SB29 - Student Safety with Digital Resources
Families,
At Yellow Springs Schools, we use a program called Securly and Securly Classroom to help keep students safe while they use school-issued devices. Securly programs allow students to explore, learn, and engage with technology while ensuring the online environment supports their education. The Securly software:
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acts as a filter, blocking inappropriate content and alerting school officials if students search for terms that may be concerning;
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allows teachers to manage what's happening on devices during class; and
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assists in locating lost devices.
Beginning October 24, Ohio enacted the Education Record and Student Privacy Bill that requires that all districts notify parents annually when they use programs like Securly. This recently enacted law establishes additional notice requirements with respect to how districts utilize technology. Accordingly, this letter serves as the District’s annual technology privacy notice consistent with Ohio Revised Code 3319.325-327. Below is the formal notification of this monitoring.
GENERAL MONITORING OF SCHOOL-ISSUED DEVICES
Please be aware that the District, either directly or through a technology provider, is electing to generally monitor all school-issued devices (as that term is defined by R.C. 3319.325). While students have no right or expectation of privacy when using District technology resources, the Yellow Springs School District (also referred to as the “District”) and certain third-party technology providers that provide services through a contract with the District are prohibited by State law from electronically accessing or monitoring certain features on school-issued devices provided to students unless a legally permissible exception exists. The prohibited features include location-tracking features of a school-issued device, audio or visual receiving, transmitting, or recording features of a school-issued device, and student interactions with a school-issued device including, but not limited to, keystrokes and web-browsing activity.
School-issued devices can be monitored for the following permissible reasons:
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Activity that is limited to non-commercial educational purposes for instruction, technical support, or exam proctoring by School District employees or staff contracted by the District. Teachers may monitor students as they work on assignments during class to ensure they are staying on task.
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Pursuant to a judicial warrant.
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Notification or awareness that the student-issued District device is lost or stolen.
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Activity is necessary to respond to a threat to life or safety.
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Compliance with Federal and/or State laws.
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Required as part of a Federal or State funding program.
72-HOUR STUDENT DATA ACCESS NOTICE TO PARENTS
Yellow Springs Schools must provide notice to families when technology data on a student’s school-issued device is accessed and the information accessed is consistent with Ohio Revised Code Sections 3319.325-327.
We appreciate your partnership in supporting our students as they learn and grow in a connected world.