PSA
During the 2015-2016 year, Student Council distilled our tech policies to the initials PSA, reflecting Permission, Supervision, Academic. This applies to all technology, including school-issued (laptops) or personally acquired devices (other laptops, cellphones, tablets, etc.). While on campus, Middle School Students must:- gain permission from a faculty or staff member to use technology;
- be supervised by a faculty or staff member during the use of technology;
- be using technology for academic or school-related purposes.
When it comes to cellphones, we instruct students to keep their phones in lockers or in backpacks. Students should not keep their phones on their person. Some teachers may ask students to use their phones for class activities, but students must wait to be instructed to take out and use those devices.
Cellphones present a particular challenge for our students. While many are distracted by the easy communication that cellphones provide, most students are able to resist the temptation to text their friends or engage in social media platforms. When a parent or other family member calls or texts during the school day, however, it flings the student into a moral conundrum - if the student responds to the text or call, s/he risks breaking the rules and, more importantly, disengaging from learning or being present to classmates and teachers; but if the student ignores the text or call, s/he risks ignoring a family member. This is not a fair situation to put students in. During the school day, I urge our families to resist texting or calling their students. Logistical information (changes in plans, pickup details, etc.) can always be sent to Mr. Hicks in the 10th Street Office, who will deliver the message.
Social Media
Sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat provide really wonderful opportunities for people to connect virtually and globally. However, these platforms are designed for the teenage brain and older. Most social media sites require users to be 13 years of age or older.Much of what is attractive about social media is the immediacy of communication and dissemination of ideas and images...and that's exactly what is risky for young users whose brains have not quite fully developed decision-making skills, filters for understanding and contextualizing humor, sarcasm, and irony, and self-control over impulsivity and rash decisions. Comments, images, and conversations on these platforms can be easily misunderstood - and it is far to easy to post something intended as humorous or mean-spirited. Once it's posted and viewed, it cannot be unviewed by the person being targeted, the person whose image is being used (with or without permission), or by friends and strangers. In short - the potential harm is never worth it.
When Annie Wright Students behave poorly or make poor decisions on social media, it does have a direct effect on our community, and students may face in-school consequences because of their online choices. That said, if your student is uncomfortable with a conversation or other activity on social media, s/he should say something - to you, to a teacher, to Mrs. Dicks, to Mr. Hulseman...to someone. If you are aware of another child being put at risk or in any other way vulnerable, I encourage you to reach out to that other child's parents immediately to inform them. Basically, if you see something, say something. Most importantly I ask you to open a conversation with your student about social media, and I strongly recommend restricting use of these platforms during the Middle School years, or at the very least until your student is 13.
Tech Orientation Slides
Last year, we began the MS Tech Orientation sessions, required for all MS students before they have access to laptops and our tech resources. If you'd like a refresher on that Orientation, visit the MS Tech Orientation Slides that guide these sessions. In particular, consider the questions posed to families to shape a family agreement about using technology at home.- When should laptop be in use?
- Where can they use the laptop?
- Who can your child communicate with digitally?
- When can they use the laptop for non-schoolwork related activities (ex. Chatting with friends, watching online videos, gaming)
- How many hours a day can they use the laptops?
- What are acceptable activities?
- What are consequences for violating rules?
