Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. It is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based, schoolwide, and classroom behavior intervention and support systems. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. Rather than a prescribed program, PBIS provides systems for schools to design, implement, and evaluate effective school-wide, classroom, non-classroom, and student specific plans. PBIS includes school-wide procedures and processes intended for all students and all staff in all settings, including the Residential Halls and Athletic areas. 

We have adopted a unified set of rules. These rules define our expectations for behavior in our school and residential halls. You will see these rules posted throughout the school and residential hall and your child will be learning them during their first days/weeks at school. Our unified rules, found in every classroom and non-classroom setting in the school, will be shared with the families at the beginning of the school year. 

Through Positive Behavior Intervention Supports, students enhance their social, emotional and behavior competence by following the positive expectations of, Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible. The expectations are posted in all areas of the school to help students and staff follow in order to maintain an environment that promotes positive behaviors.

Students in fifth grade will get lockers and learn how to organize their materials to prepare for transitioning to sixth grade. Teachers will provide guidance with use of these lockers. ISD is not responsible for lost or stolen items left in the lockers. Valuables should be kept at home; only necessary materials should be brought to school to reduce distractions and to maximize educational opportunities.

When trips or convocations are planned and approved, the teacher and residential advisor will schedule all field trips for their class/group at least two weeks in advance. Letters providing information about the trip will be sent to families two weeks prior, explaining the need for permission form signatures, money and/or special clothing needs. Notice and updates of department-wide or individual field trips and convocations will be sent to families through the department principals’ weekly memo via Skyward. Be sure to check your skyward notification/emails for any updates!

Any lost and found items will be turned into the front office with the secretary. If a student has lost or misplaced item(s), they should check with the front office secretary. ISD is not responsible for lost and/or stolen items.

Mission 

The Irene Hodock Media Center strives to promote a culture of literacy and learning to enhance achievement and foster independent readers, self-directed learners, and responsible digital age learners.  

The Irene Hodock Media Center is a part of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library Shared System. Students and staff can use not only the books and materials available on site at ISD, but also can request to borrow or access any material available at any IMCPL location or shared system branch. Access to both the complete catalog and online resources such as databases and streaming services can be found at www.indypl.org. Some online resources may require the use of your library card and pin number to access.  

Procedure for borrowing or accessing Media Center materials 

1. Upon entry to ISD, each student must complete an application for a library card. 

2. The library card number and pin number can be used to check out physical materials and, in some cases, access digital materials. The library card is valid not only at ISD, but at any IMCPL branch. 

3. Materials may be borrowed for a period of two weeks. 

4. If an item is lost or damaged, the borrower may be charged a replacement fee. 

5. All student Code of Conduct rules apply in the Media Center.

Technology Goals

• Equip all stakeholders to use technology to interact with, and impact, the world around them.

• Teach digital citizenship.

• Integrate technology seamlessly in the teaching and learning process while ensuring that the use of technology adds value to learning.

• Develop a new set of knowledge and skills for the 21st century learner.

• Provide greater access to educational opportunities and differentiated instruction by utilizing access to technology for anytime, anywhere learning.

• Improve communication and widen our sense of community by expanding the way teachers, students, and families are able to interact with each other. 

• Integrate digital tools for students to develop products that demonstrate their understanding.

• Provide greater access to digital content in a variety of formats and modes. 

Responsible Use Agreement 

Introduction 

The Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) recognizes that access to technology in school gives students greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping students develop progressive technology and communication skills. ISD is committed to providing educational opportunities for all students and maintains compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.). To that end, we provide the privilege of access to technologies for student and staff use. 

This Responsible Use Policy outlines the guidelines and behaviors that all users are expected to follow when using school technologies or when using personally owned devices on the school campus, including: 

• The ISD network is intended for educational purposes.

• All activity over the network or using district technologies may be monitored, documented, and retained.

• Access to online content via the network may be restricted in accordance with our policies and federal regulations, such as the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). 

• Students are expected to follow the same rules for good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline. 

• Misuse of school resources can result in disciplinary action. 

• Using an internet filter and other technologies, ISD makes a reasonable effort to ensure students’ safety and security online but will not be held accountable for any harm or damages that result from use of school technologies.

• Users of the district network or other technologies are expected to alert the technology staff immediately of any concerns for safety or security. 

Technologies Covered 

ISD may provide the privilege of internet access, desktop computers, mobile computers or devices, videoconferencing capabilities, online collaboration capabilities, message boards, email, and more. 

