Elementary Technology Policies

Grades K-3: Students are not provided with individual, dedicated devices for personal use; instead, they have restricted access to shared devices solely for specific purposes, such as participating in academic screeners, completing state-mandated assessments, and utilizing approved educational resources. Device usage is strictly limited in scope and duration, ensuring that technology serves as a targeted tool for essential academic tasks rather than a general-purpose resource. Additionally, students' access to websites and online services is heavily restricted to maintain a focused and secure learning environment, and are under teacher supervision when using these devices to ensure compliance with educational guidelines and appropriate use of technology.

Grades 4-5: In fourth grade, each student is assigned a dedicated Chromebook for use within their classroom. This Chromebook remains assigned to the student through the end of fifth grade, fostering continuity in their learning experience and familiarity with the device. Students are not permitted to take these Chromebooks home over the summer break. Throughout fourth and fifth grades, students may take their Chromebooks home for specific classwork or projects, with an increased emphasis on take-home responsibility in fifth grade to promote accountability and independence. Access to websites and online services remains heavily restricted to maintain a focused and secure learning environment, and students are under direct teacher supervision when using devices at school. This structured approach balances increased device access with oversight, preparing students for responsible technology use as they progress academically.

Students with smart devices at the elementary level are not permitted to use them during the school day. If a parent makes the decision to permit their child to have a cell phone, smartwatch, or similar device at school, it is expected that the cell phone, smartwatch or wearable technology be turned off and in the child’s backpack at all times. This includes the duration of the bus ride. 

All wearable technology should be left at home to prevent classroom disruptions. With the wide variety of wearable devices available—ranging from fitness trackers to smartwatches—determining which devices have additional capabilities requires time and attention from our teachers and staff, interrupting the educational process. To ensure a consistent and distraction-free learning environment, we ask that students not wear any technological devices on their wrists that require our staff to assess their functionality.

If a staff member sees a student with any of the above mentioned devices, the student will be asked to remove the device and store it in their backpack and their teacher will likely contact you about the concern.

E-readers, Nooks, and Kindles are only permitted to support reading in school or on the bus if a teacher determines it is helpful and has told a parent it is allowed.

Users must become familiar with their responsibilities while using the Ridgefield Public Schools technology resources.

Users agree to always adhere to the following standards and expectations for conduct.

• Behave ethically, safely, legally, and responsibly when using technology resources.

• Refrain from utilizing proxy gateways or similar technologies to bypass technology monitoring and filtering.

• Handle technology devices with care. Refrain from deleting, destroying, modifying, abusing, moving resources without permission, and/or accessing unauthorized technology resources.

• Do not breach or disable network security mechanisms, or compromise network stability or security in any way. or download/ modify computer software in violation of the district's license agreement(s) without authorization from the Technology Department.

• Acceptable use of technology defined within the Acceptable Use Policy covers use of all Ridgefield Public Schools technology resources assigned to and used within schools and off-site.

Use technology resources to transmit communications or access information only for legitimate educationally relevant purposes and to access educationally appropriate content.

• Refrain from sending any form of communication that breaches the district's confidentiality and data privacy requirements, or the confidentiality of students.

• Refrain from sending any form of communication that harasses, threatens, or is discriminatory.

• Refrain from accessing any material that is obscene, harmful to minors, or prohibited by law.

• Refrain from using social network tools for personal use. Professional use and a student academic use is defined in RPS policies 4118.51 (4218.51) and 6141.322.

• Use communication and collaboration tools (email, voicemail, blogs, etc.) respectfully and professionally.

Respect the privacy of others and treat information created by others as the private property of the creator.

• Maintain confidentiality of your username and password by not sharing it with others and not using another person’s username and password.

• Maintain the integrity of files and data by not trespassing, modifying, copying or deleting files of other users without their consent.

• Protect the confidentiality and safety of others when sharing work and images.

• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of students, staff and Ridgefield Public Schools by adhering to the Confidentiality and Data Guidelines.

• Share, post, and publish only within the context of the District Publishing Guidelines.

• Respect copyright and fair use laws; these policies and procedures apply in digital contexts, as well. Plagiarism is prohibited.

All technology assigned to staff, students, or visitors are property of Ridgefield Public Schools and are to be kept secure and in working condition.

• Any device provided to staff or students by the Ridgefield Public Schools is the property of Ridgefield Public Schools and, therefore, must be returned to appropriate administrators, teachers, or Technology Department staff upon request.

• Upon departure from the Ridgefield Public Schools, assigned devices are to be returned promptly to the Technology Department.

• Damaged and non-functioning devices are to be returned immediately to the Technology Department for repair.

• Staff and students are financially responsible for theft and damage caused by neglect or improper use.

Consequences for Misuse of Technology

• The Ridgefield Public Schools will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from the use of, or access to, Ridgefield Public School's computer network or the Internet. Ridgefield Public Schools assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by employees, including but not limited to credit card charges, subscriptions, long-distance telephone charges, equipment, and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers, such as copyright violations.

• Users of the technology resources of the Ridgefield Public Schools shall be responsible for damages to the equipment, system, and software resulting from deliberate or willful acts.

• Illegal use of the technology resources of the Ridgefield Public Schools, intentional deletion or damage of files or data belonging to others, and copyright/fair use violations or theft of services will be reported to the appropriate legal authorities for possible prosecution and other consequences.

• The employee or student shall be responsible for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the district related to violations of district policy or these regulations for which they are responsible

• Violation of the Acceptable Technology Use Policy and Regulation or in these procedures could be cause for disciplinary action.