Petaluma City Schools provides students with access to district technology resources for educational purposes. Students may use a variety of PCS owned devices such as Chromebooks, iPads, desktop computers and more during the course of their education in Petaluma City Schools. Students must adhere to all district policies and guidelines, including Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Technology by Students Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 6163.4, Bullying Prohibition Board Policy 5131.2, Student Conduct Administrative Regulation 5131, Academic Honesty Administrative Regulation 5131.9, and each School Student Handbook, in order to maintain that access.
RESPONSIBILITY
- Chromebooks, iPads, laptops and other computers are vulnerable to damage if dropped, thrown, crushed or treated roughly. All PCS owned devices must be handled with care and protected from damage. PCS devices that are issued to students must be transported carefully in a bag.
- PCS owned devices must be kept away from food, beverages and other liquids.
- PCS devices issued to students must be kept clean and free of stickers, writing, and other damage.
- PCS owned devices may only be cleaned with a soft, lint free cloth, instead of liquids, cleansers, or household cleaning products.
- PCS devices issued to students must be kept where the temperature is between 32 and 95°F, not stored in a car on a hot or cold day.
- If a PCS issued device and/or accessory is lost, damaged, or stolen, the student’s parent or guardian may be held financially responsible for the repair or replacement cost.
SAFETY
- PCS devices issued to students must be kept in a safe, secure location such as a locker, and only be used by the individual student.
- PCS students must keep their account login private to ensure that personal information is kept confidential.
- Using PCS devices or accounts to bully, harass, harm, or spread lies about others is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action or loss of access to technology resources.
- Using the camera and/or microphone on PCS devices to take inappropriate pictures, videos, or audio recordings is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action or loss of access to technology resources.
- In compliance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act, PCS uses various internet filtering and monitoring systems; students who attempt to bypass these systems may be subject to disciplinary action or loss of access to technology resources.
PRODUCTIVITY
- PCS students in grades 3-12 must bring a fully charged device to school each day or help to ensure that shared devices are placed in charging carts after use.
- During instructional time, PCS students may only use apps and websites as directed by their teacher or as required for assignments.
- PCS students should make every effort to save data in Google Drive and understand that any personal data may be deleted from PCS owned devices without notice.
- PCS students may not use generative artificial intelligence to primarily or solely complete coursework, to generate written content or media, or answer mathematical, scientific, or analytical problems, without the express permission of their teacher.
Apps, Web-based Services and Parental Consent
In order for Petaluma City Schools to facilitate a 1:1 personalized learning environment, the District will utilize applications (apps) and web-based services operated by third parties to provide students with access to online communication and collaboration tools and other instructional tools and materials. These apps and services are vetted by the district to ensure compliance with FERPA and CIPA student data privacy requirements. The District is required to comply with the federal regulations that require parental consent for students under age 13. By consenting, you agree to support your student(s) in following the rules and regulations outlined in this document and allow Petaluma City Schools to create any accounts necessary for your student to utilize district approved applications and web-based services, and to share limited personal information with third-party providers.
