Technology & Resources

At Woodridge School District 68, technology is an important part of learning, communication, and school operations. To make sure these resources are used responsibly and safely, all users must follow the district’s Acceptable Use Standards. Before using the district’s electronic networks and information systems, all approved users must sign the Acceptable Use of Electronic Networks and Technology form. Parents/guardians will co-sign the student form when their child first enrolls in the district.

What Is Covered by These Standards

“Electronic networks” and technology include:

• District networks and Wi-Fi systems
• Internet access through district technology
• District-issued devices such as computers, laptops, tablets, or phones.

Whether the device is used at school or off campus, these standards apply when district network services, accounts, or devices are used.

Purpose of Acceptable Use

Using the district’s technology should support:

• Learning and schoolwork
• Communication and collaboration
• Legitimate district business

These resources are not intended for personal entertainment or unrelated activities.

User Responsibilities and Privileges

Using technology through the district is a privilege, not a right. All users are expected to follow rules and behave responsibly online. If someone misuses these resources, their access may be suspended or revoked, and other consequences may occur. Decisions about improper use are made by district technology staff or school principals.

The District is not responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable when using the network, or for any information that is retrieved or transmitted via the Internet. Furthermore, the District will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the Internet.

Examples of Unacceptable Use

The following are not allowed when using district networks or devices:

• Breaking local, state, or federal law, including copyright violations
• Using the network to post, send, or access inappropriate content
• Downloading or installing software without permission
• Sharing passwords or using someone else’s account
• Attempting to access restricted files or accounts
• Sending spam, chain letters, or anonymous messages
• Using technology for personal financial or commercial purposes
• Harassing, threatening, or offensive communications
• Unauthorized use of personal removable media devices (such as flash or thumb drives)
• Uploading or creation of malware, such as viruses and spyware

These examples are not all-inclusive, and users are responsible for choosing responsible behaviors online.

Online Etiquette & Safety

Everyone should:

• Be respectful, polite, and use appropriate language
• Protect personal information (your own and others’)
• Understand that district email and accounts are not private
• Follow rules that help keep the network secure and functioning for all users

Students should always use technology in ways that support learning and respect others.

Network Security & Monitoring

Keeping our network safe is important. Users should keep accounts and passwords secure and report any security concerns to district technology staff or a school principal. School staff may monitor student use of district networks and internet access.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidelines

The District may approve certain AI-enabled tools for use by students and staff. Students and staff shall comply with the District's AI Responsible Use Guidelines when using AI-enabled tools.

Consequences for Misuse

Violating these standards may result in:

• Loss of technology privileges
• School disciplinary action
• Requirements to pay for damages
• Other consequences as defined by district policy

Everyone who uses district technology agrees to follow these standards.

Read the Acceptable Use Standards full text

Reference: Regulation 6420R1 Acceptable Use of the District’s Electronic Networks (AUS), amended February 9, 2026

Google has recently updated its usage policy for Google Workspace for Education. Under these changes, the previously signed agreements for student use of Google Workspace for Education no longer include access to "Google Additional Services." These services are not directly connected to Google’s core educational tools (Classroom, Calendar, Drive, Mail,), and Google now requires separate parent/guardian permission for students to use them.

The "Google Additional Services" include but are not limited to apps like YouTube, Google Maps, Google Earth,and Google Translate, that can enhance classroom learning.  With this new policy by Google, Woodridge School District 68 must obtain additional guardian approval for students to access these services yearly.

Important Notes:

• Educational Use Only: These services will be used solely for educational purposes, under the supervision of sc/span>
• Separate Approval Required: Without your consent, your child will permanently lose access to these specific apps within Google. This may impact their ability to participate in certain classroom activities and access resources during the school day.
• Privacy and Compliance: While these tools are not covered by SOPPA, Woodridge School District 68 ensures their use will align with our existing data privacy and security protocols.

For more details about the "Additional Google Services," please visit Google’s support documentation: Terms of Service - Additional Google Services.

Woodridge 68 provides individual technology in the classroom, allowing for more learning opportunities and instructional time throughout the day. Students in grades K-8 are issued a specific Chromebook (including a charger and case), which is assigned to the individual student. Students are taught procedures and expectations surrounding the proper use and care of these devices.

All Chromebooks owned by Woodridge School District 68 are district property and are provided to students for a period of time as deemed appropriate by District Administration. Devices may be taken home every evening, but it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the device returns to school fully charged. These devices are to be used as a productivity tool for school-related business, curriculum, research, and communications. Students must act in accordance with all applicable Board of Education policies when using the District’s Chromebook computers, electronic devices, and accessories.

Students will be held personally responsible for repair cost/replacement cost for any loss or damage caused by intentional vandalism or negligence of district-assigned electronic devices.

