February 2012
THE HILTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Teaching discretion when it comes to use of
personal digital technology in schools
For many years, the rule at Hilton High School
to connect people around the globe and enhance
word-protected social media tools are those that fall
was “Off and Away During the Day” for all percommunication. Therefore, the Board of Education
within the District's electronic technology network
encourages the use of District approved social mesonal electronic devices [PED] including mobile
or which the District has approved for educational
dia tools and the exploration of new and emerging
use. Within these internal forums, the District has
phones, iPods, laptops, tablets and iPads, MP3s,
technologies
to
supplement
the
range
of
communigreater authority and ability to protect minors from
Droids, Netbooks, etc. All personal electronic
cation and educational services.
inappropriate content and can limit public access
devices brought to school had to be stowed in
For purposes of this Policy, the definition of public
within these internal forums. The use of social
backpacks, purses and pockets.
social
media
networks
or
Social
Networking
Sites
media [whether public or internal] can generally
Today, the High School has taken an enlightened
(SNS)
are
defined
to
include:
Web
sites,
Web
logs
be defined as Official District Use, Professional/Inattitude toward the educational potential of digistructional Use and
tal technology as it continues to evolve
Personal Use. The
Hilton HS Personal Electronic Device
into smaller devices with Internet access,
definitions, uses and
mobile apps [applications] such as the
Expectations for Students
responsibilities will
iPhone's calculator application as well
be further defined
as other ways to enhance and extend
and differentiated in
students' learning and communication
Red Room
the Administrative
abilities.
All personal devices put away; tech tools
Regulation. Personal
Following Policy 6460 "Acceptable Use
provided by instructor
use of these media
of Social Media,” the High School School
during District time
Improvement Team talked in earnest about
Yellow Room
or on Districtlifting the cell phone ban and bringing perAll personal devices silenced unless directed
owned equipment
sonal electronic devices more correctly
by teacher; other tech tools available
is permitted as long
into the educational program.
as such use does
Green
Room
“We recoginize that we live in a global
Personal
electronic
devices
are
OK
to
support
not interfere with
society where technology is available for
learning
during
instruction
an employee’s job
communicating and accessing informaduties. Privacy Rights:
tion,” Principal Brian Bartalo said, “and
Staff data, commuthat the responsible use of electronic
How do high school students know when it is OK to use mobile devices? Each classroom at
nications, and use of
devices has a positive impact on student
Hilton High School has a color poster of the signal light with a velcro-attached cell phone which is
the District Comlearning. We have significantly reduced re- placed on Green, Red or Yellow as the situation requires. All students are permitted under school
puter System [DCS]
ferrals for discipline in this area and now
regulation and HCSD Acceptable Use Policy 6460 on Social Media to use their cell phones, tablets
are not private. The
see students more and more using their
and other electronic devices in “Free Use Zones” such as within cafeterias, foyers and common
Superintendent may
PEDs appropriately. ”
areas of the building including hallways. “We are teaching both citizenship and discretion through
access all such files
The HCSD Policy on Social Media
the respectful use of these devices,” Principal Brian Bartalo says.
and communication,
states: The District recognizes the value
(blogs),
wikis,
social
networks,
online
forums,
virtual
and
may
monitor
staff
use
of
the
DCS without prior
of teacher and professional staff inquiry, investigation
worlds,
and
any
other
social
media
generally
available
notice
to
ensure
system
integrity
and that users are
and communication using new technology tools to
to
the
school
district
community
which
do
not
fall
complying
with
requirements
of
this
policy and acenhance student learning experiences. The Diswithin
the
District's
electronic
technology
network
companying regulations.
trict also is committed to teaching responsible and
(e.g., Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, blog
For a link to HCSD Policies, visit
safe use of these new technologies. Social media,
sites, etc.). The definition of District approved passwww.hilton.k12.ny.us/board-education.htm
including social networking sites have great potential