As you know, ISB middle school students are assigned a laptop for school and home use starting in grade 6. This year, unlike our usual practice, even the grade 6 students have the laptops at home. We did this to be prepared for any sudden requirement to switch to “Virtual School,” which we hope won’t happen, but prepare for.
We understand that despite the laptops being powerful learning tools that they can also be a distraction, a pull for further screen time, and, at times, counterproductive for family time. As such, it is important to set guidelines and expectations for your child about their use of the laptop at home.
This week we sent home a Laptop Agreement form with all students. This form requires a conversation between parents and their child about home expectations around technology use. We ask that all parents go through this with their child, each filling in the answers agreed upon together on the two copies provided. One copy will be returned to school by Tuesday, August 18th and one can stay home with you to reference if you ever feel the expectations agreed to aren’t being met.
Middle school aged children are in a key developmental stage and learning to balance their tech use is important learning during this time. We will be running digital citizenship lessons with students in the coming weeks through our Advisory program and we encourage these ongoing conversations at home. Together we can help your child navigate this important part of their realities.
