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Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship

It’s the parenting dilemma of the digital age: How do we encourage our kids to take advantage of all that technology affords while ensuring they are safe in the digital world? How do we model healthy use of technology when we, too, fight the allure of smart phones and social media? At CSD, good digital citizenship is promoted every day in our classrooms, and it’s not just about teaching students to safely navigate the Internet. We empower students to appropriately use digital media to explore the world, gain knowledge and be creative — and we invite parents to participate. School Community Councils give input on school Digital Citizenship and Personal Electronic Device plans.

Every year, all students and employees of Canyons School District are instructed in the responsible use of technological devices, the District network, and online etiquette. In order to use the District’s computing devices and gain access to its computer network, students and employees are required each year to sign an acceptable use agreement. This documents the users’ understanding of, and willingness to comply with district policies as outlined therein. Access to school and district networks and digital resources is a privilege. Any user who is found to be in violation of the District’s technology guidelines or agreements is subject to Canyons School District disciplinary policies.

Filtering Information

Internet safety is a priority for the District. CSD uses ContentKeeper to prevent students from accessing inappropriate material online while using District computing devices or the District’s network. 

The filtering system offers some flexibility to set different rules for elementary, middle and high schools based on the age-appropriateness of the content and the educational needs of each grade level. The filter works by categorizing known Internet content and then allowing us to block inappropriate categories such as pornography, social networking, gambling, weapons, adult content, gaming, etc. Safe search settings also work for Google images. The restrictions placed on CSD Chromebooks work no matter where the device is being used — at home, on campus, or elsewhere.

Canyons District’s network is segmented into several separate sub-networks, which aid in performance and security. Staff using school- or District-provided devices will be placed on a sub-network, which provides them with different access rights and privileges than afforded by the student network for students using school- or district-provided devices. While on CSD property, all users of a personal device — such as a smartphone, laptop or tablet — are directed to a different sub-network, the guest network, which has similar restrictions as the student network.

Staying Connected

Internet Safety & Digital Citizenship

Canyons District principals, teachers and parents work together to create safe technology environments in schools and at home and instill in students a desire to be civil digital citizens as they navigate the Internet.

ContentKeeper is our Web filter which blocks inappropriate material based on a URL database of more than a billion entries. 

CSD also has the ability to create districtwide “allow” and “block” lists. Allow lists help us to override the filter’s default settings to allow specific sites to be accessed. Block lists are used to override the filter default settings to block sites. We also can block and allow sites per school. In addition, searches for Google Images are directed to a filter called Safesearch. If the content is inappropriate, the user is not granted access. 

While the filters used by CSD mostly serve to prevent inadvertent exposure, we can’t guarantee that a determined user won’t ever be able to access inappropriate content.

Elementary, middle and high schools, as well as the District Offices, each have separate and unique Internet filter settings. The settings tend to be more restrictive in elementary schools and filters become less stringent in secondary schools. They are least restrictive for employees.

CSD is a Common Sense Certified District. The recognition acknowledges our commitment to teaching digital citizenship to young people and engaging the entire community in this important discussion. Teachers at every CSD school have received specialized training from their school-based Digital Citizenship Coordinator on Internet safety and digital citizenship. Schools use NetSafe Utah and Common Sense Education curricula. NetSafe Utah provides online videos and resources for families and educators, including the Internet Safety information that Utah schools need to meet the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements. 

  • Elementary Schools
    • Google Images (filtered)
  • Middle Schools
    • Google Images (filtered)
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn
  • High Schools
    • YouTube (filtered)
    • Google Images (filtered)
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn
  • Blocked Districtwide:
    • Tumblr
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • TikTok

Q: Are there management systems available that can add additional control?

A: Canyons’ Information Technology Department utilizes several management systems, including LanSchool for Macs and PCs, G Suite for Education for ChromeOS, and Mosyle MDM for student iOS devices.

Q: What is CSD’s protocol for action when inappropriate content is accessed by students or employees?

A: Canyons does not constantly monitor user activity.  However, when alerted to the possibility of inappropriate use, IT reviews the Internet history in question and reports questionable activity to school and District administrators, who work with students and their parents to determine disciplinary measures. CSD retains weeks of Internet browsing history for all users.

