Acceptable Use of Electronic Information and Resources
Simon Fraser students are privileged to have access to a significant number of networked computers with internet access, CBE-supplied email accounts, and network storage for electronic files. The responsibilities that come with this access are spelled out in the Calgary Board of Education’s Administrative Regulation 1062 - Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources. The following important points have been excerpted from that regulation:
- In the use of electronic information resources, persons must not harm or attempt to harm any person, whether an individual or a corporation, or their assets or reputation.
- Persons must use appropriate language, and any statements of opinion must be respectful, fair, and not malicious.
- Persons must not plagiarize, and must respect the ownership and copyright entitlements of all persons.
- Persons must keep their account passwords confidential.
- In the use of Calgary Board of Education electronic information resources, persons must not:
(a) use electronic information resources or accounts unless they are authorized to do so;
(b) send or display offensive messages or pictures;
(c) use obscene language;
(d) harass, insult or attack another person or their reputation;
(e) damage, or attempt to damage electronic information resources such as computers, computer systems, data or networks;
(f) ask others to access computers, computer systems, data or networks to support unauthorized use;
(g) use other people’s passwords or accounts,
(h) trespass, or attempt to trespass in other people’s folders, work or files;
(i) intentionally waste resources;
(j) intentionally access, post, send or download inappropriate material;
(k) ask authorized users to make unauthorized changes to information;
(l) assume the identity of another person to obtain information;
(m) use electronic information resources for any illegal or unethical activity; and
(n) use electronic information resources for on-line gambling.
All use of Calgary Board of Education electronic information resources is subject to
(a) monitoring by an authorized person, and
(b) search by an authorized person.
In addition, Simon Fraser students are expected to behave in an equally respectful manner when using computers, or accessing online sites at home or in the community, especially in regards to their treatment of other members of the Simon Fraser community, and the community at large.
Anti-Cyberbullying Links
Consequences of Violations
Any violation of this regulation, or the principles or expectations set out in it, may result in
(a) loss of access privileges,
(b) student disciplinary measures under Administrative Regulation 6006 - Progressive Student Discipline.
Acceptable Digital Devices
Acceptable student-owned devices are only allowed access to the internet through the school-based wireless network (LAWN). They may only be used for learning purposes as instructed by a teacher. These devices include:
- Laptops
- Handheld Internet-capable devices (i.e. iPod Touch, Sony PSP)
- Smartphones (i.e. iPhone, Blackberry)
- eReaders (i.e. Kindle, iPad)
Care and Responsibility of Student-Owned Digital Devices
It is solely the student’s responsibility:
- to keep devices in a secure location at all times
- to guard against loss, theft or damage
- to provide technical support for devices
- to not allow another student to use his/her device
School Disclaimer
The school is not responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of student digital devices and will not be held financially responsible for any of the above occurrences.
Digital Device Policy | Away For the Day
Policy Statement – Students at Simon Fraser will put their electronic devices “away for the day” in their locker on silent. Off-Campus use at lunch is permitted for Grades 7-9.
There are many forms of electronic devices for communication, computation, media creation and media consumption. Examples of electronic devices include, but are not limited to: cell phones, gaming devices, tablets, recording devices of any kind, hand held devices, etc. Inappropriate use of electronic devices can jeopardize the privacy of other students, disrupt the academic setting, and jeopardize the integrity of testing or assessments.
Young adults who were using social media for more than 5 hours a day were 2.8 times more likely to become depressed within six months than people using social media for under 2 hours a day
Here are some things to consider as a student of Simon Fraser School:
- If students bring these devices to school, they are responsible for their safekeeping. These devices will be turned off and stored safely in students’ lockers during the school day. No hall or cafeteria or bathroom use permitted.
- Simon Fraser School or the Calgary Board of Education is not responsible for damage, missing, or loss of personal property or locating personal property that has allegedly been stolen or missing. Some students will be issued a tablet or computer for academic use. Use of a school-issued device is a privilege, and unacceptable use will be subject to action under the Student Code of Conduct.
- Students who use electronic devices that disrupt the academic setting, invade someone’s privacy, and/or cyberbully others, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, confiscation of devices, turning in devices to the classroom teacher prior to the start of class, turning in devices to administrators for a period, multiple periods, for the day, week, month, etc., up to, and including, banning devices from school property, suspension from school, and/or other disciplinary penalties as defined in the Student Code of Conduct.
- Invasion of Privacy - Given the capability of electronic devices (audio and visual), they cannot be used in a manner that will jeopardize the privacy of either staff or students. Students may not record or take a picture of other students or staff without their permission. Devices may not be used in hallways, restrooms or locker rooms.
- The production, possession, transmission and/or distribution, by any means, or the transmission of materials as text, including but not limited to, sexually suggestive images, nude or partially nude images or sexually explicit text in any media, is strictly prohibited. Students violating this policy may be subject to all district forms of discipline, including police involvement/arrest.
Teens who spend 5 or more hours a day (versus less than 1) on electronic devices are 51% more likely to get less than 7 hours of sleep (versus the recommended 9).
Personal electronic devices will be silenced and/or turned off daily upon entering the building. Students should not disrupt the academic setting by using electronic devices. Cell phones and other digital devices will not be used on school property. If students choose to go off school property at lunch and use their device, this is acceptable; however, inappropriate use of the device including the invasion of privacy or bullying behaviour will result in consequences in alignment with the Student Code of Conduct.
Cyber-bullying
As with other forms of bullying, cyberbullying is an attempt to display power and control over someone. Cyberbullying involving CBE students may occur both on campus and off school grounds and can involve student use of the District Internet system or student use of personal digital devices while in school buildings, on school buses, on school property, and/or at school-sponsored events/activities whether occurring on or off school campus. Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, another student or staff member by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory e-mail messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, sexting, or website or social media postings. Cyberbullying that occurs off-campus, that causes or threatens to cause a material or substantial disruption in the school, could allow school officials to investigate and apply formal discipline and possible referral to local law enforcement authorities.
Close to 14.6 million youth may experience traditional bullying and 6.2 million may experience cyberbullying as either a victim or perpetrator.
Among cyberbullies and victims, victims were more likely to report using the internet for at least 3 hours per day.
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