Information Technology (IT) Policy

The purpose of this Information Technology (IT) policy is to establish guidelines and standards for the use of technology within Harvest International School. This policy aims to promote responsible and ethical use of technology, ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for
all students and staff.

Scope:

This policy applies to all members of the school community, including students, teachers, staff,and administrators, who have access to the school’s information technology resources.
Acceptable Use:
1. Educational Purpose: All technology resources provided by the school are to be used primarily for educational purposes.
2. Responsible Use: Users are expected to use technology resources responsibly, respecting the rights of others and following ethical and legal standards.
3. Digital Citizenship: Users should practice good digital citizenship, including responsible online behaviour, respect for intellectual property, and understanding the consequences of their actions in the digital world.
4. Parental Supervision: It is advised that parents engage in conversations with their children regarding their expectations for internet use. Parental supervision is essential for students
accessing the internet at home, with parents assuming complete responsibility for their child’s use of online resources. It is strongly recommended to establish a daily time limit and encourage a mindful awareness of the information retrieved from the internet for home
use.

Access to Technology Resources:

1. User Accounts: Users will be provided with individual user accounts, and they are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their passwords and access to resources.
2. Network Access: Access to the school’s network and internet resources is a privilege. Users are expected to use these resources responsibly and not engage in activities that compromise the network’s integrity or security.
3. Device Usage: Students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices (including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches) on school premises, unlessexplicit authorization has been granted by the school. The school may authorize certain
devices for educational purposes, and students are expected to use them responsibly and only under teacher supervision.

Content Restrictions:

1. Explicit Material: Accessing, sharing, or disseminating explicit or pornographic material is prohibited and may result in severe consequences, including the termination of technology
access privileges and termination from school.
2. Reputation Management: Users should refrain from engaging in activities that may damage the reputation of the school, including but not limited to, spreading false information, engaging in online bullying, or participating in any form of cyber-harassment.
3. Search: Users are expected to avoid searching for or engaging in content that is inappropriate, offensive, vulgar, suggestive, abusive, harassing, belligerent, threatening, defamatory, or involves misleading language and materials.
4. Illegal or Discriminatory Content: Users are prohibited from creating, accessing, or distributing content that is discriminatory based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation,or any other characteristic protected by law.
5. Extremist Materials: Users are not allowed to visit sites that contain extremist materials or views or engage in activities that promote or disseminate such content. This includes but is not limited to materials that incite violence, terrorism, or hatred.
6. Social Media: The school does not allow any form of social media usage for educational or
personal purposes on its premises, unless explicitly authorized by school to certain individuals for specific purposes. This includes but is not limited to accessing, posting, or sharing content on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, discord, Twitch etc. Staff and Students are prohibited from using school name or logo on any public forums or social media unless authorized by school admin. The use of social media is prohibited to ensure a focused and secure learning environment.
7. Gaming: Students and staff are expected to refrain from engaging in any form of gaming during school hours, including breaks and free periods.

Communication:

1. Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams is the designated platform for internal communication among staff and administrators. Users are expected to:
a. Utilize Microsoft Teams for official discussions, announcements, and collaboration within the school.
b. Respect professional communication standards when using Microsoft Teams, ensuring all exchanges are in line with the school’s code of conduct.
c. Safeguard sensitive information shared through Microsoft Teams and refrain from sharing confidential data in public channels.
d. Report any misuse or security concerns related to Microsoft Teams to the IT department for investigation and resolution.

2. Email: School-provided email accounts are to be used for educational and professional communication. Personal use is discouraged, and the school reserves the right to monitor email usage to ensure compliance with this policy.

3. Parent Communication: The school may use social media platforms to communicate with parents, share updates, and promote school events. Official school social media accounts will be managed by authorized staff.

4. Confidentiality: Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of email communications and should not disclose sensitive information through email without proper authorization.

Educational Technology Integration:

1. Curricula Integration: Technology would be integrated into the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Teachers are encouraged to explore innovative ways to incorporate technology into their lessons.

2. Professional Development: The school will provide ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers to enhance their technological skills and stay current with educational technology trends.

3. Tata ClassEdge and Digital Boards: Tata ClassEdge and Digital Boards are integral components of educational technology resources, designed to enhance teaching and learning experiences at Harvest. Teachers are encouraged to:

● Integrate Tata ClassEdge content into lesson plans to support and enrich the curriculum.
● Utilize Digital Boards effectively to present engaging and interactive lessons.
● Attend training sessions provided by the school to enhance proficiency in using Tata ClassEdge and Digital Boards.
● Ensure responsible and respectful use of these resources, adhering to copyright guidelines and respecting intellectual property rights.
● Report any technical issues or concerns related to Tata ClassEdge or Digital Boards promptly to the IT department for resolution.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) Usage:

1. Google Classroom and ManageBac: Students and teachers are expected to use Google Classroom and ManageBac exclusively for educational purposes, in accordance with the school’s curriculum.

