TECHNOLOGY POLICIES

Technology Use at Royce

Technology Use and Monitoring Policy

Privacy Policy

Student Devices, Chromebooks, and Google Workspace

Effective Date: 2025

Purpose

The Royce School provides students with access to Chromebooks, Google Workspace for Education (including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, YouTube, and other applications), and internet resources to support learning. This policy outlines our practices regarding monitoring, privacy, and appropriate use of these technologies.

Overview of School-Provided Technology

Students may be assigned or have access to:

  • School-owned Chromebooks
  • Google Workspace for Education accounts
  • Google Drive storage
  • Google applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.)
  • YouTube and YouTube for Education
  • Internet access through school networks

Monitoring and Privacy Notice

IMPORTANT: Students and parents should have NO expectation of privacy when using school-provided devices, accounts, or networks.

What We Monitor

The Royce School reserves the right to monitor, access, review, and disclose all activity on school-provided devices and accounts, including but not limited to:

  • Chromebook Activity:
    • Websites visited
    • Applications used
    • Search history
    • Downloads
    • Screenshots and screen activity
    • Login/logout times and locations
  • Google Workspace Activity:
    • Email content sent and received through school accounts
    • Files stored in Google Drive
    • Documents, presentations, and spreadsheets created or accessed
    • Google Chat messages
    • Google Classroom submissions and communications
    • Shared files and folders
    • Deleted items (which may be recoverable)
  • YouTube Activity:
    • Videos watched and search history
    • Comments posted or received
    • Channels subscribed to
    • Playlists created or accessed
    • Videos uploaded (if permitted)
    • Watch time and viewing patterns
  • Internet and Network Activity:
    • Websites accessed
    • Online searches
    • Streaming activity (including YouTube and other video platforms)
    • Download history
    • Network traffic

Why We Monitor

We monitor student technology use to:

  • Ensure student safety and well-being
  • Prevent cyberbullying, harassment, or inappropriate behavior
  • Protect against security threats and maintain network integrity
  • Verify appropriate use of educational resources
  • Comply with legal obligations (CIPA, COPPA, etc.)
  • Investigate potential violations of school policies
  • Respond to concerns about student welfare
  • Ensure age-appropriate content access on video platforms

Who Can Access Student Data

The following individuals may access monitored information when necessary:

  • School administrators
  • Technology staff
  • Teachers and educational staff (for educational purposes)
  • Parents/guardians (upon request for their own child’s information)
  • Law enforcement or other authorities (when legally required)

Content Filtering and Safety Measures

Internet Filtering

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), The Royce School uses content filtering software to:

  • Block access to inappropriate websites and content
  • Filter harmful, violent, or obscene material
  • Restrict access to social media and non-educational sites during school hours
  • Monitor for potential safety concerns
  • Filter YouTube content to educational or age-appropriate videos

Important Note: No filtering system is 100% effective. Students may occasionally encounter inappropriate content despite our filters. Students should immediately report any concerning content to a teacher or administrator.

YouTube Access and Restrictions

YouTube Usage Policy:

The Royce School provides controlled access to YouTube for educational purposes only. The following restrictions apply:

  • Restricted Mode: YouTube Restricted Mode is enabled on all school devices and accounts to filter out potentially inappropriate content
  • Supervised Access: YouTube access may be limited to YouTube for Education or teacher-approved content only
  • Comment Restrictions: Student ability to post comments on YouTube videos may be disabled
  • Upload Restrictions: Students may only upload videos with teacher permission and supervision
  • Educational Use Only: YouTube access is provided solely for classroom instruction and educational research

Teachers may:

  • Share educational YouTube videos in Google Classroom
  • Create playlists of approved educational content
  • Use YouTube as a teaching tool with appropriate supervision

Students may NOT:

  • Browse YouTube freely without teacher direction
  • Watch entertainment or non-educational videos during school hours
  • Post comments on videos without explicit permission
  • Upload personal videos unrelated to school assignments
  • Share links to inappropriate content
  • Use YouTube for social or entertainment purposes

Safety Monitoring Tools

We use monitoring software that may:

  • Flag concerning keywords or phrases (violence, self-harm, bullying, etc.)
  • Alert administrators to potentially dangerous online behavior
  • Track device location if lost or stolen
  • Screenshot or record activity for safety purposes
  • Monitor YouTube viewing history and flag inappropriate content access attempts

Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to:

  • Use school technology only for educational purposes
  • Follow all school rules and policies when using devices
  • Protect their login credentials and not share passwords
  • Report any technical issues, lost devices, or concerning content immediately
  • Understand that all activity may be monitored and reviewed
  • Use appropriate language and behavior in all digital communications
  • Respect others’ privacy and digital property
  • Not attempt to bypass security measures or access restricted content
  • Only watch YouTube videos assigned or approved by teachers
  • Report any inappropriate YouTube content encountered

Prohibited Activities

Students may NOT:

  • Access, create, or share inappropriate, offensive, or harmful content
  • Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or threatening behavior
  • Attempt to bypass content filters or security measures (including YouTube Restricted Mode)
  • Download unauthorized software or applications
  • Share login credentials with others
  • Use school accounts for personal, commercial, or non-educational purposes
  • Violate copyright laws or plagiarize content
  • Access another student’s account, files, or data without permission
  • Use school technology to engage in illegal activities
  • Browse YouTube for entertainment purposes during school hours
  • Post comments, upload videos, or engage with YouTube content without teacher permission
  • Attempt to access age-restricted or filtered YouTube content

