Student 1:1 Technology Use: Guidelines for Learning & Safety
As educators, we recognize that our relationship with technology in schools is complex. Instructional technology has enriched important aspects of teaching and learning while also introducing new challenges. We want our students and staff to use digital tools intentionally and responsibly to support learning, well-being, and connection. Our goal is to prepare students to navigate and shape the digital world with confidence and care.
1:1 Device Update for Families
Technology Expectations & Guidelines
In our classrooms, technology serves the following purposes:
- Supporting meaningful learning experiences aligned with New York State standards and instructional goals.
- Facilitating active learning and student engagement, consistent with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Department of Education.
- Promoting student well-being by encouraging productive and intentional technology use while minimizing activities that detract from learning, reflection, and overall wellness.
Elementary Student Screen Time: 1:1 Devices
While the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has not established specific research-based individual device screen time recommendations for students in grades K–4, we have developed our own following conversations with our teachers.
| Grade | Minimum Usage | Maximum Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 1x per week | 15-minutes per day |
| 1st Grade | 1-2x per week | 20-minutes per day |
| 2nd Grade | 1-2x per week | 30-minutes per day |
| 3rd-4th Grade | 2-4x per week | 30-minutes per day |
Our expectation is that all technology will be used to support active learning experiences aligned to our curriculum and the NYS Learning Standards. These guidelines will be updated as new information emerges. It is important to note that students may use devices more often for special projects or assessments. Devices may also be used in special area classes as aligned to the curriculum.
The New York State Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards recommend a minimum of once-per-week technology use, with a maximum of 15 minutes per day or 30 minutes per five-day week. Pre-K students are not assigned individual devices.
Elementary school parents/caregivers who would like to better understand how their child is using technology in the classroom, including their child’s individual device use, should reach out directly to their child’s classroom teacher.
K-8 Individual Device Guidelines & Practices
We take a proactive approach to monitoring and safeguarding student technology used to support learning, online safety, and healthy technology habits.
- Kindergarten students will not be introduced to their individual devices until the second semester in their primary classroom (except for assessment purposes and Zoom instruction as needed).
- During the Independent Small Group (ISG) block for Grades 3 and 4, individual devices will only be for instructional purposes related to specific assignments, executive functioning, or classroom projects under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
- During the WIN (What I Need) period at the middle level individual devices will only be used for instructional purposes related to specific assignments, executive functioning, homework, or classroom projects under the supervision of the classroom teacher
- Personal devices and cell phones are not used during the school day, bell to bell.
- Faculty will not use screen time as a reward or incentive for behavior.
- Individual devices are not used during lunch or recess in grades K–7.
- Eighth-grade students may use individual devices during lunch or recess only for instructional purposes, such as completing homework or studying.
Grades K–3: Devices remain at school unless the District anticipates the need for remote instruction.
Grade 4: Devices may be sent home only in limited circumstances and with principal approval.
Grades 5–6: Parents/caregivers may request that their child’s individual device remain at school rather than be sent home by making arrangements with the child’s assistant principal. Students will still be expected to complete all required online homework and classwork either during WIN period or on a home device.
Managing Internet Access Beyond the School Day
Grades 5–7: Internet access on CCSD devices will be disabled at 8:30 p.m. and enabled at 6:00 a.m. Students may continue to access District platforms from home devices during this timeframe.
School Breaks: CCSD devices will not be sent home during school breaks unless the District has exhausted its snow days and anticipates that remote instruction may be necessary.
District Safety Measures & Assessment Integrity
- K–8 students may only use district-issued devices.
- K–8 teachers can monitor, restrict, and guide device and app use during instruction.
- We only use Ed-Law 2D-compliant, district-approved apps and instructional software on our devices and in our classrooms.
- K–5 students receive targeted digital citizenship instruction through library classes and MS101.
- High school faculty may use a lockdown browser for assessments to preserve the integrity of the testing environment. Students who do not wish to use this technology on a personal device will be provided with the option of completing the assessment in a paper-based format or on a district-issued device.
- The District uses multiple layers of digital safety and cybersecurity protections to help create a secure learning environment for students and staff:
- Internet safety and content filtering, including blocking non-instructional content
- Student safety monitoring systems that generate alerts
- Monitoring District email and communication platforms
- Network and cybersecurity protections, including enterprise-grade firewalls
- Account and data protection to prevent breaches
- Cybersecurity training for all staff members
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) compliant cybersecurity and data privacy policies