Beginning of the Year Resources

iPad Student User Agreement

As part of the District 196 Dynamic Learning with 1:1 Access, you will be provided with a district-owned device (iPad) to use at home and at school. In order to fully utilize the district-owned device, it is imperative for students and families to commit to the guidelines and expectations listed below and on the back.

Please note if you do not have wireless internet service at home, your child can still use their iPad offline to access content, student work and apps. Additional information about other options for wireless internet access, such as mobile hotspots and low-cost Wi-Fi options are available at your child’s school.

As a student receiving a district-owned device (iPad)...

I will use the device for learning.

I will use the device for learning by accessing and analyzing information, collaborating and communicating, problem solving, and innovating and creating to enhance my learning.

To use the device for learning I will…

bring my device fully charged to school each day;
ask for permission and/or give credit before I post, distribute, or use information that was created by someone else;
communicate in a responsible, respectful and kind manner with others;
download only the apps as designated by the teacher, and
use the device appropriately during class time.

I will take care of the device.

I will take care of the device and make sure that it is returned in the same condition as when I received it.

To help keep the device in good condition I will…

keep the district-provided case on the device at all times;
agree to return the device, case and power cord in the same working condition as when I received it;
contact my teacher and/or mobile device support specialist immediately if the device is lost, stolen, damaged, or malfunctioning;
cooperate with any necessary police report if the device is stolen;
agree that I am responsible for the cost of repair or replacement for any loss or damage that occurs while the device is assigned to me;
read and follow the expectations on the District 196 Care of the iPad resource page;
be the only user of this device;
fully charge the device by plugging it in at home each night;
carry it in a backpack or school bag when going to and from school;
keep it away from food, liquids, magnets and extreme heat or cold;
wipe the iPad with a dry cloth when it becomes dirty, and
keep the iPad in a safe and secure location when it is not with me.

I will make responsible choices.

I will make responsible choices on and off-line when using the device.

To make good choices while using the device I will…

respect myself and others online by following the Acceptable Use of Information Technology – Students;
report to an adult immediately if I am or notice someone being cyberbullied;
work in the network account assigned to me and take responsibility for all activity associated with my account;
only use the camera and video for curricular purposes as permitted by the district program;
keep it locked with a passcode when not in use;
only share my passcode and passwords with my parents and school staff;
protect my own and other people’s private information online;
balance my time between being on the device and doing other activities;
keep in mind that what I post online is permanent and part of my digital footprint;
allow my parent(s)/guardian(s) to inspect the device and monitor my use (including internet browsing history) at any time without notice, and
honor all requests by my parent(s)/guardian(s) and school staff regarding how and when I use my device.

Parents must decide on optional iPad Protection Plan

District 196 offers an optional Protection Plan to families for $20 per iPad to cover the cost of potential theft/damage throughout the school year. The plan is free for families who qualify for the Educational Benefits Program so it is highly recommended to first apply online for that program in order to have the discount applied when purchasing the protection plan.

Available beginning Monday, August 7, ALL families are expected to review and acknowledge the iPad Student User Agreement and either accept or decline the optional Protection Plan by 4:00 pm on Monday, September 18, 2023 via MyPaymentsPlus (click HERE for instructions.) Until that date/time, the district will cover damages (not loss) allowing families time to complete the review and sign-up process. After that date/time, until the Protection Plan is accepted, the family will be responsible for any costs associated with damage of the iPad as defined HERE. Please note, you can accept the Protection Plan at any time throughout the school year.

Questions to Guide At Home Conversations

Ongoing conversations about digital citizenship guide and empower children on how to make thoughtful and reflective decisions when using technology. The tabs below provide questions and information to help facilitate these at-home conversations.

Responsible Use

Responsible Use is focusing on making a positive contribution to the community, respecting self and others by making thoughtful choices, and maintaining a balanced life.

Where can devices be used in the house?
Where should the devices be charged at night?
How long should you be online each day?
What can devices be used for at home?
How is my use affecting relationships with family and friends?

Safety Online/Privacy

Safety Online and Privacy includes protecting private information, staying safe online, and reporting cyberbullying.

Keeping personal information private
Asking for parent permission before creating accounts
Telling a parent/staff when you are approached by someone online or you come across something that makes you uncomfortable.
Understanding and abiding by COPPA and FERPA guidelines
- COPPA - Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
- FERPA - The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal privacy law that gives parents certain protections with regard to their children's education records, such as report cards, transcripts, disciplinary records, contact and family information, and class schedules.

Additional ways to support your children with COPPA and FERPA:

Under 13 children technically are not old enough to have social media accounts such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, SnapChat, TikTok, etc.
Look under the Terms of Service and Privacy Policies of the company to find out more information.
Once they turn 13 have intentional conversations about what it means and determine with your child when they are ready, then create the account together.
Follow your child on whatever account they have signed up for and be transparent of why (to guide and protect).

Digital Footprint

Digital footprint focuses on protecting your digital identity and reputation, self-reflecting before posting, sending, or sharing, and understanding that information is permanent.

How much do you want people to know about you from your writing, image or video?
What do you notice in the background of the picture? What is it telling the audience?
Have you gotten permission to take a picture or video of someone else? Have you gotten permission to share?

Information Ethics

Information Ethics focuses on finding relevant and reliable information from a variety of sources, thinking critically, and giving credit to the author/creator of the work.

Who wrote this piece of writing you are reading?
What do you know about the author?
What is the purpose of the website?
When was the writing published? When was it last updated?
Can you find another source that has similar information?
Why was the website created? What does the URL tell you?

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