RT Alderman Digital Citizenship Policy

As members of the RTA 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).
• Recording a student or an adult without permission.

RTA Digital Device Policy

Borrowing from the Screenagers' Away for the Day Policy, cell phones and video game devices are not allowed within the building. Students are required to put their devices inside their back backs or inside their lockers, depending upon the grade level.  We encourage all parents to support us in implementation. This does not include personal laptops and tablets brought to school for educational purposes. These learning tools are covered by our digital citizenship policy. 

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 and tablets brought to school for educational purposes. These learning tools are covered by our digital citizenship policy.

Away for the Day

• Digital devices, including ear buds or headphones, are not to be used or visible at
  any time during the school day.
• All digital devices must be placed in the student locker upon entering the building.
• At the end of the school day, students are free to use their devices after they exit the
• school.
• At lunch, students may use their devices while outside of the building. 
• Devices must be put away once the student enters the building; devices are then stored inside the student locker.

Text Messaging

Urgent messages from parents should be called in to the main office. School office personnel will forward messages to students.

• We encourage all parents to ensure that after-school plans and early-dismissal pickups are well communicated to your child before the school day.
• Students who need to contact a parent during the day can do so from any phone in the school or via email from a school device with teacher permission.
• At the end of the school day, 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 (see below).
• Only listening devices without Wi-Fi connectivity or gaming capacity are acceptable for playing music (no cell phones for this purpose).
• Music playing may be appropriate during individual work time as negotiated with the teacher within the classroom, not the hallways, common spaces or washrooms. 

Theft and Responsibility

• The school does not take responsibility for the theft of any digital devices brought 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.
• Teachers will not require students to have a personal device for class.
• 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

If a student fails to abide by R.T. Alderman’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.