Tech Policy
At The Frederick Gunn School, we believe technology should be a tool in the service of our growth. Some uses of technology are vital to that work; others undermine it. We intend to take a tech-forward approach: our guiding principle is to design our environment so students can use technology as a tool, employing AI and other technologies to their best effect while avoiding the uses that work against the development of the human skills we want to cultivate.
Cell Phone Policy
The intention of this policy is to create boundaries for sensible, appropriate, and professional cell phone use that promotes community engagement, as opposed to a culture of isolation where everyone is absorbed by their personal technology. Cell phone policies and etiquette include:
PHONES AWAY
8:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
- Cell phones and earbuds/headphones cannot be in use or visible to the community, in classrooms, community spaces, or the dining hall, or while walking to and from community spaces on our pathways from 8:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
- Additionally, cell phones cannot be visible during formal meals or special events, such as Speaker Series presentations and Community Weekend events.
- Cell phones should never ring or send audible notifications from 8:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m. or during special events.
A Proactive Approach
Our practice will change as technology changes. We will try different modes of engagement with technology, judge them by what they do to student learning and to life in the community, and keep what works. Students and families should expect the particulars to be revised at times during a school year, as we learn more.
Restriction of Access
The school reserves the right to restrict access to any content, application, or service that we determine is not conducive to learning, at any time and for any length of time. We do this by enabling the school's firewall, device management software, and/or other tools. This includes, but is not limited to, restricting gaming, streaming, and social media access during study hall and other times set aside for academic work.
We are going to be purposeful, professional, and adaptable with our technology. We're going to learn when it's more appropriate to look someone in the eye, like every time you walk on a pathway across our campus,
and we are going to talk about those things plainly and straightforwardly.
It's part of a culture of learning that we have together.
- Dr. Emily Raudenbush Gum, Bretter Family Head of School