Belvidere CUSD 100 outlines AI parent guide emphasizing privacy and ethics

District spokesperson, a staff member for Belvidere CUSD 100, said, "We encourage you to read the AI parent guide to learn more about our approach to AI in the classroom," and described the guide's central principles during a district statement.

The guide, the spokesperson said, lists core principles including adaptability to prepare students for an AI-driven world; critical thinking to evaluate AI-generated content; safety and student data privacy; ethics emphasizing responsible use; technology literacy for students and staff; and using AI to foster creativity and innovation. "Protecting student data is paramount," the spokesperson said.

The district said the AI Parent Guide will be updated yearly to reflect advances in AI and to keep district practices current. The spokesperson also provided a district web address for more information, directing listeners to district100.com/AI and advising them to contact their school with questions.

The district framed AI as a classroom tool akin to calculators or the internet and said it will be used to support the curriculum in ways that adhere to district policies and ethical guidelines. No formal board action, motion, or vote was recorded during the statement; the remarks were informational and intended to inform parents and staff about the guide and its principles.

Background context provided by the district emphasized that the guide is intended to balance preparing students for technological change with safeguarding privacy and promoting responsible use. The district did not specify implementation details such as vendor lists, specific classroom applications, or training timelines in the statement.