the cost of investigating such violations.  Portland Public Schools assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by students while using district computers/devices, networks, and/or internet services.

D. Student Security 

Students are not allowed to reveal their full name, address, telephone number, social security number, photograph or other personal information on the internet while using a school computer/device, network, and/or internet service without prior permission from a teacher.  Students should never agree to meet people they have contacted through the internet without parental permission.  Students should inform their teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.

E. System Security 

The security of Portland Public Schools’ computers/devices, network and internet services is a high priority.  Any student who identifies a security problem must notify their teacher or building administrator immediately.  Students shall not demonstrate the problem to others or access unauthorized material.

F. Additional Rules for Devices Issued to Students

1. Laptops/Tablets are loaned to students as an educational tool and may only be used for purposes specifically authorized by school staff.   
2. Parents/legal guardians are invited to attend an informational meeting before a device will be issued to their child.  Both the student and their parent/guardian must sign the school’s acknowledgment form. 
3. Students and their families are responsible for the proper care of devices at all times, whether on or off school property, including costs associated with repairing or replacing the devices.  Portland Public Schools offers an insurance program for parents to cover replacement costs and/or repair costs for damages not covered by the device warranty. The plan covers theft, fire, power surge, natural disasters, and accidental (non-negligent) damage both at home and in school. If a device is lost or stolen, this must be reported to a school administrator immediately.  If a device is stolen, a report should be made to the local police immediately as well.
4. The Board’s policy and rules concerning computer and internet use apply to use of devices at any time or place, on or off school property.  Students are responsible for obeying any additional rules concerning care of devices issued by school staff.  
5. Violation of policies or rules governing the use of computers/devices, or any careless use of a device, may result in a student’s device being confiscated and/or a student only being allowed to use the device under the direct supervision of school employees.  The student will also be subject to disciplinary action for any violations of Board policies/procedures or school rules.
6. Parents/guardians will be informed of their child’s login password.  Parents/guardians are responsible for supervising their child’s use of the device and internet access when in use at home.  Devices issued to high school students who are attending school in person may only be used by the student. 
7. Devices issued to middle school students who are attending school in person may be used by the student and their parent, in accordance with the Student Computer Use Policy and Rules. 
8. Devices issued to any student who is attending school remotely for some or all of their instructional days may be used by parents and any siblings enrolled in PPS, in accordance with the Student Computer Use Policy and Rules.
9. All use of school-loaned devices must comply with the school’s Student Computer/Device and Internet Use Rules and other applicable policies and procedures.  
10. Devices must be returned in acceptable working order at the end of the school year or whenever requested by school staff.

Additional Rules for Use of Privately-Owned Computers/Devices by Students 

1. A student who wishes to use a privately-owned computer/device in school for school purposes, in lieu of or in addition to a school-issued computer/device, must complete a Student Request to Use Privately-Owned Computer/Device form.  The form must be signed by the student, their parent, a sponsoring teacher, the building administrator and the Technology Coordinator. There must be an educational basis for any request.
2. The building administrator or their designee will determine whether a student’s privately-owned computer/device meets the district’s network requirements.  
3. Requests may be denied if it is determined that there is not a suitable educational basis for the request and/or if the demands on the district’s network or staff would be unreasonable.
4. The student is responsible for proper care of their privately-owned computer/device, including any costs of repair, replacement or any modifications needed to use the computer at school.
5. Portland Public Schools is not responsible for damage, loss or theft of any privately-owned computer/device.
6. Students are required to comply with all Board policies, administrative procedures and school rules while using privately-owned computers/devices at school.
7. Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of a privately-owned computer/device while at school. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to search a student’s privately-owned computer/device if there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated Board policies, administrative procedures or school rules, or engaged in other misconduct while using the computer/device.  
8. Portland Public Schools may confiscate any privately-owned computer/device used by a student in school without authorization as required by these rules.  The contents of the computer may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies. 
9. Violation of any Board policies, administrative procedures or school rules involving a student’s privately-owned computer/device may result in the revocation of the privilege of using the computer at school and/or disciplinary action.  

H. Google for Education

Portland Public Schools will, at its discretion, create Google for Education accounts for students.  Accounts will be terminated when a student ceases to be a student in the district. Google G-Suite features will be enabled on a user-by-user-basis at the discretion of the Technology Coordinator. Use of Google for Education is subject to Google’s acceptable use policy (available at https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en-US or upon request from the Technology Coordinator), and all district policies, procedures and rules.  The district maintains the right to suspend or terminate a student’s access to their account for violations of policies, procedures, rules or applicable laws.  Students must, at all times, take reasonable measures to protect files and information in Google for Education, including, but not limited to, not sharing passwords and following all security and access rules.

