St. Albert the Great is committed to providing our middle school students with the best possible learning environment, both in and out of the classroom. Chromebooks are powerful tools for digital literacy, but their constant accessibility creates a distinct challenge: maintaining sharp academic focus and mitigating the constant temptation of non-educational apps and gaming sites.
We've noted that the immediate availability of online distraction makes it tough for students to stay engaged. Research is clear: multitasking fragments attention, making it nearly impossible to grasp complex concepts and causing students to miss important information about assignment deadlines and requirements. This constant mental switching impacts deep learning and overall academic performance.
To address these concerns proactively and support our students in developing focused, healthy digital habits, we will be implementing a new "Device downtime restriction" through the Google Admin Console for all 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade student Chromebooks.
Beginning Friday, November 14, 2025, your student's Chromebook will automatically enter a downtime period from 11:00 PM to 6:30 AM daily, including weekend evenings and holidays.
This policy is designed to:
Promote healthy sleep habits: Ensuring devices are inactive during crucial sleep hours.
Reduce late-night distractions: Helping students wind down and prepare for the next school day.
Encourage offline activities: Providing opportunities for reading, family time, and other non-digital pursuits.
Support academic focus: By reducing the temptation for late-night gaming or browsing that can impact morning alertness and classroom engagement.
π’ Important Detail: The Automatic Sign-Out and Complete Lock-Out
To ensure a smooth transition and no unexpected loss of access:
The Countdown: If a student is actively using their Chromebook as 11:00 PM approaches, a notification will appear in the lower right-hand corner of the screen, warning them to save their work.
The Sign-Out: At precisely 11:00 PM, the student will be automatically signed out of the Chromebook.
The Hard Lock: The student will not be able to log back into the device until the downtime period ends at 6:30 AM the following morning.
In short: from 11:00 PM to 6:30 AM, the school-issued Chromebook is officially on vacation. Please know that this setting is enforced by the school's administration system and cannot be bypassed or overridden by the student or parent. We appreciate your support in enforcing this digital "curfew."
We believe this measure will be a valuable tool in helping our students manage their screen time more effectively and foster an environment conducive to learning and well-being.
While the school manages the overnight "curfew", we want to give you tools for managing the device during "at-home" hours. Our district uses GoGuardian Admin for filtering and monitoring, and this allows parents to gain additional insight and control through the GoGuardian Parent mobile app (available for free on iOS and Android).
To begin using the app, parents must notify our Technology Director, Ken O'Brien, at kobrien@stalbert.org, that they wish to use the GoGuardian Parent App. Please include the name of your student in the email so he can correctly link your parent app account with the student's Chromebook.
This app gives you powerful, customizable controls that are active outside of "school hours" (7:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday)
βΈοΈ On-Demand Internet Pause: You can immediately pause internet access on your childβs school Chromebook if you need them to focus on dinner, homework, or a family discussion.
π Review Browsing History: You can review a summary of your student's browsing activity on the school device, which can be a great conversation starter about responsible online choices.
π« Custom Site Blocking: You can apply additional filters to block specific websites that you deem distracting or inappropriate for your family (even if the school hasn't blocked them).
A crucial note: The GoGuardian Parent App only limits browsing and provides monitoring on the school-issued Chromebook. It has absolutely no control over your student's personal phone, tablet, or home computer. We encourage all parents to download and utilize the GoGuardian Parent app to partner with us in setting healthy boundaries.
While the school's new policy and the GoGuardian app address device time, managing screen time is an ongoing partnership between home and school. Here are some general strategies and tips for parents to help their children develop healthy digital habits:
1. Establish Family Screen Time Rules
Work together as a family to create clear expectations for screen time. This could include:
Designated "tech-free" zones: Such as the dinner table or bedrooms after a certain hour.
Time limits: Decide on a reasonable amount of daily recreational screen time.
Content guidelines: Discuss appropriate games, apps, and websites.
2. Encourage a Variety of Activities
Ensure your child has plenty of opportunities for activities beyond screens. Encourage:
Outdoor play: Sports, bike riding, exploring nature.
Creative pursuits: Drawing, painting, playing musical instruments, building with Legos or blocks.
Reading: Visit the library together and encourage reading for pleasure.
Family time: Board games, conversations, card games, or shared meals .
3. Create a "Digital Sunset"
Just as the school's policy creates downtime, consider implementing a "digital sunset" at home. Encourage your child to power down all personal devices (phones, tablets, gaming consoles) at least an hour before bedtime. This allows their minds to relax and signals to their bodies that it's time to sleep.
4. Model Healthy Behavior
Children learn by example! Be mindful of your own screen time habits. Put your phone away during family meals, engage in non-digital hobbies, and show your child the importance of disconnecting.
5. Talk About It
Have open and honest conversations with your child about the importance of balanced screen time. Discuss the potential impacts of too much gaming or social media on their grades, friendships, and mental health. Listen to their perspectives and concerns.
Question
Answer
Why is the downtime policy in effect on weekend evenings too?
We recognize that weekends are different, but late-night device use on Friday and Saturday can still negatively impact sleep quality and academic alertness on Monday morning. Consistency helps set predictable boundaries for students every day of the week.
What if my child needs to complete homework late at night?
All students are expected to manage their time to complete assignments before the 11:00 PM cutoff. The Chromebook is an educational tool, and we strongly discourage using it for schoolwork past 11:00 PM for the sake of student health and sleep hygiene.
Can I, as a parent, bypass this setting?
No. This restriction is enforced directly by the Google Admin Console. There is no password or override code that can be used by parents or students to log back in between 11:00 PM and 6:30 AM.
Does this affect personal devices (phones, tablets, etc.)?
No, this policy only applies to the school-issued Chromebook. We encourage you to use the tips above to set similar boundaries for personal devices in your home.
What happens if a student is in the middle of a document at 10:59 PM?
The student will receive an on-screen notification before 11:00 PM warning them to save their work. We strongly advise students to manually save their work immediately upon seeing the notification.
We believe that by working together, we can help our students develop the self-regulation and healthy habits necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world. This new Chromebook policy is one step in that direction, and we appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your child's success.
If you have any questions about this new policy or need assistance setting up the GoGuardian Parent app, please do not hesitate to contact me at kobrien@stalbert.org.