We view Digital Citizenship as a shared responsibility between students, their families, and the school.  We appreciate families taking the time to discuss this with their children and supporting the work of the school.  Please review this document, sign and return the final signature page in order for students to be able to:

• Use the school’s computers and network
• Use the CBE network
• Use their personal device and connect to the CBE network with it

Students

Students are provided access to computers, other technology and the internet to assist them in their learning.  Students may bring their own digital devices to school and may use these devices in the classroom.

Students who bring their own devices to school will not have access to school servers or printers through the network.  As such they will need to utilize google drive to transfer files to the school network.  School classes may utilize software applications that the student does not have on their device.  No software will be provided to students.  

• Access to technology is a privilege, not a right.  Use if respectfully and responsibly.
• Never share your password with anyone except a parent or guardian
• Use technology in a manner that protects your privacy, safety and freedom of thought.  Be responsible for protecting the rights of others as well
• Use technology in a manner that protects your own health and wellness.

The following activities are prohibited and will be addressed on an individual basis as needed:

• use of someone else’s CBE account
• sharing of usernames and passwords for other people to use
• sending, posting, displaying or using obscene language/messages or pictures or information about oneself or others
• harassing, insulting or attacking another person or their reputation
• viewing websites through a proxy server
• plagiarism of online content
• tampering with any computer accessories, hardware or software
• use of technology or accessing sites not approved by staff
• trespassing in other’s folders, work areas or files
• using another student’s device without permission

The following sites are prohibited from use:

• violent or lewd depictions of the human body
• any adult content
• violent acts
• online gambling
• social networking sites
• websites that encourage the use of illicit or illegal substances
• websites that advocate hatred or violence against an identifiable group
• websites promoting criminal activity
• non-educational games

Our expectation is that our students will become educated and responsible Digital Citizens.  If students breach any of the above, each situation will be dealt with on an individual basis and may result in:

• restriction or loss of technology privileges
• restriction of use, or confiscation of personal device
• school based disciplinary consequences
• police intervention and/or legal action

It is important that parents/guardians and students remember the following:

• the school is not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of student electronic devices
• the school is not able to provide technical support for student devices
• devices can only be utilized when students are under the direct supervision of a teacher in an approved area of the school
• devices can only be utilized for educational purposes
• misuse will be determined by the staff and administration

Supporting Student Safety and Learning

The use of technology, including student’s own personal devices, represents a significant opportunity for students to personalize their learning by choosing, along with the parents, effective strategies to meet their learning needs.  It is the student’s responsibility to use technology safely and appropriately.  To support student’s learning in this the school provides the following:

Adult supervision – Robert Warren staff monitor students’ use of technology as they do other student behaviour.  In addition to this the CBE is able to track all student activity in the internet and their use of school technologies.
Learning – teachers infuse learning outcomes related to digital citizenship in their classroom instruction.
Filtering – the CBE provides filtering to help prevent students from accessing inappropriate websites from the school network.

Digital Device Policy

Robert Warren School has a digital device policy in place. This policy requires that students put away their digital devices at the warning bell (morning) and that it was only allowed to be taken out with teacher permission during class time for learning. 

There is much research to suggest that digital devices in the school environment are detrimental to students:

• Studies have stated that more time on electronic communication results in lower psychological well-being in adolescents.
• Some studies link a decline in human relationships due to screen time with anxiety and depression.
• Other studies have shown that the mere presence of the phone (on a desk or in a pocket) can lower working memory capacity.

For these reasons, Robert Warren School implemented a digital device policy called our “Away for the Day” policy. The policy is attached. We encourage all parents to read this policy, and we ask that parents support us in its implementation. The policy will have an impact on those parents who have expected their child to answer texts and or phone calls during the school day. All parents will need to understand that messages left on their child’s phone will not be heard until the end of the school day. Urgent messages will need to be called in to the school office where school personnel will forward these to our students. We encourage all parents to ensure that after-school plans and early-dismissal pick-ups are well communicated to your child before the school day.

Digital Device Policy – “Away for the Day”

Digital Device Definition

• A “digital device” is any handheld device (smartphone, iPod, iWatch, gaming device, etc.) that has internet access, texting, music or gaming capabilities.
• It does not include personal laptops, ipads and tablets brought to school for educational purposes. These learning tools are covered by our digital citizenship policy.  