This Responsible Use Policy applies to both school-owned technology equipment utilizing the ISD network, the ISD internet connection, and/or private networks/internet connections accessed from school-owned devices at any time. This Responsible Use Policy also applies to privately owned devices accessing the ISD network, the ISD internet connection, and/or private networks/internet connections while on school property. As relevant new technologies emerge, ISD will seek to provide access to them. The policies outlined in this document cover all available technologies now and, in the future, not just those specifically listed or currently available. 

Usage Policies 

All technologies provided by the district are intended for education purposes. All users are expected to use good judgment by following the ISD student code of conduct and social media policy. Users should be safe, appropriate, careful, and kind; not try to get around technological protection measures; use good common sense; and ask if they do not know. 

Internet Access 

ISD provides its users the privilege of access to the internet, including web sites, resources, content, and online tools. Access to the internet will be restricted as required to comply with CIPA regulations and school policies. Web browsing may be monitored, and web activity records may be retained indefinitely. 

Users are expected to respect the web filter as a safety precaution and shall not attempt to circumvent the web filter when browsing the internet. The determination of whether material is appropriate or inappropriate is based solely on the content of the material and the intended use of the material, not on whether a website has been blocked or not. 

Email 

ISD may provide users with the privilege of email accounts for the purpose of school-related communication. Availability and use may be restricted based on school policies. If users are provided with email accounts, the account(s) should be used with care. Users should not send personal information and should not attempt to open files or follow links from unknown or untrusted origins. Users should use appropriate language and should only communicate with other people as allowed by the district policy or the teacher. Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Email usage may be monitored and archived. 

Web 2.0 (Email, Social, Collaborative Content) Recognizing the benefits collaboration brings to education, ISD may provide users with access to web sites or tools that allow communication, collaboration, sharing, and messaging among users. Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Posts, chats, sharing, and messaging may be monitored. Users should be careful not to share personally identifying information online. 

Mobile Devices Policy 

ISD may provide users with mobile computers or other devices to promote learning outside of the classroom. Users should abide by the same Responsible Use Policies when using school devices off the school network as on the school network. 

Users are expected to treat these devices with extreme care and caution; these are expensive devices that the school is entrusting to users’ care. Users should immediately report any loss, damage, or malfunction to IT staff. Users may be financially accountable for any damage resulting from negligence or misuse. 

Use of school-issued mobile devices off the school network may be monitored. ISD technology staff and administration reserve the right to monitor and/or search the content and browsing history of school owned technology at any time. 

Security 

Users are expected to take reasonable safeguards against the transmission of security threats over the school network. This includes not opening or distributing infected files or programs and not opening files or programs of unknown or untrusted origin. Users should never share personal information. 

If users believe a computer or mobile device they are using might be infected with a virus, they should alert IT. Users should not attempt to remove the virus themselves or download any programs to help remove the virus. 

Downloads 

Users are not permitted to download or run programs over the school network while at or off campus, onto school equipment, without express permission from IT staff. 

Users may be able to download other file types, such as images of videos. For the security of the network user downloads should come from known or trusted sites, and only for education purposes.

Netiquette 

Users should always use the internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful manner. Users should recognize that among the valuable content online there is also unverified, incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should only use known or trusted sources when conducting research via the internet. Users should remember not to post anything online that they would not want students, families, teachers, or future colleges or employers to see. Once something is online, it cannot be completely retracted and can sometimes be shared and spread in ways the user never intended. 

Plagiarism 

Users should not plagiarize (or use as their own, without citing the original creator) content, including words or images, from the internet. Users should not take credit for things they did not create themselves or misrepresent themselves as an author or creator of something found online. Information obtained via the internet should be appropriately cited, giving credit to the original author. 

Personal Safety 

Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information, over the internet without adult permission. Users should recognize that communicating over the internet brings anonymity and associated risks and should carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others. Users should never agree to meet in real life someone they meet online without parental permission. If users see a message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes them concerned for their personal safety, they should immediately bring it to the attention of an adult (teacher or staff if at school, parent if using the device at home). 

Cyberbullying 

Cyberbullying, including but not limited to harassing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyberstalking will not be tolerated. Users should not be mean or send emails or post comments with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school or residential environment. 

Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime. Users should remember that online activities may be monitored and retained. 

All students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response. 

Social Media Guidelines

• Be aware of what you post online. Social media venues, including wikis, blogs, photo, and video sharing sites are very public. Do not post anything you would not want friends, enemies, families, teachers, or a future employer to see.

