IGB-P1 School Division Acceptable Use of Electronic Technology Procedures

Prairie Spirit School Division is pleased to provide students, employees, and trustees with access to the internet, digital programming and Google Workspace for Education, our online platform for communication, collaboration, and learning. This privilege offers a wealth of educational opportunities and resources. To ensure responsible use, all users must agree to the terms outlined in the Acceptable Use of Electronic Technology Regulation (IGB-E1). Students under 18 require parental consent, while those 18 and older may sign independently.

Digital personal communication devices

In August of 2024 the MB Provincial Government directed school divisions to establish a learning environment with fewer distractions while minimizing the potential negative impacts of cell phone use on student learning and safety. School Divisions were directed to develop procedures for the directive. Please refer to IGB-P2 for more information.

Personal  electronic  devices  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  mobile  hand-held  devices,  cell phones, smart watches, iPods and other music players, gaming devices, and headphones. This procedure is established to reduce distractions in class and to improve student engagement during instructional time. 

School Based Inventories & Assigned Devices

School based inventories include chromebooks, tablets, any device that is provided and complimentary equipment.  These devices can access the internet, interface with other devices and allow for meaningful and engaging learning experiences.  Students have equitable access to devices in their classrooms and school.  Teachers are assigned devices to ensure they can access materials and resources provided by the school division.

Prairie Spirit School Division provides students, employees, and trustees with computers, software, networks, electronic systems, and internet access for educational and research purposes, as well as to conduct school business.  It is presumed that all School Division computer resources will be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Belief Statements (Policy #1 - Foundation Statements) and the stated policies and regulations of the School Division.

Privacy considerations

The School Division may (but is not obligated to) monitor, audit, intercept, review, screen, edit, delete, remove, collect, use, store and disclose any information or materials relating to a respective User’s activities using the Facilities (“User Information”).  Use of the Facilities is not to be considered private, and Users are advised not to send, store, collect or otherwise transmit any private or personal information on or through the Facilities.  A user's activity, including browsing history, is maintained in a secure manner and may be requested at any time by the school principal to the superintendent's office.

Users consent to the School Division monitoring, auditing, intercepting, reviewing, screening, editing, deleting, removing, collecting, using, storing and disclosing personal, proprietary or confidential information of the User, including without limitation e-mail messages and Internet traffic logs for the following purposes: 

• To determine and ensure compliance with this policy and regulations.

• To prevent a breach of this policy, and regulations.

• To protect students, the School Division, its staff and other users and third parties from fraudulent, unlawful or abusive use of the Facilities, or

• To comply with any legislation, regulation, or government, regulatory or investigative agency request.

The following activities are prohibited:

• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.

• Harassing, insulting, or attacking others.

• Damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks,

• Making unauthorized repairs or additions, adding software, or reconfiguring systems.

• Violating copyright laws.

• Using another’s password or attempting to access another’s folders, work, or files.

• Intentionally wasting limited resources.

• Introducing a virus or any destructive data into the network.

• Employing the network for commercial or illegal purposes.

• Cyberbullying in all its forms.

(i) by any form of expression, including written, verbal or physical, or

(ii) by means of any form of electronic communication — also referred to as cyberbullying — including social media, text messaging, instant messaging, websites or e-mail." Public Schools Act, 47.1.2(2) 

Users who exhibit inappropriate behaviour will be subject to appropriate discipline, which may include loss of computer privileges, suspension from classes or school, and in extreme cases, legal action.

Schools are required to develop a school-based policy that will clearly outline to staff and students the acceptable use of smartphones, considering the following: 

• • Phones are not to be used in the classroom during instructional times by students or staff.

  • Teachers, in consultation with the principal, may deem the use of smartphones essential for meeting an educational outcome. There is no support for continual use.

  • Consequences for student infractions are developed at the school level.

  • Consequences for staff infractions are the responsibility of the principal and will be dealt with in accordance with the progressive discipline policy.

  • Communication of the policy is done yearly with staff, students and parents by the principal.

See also:  CE-P1 Code of Conduct, CF-P1-P6 – Behavioural Policy