Away for the Day

• Personal digital devices are not to be used or visible at any time during the school day.
• All digital devices must be placed in the student locker immediately upon entering the building: This includes early morning practices/clubs while under teacher supervision. Devices must be put away once on school property and immediately placed in the student locker upon entering the building.
• At the end of the school day (3:26 M-R, 12:44 F) students are free to use their devices within the school.

Messages to and from Students

• Urgent messages from parents should be called in to the main office. School office personnel will forward these to our students.
• We encourage all parents to ensure that after-school plans and early-dismissal pick-ups are well communicated to your child before the school day begins.
• Students who need to contact a parent during the day can do so from any phone in the school with teacher permission.
• At the end of the school day (3:26 M-R, 12:44 F) students are free to check for messages from their parents and to contact parents on their devices.

Music and Headphones

This policy applies to headphones and digital devices used for the playing of music.

• Students who have music as an accommodation specifically identified in their Individualized Program Plan will be exempt from this rule (for the playing of music only). These students will keep their device on airplane mode to negate incoming texts, e-mails and notifications.

Theft and Responsibility

• The school does not take responsibility for the theft of any digital devices brought to the school.

Special Situations

• There may be certain learning situations where the use of digital devices is deemed appropriate by staff. In this case, the use of the device will be under direct teacher supervision.
• Students who may need to use the device throughout the school and therefore are not under direct teacher supervision (e.g. for digital photography, filming) will be given a special lanyard for identification.

Digital No Use Zones

• At absolutely no time (including after school hours) are digital devices to be used in the washroom or change room areas.

Consequences for Inappropriate Use

First Offence

• The digital device will be sent to the main office where it will be logged and securely held until the end of the school day. The student is allowed to pick up the device at the end of the school day (not at lunch).

Second Offence

• The digital device will be sent to the main office where it will be logged and securely held until the end of the school day. The student and/or administration will call a parent before releasing the device to the student at the end of the school day.

Third Offence

• The digital device will be sent to the main office where it will be logged and securely held until the end of the school day. A parent will be required to pick up the device from administration.

Further Offences

• Any further offence will result in increasing disciplinary action due to defiance with regards to CBE and school policies, rules and regulations.

Digital Citizenship at the CBE

Digital Citizenship is having the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to demonstrate responsible and respectful behaviour when using technology or participating in digital environments. Digital Citizenship encompasses: digital self, digital interactions, digital learning, digital rights & responsibilities, digital safety & security, and digital commerce.

Digital Citizenship Plan

(Use of School Technology and Personal Laptops / Tablets)

Students are provided access to computers, other technology and the internet to assist them in their learning. Students may bring their own computers / i-pads / tablets to school and may use these devices in the classroom for learning.

Students who bring their own devices to school will not have access to school servers or printers through the network. As such, they will need to utilize their educbe google account and Google Drive to transfer files to the school network. School classes may utilize software applications that the student does not have on their device. No software will be provided to students.

The following activities are prohibited and will be addressed on an individual basis as needed:

• Use of someone else’s CBE account
• Sharing of usernames and passwords for other people to use
• Sending, posting, displaying or using obscene language/messages or pictures or information about oneself or others
• Harassing, insulting or attacking another person or their reputation
• Viewing websites through a proxy server
• Plagiarism of online content
• Tampering with any computer accessories, hardware or software
• Use of technology or accessing sites not approved by staff
• Trespassing in other’s folders, work areas or files
• Utilizing another student’s device without permission

The following sites are prohibited from use:

• Vulgar or lewd depictions of the human body
• Sites that encourage the use of illicit or illegal substances
• Social networking sites (such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc.)
• Violent acts
• On-line gambling
• Any adult content
• Sites that advocate hatred or violence against an identifiable group
• Sites promoting criminal activity
• Non-educational games

Our expectation is that students become educated and responsible Digital Citizens. Students who breach any of the above points will be dealt with on an individual basis and may result in:

• Restriction or loss of technology privileges
• Restriction of use or confiscation of personal device
• School based disciplinary consequences: and/or
• Police intervention and/or legal action
• Misuse will be determined by the staff and administration

We view digital citizenship as a shared responsibility between students, parents and the school. We appreciate families supporting our work by discussing with their children their role as digital citizens.

• Access to technology is a privilege, not a right. Use it respectfully and responsibly
• Never  share your password with anyone except a parent or guardian
• Use technology in a manner that protects your privacy, safety and freedom of thought. Be responsible for protecting the rights of others as well
• Use technology in a manner that protects your own health and wellness