Digital Citizenship frames the rationale and conditions for the appropriate use of personal devices by all people. At Douglas Harkness School, students will not be allowed to access the network with their personal device (mobile phone, IPad’s, etc.) unless there is an educational reason and teacher invitation for including these devices into the learning environment.

If you feel there is an educational reason for your child to be using their personal mobile device during instructional time (school day), please have a conversation with your child’s teacher. With the rapid advance of technologies and applications, we are confident that there will be opportunities for students to use digital tools that reside only on their tools in the service of their educational programming. We are asking that any use be discussed and agreed upon by your child’s teacher first.

Personal Electronic Devices

We understand that often children bring cell phones for communication and safety reasons. Our policy is that all cell phones are turned off and put away during the instructional day (including lunch and recess). Students who use them during the day will be asked to put them away. If they are unable to meet this expectation, we will hold the device until we can talk to the child’s parents. As with any personal belonging that a student brings to school, the school cannot be responsible for electronic devices that are lost, stolen or damaged.

This is a significant opportunity for students to personalize their learning by identifying and using appropriate technology for their learning needs. As a school, we enter conversations with children about the responsible ways in which, we as members of a digital world, need think and act in terms of digital citizenship. We thank you for your attention to this important information.

Use of Electronic Information Resources

Follow these three principles of respect to ensure that you are using information and technology resources in responsible way:

1. Respect Yourself

• Keep your CBE account passwords and other personal information confidential.
• Practice responsible conduct and digital etiquette when using electronic information resources.
• Inform your teacher if something on an electronic device makes you feel uncomfortable or is inappropriate.
• Use electronic information resources in a responsible manner that supports learning and demonstrates exemplary character.
• Care for personal devices is the individual student’s responsibility.

2. Respect Others

• Use appropriate language and communicate respectfully while using electronic devices.
• Respect the property and the creative work of others.
• Protect and respect personal information of others.

3. Respect this Place

• Use all electronic resources in a responsible manner that does not damage computer systems, data or networks.
• Leave the school equipment so that it is ready to be used by others.
• Use electronic equipment in the classroom environment to support learning in consultation with your teacher.

Students at Douglas Harkness School are expected to be responsible digital citizens who demonstrate exemplary character through an understanding of personal and civic responsibility. Any violation of the above expectations may result in disciplinary measures as outlined in CBE administrative regulations.

School Web Awareness Actions

In accordance with CBE regulations and expectations, we adhere to the following procedures to ensure all students are fully trained and aware of the need for web safety when using the internet:

• All students participate in at least one section of information from Media Smarts online.
• At the beginning of each school year, teachers review carefully with students the school policy on using technology.
• All students are provided with their own email account which is subject to filtering by the CBE. Students are made aware that there is no expectation for privacy when using this account and that it is solely for educational use.
• Access to computers is provided only when supervisors are present and aware of student use of internet.
• Computers are fully equipped with protected passwords and every computer onsite requires a valid password in order to access the computer, internet and email.
• There are specific consequences for inappropriate use of the internet which range from parent notification to restricted school use of computers and possible suspension from school.
• There is an instructional component of the regular curriculum that includes engaging all students in various types of research and representation, as well as the effective use of internet research tools.

Douglas Harkness Admirable Use Policy 2023-2024 School Year

During the 2023-24 school year, students at Douglas Harkness School will have the opportunity to utilize tablets, computers, online applications, and other digital resources. Each student and parent/guardian is expected to read this Admirable Use Policy. Please contact your child’s teacher or your school administrator if you have questions or concerns.

Digital Technology for Learning

The use of technology is an integral part of learning at all CBE schools, as required by Alberta Education’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Program of Studies. Students are encouraged to use our network and digital learning tools to collaborate with others and contribute to the learning environment in meaningful, positive ways. By utilizing the school’s digital resources and/or network, students agree to the guidelines for digital technology use outlined in this document. They also agree to the Digital Citizenship guidelines about technology use in the school. For more information about this, visit https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/technology-for-learning/Pages/Digital- Citizenship.aspx.

Students will engage with digital technology to:

• Access, critically assess, and communicate information and understanding
• Seek alternative viewpoints
• Collaborate during inquiry
• Construct personal knowledge and meaning
• Demonstrate understandings
• Organize and manipulate data
• Interact and share learning with others

Acceptable use includes:

• Only accessing CBE or personal technology when given permission
• Treating CBE and personally owned technology with care and respect
• Using personal devices at appropriate times for learning and knowing when to put it away
• Use of student’s own account only to access the CBE network
• Never assuming the identity of another person
• Accessing, posting, sending or downloading appropriate material only
• Using respectful language, being honest and kind in digital communications
• Respecting other students’ work on any device. Refraining from copying, changing or removing another student’s work from a device, school network or the internet
• Giving credit to authors or sources when using information or ideas that are not the student’s own - failure to properly cite sources of information is called plagiarism and is a form of cheating
• Asking permission to post, publish, circulate, record or distribute someone's personal information (images, work, etc.)

Personal cell phone use:

• If a student needs to access their cell phone, they need to do so in the office, not in their classrooms, hallways, or outdoor play areas.
• School bathrooms are “no phone zones.” This is for the safety of all individuals in our building.
• Photography, audio, and video of any kind is not permitted by students on school property unless under the direct supervision of an adult. This is for the safety of all individuals in the building.
• Schools are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal electronic devices.

The use of personal devices at Douglas Harkness School is a privilege. Failure to adhere to establish guidelines will result in the following corrective measures.

• First offense – student will be expected to give the device to the office until the end of the day. It will stay in the office safe until it is picked up by the student at the end of the day.
• Subsequent offenses - student will be expected to give the device to the office until the end of the day. It will stay in the office safe and will remain there until a parent/guardian comes in to pick it up.

CBE My Devices Network

The CBE My Devices Network enables students to access wireless Internet on school‐owned technology or students’ personal devices. Students are expected to follow the same Admirable Use Policy when assessing this network. The school does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage of any student's personal electronic devices. For more information about the CBE network, visit https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/technology-for-learning/Pages/get-connected.aspx.

Procedure for Policy Violation

Depending on the severity of inappropriate use, consequences will be determined by school teachers and the administrative team. Parents/Guardians will be notified. This Admirable Use Policy complements a number of Calgary Board of Education Administrative Regulations, including: AR1062 Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources, AR6047 – Vandalism and Damage to School Property, AR6005 Student Code of Conduct, and AR6006 Progressive Student Discipline. https://cbe.ab.ca/about-us/policies-and-regulations/Pages/Administrative-Regulations.aspx

Thank you for your support.

Please contact the school office if you should have any concerns or questions. 403-777-6720
Douglasharkness@cbe.ab.ca