Technology

Commitment to Responsible Use
All use of Valley View Community Unit School District # 365 (the "District") network resources, including the Internet, and all District-owned equipment (e.g., Chromebooks, iPads, devices) shall be consistent with the District's goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, communication, and responsible digital citizenship.

This policy outlines the expectations for responsible, ethical, and legal behavior when utilizing District resources. The willful or grossly negligent failure of any user to follow the terms of this policy will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. The District reserves the right to terminate, suspend, or otherwise limit network access at any time and to inspect or review accounts and files for security and compliance purposes

Responsible Digital Citizenship:
Access to and use of the District's network resources, including the Internet, and all District equipment must be for the purpose of education, research, and collaborative learning, and must be consistent with the educational objectives of the District. Users are expected to act with respect, integrity, and responsibility in the digital environment.

Legal and Ethical Conduct:
Transmission of any material in violation of United States or state statute or regulation is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to:

• Violation of copyright or trade secret material.
• Transmitting threatening, obscene, or defamatory material.
• Engaging in criminal activity.
• Using network resources or equipment for commercial activities, product solicitations, or political lobbying.
• Using network resources or equipment in a manner that is inconsistent with the Student Code of Conduct.

Inappropriate use will be reported to the responsible authorities.

Privilege of Access:
The use of the District's network resources and equipment is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate or irresponsible use will result in the cancellation or limitation of those privileges. The appropriate building or district administrator will make decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated this policy.

Security and Privacy:
Users agree not to violate or attempt to violate system security, intentionally interfere with system performance, or access another person's account, files, or password. Individuals may be denied access to the system based upon security violations. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network and/or District equipment. Users recognize that email and data is not private. District personnel have access to messages, chats, and any system generated data.

No warranties:
The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence or user errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the authorized user's own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

WARNING:
The taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing of obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal image or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer or otherwise (commonly called texting, sexting, emailing, etc.) may constitute a CRIME under state and/or federal law. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs will be reported to law enforcement and/or other appropriate state or federal agencies, which may result in arrest, criminal prosecution, and LIFETIME inclusion on sexual offender registries.

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools
When utilizing AI tools made available by the District, students must adhere to the following principles:

• Academic Integrity: Students are required to understand and adhere to the individual instructor's guidelines regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in each course. Submitting AI-generated work as one's own, without giving proper credit and the instructor's explicit permission, is not academic integrity.
• Learning and Augmentation: AI tools should be used to assist learning, brainstorm ideas, draft content, or check work, not to replace the student's own critical thinking, problem-solving, and writing process.
• Fact-Checking and Verification: Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any information or data generated by an AI tool before using or submitting it. AI output is not guaranteed to be correct or unbiased.
• Privacy and Data Security: Never input personal, confidential, or sensitive information (yours or others') into any AI tool. Use only District-approved AI platforms.

Responsible Use of District Equipment

• Care and Maintenance: Users are responsible for the physical care and general maintenance of all assigned equipment. Devices should be kept in a safe, clean environment and handled carefully to prevent damage. Users may be held financially responsible for willful or grossly negligent damage.
• Reporting Damage/Loss: Any damage, malfunction, or loss of District equipment must be reported immediately to a teacher or administrator.
• Software and Configuration: Users shall not attempt to:

  • Install, remove, or modify any software, applications, or operating system files without expressed permission.

  • Bypass or attempt to defeat District security filters, settings, or installed management software.

  • Change the hardware configuration of the device.

• Appropriate Use: Equipment is provided for educational purposes. Personal use of District equipment must be minimal and not interfere with educational objectives.

• Availability: Equipment should be brought to school each day fully charged.

Student Online Personal Protection Act (105 ILCS 85/1, et seq.)
Effective July 1, 2021, safeguards have been established to provide greater transparency to parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding the methods in which student data will be shared between the District and education technology companies. More information is available on the District's SOPPA page. 

Authorization for Computer Network and Internet Access

All use of Valley View School District network resources, including the Internet, shall be consistent with the District's goal of promoting excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. This Authorization does not attempt to state all required or proscribed behavior by users. The willful or grossly negligent failure of any user to follow the terms of the Authorization for Computer Network and Internet Access will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action. The Valley View School District reserves the right to terminate, suspend, or otherwise limit network access at any time and to inspect or review accounts and files for security purposes.

Terms and Conditions
Acceptable Use - Access to the District's network resources, including the Internet, must be for the purpose of education or research, and be consistent with the educational objectives of the district. Transmission of any material in violation of United States or state statute or regulation is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to copyright or trade secret material, threatening or obscene material, and criminal activity. The use of the network resources for commercial activities, product solicitations, or political lobbying is also prohibited. Inappropriate use will be reported to the responsible authorities.

Privilege - The use of the District's network resources, including the Internet, is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges. The appropriate building or district administrator will make decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated the Authorization. A copy of network etiquette and unacceptable uses can be found in the student handbook.

Security - Users of the network resources agree not to violate or attempt to violate system security or intentionally interfere with the system performance, or to access another person's account, files or password. Individuals may be denied access to the system based upon security violations. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network.

No warranties - The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expresses or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence or user errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the authorized user's own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

WARNING -

The taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing of obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal image or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer or otherwise (commonly called texting, sexting, emailing, etc.) may constitute a CRIME under state and/or federal law. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs will be reported to law enforcement and/ or other appropriate state or federal agencies, which may result in arrest, criminal prosecution, and LIFETIME inclusion on sexual offender registries.

Some examples of unacceptable uses are:

• Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any U.S. or State Law.
• Unauthorized installation of software, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or de-virused including the unauthorized installation of software.
• Downloading copyrighted material for other than personal use.
• Using the network for private financial or commercial gain.
• Wastefully using resources, such as file space.
• Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities.
• Invading the privacy of individuals.
• Using another user's account or password.
• Posting material authorized or created by another without his/her consent.
• Posting anonymous messages.
• Using the network for commercial or private advertising.
• Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing, or illegal material.
• Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked.
• As covered in Board Policy 5:125, communicating with current District students on any platform other than those that have been vetted and authorized by the District or adding any current District students as "friends", followers or contacts on any social media accounts.

Valley View School District is committed to ensuring our students are safe - physically, emotionally and digitally. This Student Digital Safety webpage provides families with important information, in compliance with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA), effective July 1, 2021. There are several important data privacy laws that pertain to VVSD students.

Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA)
Guarantees that student data is protected when collected by educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only. For more details, refer to the VVSD - SOPPA - Parent / Guardian and Student Rights Information.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Governs information in a student’s education record, restricting access and use of student information.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Restricts the collection of personal information from children under 13 by companies operating websites, games, mobile applications, and digital services that are directed to children or that collect personal information from individuals known to be children.

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
Imposes certain requirements on schools that utilize the federal E-Rate program to receive discounts for internet access and other technology services, or that receive federal grants for other technology expenses.

Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC)
VVSD's Technology Department has joined the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) to collaborate with other schools, districts, state agencies and policy makers to address our needs regarding growing data privacy concerns. This consortium will provide our district with the information and resources needed to continue our goal of ensuring student data privacy going forward. 

Important Links & Resources

Family Rights Process

Data Breach Process  |  Data Breach Status: None at this time

Annual Notice for SOPPA

SDPC