• Follow the school and residential hall's code of conduct when writing online. It is acceptable to disagree with someone else's opinions; however, do it in a respectful way. Make sure that criticism is constructive and not hurtful. What is inappropriate in the classroom and residential hall is inappropriate online.

• Be safe online. Never give out personal information, including, but not limited to, last names, phone numbers, addresses, birth dates, and pictures. Do not share your password with anyone besides your teachers and families.

• Linking to other websites to support your thoughts and ideas is recommended. However, be sure to read the entire article prior to linking to ensure that all information is appropriate for a school setting.

• Do your own work! Do not use other people's intellectual property without their permission. It is a violation of copyright law to copy and paste others’ thoughts without giving credit. When paraphrasing another's idea(s) be sure to cite your source with the URL. It is good practice to hyperlink to your sources.

• Be aware that pictures may also be protected under copyright laws. Verify you have permission to use the image or it is under Creative Commons attribution.

• How you represent yourself online is an extension of yourself. Do not misrepresent yourself by using someone else's identity. 

• Blog and wiki posts should be well written. Follow writing conventions including proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. If you edit someone else's work, be sure it is in the spirit of improving the writing.

• If you run across inappropriate material that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away.

• Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in the project and/or access to future use of online tools. 

Limitation of Liability 

ISD will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data, or hardware. 

While ISD employs filtering and other safety and security mechanisms, and attempts to ensure their proper function, it makes no guarantees as to their effectiveness. 

ISD will not be responsible, financially, or otherwise, for unauthorized transactions conducted over the school network. 

Violations of this policy may have disciplinary consequences, including:

• Suspension of network, technology, or computer privileges;

• Notification of family;

• Detention or suspension

• Legal action and/or prosecution. 

Staff, students, and families/guardians shall be required to sign the Indiana School for the Deaf’s Responsible Use Agreement annually before internet or network access shall be allowed. 

iPad Policy 

Terms 

Users will always comply with the ISD Student Technology Handbook policies. Any failure to comply may terminate user rights of possession effective immediately and the district may repossess the iPad. Any lost, stolen, and damaged iPads must be reported to school authorities immediately. 

Students in grades K-5 will use the iPads during school hours and teachers will send iPads home when needed. 

Students in grades 6-12 will be allowed to use iPads at school, at the residential hall and at home. 

Title 

Indiana School for the Deaf always has legal title to the property. The user’s right of possession and use is limited to and conditioned upon full and complete compliance with this agreement and the student handbook technology policy. Loss, Theft or Damage Should an iPad be damaged, lost, or stolen the student or parent/guardian should immediately notify the school administration. If an iPad is stolen the student/guardian should file a police report as soon as possible. If the iPad is lost, stolen, or totally damaged as a result of irresponsible behavior, the parent may be responsible for the full replacement cost. 

In the event of a lost or stolen iPad and once a police report is filed, the Indiana School for the Deaf, in conjunction and with police, may deploy location software which may aid the police in recovering the iPad.  24 

Students who cease to be enrolled in the Indiana School for the Deaf must return the iPad, along with any other accessories, at the time they leave the school. The iPad and all accessories should be returned to the ISD Technology Center. Any fees collected as a part of this initiative will not be refunded. 

Repossession 

If the user does not fully comply with all terms of this Agreement and the ISD Student Technology Handbook, including the timely return of the property, ISD shall be entitled to declare the user in default and come to the user’s place of residence, or other location of the property, to take possession of the property. 

Terms of Agreement 

The user’s right to use and possession of the property terminates not later than the last day of the school year unless earlier terminated by ISD or upon withdrawal from ISD. 

Unlawful Appropriation/Theft 

Failure to timely return the property or the continued use of it for non-school purposes without ISD’s consent is considered unlawful appropriation of ISD’s property. This may constitute theft, a felony, or conversion, for which families and students could be liable for three times the cost of the property plus attorney’s fees. 

Financial Terms of Mobile Technology Use 

Use and Maintenance Fees 

Annual Technology Fee 

Students in grades K-12 must pay a $40 technology fee at the beginning of the school year. This fee helps ISD offset the cost of insurance policies and keep our technology up-to-date. It may be paid in cash, check, or credit/debit card (through PayPal). Links to pay online can be found on the Educational Technology page of the ISD school website. Students will not receive their iPad until the fee is paid. 

