Technology Policy & Expectations

At SENSE, technology is an important tool that supports learning, communication, creativity, and collaboration. The use of school technology resources is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to use all technology responsibly and in a manner that reflects the values of SENSE, both at school and when using school-issued devices or accounts outside of school.

Students are responsible for using technology in ways that demonstrate respect, integrity, and good digital citizenship. By signing this agreement, students and families acknowledge their understanding of and commitment to the following expectations.

Student Responsibilities

Responsible Use of School Technology

Students will use school technology resources appropriately and only for educational purposes.

Students agree to:

• Use school devices, networks, software, and internet access only for assigned educational activities.
• Seek teacher approval when unsure whether a technology-related activity is appropriate.
• Use school-issued email accounts only for school-related communication and assignments.
• Keep passwords confidential and secure.
• Access only their own accounts, files, and assigned devices.
• Download files, applications, or programs only with teacher or school approval.
• Protect personal information and never share identifying information online without permission.
• Report any technology issues, security concerns, or accidental access to inappropriate content to a staff member immediately.

Students may not:

• Damage, alter, or misuse school hardware, software, or network systems.
• Delete, modify, or interfere with school files or the files of others.
• Install or use unauthorized software, applications, or extensions.
• Attempt to bypass internet filters, security settings, or monitoring systems.
• Create, distribute, or introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful programs.
• Make unauthorized changes to system settings or files.

Respectful and Safe Digital Conduct

Students are expected to use technology in ways that promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.

Students may not:

• Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, or online cruelty of any kind.
• Create, post, share, view, or participate in content intended to embarrass, humiliate, threaten, or harm others.
• Access or participate in social media platforms, websites, blogs, forums, or other online spaces for inappropriate purposes.
• Create, possess, send, request, or forward sexually explicit or suggestive images or messages.
• Access, display, download, or distribute material that is obscene, profane, violent, discriminatory, or promotes illegal activity.
• Use another person’s account, password, or identity.
• Use technology in any manner that violates school rules, policies, or applicable laws.

Students are expected to uphold SENSE’s values of respect, integrity, responsibility, and citizenship in all digital interactions.

Academic Honesty and Ethical Publishing

Students must use technology honestly and ethically when creating, sharing, and publishing work.

Students agree to:

• Complete and submit their own original work.
• Properly credit the ideas, words, images, and work of others.
• Follow copyright laws and software licensing agreements.
• Use digital resources and artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a manner that supports academic integrity.
• Acknowledge or cite AI-generated assistance when required by a teacher.

Students may not:

• Plagiarize or present another person’s work, including AI-generated work, as their own.
• Use technology, artificial intelligence tools, or digital resources to cheat or gain an unfair academic advantage.
• Submit assignments, projects, assessments, or other academic work generated by AI when such use has not been authorized by the teacher.
• Falsify, fabricate, or misrepresent information obtained through digital or AI tools.
• Copy, distribute, or use copyrighted materials without permission.

Students remain responsible for all work submitted in their name, regardless of whether technology or AI tools were used in its creation.

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and other generative AI platforms, may be used only when permitted by a teacher and for approved educational purposes.

Students are expected to use AI responsibly, ethically, and in accordance with academic integrity expectations.

Students may:

• Use AI tools for brainstorming, research support, tutoring, drafting ideas, and learning activities when authorized by a teacher.
• Seek teacher guidance when unsure whether AI use is appropriate for an assignment.
• Acknowledge or cite AI assistance when required by the teacher.

Students may not:

• Submit AI-generated work as their own original work.
• Use AI tools to complete assignments, assessments, projects, essays, or other academic tasks when prohibited by the teacher.
• Use AI to cheat, plagiarize, fabricate information, or gain an unfair academic advantage.
• Use AI to create harmful, inappropriate, discriminatory, threatening, or offensive content.
• Use AI tools to impersonate another person or misrepresent authorship of work.

Students remain responsible for all content they create, submit, publish, or share, regardless of whether AI tools were used in its creation.

Improper use of AI may be considered a violation of SENSE’s Academic Integrity Policy, Technology Acceptable Use Policy, and/or Student Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary consequences.

Monitoring and Privacy

SENSE reserves the right to monitor, review, and access any activity conducted using school-owned devices, accounts, networks, or technology resources. Students should have no expectation of privacy when using school technology resources, including internet activity, electronic communications, files, or stored data.

Violations and Consequences

Violations of this Technology Acceptable Use Policy may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to:

• Temporary or permanent loss of technology privileges;
• Restriction of device or internet access;
• Parent/guardian notification;
• Restitution for damages caused to school property or technology resources;
• School disciplinary consequences consistent with the Student Code of Conduct; and/or
• Referral to law enforcement when required by law.

Student and Parent Acknowledgment

Students and parents/guardians are expected to review and comply with this Technology Acceptable Use Policy. SENSE may require students and parents/guardians to sign a separate Technology Acceptable Use Agreement or other acknowledgment form as a condition of using School technology resources, devices, or network services.