Dr. Martha Cohen Digital Citizenship Policy

As members of the DMCS Digital Citizenship community, all students and teachers are expected to demonstrate respect, responsible behavior and overall good character when using technology and/or engaging in online activities. The use of technology is an integral part of teaching and learning at school. Teachers and students use digital technologies to access information, to communicate ideas, and to demonstrate essential learning.

Students may use their own devices, at their teacher’s discretion, to personalize their learning in the classroom, interfacing through our Wi-Fi. The use of personal devices by students with the guidance of parents and teachers will assist in addressing individual student preferences and needs for learning.

All students are expected to follow school guidelines for Responsible use of Electronic Resources (AR 1062) with both school-owned and student-owned devices.

The following activities are inappropriate for students:

• Use of electronic/digital devices (cell phones, computers, cameras, etc.) in gym change rooms or washrooms at any time.
• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures/images
• Using obscene language, harassing, insulting or attacking others
• Any online behaviour that negatively impacts the school environment
• Intentionally damaging computer equipment/school technology, the network or other people’s digital work
• Trespassing into other people’s folders, work, or files
• Intentionally using technology on non-teacher-approved activities
• Using electronic media for plagiarizing
• Modifying backgrounds and/or relocating, deleting or adding applications on shared school technology
• Breaching copyright law and/or failing to follow fair dealing guidelines
• Sharing or distributing digital recordings, audio or visual via the internet or through social networking sites, without written permission from the content creators
• Using cell phones to make calls, texting, engaging in social media activities, or playing games during instructional
• times. (Parents/Guardians who wish to communicate with their children during class time are welcome to call the office).

Dr. Martha Cohen School believes technology has a positive impact on student learning and provides meaningful learning experiences. Technology can transform the classroom into an interactive learning environment. Technology has become an integral part of our everyday world, increasing productivity, connectivity, collaboration, and creativity. School technology is to be used for educational purposes.

If the Digital Citizenship Agreement is not followed, and disciplinary actions are necessary, the process will follow the standard procedures outlined in the CBE administrative regulations and the DMCS progressive discipline plan.

Acceptable Use of Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and Dr. Martha Cohen Electronic Information Resources

Whenever you use technology at DMCS, you are agreeing to the Acceptable Use Policy. It is important that you understand this policy and that you take your role as technology user seriously. You are expected to keep your password private and secure and to model respectful, responsible academic computer use at all times.

Access privileges to the DMCS computer network are dependent on the level of responsibility shown by individual students. It is our intent to have all students access this valuable tool for learning on an ongoing basis. The following acts and prohibited sites constitute inappropriate use and may endanger students, and/or possibly damage the network, hardware, and/or software.

Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to:

• Use of someone else’s CBE account or access to network
• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
• Use of obscene language
• Harassing, insulting or attacking another person or their reputation
• Trespassing in others peoples’ folders, work or files
• Intentionally accessing, posting, sending or downloading of inappropriate material
• Assuming the identity of another person to gain information
• Viewing webpages through a proxy server
• Running an application/program from a memory stick/jump drive
• In any way moving, opening hardware or computer accessories
• Any attempt and/or threats to harm a person
• Plagiarism of online content
• Posting, publishing, circulating or distributing personal information about oneself or others without the supervision and consent of a staff member
• Sharing of usernames and passwords for other people to use
• Downloading copyrighted material or unlicensed software

Prohibited Sites include

• Vulgar or lewd depiction of the human body
• Any content publicly labelled for adults
• Violent acts
• Online gambling
• Sites encouraging the use of illicit or illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol
• Advocating violence or hatred against an identifiable group.ie. race, religion, gender, disabilities, age, colour, sexual orientation, etc.
• Sites promoting criminal activity

Violation of the CBE and DMCS Policy

Each situation is dealt with on an individual basis and breach of policy may result in:

• Restricted or loss of computer privileges
• School based disciplinary consequences
• Police Intervention and/or Legal action

Cellphones and Personal Digital Devices

Cellphone are are not permitted in classroom, during classroom instruction. Cellphones or other electronic devices are never allowed in gym change rooms or washroom. Consequently, personal calls or texts are not permitted during instructional hours. Parents who wish to communicate with their children during class time should contact the office. Cell phones may be used at lunch time only and for grade 5 and 6 only after they have eaten. 

Consequences

If a student fails to abide by Dr. Martha Cohen’s Acceptable Use Policy, parents/guardians will be notified and the student may receive one or all of the following disciplinary actions.

1. Confiscation of Personal Electronic Device
2. Immediate and possible revocation of computer privileges (including, but not limited to, student email, D2L, Edmodo, Google Drive, Wi-Fi access and use of school technology)
3. Charge to repair or to replace damaged equipment
4. It is at the discretion of individual teachers to allow personal electronic devices in the classrooms. Devices can be confiscated at any time if they are deemed to be used inappropriately. For repeated offences, parents may be required to pick up electronic devices from the school and/or students will lose their electronic device privileges.