Friends' Central School encourages the use of technology to enhance and support student learning. Students need to exercise responsible behavior when using technology and understand that by using any device on campus they are expected to adhere to the community values. Students and parents/caregivers can submit help tickets for assistance via our Tech HelpDesk: https://fcit.freshservice.com/support/home
Students in grades 6 through 12 are issued school-owned Chromebooks and chargers. Please see the Middle and Upper School sections of this handbook for additional policies and procedures related to school-owned Chromebooks, including the school’s repair policy.
FCS Students Should:
Use school-provided technology only for approved academic or school-related purposes.
Be responsible for all work done on their account and device; thus, passwords and devices may not be shared.
Be aware of copyright, trademark, and fair use laws.
Only use school email for academic or school-related purposes.
Only take pictures, video, and audio of community members after permission is given
Check school email and Canvas accounts daily (Middle & Upper School students)
Take great care and use good judgment when using the FCS network to communicate since every message/email sent represents the student and the school.
Receive permission from a faculty member or administrator before sending an unsolicited email to a group of more than 20 people.
FCS Students Should Not:
Attempt to harm, disable, or remove data, devices, or configurations, including content firewalls and filters.
Impersonate another person or organization online. This includes, but is not limited to: logging into an internet-based account as another person, posting material in the name of another person, creating a social media account with the FCS name or seal in the title, or changing settings in another person's internet-based account.
Not use email or social media to handle/address personal issues or interpersonal conflicts, since email that you send can be sent to others.
Additional Prohibited Actions
Slander and Libel: Harmful and false statements will not be tolerated.
Vandalism: Deliberate attempts to damage or alter the hardware, software, or information residing in the school or on the school network or any other computer system attached through the Internet will violate this policy. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to: attempting to violate the integrity of private accounts, files or programs; the deliberate infection of the network with a computer “virus; ” attempts at “hacking” into any of the computers using any method; or other such actions which will not be tolerated.
Theft: Users should treat information found electronically the same way they do information found in printed sources. It is the responsibility of each user to comply with the requirements of the owners of the software regarding its acquisition and use. Students may not use any FCS technology resource for the illegal copying, storing, or dissemination of illegally acquired software/intellectual property. Theft includes identity theft whereby a person impersonates another person online.
Harassment: All forms of harassment on or offline will not be tolerated and violates our student code of conduct. Cyberbullying includes but is not limited to the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending, or posting inappropriate and hurtful email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, website postings (including “blogs”), social media posts and messages. Community members who feel that they have been the victim of such misuses of technology should not erase the offending material from the system. They should print a copy of the material and report the incident immediately to the appropriate divisional principal, Upper School assistant principal, Upper School Dean, Middle School assistant principal, or the Lower School assistant principal. All reports of harassment in cyberspace will be investigated fully and could result in consequences.
Inappropriate Access: Users may not use FCS network to access inappropriate, pornographic, and/or sexually explicit materials found on the Internet. Users not exercising responsibility by accessing such materials will lose all FCS technology access. Students who inadvertently access inappropriate material are responsible for immediately notifying a faculty or a Technology staff member. In addition, users may not use the FCS network to interact with any social media service. Access to social networking websites required for school-related projects must be requested by the assigning teacher and approved by the Technology Department.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers opportunities to enhance learning and support academic tasks. This responsible use policy establishes a framework for students to use AI tools safely, responsibly, ethically, and effectively. It aligns with our school’s policies on the Responsible Use of Technology, our expectations for academic integrity, and our core Quaker values and educational objectives. We want students to use AI as a valuable tool, not as a replacement for critical thinking, the learning process, or human interaction.
For this policy, artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to technologies that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and generating content. This includes generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, DALL-E), machine learning systems, AI-powered educational software, and analytical tools.
Acceptable Use: Utilizing AI tools in a manner that is ethical, transparent, supports academic growth, and adheres to all school policies and legal requirements. Examples include:
Correcting grammar or spelling the way that Google Docs or Word make suggestions.
Summarizing factual information from approved sources for research (always verifying accuracy).
Generating practice questions or study aids for personal use.
Exploring concepts or generating creative content when permitted by a teacher for a specific assignment.
Examples of Unacceptable Use:
Using AI to generate work that is submitted as a student’s own original work without proper acknowledgment or in violation of specific assignment guidelines.
Submitting AI-generated content when an assignment requires a student’s independent thought and writing.
Using AI to create or spread misinformation, discriminatory content, or harmful materials.
Inputting sensitive personal data (e.g., home address, health information) or others' sensitive, private information into public or unsecured AI platforms.
Any use that infringes on copyright, intellectual property rights, or data privacy regulations.
AI is a tool; it is not a replacement for a student’s own critical thinking, original effort, or the essential human interactions. When using AI, we expect students to adhere to these principles:
A student must be transparent about their use of AI tools in any academic work. If an assignment permits the use of AI, the student must clearly state how and where they used it, following the teacher's specific instructions.
Any content or information generated by AI must be critically reviewed, verified, and edited by the student for accuracy, appropriateness, and bias before use. AI is a tool to assist, and students are ultimately responsible for the final output.