Cross Reference:  IJNDB – Student Use of School-Issued Computers, Devices and the Internet 

Revised: August 2020, June 18, 2024

IJNDB-R - Student Computer and Internet Use Rules.pdf (27 KB)

Book: J

Section: Students

Title: Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools

Code: JICK

Status: Active

Adopted: February 27, 2007

Last Revised: May 18, 2021

 

BULLYING AND CYBERBULLYING IN SCHOOLS

 I. Introduction

Portland Public Schools (PPS) affirms our intention to create a climate of respect, inclusion, and equity for all. All students have the right to attend public schools that are safe and secure learning environments. Bullying is detrimental to the school environment and student learning as well as to achievement and well-being. It is not the Portland Board of Public Education’s (“Board”) intent to prohibit students from expressing their ideas, including ideas that may offend the sensibilities of others, or from engaging in civil debate.  However, bullying interferes with the mission of the schools to educate their students and disrupts the operations of the schools.

Bullying affects not only students who are targets but also those who participate and witness such behavior. These behaviors must be addressed to ensure student safety and an inclusive learning environment. PPS will use developmentally appropriate preventative and responsive strategies that empower victims of bullying and cyberbullying, ensure school safety, and support positive behavioral change. We will emphasize training and education of all school members to prioritize the prevention and de-escalation of bullying related incidents. We will use educational interventions to resolve issues when possible, keeping the following at the forefront:

1. We will focus on the safety and well-being of the targeted person/groups throughout the investigation and resolution of a report or complaint;
2. When an individual’s physical or emotional safety and/or educational rights are in jeopardy, we will take swift action to stop the unsafe behaviors and address harm;
3. We maintain privacy and confidentiality as required by law and school policy, and provide a non-punitive response when it serves the intent of this policy;
4. We will provide support to those who experience direct and indirect harm from bullying as needed and desired by the complainant;

Students shall collectively receive developmentally appropriate instruction, including but not limited to dedicated lessons and publication in student and family handbooks about what constitutes bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation. Students and families who may need clarification or re-teaching shall receive that as well.

II. Definitions

1. “Bullying” includes, but is not limited to a written, oral or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof directed at a student or students that:
   1. Has, or a reasonable person would expect it to have, the effect of:
      1. Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property; or
      2. Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to the student's property;
   2. Interferes with the rights of a student by:
      1. Creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment for the student; or
      2. Interfering with the student's academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by a school; or
   3. Is based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing characteristic, or is based on a student’s association with a person with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, and that has the effect described in subparagraph (1) or (2) above. (This might also meet the criteria for harassment as defined in board policy ACAA: Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students.)

Examples of conduct that may constitute bullying if they meet the one of the above criteria include, but are not limited to:

1. Repeated or pervasive taunting, name-calling, belittling, mocking, put-downs, or demeaning humor;
2. Behavior that is intended to harm someone by damaging or manipulating their relationships with others, including but not limited to gossip, spreading rumors, and social exclusion;
3. Non-verbal threats and/or intimidations such as use of aggressive, menacing, or disrespectful gestures;
4. Threats of harm to a student, to their possessions, or to other individuals, whether transmitted verbally or in writing;
5. Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money, or involuntary loans or donations;
6. Blocking access to school property or facilities that the student would otherwise have access to;
7. Stealing or hiding books, backpacks, or other possessions;
8. Stalking; and
9. Physical contact or injury to another person or their property. 

 

2. “Cyberbullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, a transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text messaging device and personal digital assistant.

Examples of conduct that may constitute cyberbullying include, but are not limited to

1. Posting slurs or rumors or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, disparaging, violent, abusive, profane, or sexually oriented material about a student on a website or other online application;
2. Posting misleading or fake photographs or digital video footage of a student on websites or creating fake websites or social networking profiles in the guise of posing as the target;
3. Impersonating or representing another student through use of that other student’s electronic device or account to send e-mail, text messages, instant messages (IM), or phone calls;
4. Sending e-mail, text messages, IM, or leaving voice mail messages that are mean or threatening, or so numerous as to bombard the target’s e-mail account, IM account, or cell phone; and
5. Using a camera phone or digital video camera to take and/or send embarrassing or “sexting” photographs of other students.

 

3. “Retaliation” means an act or gesture against a student for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. “Retaliation” also includes reporting an act of bullying when it is not made in good faith.

