Admirable Use Policy

Alexander Ferguson School (AFS) is looking forward to utilizing technology for the 2025 – 2026 academic year. Students will have the opportunity to utilize computers, online applications, tablets, and other digital resources. Prior to using technology in the school, learning expectations are being communicated to students and parents/guardians. Each student and parent/guardian are expected to read below and sign. If there are any concerns about signing this contract please contact your child’s teacher or the principal. 

Digital Technology for Learning  

The use of technology is an integral part of learning at all CBE schools, as required by Alberta Education’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Program of Studies. Students are encouraged to use our network and digital learning tools to collaborate with others to contribute to the learning environment in meaningful, positive ways. By utilizing the school’s digital resources and/or the network, students agree to the guidelines for digital technology use outlined in this document. They also agree to the Digital Citizenship guidelines about technology use in the school. For more information about this, visit https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/technology-for-learning/Pages/Digital-Citizenship.aspx.  

Students are encouraged to use digital technology to: 

• Access, critically assess, and communicate information and understanding 
• Seek alternative viewpoints 
• Collaborate during inquiry 
• Construct personal knowledge and meaning 
• Demonstrate understandings 
• Organize and manipulate data 
• Interact and share learning with others 
• Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to: 
• Use of someone else’s CBE account or access to the network 
• Sending or displaying inappropriate messages or images 
• Using obscene language 
• Any use other than approved or directed by staff 
• Harassing, insulting or attacking another person or their reputation 
• Trespassing in other people’s folders, work or files 
• Accessing, posting, sending or downloading inappropriate material 
• Assuming the identity of another person 
• In any way opening hardware or computer accessories 
• Any attempt and/or threats to harm a person 
• Plagiarism of online content 
• Posting, publishing, circulating or distributing someone's personal information (images, work, etc.) without their consent 
• Deleting other students’ work, especially in shared workspaces (ie. Google docs) 
• Use of technology or the network to access sites/software not approved by staff 
• Downloading or uploading content not approved by staff 
• Damage or misuse of equipment or attempting to damage equipment 

Procedure for Policy Violation 

Depending on the severity of inappropriate use, consequences will be determined by school teachers and the administrative team. Parents/Guardians will be notified. This Admirable Use Policy complements a number of Calgary Board of Education Administrative Regulations, including: AR1062 -­ Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources, AR6047 – Vandalism and Damage to School Property, AR6005 – Student Code of Conduct, AR6006 – Progressive Student Discipline and AR6008 – Student Personal Mobile Devices. 

https://cbe.ab.ca/about-us/policies-and-regulations/Pages/Administrative-Regulations.aspx  

All electronic devices at Alexander Ferguson School are subject to monitoring and a search by Alexander Ferguson School staff when there are reasonable grounds to suspect misuse and abuse. There is no right to privacy on any Calgary Board of Education network. The use of electronic devices at Alexander Ferguson School is a privilege, not a right, and the misuse of electronic devices and or the computer network will result in temporary/permanent revocation of this privilege. 

“Away for the Day” 

Personal Mobile Device Use at Alexander Ferguson 

Personal Mobile Device (PMD):  

• Any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or access the internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, gaming device, laptop, or smartwatch.  
• This also may include devices capable of communicating with a PMD (e.g. Bluetooth devices) such as headphones, earbuds, or smart speakers. 

Away for the Day: 

• Personal mobile devices brought to school must be powered off or set to silent mode and stored in the classroom holder upon entering the building. Students are not permitted to use social media applications via CBE networks on PMDs or CBE-owned devices inside the school during the school day. 
• For the purposes of this policy, the school day, when supervision is provided, is from 8:36am until exiting the school. 
• No digital device should ever be used in a washroom. Any digital devices used in a washroom will be confiscated and returned as per the consequences listed below.  
• At the end of the school day students are free to use their devices outside to connect with their parents/guardians, but not for social media or other purposes until they are off of school property. 

Messages to and from Students: 

• Messages from parents should be called in to the main office.  School office personnel will forward these to our students in a timely manner. 
• We encourage all parents to ensure that after-school plans and early-dismissal pick-ups are well communicated to your child before the school day (prior to 8:42am) 
• Students who need to contact a parent during the day can do so from any phone in the school, with teacher permission. 
• Students are free to check for messages from their parents and to contact parents on their devices once they have left the school or with permission from the office. 
• Theft and Responsibility: 

Students who choose to bring personal mobile devices to school do so at their own risk. The security and storage of these items is the sole responsibility of the owner or user. CBE assumes no responsibility for the safety, security, loss, repair or replacement of student PMDs. 

Exceptions: 

• There may be exceptions granted by school administration allowing students to use personal mobile devices during school hours. Devices will be used under the supervision of school staff at all times. 

Consequences for Inappropriate Use: 

First Incident: Verbal Warning 
Student is reminded of the expectations regarding responsible use of Personal Mobile Devices and/or social media. 
 

Second Incident: Confiscation and Parent/Guardian Informed 
Student will turn in the mobile device to the teacher, and it will be returned to the student at the end of the school day. Parent/guardian is informed by the teacher. 
 

Third Incident: Confiscation and Parent/Guardian Involvement 
Student will turn in the mobile device to the office and can retrieve the phone at the end of the school day from the office. An Administrator will contact the parents/guardians to inform them of the repeated infractions. 
 

Fourth Incident: Loss of Privileges 
Student will not bring the mobile device to school or will turn it into the office at the beginning of day and retrieve it when they leave for the day 
 

Further Incident(s) may result in other actions as determined by the administration in consultation with parent/guardian.