Adults and young people have come to rely on technology for almost every aspect of our lives: to organize schedules, enhance learning, obtain information readily, communicate and enjoyment. We encourage the effective use of technology to improve your life and learning; understanding the expectation for uses and misuses of technology at SPB is essential for your benefit.

School Technology

SPB has a growing inventory of school-owned devices for you to access for your learning – desktops in the Learning Commons, computer lab and classrooms, and various laptop and iPad carts. Each student will complete a Mobile Device Waiver, after which you are able to sign out a mobile device for personal use in school up to two consecutive classes. The mobile device may be obtained from the library assistant in the Learning Commons. The waiver has clear instructions for processes, and replacement costs in the event of damage, loss or theft.

All internet access through CBE-owned devices has high levels of security and central monitoring. The websites and information you access can be tracked at any time. Misuse of computers, mice, keyboards or downloading inappropriate materials of any type will result in having your CBE access / account disabled. Any technology repairs to school-owned devices, which are caused by willful damage or careless use, will be charged directly to the student. Payment will be required prior to being re-granted access to school-owned devices. 

Students will be charged the following fees:

• $25 per damaged key
• $150 for damaged hard drives or computer screens
• $1200 for lost, stolen or Macbooks vandalized beyond repair
• $500 for lost, stolen or iPads vandalized beyond repair
• $200 for cameras lost, stolen or vandalized beyond repair

The Learning Commons is open during the lunch hour to complete assignments and study. Although you have access to print your work, please ask for the supervising teacher’s permission before printing. You are encouraged to save your work digitally. Do delete out-of-date files on a regular basis.

Personally-Owned and CBE Devices

Adults and young people have come to rely on technology for almost every aspect of our lives: to organize schedules, enhance learning, obtain information readily, communicate and enjoyment. We encourage the effective use of technology to improve your life and learning; understanding the expectation for uses and misuses of technology at SPB is essential for your benefit. The main office will give permission for students to call their parents as well.

Unacceptable Use of Technology

There are some uses that are always unacceptable of technology for the school, and which will result in having your access to technology removed:

* Using someone else’s username and password to access the internet

* Plagiarism of online content

* Accessing gaming or social media networks (including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)

* Viewing images that portray a vulgar or lewd depiction of the human body

* Accessing sites that promote the use of illicit substances, or that promote hatred or violence against a group or individual

* Using technology for the purpose of undermining, threatening or harassing self or others; this is considered a criminal offence

Technology Away For The Day

In an effort to improve learning at Senator Patrick Burns School, administration is significantly limiting technology that can be a distraction to learning and physical activity. From 8:00 am until 3:00 pm, all personal technology is to be secured in lockers, including lunch break and transition times between classes. Examples of technology that is to be limited include cell phones, tablets, laptops, watches, video game platforms, Air Pods or any other form of technology that may connect with the internet.

During lunch break, students are not to be using their personal technology on school property. Students are expected to be getting daily physical activity, socializing with friends, attending clubs, joining intramurals, participating in clubs, reviewing school work in the learning commons, etc. 7th, 8th and 9th grade students that leave school property during lunch may opt to take their technology with them for security and convenience. Upon returning to school, all personal technology is to be returned to lockers.

Students that are non-compliant with expectations will be sent to the office to hand-in their technology which will be held until the end of the day. If a student is asked to hand-in their technology more than once, parents/ guardians may be asked to come to the school to pick up the confiscated technology. Students that do not comply with expectations may be asked to store their technology in the main office each day for an extended period of time.

Technology for learning purposes will be readily available at school. All classes will have the option to use school technology for word processing, internet research, interactive class activities, videos and music. Lunchtime clubs will also have access to technology as needed. In some cases, individual students may be allowed to use their own technology for learning as recommended by doctors, specialists or school administration.

Families that need to contact their children throughout the school day will need to communicate with the front office. If parents/ guardians need to speak with their children, pick them up for appointments or to leave the school for any reason, students will be called to the office to use school

phones or to meet with parents/ guardians. In the main office, students will be permitted to use their personal technology as needed to communicate with parents/ guardians.

It is our hope that implementing this new policy will serve to improve the learning experience for all people at Senator Patrick Burns School. We believe that limiting access to personal technology will:

* help students to increase their focus on learning

* promote/ cultivate the value of learning additional social skills

* help build academic discipline that will be crucial for all students as they progress toward high school and beyond

* promote students to explore athletics and find value in daily physical activity

Please feel free to contact the school for any questions or concerns.