*Seniors must clear all records and pay all fees before participating in commencement exercises. 

iPad Charging Cords 

Students will receive one charging/sync cord with their iPad. It is the responsibility of the student to care for that cord for the life of his/her device (estimated: 4 years if the cord is lost or worn out, it is the student’s responsibility to replace the cord. There will be affordable options available for sale in the Oriole Wing store, or you may purchase a replacement of your choosing. ISD will no longer collect and redistribute charging cords. 

iPad Costs – for Lost, Stolen or Full-Cost Damage If the iPad is lost, stolen, or totally damaged as a result of irresponsible behavior, the parent may be responsible for the full replacement cost. Cost to the district:

• iPad (32GB) - $299.00

• Power adapters - $40.00

• iPad case - $45 

Damaged iPads 

Any damage must be reported to school authorities immediately. At that time school authorities will determine if damage is accidental or due to irresponsible behavior. 

Insurance Policy 

iPads that are taken home by students are covered under an accidental damage insurance policy. The policy covers accidental damages and theft (if forced entry was required). If an iPad is accidentally damaged, it should be brought to the technology office so a claim can be made. If the iPad was stolen, please obtain a copy of the police report including the serial number of the iPad. (Contact ISD Technology to get the serial number if needed.) The student will receive a temporary replacement device until their device can be repaired or replaced at no cost to the student. 

Mobile Technology Precautions

Handling and Care of the iPad

• Keep the iPad in the district-issued or approved case.

• Keep iPads and cases free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or labels that are not applied by ISD.

• Use the iPad on a flat, stable surface.

• Do not set books on the iPad.

• Do not have food or drinks around the iPad.

• Wipe surfaces with a clean, dry soft cloth.

• Avoid touching the screen with pens or pencils.

• Do not leave the iPad exposed to direct sunlight or near any heat or moisture sources for extended periods of time.

• Find my iPad must be turned on at all times. 

Power Management

• It is the user’s responsibility to recharge the iPad’s battery, so it is fully charged by the start of the next school day. Charging cords should NOT be brought to school and the opportunity to charge an iPad at school may not be available. Charging cords will be needed at the residential hall to charge after school hours.

• All class work missed because of uncharged batteries must be made up on students’ own time.

• The iPad must remain on (awake or sleep mode) at school at all times, with no exceptions.

• Failure to bring a fully charged device to school on a regular basis may result in the loss of take-home privileges. 

Transport

• Transport iPad in its protective case.

• Do not leave the iPad in a vehicle for extended periods of time or overnight.

• Do not leave the iPad in visible sight when left in a vehicle. 

Monitoring and Supervision

• Do not leave the iPad unattended in an unlocked room or during an extracurricular activity.

• Do not lend the iPad to a classmate, friend, or family member. 

• Any attempt to “jailbreak” or remove the ISD profile could result in suspension.

• Students are expected to respect the web filter as a safety precaution and shall not attempt to circumvent the web filter.

• Students are responsible for the safety and security of the iPad and any activity on the device. 

• District may disable the iPad remotely to protect the device and/or data on the device.

• Students must sign into iCloud and turn on the “Find my iPad” feature. This must be on at all times.

• Families wanting to install additional restrictions on their student’s iPad should contact the child’s classroom teacher. 

NOTE: Failure to follow these precautions could result in a student being charged full replacement cost in the event of a lost, stolen, or damaged iPad. 

Memory Space Management

• All ISD issue iPads have 32GB of storage space. 

• Students must ensure that there is always adequate space for installing required apps, creating required projects, and storing required materials (such as digital textbooks).

• If a student is unable to complete an assignment or class requirement due to lack of space on the iPad, the iPad will be reformatted and wiped clean.

• Students will be provided with additional cloud storage space for backing up and storing educational content. 

Student Content and App Restrictions

• Students in grades K-8 will not have access to the App Store. All needed apps will be installed by ISD.

• Students in grades 9-12 may install apps with a rating of 12+. 

• Books and Music with a rating of “explicit” are not allowed. 

• Game Center is not permitted on iPads.

• ISD administration and IT department reserve the right to ask a student to remove any app or content found to be in violation of the student handbook policy from an iPad at any time. Removal is to take place immediately following the request. Failure to remove content upon request will result in confiscation of the iPad and possibly further disciplinary action. 

Technology Usage Expectations

• Students are only to use ISD provided technology during the school day. No personal devices may be used in the classroom or during school hours.

• Use of both personal and school-issued smartphones or electronic devices (including anything with camera or video capability) in the residential hall bedroom, locker rooms or bathrooms is not allowed for the safety and protection of student's privacy.