Personal Devices (BYOD – Bring Your Own Device)

Using Personal Devices on School Network

If students connect personal devices to the school WiFi network:

  • School content filtering applies to all devices using our network
  • The school may monitor internet activity while connected to school WiFi, including YouTube access
  • Students are responsible for securing and maintaining their personal devices

Using School Google Accounts on Personal Devices

If students log into their Royce School Google account on a personal device (at school or home):

  • School content filtering and monitoring apply to all activity conducted through the school account, regardless of location or network
  • The school may monitor internet activity, Google Workspace usage, and YouTube access when logged into school accounts
  • This monitoring applies even when using home internet or other non-school networks

What We Do NOT Monitor

The school does NOT monitor:

  • Activity on personal devices when not connected to school networks AND not logged into school accounts
  • Personal email accounts, social media, or other non-school applications
  • Personal browsing history outside of school account usage
  • Device activity when school accounts are logged out

Our Recommendation

We strongly recommend students use school-provided devices for all school-related work. This maintains clear boundaries between monitored school activities and private personal use, preventing confusion about what is and isn’t subject to school monitoring.

Student Responsibilities for Personal Devices

Students using personal devices must:

  • Understand that school accounts are monitored regardless of which device they use
  • Log out of school accounts when conducting personal activities
  • Not share school login credentials with family members or friends
  • Ensure personal devices meet basic security standards (password protection, updated software)
  • Accept full responsibility for loss, damage, or theft of personal devices

Parent and Guardian Rights

Parents and guardians have the right to:

  • Review their child’s technology use records, including YouTube history, upon request
  • Receive notification if concerning online behavior is detected
  • Opt their child out of certain technology uses (where educationally feasible)
  • Discuss any concerns about technology monitoring with school administrators
  • Request deletion of student data in accordance with applicable laws
  • Review YouTube content their child has accessed through school accounts

To exercise these rights, please contact [Administrator Name] at [contact information].

Data Retention and Deletion

  • Student accounts and data are maintained while the student is enrolled at The Royce School
  • Upon graduation or withdrawal, student accounts may be deactivated within [30/60/90] days
  • Some records may be retained for educational, legal, or safety purposes as required by law
  • Parents may request deletion of certain student data in accordance with FERPA and Georgia law
  • YouTube watch history and activity logs are retained as part of student technology records

FERPA and Student Privacy

Technology records, including YouTube activity, are considered part of a student’s education record under FERPA and are protected accordingly. The school will not disclose student technology data to third parties except:

  • To school officials with legitimate educational interests
  • With parent/guardian consent
  • As required by law or court order
  • In emergency situations involving student safety

Google Workspace for Education Privacy

The Royce School uses Google Workspace for Education, which is covered by Google’s privacy commitments:

  • Google does not own student-created content
  • Google does not use student data for advertising purposes
  • Google provides security measures to protect student information
  • YouTube for Education features enhanced privacy protections for student accounts
  • Parents can review Google’s privacy policies at https://workspace.google.com/terms/education_privacy.html
  • YouTube privacy information is available at https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802272

YouTube and Student Data

When students access YouTube through school accounts:

  • Watch history is logged and may be reviewed by school administrators
  • YouTube does not serve personalized ads to students using Workspace for Education accounts
  • Students under 13 access YouTube through restricted, supervised modes
  • Video recommendations are limited to age-appropriate, educational content

Consequences for Violations

Violations of this Technology Use and Monitoring Policy may result in:

  • Loss of technology privileges (temporary or permanent)
  • Loss of YouTube access
  • Disciplinary action in accordance with the student handbook
  • Parent/guardian notification and conference
  • Referral to law enforcement for illegal activities
  • Financial responsibility for damaged or lost devices

Technology Acceptable Use Agreement

All students and parents must sign an Acceptable Use Agreement acknowledging:

  • They have read and understand this policy
  • Students will use technology responsibly and appropriately
  • All technology use, including YouTube activity, may be monitored
  • There is no expectation of privacy when using school devices or accounts
  • YouTube access is restricted to educational purposes only

Questions and Concerns

If you have questions about this policy or concerns about student technology use, please contact:

School Administration: Laci Culbreth, Head of School

Additional Legal Compliance Notes

CIPA Compliance (Children’s Internet Protection Act)

This policy complies with CIPA requirements for schools receiving E-Rate funding, including:

  • Internet safety policies
  • Content filtering for minors (including YouTube)
  • Monitoring of online activities
  • Education about appropriate online behavior

COPPA Compliance (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)

For students under 13, The Royce School acts as the agent for parents in consenting to the collection of student information by Google Workspace for Education (including YouTube), as permitted under COPPA. YouTube features for students under 13 are limited and supervised.

FERPA Compliance

All student technology records, including YouTube viewing history, are protected as education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The effective date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, FERPA rights, or how we handle your information, please contact us:

The Royce School
4 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: 912-354-4047
Fax: 912-354-4633
[email protected]