Management Systems

  • Desktop and Laptop: The Canyons School District currently is using a site license for LanSchool to manage some desktop, laptop and Chromebook devices. This allows the instructor to monitor the screens of users electronically as well as lock down certain screens.
  • Google Apps Management: We are also heavily integrated with Chrome Management for the many ChromeBook devices that are in use today. It allows us to manage what apps and services are available for users. For instance, this system is what allows us to set District student gmail accounts to send and receive email only to teachers and other students.
  • Mobile Device Management: We use the Mosyle mobile device management system to manage iPads. This allows us to manage which apps are loaded onto devices and to purchase apps legally for school use.

Teacher Supervision

  • Teachers are asked to monitor students whenever they are online, either electronically or by walking around the classroom.
  • Teachers should take special care when directing students to add art or photos to projects by directing them to safe collections of pictures and art, such as: https://www.safesearchkids.com/
  • When inappropriate content is accessed by a student or staff member (either seemingly by accident or on-purpose), the student or students should be removed from the dangerous situation and the school principal or administration should be notified. The device should be isolated and the Information Technology Department should be contacted. Beside working to fix any issue discovered, the IT Department will work with the administration to gather information and take appropriate measures if the Acceptable Use Policy was violated.

Student Education

Digital Citizenship Week

Canyons District students are learning how to safely blaze a digital trail. The Internet is a valuable tool for collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Every day, students across the United States go online to complete homework assignments, conduct research, and watch tutorials in preparation for exams. It’s also where teens go to make and keep social connections. From Snapchat to Instagram, teens are heavy users of social media. So how can parents make sure their use is responsible? And how can parents guide a pre-teen’s entry into social media?

Every year Canyons schools celebrate Digital Citizenship Week, which was started to help students stay safe as they navigate the online world. During Digital Citizenship Week — which usually takes place in October — schools are asked to highlight and focus on all things related to building an appropriate, responsible, and healthy environment related to technology use.  Schools often make morning announcements featuring tips on cyberbullying, online privacy and safety or hold assemblies and parent information nights.

School-Based Digital Citizenship Coordinator

All schools have a Digital Citizenship coordinator who provides monthly safety technology tips. These tips can be shared with students and parents through daily lessons, class emails, school newsletters, and on school websites. These coordinators ensure that schools plan at least two opportunities annually for parents to learn about Digital Citizenship. Options include: Parent Information nights, information tables at parent-teacher conferences, or monthly technology tips published on school websites or in parent newsletters.

Elementary Schools

Digital Citizenship standards are part of the instruction from our general education classroom teacher and our STEM brain booster classes. They have been infused into the Thrive Time curriculum using resources from CommonSense. All teachers, with the help of the school’s digital citizenship coordinator, are expected to include digital citizenship as part of their regular instruction of Thrive Time and other subject areas.

6th – 8th Grade

Our middle school Teacher Librarians assist teachers in teaching digital citizenship skills as part of their regular daily instruction of core subjects.  Throughout the Thrive Time curriculum, which has been infused with digital citizenship principles during an Advisory period. In addition, all middle school students are required to complete Digital Literacy course, which includes standards specifically addressing digital citizenship topics.

9th – 12th Grade

Many high school courses include the use of technology and present many opportunities to develop digital citizenship skills. Our high school Teacher Librarians teach digital citizenship skills as part of their core. As such, they teach digital citizenship skills through direct instruction, in addition to curating resources to support all teachers in this task.

Parent Education

One of the most important things parents can do is sit down with their children before they even begin using social media and set clear ground rules and expectations. Talk to your children about the pitfalls of oversharing, teasing and posting too-personal information on social media sites, and encourage them to think twice before hitting “send” or “enter.” Digital footprints are permanent, and often college admissions boards and employers are examining students’ digital trail. Keep tabs on what your children are posting — and who is part of their “Friends” and “Followers” lists. Many organizations provide great information for parents to help students stay safe when online at home. A few great resources are:

Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added:  “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!

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