2. Educational Purpose: Google Classroom and ManageBac is to be used exclusively for educational purposes, including curriculum planning, assessment, reporting, and communication within the school community.

3. Assignment Submission: Students are required to submit assignments through Google Classroom and ManageBac within the specified deadlines. Late submissions may be subject to the teacher’s discretion.

4. Collaboration and Communication: Google Classroom and ManageBac may be used for teacher-student communication, announcements, and discussions related to academic matters. Users are expected to adhere to respectful and professional communication
standards.

Data Privacy and Security:

1. Leadsquared CRM Platform: Access to Leadsquared is limited to personnel with designated roles and responsibilities within the school’s administrative and marketing teams.

2. The CRM tool is to be used exclusively for school-related administrative and marketing purposes, including lead management, communication tracking, and other activities related to school operations. Users must adhere to the following guidelines:

● Users must uphold the confidentiality of information stored in Leadsquared CRM, including student and parent details, prospective student information, and other sensitive data.
● Users are responsible for maintaining accurate and up to date information in Leadsquared. Any discrepancies or errors should be promptly reported to the designated administrator.
● Access to Leadsquared CRM should be limited to individuals with authorized roles. Unauthorized access or sharing of login credentials is prohibited.

3. Newton ERP Platform: The school utilizes the Newton ERP platform for managing administrative processes and collecting relevant data. Users must adhere to the following guidelines:

● Any data entered in Newton, including student records, financial information, and other administrative data, should be accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to the school’s operations.
● Access to Newton’s administrative features is restricted to authorized personnel, and
users must safeguard their login credentials to prevent unauthorized access.

4. Student Information: Personally identifiable information (PII) of students and staff should not be shared publicly. Teachers and administrators should exercise caution when communicating
sensitive information.

5. Data Integrity: Teachers are responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of data entered in ManageBac and Google Classroom, including grades, assessments, and other academic records.

6. Privacy and Security: Users must respect the privacy and security of others. Unauthorized access, distribution, or sharing of personal information is prohibited. Any attempt to acquire or using passwords of others is considered a serious offense and can lead to termination from
school.

Forgery and Misrepresentation:

1. Forgery:

Any attempt to alter electronic communications with the intention of concealing one’s identity or causing harm to others, even in the form of pranks or jokes, is prohibited and considered a violation.

2. Specific Violations Include:

● Altering the content of a message from another person or computer with the intent to
deceive.
● Misrepresentation (including forgery) of the identity of the sender or source of an
electronic communication.
● Utilizing the school’s network or computer resources for commercial purposes or
personal gain.
● Falsely presenting oneself as another user by using their credentials.

Integration with Other Tools:

1. Third-Party Integrations: The use of third-party applications or extensions within the ManageBac, Google Classroom, Newton, Microsoft Teams, LSQ must be approved by the school’s IT department to ensure data security and compliance with privacy regulations.

2. Professional Development: Teachers will receive training and professional development opportunities to enhance their proficiency in using technology, services, and any integrated tools effectively.

Administrative Access:

1. Access Control: Administrative access to Newton, ManageBac, Google Workspace for education, Microsoft 365 for Education, LSQ will be granted based on roles and responsibilities. Users are expected to use their access privileges responsibly and only for authorized purposes.
2. Password Security: Users with administrative access must maintain secure passwords and report any suspected unauthorized access immediately to

Monitoring and Compliance:

1. Monitoring: The school reserves the right to monitor and audit the use of technology resources to ensure compliance with this policy.
2. Consequences of Violation: Violations of this IT policy may result in disciplinary action, including the restriction or termination of technology access privileges, and may be subject to further consequences including termination from school as determined by school administration.

Data Ownership:

1. All educational materials, including lesson plans, annual plans, binders, worksheets, question papers, blueprints, and any other instructional content created when working at Harvest are the exclusive property of the school. Staff are prohibited from processing any
such material after leaving the school.

2. Users, including teachers and staff, are prohibited from downloading, sharing, distributing, or disseminating any school-related educational materials to individuals or organizations outside the school without explicit authorization from the school administration.

3. Any unauthorized sharing of educational materials may result in disciplinary action, termination from school or in severe cases, legal action.

4. Students are prohibited from attempting to access educational materials such as question papers, answer sheets, and blueprints unless explicit authorization is granted by a teacher or the administration.

Review and Revision:

This IT policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. Any necessary updates or revisions will be made to address emerging technological trends and educational
needs.