• ISD iPads and computers are to be used strictly for educational purposes during the school day. Violation may result in additional restrictions being added to the device.

• Students are expected to cooperate with staff at all times. If a staff requests the iPad, it must be given to them, no questions asked.

• Do not take photos or videos of others without their permission.

Program Overview 

The ISD supports students from all over Indiana by providing a bilingual residential program as determined through a case conference committee to support the district in offering an educational programming during the school day utilizing a bilingual approach of ASL and English. The residential program’s mission is to provide a positive home away from home developmental experiences and activities for all residential students through American Sign Language. The residential staff in this program are fluent in ASL and can communicate to meet student’s needs directly. As outlined in the school’s vision and mission, the residential program ensures as a part of this developmental process, that all residential staff members are required to participate in each child’s life by providing meaningful experiences in place of families during the child’s residence on ISD’s campus. The residential staff, by providing such activities, will help students achieve independence prior to graduation. 

The Residential Program hours are from 3:15 pm to 7:50 am. Residential deans oversee the program and the residential advisors are responsible for the care of groups of students under their care. Residential deans, advisors and students follow the established rules for all of the areas to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all residential students. The residential program follows the evidence based Positive Behavior Intervention and Support in which includes a broad range of proactive, systematic, and individualized strategies through daily activities for achieving important social & learning outcomes in safe & effective environment. Expectations are shared and discussed with the students and sent out to the families by the residential staff. The residential staff is available to support student to become independent with their daily living, hygiene, homework, and wellbeing. 

Residential advisors will send home information on daily routine and schedule of activities and events. Residential advisors also encourage students to call home through use of a video phone to allow students to stay connected with their families through the week. All students who stay in the dorm are required a quiet time every night and this can  include homework, quiet reading, drawing, coloring, or any other mindfulness options to reduce stress and self-care and to increase independency with time management and staying organized. 

Residential advisors and teachers work with families together to ensure that students are keeping up with their schoolwork and receive help if needed from a teacher or staff available after school when needed. 

For students who have ongoing behavior, or social/emotional concerns, the residential dean may request consult of a counselor and behavior specialist when needed to support a student. The school counselors and behavior specialists work during the school day and may see residential students during the day for any support that is needed. If further support is needed it is recommended that the family and residential/school staff set up a meeting to establish a plan in supporting the student’s social/emotional needs in the residential halls. For any academic, behavior and social/emotional concerns, families are encouraged to reach out to both the residential advisor and classroom teacher to request a meeting and/or to discuss ideas for supporting the child in the residential setting.

Few things to keep in mind when staying in the residential hall: 

• All student-athletes who stay in residential hall are expected to follow the daily routines and rules posted in the residential area and follow the student-family handbook policy and procedures.  Prior to staying in the residential hall at any time or just for one night, all families of day students are encouraged to fill out appropriate paperwork ahead of time prior to staying in the residential hall.

• The student’s family must communicate any change in transportation plans for after school with the school department secretary or residential dean. Day students planning to spend the night or weekend with another day student must have written email or note from both families with details of the changes (include date of change, bus number and names of students with parent signature).

• Weekend transportation changes for Friday/Sunday with residential students will need the weekend transportation change form filled out. The form may be obtained from the residential advisor or dean and must be filled and given back to the residential dean before Wednesday night by 10 pm for any Friday and/or Sunday transportation changes. Parents of the student inviting another student to ride home must contact their home district to check for local policy/rules with students from different district riding with the student.

• All snacks, food items and drinks kept in the residential area must be contained in an airtight storage bin.

• Eating and drinking in the dorm is allowed in the common area (water only allowed in the bedrooms).

Residential Hall Visitations 

1. Families need to contact the residential dean to arrange the visit or child pick up/drop off. 

2. All families are required to stop at the residential dean’s office to check-in. Families need to stay in the main floor lobby, or an area approved by the residential dean on duty. 

3. A staff will accompany the visiting family to the student’s room from the main lobby or residential dean on duty’s office. 

4. When visiting the residential halls, we ask that families and visitors adhere to the rule and conduct established in the designated areas to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students. All families and visitors are expected to follow all ISD policies and procedures such as driving (speed limit), parking, and there is no smoking on campus. Campus Police have the right to ask any individual to leave the premises. 

5. Please adhere to the curfew for residential students when taking your child off campus.

There are opportunities for 4th and 5th graders in sports, please refer to the Student-Athlete Handbook. The handbook is located on the Deaf Hoosiers website at www.deafhoosiers.com/athletics.