School Information

1. Any student who wishes to use a personally owned electronic device within West Hartford Public Schools must sign the KP Verification Form.

2. The student takes full responsibility for their device. The school is not responsible for the security of the device. Each school will develop guidelines for acceptable use.

3. The student is responsible for the proper care of his or her personal device, including any costs of repair, replacement or any modifications needed to use the device at school.

4. The school reserves the right to inspect a student’s personal device if there is reason to believe that the student has violated WHPS School Board policies, administrative procedures, school rules or has engaged in other misconduct while using their personal device. West Hartford Public Schools reserve the right to monitor BYOD activity while using the district network.

5. Violations of any WHPS School Board policies, administrative procedures or school rules involving a student’s personally owned device may result in the loss of use of the device in school and/or disciplinary action.

6. The student must comply with all staff requests regarding their use of electronic devices (e.g., bring to class, shut down, put away, hand to staff).

7. The student will not be allowed to charge their device while at school without permission of a teacher or staff.

8. The student may not use the device to record, transmit or post photos or video of a person or persons on campus. Nor can any images or video recorded at school be transmitted or posted at any time without the express permission of a teacher.

9. During school hours the student should only use their device to access classroom related activities within established school guidelines. Accessing classroom related activities on a mobile device looks like:

● The device is used only for academic purposes

● The device is on the desk and visible to everyone in the classroom

● The device is only used when the teacher prompts students

● When accessing audio content, earbuds are used

● The device is NOT under the desk or hidden while in use

10. The student will use the “WHPS_Wifi” wireless network while in school. Use of 3G & 4G wireless connections is not allowed.

Our school district believes that 21st century instruction is necessary for 21st century learning. Providing students with an environment that fosters and encourages this belief is a core value. All members of our learning community hold the responsibility to value technology and achieve technological proficiency to prepare our students for future jobs, which may not yet exist. Schools must challenge students with rigorous, personalized academic experiences, foster innovation and creativity, and embrace emerging technologies.

In a 21st century learning environment, students actively engage in a cohesively integrated curriculum, access information and apply it in solving authentic problems. Many students have personally owned devices that can be used to help maximize their opportunity for success in school and beyond. These technologies, when properly used, promote educational excellence in the district by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

We believe that the tremendous value of technology and the information technology network as an educational resource far outweighs the potential risks. Our school and district guidelines focus on using technologies as educational tools to enhance the teaching and learning experience, consistent with the West Hartford Public Schools Mission, Values and Goals.

King Philip Middle School’s (KPMS) first priority is to create a rigorous and engaging learning environment for all students, teachers and staff. The use of technology can enhance the curriculum and engage student learning. While King Philip recognizes the benefits of using electronic devices in the educational environment, we also understand that these devices can be a distraction from our learning focus. Therefore, the KPMS community emphasizes “electronic etiquette” regarding their use in school. Students can use tablets, e-readers, laptops, Chromebooks or other, teacher approved electronic devices for instructional purposes.

The following guidelines focus on allowing students the opportunity to use these technologies as educational tools to enhance the teaching and learning experience, while being respectful to the learning environment. The possession and use of electronic devices at KPMS is a privilege and a responsibility, not a right. Inappropriate use will result in the loss of privileges. Cell phone use for any purpose not approved by a teacher is prohibited.

Students are not permitted to carry their cell phones during the school day. Students may not have a cell phone on them at any time during the school day UNLESS a teacher has specifically directed them to bring it to class. Students are expected to power down their cell phones and secure them in their locker for the duration of the school day. This will ensure the devices are safe. Any student in violation of the cell phone policy will have their cell phone confiscated and will be referred to administration.

The classroom environment is designed to maximize teacher and student interaction and as such, we expect that every student and teacher will exercise good judgment in their use of electronic devices. This includes walking in the classroom, prepared to learn. Maintaining the focus on lesson content and outcomes and sustaining respectful interactions with others is our priority. (See FAQ section for examples of inappropriate use.)

▪ Use of an electronic device in the academic setting will be with the expressed consent of the teacher for instructional purposes. (“E-devices are permitted today”)

▪ Students may not make any recordings (still, video, or audio) without the explicit permission of the teacher or students to be recorded.

▪ Use of an electronic device during a test or quiz will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and is subject to academic and disciplinary consequences (unless the teacher is administering an electronic test or quiz.)

▪ Students must turn over their electronic device to the teacher when suspected of cheating and/or inappropriate transmissions. The electronic device will be turned into the student’s administrator.

▪ To prevent disruption, the volume on all electronic devices should be turned off.

▪ Electronic devices should be charged prior to bringing them to school and run off their own battery while at school.

▪ Electronic devices which the teacher deems to be a distraction or used in violation of the Electronic Device policy will be subject to the discipline policy.

▪ Students are not permitted to use electronic devices in the hallways, cafeterias, lavatory, locker rooms or any other common area.

• This policy is in effect while students are in the building, on school property or at any school sponsored activity.
• The following are some examples of inappropriate uses of electronic devices: harassment, threats, intimidation, electronic forgery, cyber bullying/cyber threats, invasion of personal rights, cheating on tests/exams, or other forms of illegal behavior during the instructional and non-instructional day.
• In areas of the school in which there can be a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms and locker rooms, use of electronic devices, cameras, or recording devices is prohibited at all times. 
• Students who bring electronic devices do so at their own risk. The school will not be responsible for physical damage, loss or theft of the personally-owned device. King Philip Middle School is unable to utilize administrative time to investigate reported cases of lost, stolen or damaged electronic devices.

First Documented Offense

• The electronic device is confiscated, tagged, and brought to the main office. The student may pick up the device after dismissal and must complete a BYOD writing assignment with parent/caregiver signature.

Second Documented Offense

The electronic device is confiscated, tagged, and brought to the main office. A parent/caregiver must pick up the device. Student may be assigned a lunch detention.

Third Documented Offense

• The electronic device is confiscated, tagged, and brought to the main office. A parent/caregiver must pick up the device and meet with an administrator. Student may be assigned an after school detention.

Fourth and Subsequent Offenses

• Parent/caregiver conference, collaborative development of an “electronics intervention plan,” and possible suspension of technology privileges

Failure to turn over the device will be seen as insubordination and will result in additional consequences. Administration also reserves the right to impose additional or different consequences based on the severity of the offense or multiple infractions.

My child does not have his/her own electronic communication device to bring to school. Will he/she be penalized or miss out on instruction?
No, it is not mandatory for students to bring a device, even if they do own one. Use of personal electronic devices will be optional. Keep in mind that learning can be enhanced greatly for the entire class even if only a handful of students have a device! Whenever electronic devices are required to enhance learning in the classroom, students will be provided access to an appropriate WHPS District owned electronic device.

What if my child’s device is stolen or damaged? What recourse can I take?
Students bring electronic communication devices to school at their own risk, just like any other personal items. The school will not be held responsible if an electronic device or other item is lost, stolen or misplaced. Some devices have a device locator; it is recommended that you enable this feature if possible.

Is it required that my child use the School wireless? Can they use their own 3G or 4G service?
Students with a personally owned device need to use the guest wireless network.

My child is bringing a device to school for instructional purposes. Will they have access to things they normally do with district equipment?
Your child will have access to much of the web-based software the school currently uses (databases, library search tools, etc.) Software may run differently on different devices for varying reasons. Not all resources will be available to BYOD users for security purposes.

How will my child’s device be used in the classroom?
Schools must challenge students with rigorous, personalized academic learning experiences that foster innovation and creativity. Students will engage in a cohesively integrated curriculum, access information, and apply it to solve authentic problems in a collaborative manner.