TUPELO - The Tupelo Public School District sent an automated call to all sixth- to 12th-grade parents this week reminding them of the acceptable use of student laptops.

The district provided laptops to all students in those grades this year to allow for more interactive instruction.

Assistant Superintendent Fred Hill said the phone call was meant to be a proactive reminder of the proper use of the machines. He said the call was not prompted by any specific incident but came after a conversation with all of the sixth- to 12th-grade principals.

"We noticed when we went over the do's and don'ts of using the computers, some parents may have heard and some may not have," Hill said.

The students' computers can be taken away if they're not being used properly, Hill said. Each school has its own process for handling students who violate the acceptable use policy.

He said improper use is "anything that does not support academics throughout the school day."

After the school day, students are allowed to use their computers for non-academic activities, "as long as it is not illegal or indecent," Hill said.

The district has the ability to remotely check what is on students' computer screens during the school day, Hill said, "and we want to make sure they are using them for the academic process."

Contact Chris Kieffer at (662) 678-1590 or chris.kieffer@djournal.com.