Students must comply with and agree to the following conditions prior to being issued a Chromebook:

• Students must not attempt to install software, hardware or change the system configuration, including network settings on any equipment assigned to the student without prior consent of the Information Technology department.
• Students are expected to prevent damage and theft to all District electronic equipment assigned to them. Intentionally removing or picking off keys from the keyboard is considered intentional damage - not accidental.
• Students will not be held responsible for manufacturing defects, technical problems, and normal wear and tear resulting from regular school-related use.
• Users of Woodridge School District 68 technology have no rights of ownership or expectations of privacy to any data that is, or was, stored on the electronic device, school network, or any school-issued applications.
• Students must provide access to any equipment and/or accessories they have been assigned upon the District’s request.

Woodridge 68 contracts accident protection for our student Chromebooks. The warranty does not cover intentional damage. This is a mandatory program; all students are required to purchase the damage waiver to take the device off school property. Woodridge 68 students are automatically enrolled in the program, and the cost is included in the student's technology fee.

Woodridge School District 68 contracts the services of Gaggle to ensure the safety and well-being of students and schools by leveraging people and technology. Their vision is that all schools are safe and all students get the mental and emotional help they need. Services include:

• Content analysis: Machine learning technology flags concerning content in students’ school-issued accounts for review and blocks potentially harmful content
• Expert review: Helps to see the early warning signs so the school can take action to protect students from harming themselves or others—before it’s too late
• Rapid response: In severe situations concerning student mental health or safety, district-appointed contacts are immediately notified by phone, even after standard business hours

Certain alerts and categories will warrant immediate outreach to the family. While a risk assessment by a school social worker will need to wait until the next school day, there are steps families can take to ensure that students are safe, as well as additional outreach they can access.

Educational technologies used in the District shall further the objectives of the District’s educational program and/or support efficient District operations. The Superintendent shall ensure that the use of educational technologies in the District adheres to Board policies 6000 (Educational Philosophy and Objectives) and 6030 (Curriculum Development).

The District and/or vendors under its control may need to collect and maintain data that personally identifies students in order to use certain educational technologies for the benefit of student learning or District operations.

Federal and State law govern the protection of student data, including school student records and/or covered information. The sale, rental, lease, or trading of any school student records or covered information by the District is prohibited. Protecting such information is important for legal compliance, District operations, and maintaining the trust of District stakeholders, including parents, students and staff.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure the District implements and maintains reasonable security procedures and practices that otherwise meet or exceed industry standards designed to protect covered information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure. In the event the District receives notice from an operator of a breach or has determined a breach has occurred, the Superintendent or designee shall also ensure that the District provides any breach notifications required by State law.

Read more: Board Policy 5605: Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security

As an integral part of a comprehensive educational curriculum, our libraries provide the instruction necessary for students to become independent lifelong learners. The library is a gateway, enabling students and staff to access and organize information. Our program encourages them in their educational, leisure and professional pursuits. Because technology is a vital part of education today, students will develop the skills necessary to utilize a variety of technologies and to differentiate between the resources that technology provides and those that are more traditional.

Our Learning Resource Centers (LRCs) are staffed with a certified Learning Resource Specialist and a full-time LRC Assistant. In addition to books, magazines, and reference materials, the LRCs house an ample supply of instructional materials such as multimedia and electronic resources. Students are responsible for borrowed materials.

Check-Out Periods

Reference and Reserve: overnight
Grades K-6: one week
Grades 7-8: three weeks

Renewals

LRC/Library materials/resources may be renewed at the discretion of LRC personnel.

Overdue Materials

LRC/Library materials/resources are overdue when they are not returned to the LRC by the due date. Overdue notices are sent out to the students regularly.

At the elementary level, if an overdue book is not returned three weeks after it is due, a bill will be sent to the parents/guardians.  At the junior high level, if an overdue book is not returned six weeks after it is due, a bill will be sent to the parents/guardians. This bill represents the cost of replacing the LRC/library material/resource (or a comparable item if the items are no longer available) at current replacement costs.  See the section “Fees” below for more information.

Until LRC/library materials/resources are returned or paid for, check-out procedures may be restricted.

Fees

There are no daily fees for overdue LRC/library materials/resources.

Replacement costs for lost or damaged LRC/library materials/resources are determined by the following:

• Current price
• If no cost for the LRC/library material/resource is available, minimum costs will be
  • $6 for a paperback book
  • $20 for a hardcover book
  • $5 for a magazine, or
  • fees as determined appropriate by the school’s Learning Resource Specialist.

All non-book costs for materials/resources will be charged at the discretion by LRC staff and posted within PowerSchool Parent Portal.  Payment is due in a reasonable time period. Payment for all lost/damaged materials/resources is due no later than the end of the current school year.

If the paid materials/resources are returned in good condition by the last day of student attendance for the year it was lost, parents/guardians can request a refund through the school’s LRC personnel.  A refund check will be requested.

No fees are charged for simple repairs.  If complex repairs are necessary, replacement costs will be charged.

A list of supplies (notebooks, paper, pencils, gym shoes, etc.) that the student will need for the school year is posted on the school’s website. Please be certain your child has the necessary supplies at all times during the school year.