RCSD AI Resources & Guides - Families & Caregivers

Empowering Our Families: A Guide to AI in the RCSD

As AI changes the way the world works, we want to make sure every RCSD family has the tools to navigate it with confidence. AI isn't "magic", it’s simply a new type of tool that learns from patterns.

Our goal is to help keep your student Future Ready. This section is designed to help you understand what AI is, confidently talk to your child about it, and guide them in using it successfully. Together, we can ensure that these tools help our students build a brighter future, while keeping them safe and grounded in their own brilliance.

(Note: You can click on any image on this page to view it larger.)

What is AI and Why Is It Coming to Our Schools?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool that helps personalize learning, support teachers, and improve student outcomes. RCSD is exploring ways to use AI to enhance, not replace, classroom instruction.

(English) Activity Guide for Parents_ Talking to Your Kids About AI.pdf

guia-para-padres-como-hablar-con-sus-hijos-sobre-la-ia.pdf

The RCSD AI Core Commitments

People Come First: AI is a tool to help teachers and students, not replace them.
Safety & Privacy: We have strong rules to protect your child’s data and private information.
Fairness: we work hard to make sure AI tools are fair for all students and don't include harmful biases.
Honesty: You have the right to know how AI is being used in your child’s classroom. If AI is used for a grade, it must be clear and open for a person to review.
Success: We only use tools that are right for your child's age and help them succeed.

AI in the RCSD: Safety First

We know that keeping your child's information private and safe is the most important thing. At RCSD, we don't just let any app into the classroom. We have a "Safety First" plan to make sure technology helps your child without putting them at risk.

We Check Every Tool: Our Instructional Technology team reviews every program before a teacher or student can touch it to make sure it’s safe and actually helps them learn.
The "Safety Promise": We make every company sign a legal agreement, called a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA), that says they will protect your child's data and keep it private.
Limited Access: Right now, students can only use AI in a few safe ways for creative projects, like Canva, Book Creator, or Adobe Express.
The Future Plan: Our teachers are training hard right now to learn about AI and how to use it responsibly and safely. This is so they can lead the way when we start letting students in Grades 9-12 use Google Gemini on their District Accounts in the 2026-2027 school year.

Real Talk: Addressing Your Concerns

Will my child stop learning and just cheat?

AI is a tool, but it is not a replacement for a student's brain. If a student uses AI to skip the hard work of learning, they won't have the problem-solving skills they need to succeed in the real world. We use "AI Levels" to make sure every student is actually gaining the knowledge they need to be independent, while still learning how to use modern technology responsibly.

Is the information from AI accurate?

Most of the time, AI is a great tool that gets the facts right. It can explain a hard math problem, help your child brainstorm ideas for a project, and give accurate information in seconds.

But there is a catch: AI doesn’t actually “know” facts the way a person does. It is built to be a “helper,” which means sometimes it will make up an answer just to give you one. It can sound 100% sure of itself even when it is 100% wrong.

The message to students is: AI is a powerful partner, but don’t let the machine play you. Always double-check what AI says with a trusted source, like a textbook or a teacher, so you stay in control of the truth.

What about deep fakes?

A major worry today is how AI can be used to mess with a person's name. This technology can create fake photos or videos that look 100% real. It can make it look like your child is doing or saying something they never did.

We teach students that seeing is no longer believing. We show them how these "fakes" are made so they can spot a lie. This helps your child protect their own name and stay safe from people trying to "play" them or start trouble.

If my child doesn't use it at school, why do I need to know about AI?

Many students already have AI in their pockets! Apps like Snapchat have "My AI" built-in. We encourage families to talk about these tools at home. Remind your children that even though an AI chatbot might sound like a friend, it is still a computer program that collects data.

Talking to your Child about AI

Protect Your Info: Tell your child: Never give an AI your name, address, or passwords. It’s a computer, not a friend.

It Can Be Wrong: AI makes things up sometimes—like fake news, fake photos, or wrong answers. Always double-check its work.

Real Work Matters: AI should be a "tutor" to help explain things, not a "shortcut" to do the work. If the AI does the thinking, your child doesn't learn the skills they need for a good job.

Quick Questions to Ask Your Child

"Show me: Is there an AI on your favorite app? What does it do?"

"Are you using AI to help you learn, or is it just doing the work for you?"

"Did you know that computer can tell lies? How do we check if it's telling the truth?"

talking-to-kids-about-ai-privacy-fairness-and-responsibility (1).pdf

hablando-con-ninos-sobre-la-ia-privacidad-imparcialidad-y-responsabilidad-1 (1).pdf

Using AI Wisely for School Success

AI tools can explain complex ideas, generate examples, create practice questions, and help organize information.

When overused, AI tools can make learning shallower by doing too much of the thinking for students.

Learning sticks when students actively think through ideas, make mistakes, revise their work, and explain concepts in their own words. AI should support this process, not replace it.

using-ai-wisely-for-school-success.pdf

Additional Resources

family-guide-to-ai.pdf

Family Resources for Artificial Intelligence