At Vincent Massey School, our goal is to use technology to support learning and to help students become good digital citizens. As outlined in the CBE Digital Citizenship Competencies, this means that students will be Respectful, Informed, Involved, Balanced, Safe, and Responsible users of technology. Our students’ safety in an online environment is of utmost importance to us and learning how to be a good Digital Citizen will increase your child’s ability to navigate the online world safely and their awareness and understanding of the risks and benefits of technology.  

There is no expectation that students bring in their own device and all students will have access to learning technologies as required and available. The use of personal devices in our school will be at the absolute discretion of our staff members at all times and our students will be asked to respect this expectation. 

Personal Mobile Devices 

Student personal mobile devices are limited or restricted at all schools, unless required for health or medical needs, to support specialized learning needs, and for educational purposes. Learn more about our BYOD (bring your own device) rules. 

Students may not use their cell phones in the building, except with the direct permission and supervision of teachers. Parents needing to contact their children during the day should call the main office if urgent, or send a message which will be seen at the end of the day.  Students needing to call home should use the phone outside the main office. 

Digital Citizenship at the CBE 

Digital citizenship is about using technology and participating in digital environments. It is key to helping our students learn to use available technology responsibly in the classroom and beyond. Our school has a Digital Citizenship Plan that is updated annually, addressing how we work to build a community where we live and work together as digital citizens. 

Visit the CBE website to learn more about how we support students to develop online safety skills and be good digital citizens. 

We view Digital Citizenship as a shared responsibility between students, their families and the school. We appreciate families taking time to discuss this opportunity with their children and supporting the work of the school in moving it forward.   

Wi-Fi is available in the building for staff, students, parents, and guests.  

The use of the Wi-Fi service in our school will be to leverage our students’ abilities to: 

• Access, critically assess and communicate information and understanding 
• Seek alternative viewpoints 
• Collaborate during inquiry 
• Personalize their learning 
• Construct personal knowledge and meaning 
• Personalize their understanding 
• Organize and manipulate data 
• Interact with other learners 

Students will not have access to school servers or printers through the Wi-Fi service. As such they will need to use their Google Drive folder, D2L storage lockers or purchase and use a USB device to transfer files to the school network. No software will be provided to students. School classes may use software applications that the student does not have on their device. 

Web Filtering & Social Media 

Inappropriate or unsafe content may be blocked to provide a safe environment: some content is blocked for all users, and other content may be suitable for older students but not for younger ones. Student access to known social media platforms is blocked on school networks and school devices for all grade levels. 

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

• Use of someone else’s CBE account or access to the Wi-Fi service 
• 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 
• Texting or gaming 
• 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 
• Recording of teachers and students during classes 

The following sites are prohibited from use: 

• Vulgar or lewd depictions of the human body 
• Any adult content 
• Violent acts 
• Online gambling 
• Sites that encourage the use of illicit or illegal substances 
• Sites that advocate hatred or violence against an identifiable group 
• Sites promoting criminal activity 
• Non-educational games 

Our expectation is that our students will become educated and responsible Digital Citizens. If however, 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 which will include email and by default D2L. 
• Restriction of use of or confiscation of personal device 
• School based disciplinary consequences such as suspension: and/or 
• Police intervention and/or legal action 

Lastly, 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 used when students are under the direct supervision of a teacher in an approved area of the school. 
• Devices can only be used for educational purposes. 
• Misuse will be determined by the staff and administration. 

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