III.  Application of Policy

1. A.   This policy applies to any staff, student, visitor, or volunteer, all of whom have the responsibility to comply with this policy.
2. B.   This policy applies to bullying that:
   1. Takes place at school or on school grounds, meaning: a school building; property on which a school building or facility is located; and property that is owned, leased or used by a school for a school-sponsored activity, function, program, instruction or training. “School grounds” also includes school-related transportation vehicles.
   2. Takes place while students are being transported to or from schools or school-sponsored events;
   3. Takes place at any school-sponsored event, activity, function, program, instruction or training; or
   4. Takes place elsewhere or through the use of technology, but only if the bullying interferes with access to any school program or services or creates a hostile school environment for the complainant or victim of the conduct.

IV.         Reporting

Bullying or suspected bullying is reportable in person or in writing (including anonymously) to school personnel.

1. School staff, coaches and advisors for extracurricular and co-curricular activities are required to report incidents of bullying to the school principal or other school personnel designated by the superintendent.
2. Students who have been bullied or are aware of incidents of bullying are strongly encouraged to report this behavior to a staff member or school administrator.
3. Guardians and other adults who are aware of incidents of bullying are encouraged to report this behavior to a staff member or school administrator.
4. Acts of reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an incident of bullying are prohibited. Any student who is determined to have falsely accused another of bullying shall be subject to disciplinary consequences.

V.     Responding

The school principal or a superintendent’s designee will:

1. Promptly investigate and respond to allegations of bullying behavior;
2. Where allegation of bullying has been substantiated, apply disciplinary actions, which may include but are not limited to, imposing a series of graduated consequences that include alternative discipline. In determining the appropriate response to students who engage in bullying behavior, school administrators should consider the type of behaviors, the frequency and/or pattern of behaviors, and other relevant circumstances. Alternative discipline includes, but is not limited to:
   1. Meeting with the student and the student's guardians;
   2. Reflective activities, such as requiring the student to write an essay about the student's misbehavior;
   3. Mediation, but only when there is mutual conflict between peers, rather than one-way negative behavior, and both parties voluntarily choose this option;
   4. Counseling;
   5. Anger management;
   6. Health counseling or intervention;
   7. Mental health counseling;
   8. Participation in skills building and resolution activities, such as social-emotional cognitive skills building, resolution circles and restorative conferencing;
   9. Community service; and
   10. In-school detention or suspension, which may take place during lunchtime, after school or on weekends.
3. Remediate any substantiated incident of bullying to counter the negative impact of the bullying and reduce the risk of future bullying incidents, which may include referring the victim, perpetrator or other involved persons to counseling or other appropriate services;
4. Where bullying has been substantiated, communicate to the guardian of a student who has been bullied the measures being taken to ensure the safety of the student who has been bullied and to prevent further acts of bullying;
5. Communicate with a local or state law enforcement agency if the superintendent or designee believes that the pursuit of criminal charges or a civil action under the Maine Civil Rights Act may be appropriate; and
6. Notify guardians and students of the right to appeal a decision of a school principal or a superintendent's designee related to taking or not taking disciplinary action in accordance with this policy. The appeals procedure must be consistent with other appeals procedures established by the Board and may include an appeal to the superintendent.

VI.     Documentation

Building administrators or designees shall be responsible for maintaining building-level records of all allegations and investigations of bullying and cyberbullying and to record in the district student information system all substantiated allegations and the building’s response.

VII.  Assignment of Responsibility

1. The Board is responsible for:
   1. Annually providing written versions of this policy and related procedures to students, guardians, volunteers, administrators, teachers and school staff.
   2. Posting this policy and related procedures on the school administrative unit's publicly accessible website.
2. The Superintendent is responsible for:
   1. Oversight, implementation, and enforcement of this policy.
   2. Designating a school principal or other school personnel to administer the policies at the school level;
   3. Developing a procedure for publicly identifying the superintendent's designee or designees for administering the policies at the school level;
   4. Developing procedures to implement the requirements for reporting and responding to bullying under sections III and IV of this policy or delegating that responsibility to principals or designees.
   5. Ensuring that any contractor, visitor, or volunteer who engages in bullying is barred from school grounds until the superintendent is assured that the person will comply with the policies of the school board; and
   6. Ensuring that any organization affiliated with the school that authorizes or engages in bullying or retaliation forfeits permission for that organization to operate on school grounds or receive any other benefit of affiliation with the school;
   7. Providing professional development and staff training in the best practices in prevention of bullying and harassment and implementation of this policy;
   8. Filing the SAU policies to address bullying and cyberbullying with the Department of Education.

Legal Reference:     

20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001(15), 6554

Cross Reference:     

AC - Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity

ACAA-R - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students ACAD - Hazing

ADF - School District Commitment to Learning Results JIC - Student Code of Conduct

JICC - Student Conduct on Buses

JICIA - Weapons, Violence and School Safety JK - Student Discipline

JKD - Suspension of Students JKE - Expulsion of Students

 

 

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