Our school upholds its high standards of academic integrity. Using AI-generated content and submitting it as one’s own, without proper permission or citation, will be considered plagiarism according to the school's academic integrity policy.
AI models can reflect and amplify existing human biases. Students must learn to critically evaluate AI-generated content for bias, just as they do with all resources and sources.
We encourage students to learn about the capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications of AI tools as this technology continues to evolve.
The safety and security of your personal information and our school's data are paramount. When using AI:
Data Privacy: Never enter personally identifiable information (PII) or anyone else's sensitive personal data (e.g., names, addresses, grades, health information) into public AI tools or platforms that the school's IT department does not explicitly approve.
Approved Tools: The school will provide guidance on approved AI tools that have been vetted for educational value, data privacy, and security. Prioritize using these tools.
Secure Practices: Use strong, unique passwords for any AI accounts. Be cautious of phishing scams or malicious AI tools. Understand the terms of service and privacy policies of any AI tool before use.
Reporting Breaches: Any suspected data breach or security incident involving AI tools must be reported immediately to an administrator, such as the divisional principal or assistant principal.
Google Workspace for Education and COPPA
Friends' Central School is dedicated to continually improving student learning experiences by integrating innovative and effective technological tools into its curriculum and operations.
One of the primary ways that FCS is achieving this goal is by utilizing Google Workspace for Education. This comprehensive suite of cloud-based tools and services, which includes widely-used applications such as Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Google Workspace for Education offers robust privacy protections and is compliant with major privacy laws designed to protect minors. However, certain Google-connected apps and services within this suite require explicit parental consent before they can be used by a student under 18 years old (Examples include: YouTube, Google Takeout, Google Earth Studio, Google Transfer, etc.)
To streamline the process of providing our students with access to these valuable educational tools, we are requesting your consent to allow FCS to act on your behalf in approving the use of Google-connected apps and services that require parental consent for users under 18 years old. This consent will enable us to manage app approvals efficiently and ensure that your child has access to the tools they need.
As per Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service:
“If Customer (FCS) intends to enable End Users under the age of 18 to access or use any Additional Products or Third-Party Offerings, then Customer will, before allowing any such End User to access or use those products or offerings, obtain parental consent for the collection and use of personal information.”
By signing the acknowledgement of this FCS Student & Family handbook, parents are:
Providing consent to FCS for their child to use Google Workspace for Education apps and services that require parental consent for users under the age of 18.
Providing consent to FCS to manage and approve the use of Google-connected apps and services by their child, as deemed appropriate for educational purposes by FCS.
Providing consent for the collection and use of their child’s personal information by Google-connected “Additional Products” and “Third-Party Offerings” as defined in the Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service.
More Information About Online Educational Services and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Schools are required to obtain parental consent before they can collect personal information from students under the age of 13 for the purpose of using online educational services. This consent is necessary to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA). COPPA mandates that websites and online services directed at children under 13 must obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing any personal information from these children.
The type of personal information typically required for online educational services includes the student's name, FCS email address, and other relevant details that may be necessary for the student to access and use the service. By obtaining parental consent, the school is authorized to share this information with third-party website operators who provide the educational services. You can find a list of privacy policies for these third-party educational products here.
The school can provide consent on behalf of all its students, which eliminates the need for individual parents to provide consent for each specific website or online service that the school uses. Schools must still ensure that they have appropriate measures in place to protect student privacy and data security. FCS has implemented safeguards to limit the collection, use, and disclosure of student information to only what is necessary for educational purposes.
For parents/guardians of children under the age of 13, signing the acknowledgement of this FCS Student & Family handbook grants FCS permission to allow your student access to online educational services as outlined in the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact Dan Crowley, Director of Technology: dcrowley@friendscentral.org.
We understand that phones and technology lead to student behavior reaching far beyond the confines of the classroom and the School’s campuses. With the proliferation of social media and the ubiquity of smart technology come new challenges and greater responsibility. Please note that most social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, do not allow children under 13 to join. COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, is a federal law that “imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.” Parents/caregivers should be aware of and monitor any social media use by their children and should remind students to never give out personal information online, such as one’s name, phone number, or address.
While not strictly prohibited, we caution the use of group texting among our students. Large group texts/chats often lead to feelings of exclusion, misunderstandings or misinterpretations. They also often involve inappropriate language and things that students would not feel emboldened to say in person.
FCS cannot and does not monitor students’ use of social media, phones or chats; however, if online behavior is impacting the school environment, the administration may choose to respond, involving parents/caregivers, and students. Students need to be aware that they are responsible for the content of their electronic communications and all content posted on all their social media accounts -- regardless of specific reference to FCS and regardless of location from which it is posted (i.e., home or other non-school locations do not render the post not subject to these rules). You are a representative of the school at all times.
Students’ online behavior is also subject to the expectations laid out in this handbook regarding discrimination and harassment (see those sections). If students’ online behavior violates these expectations, they should expect the school to respond. Students who engage in online harassment or cyberbullying may be subject to discipline including suspension or expulsion.
Students are required to adhere to the following social media policies:
Consent must be given before videos and photos are taken and posted to any social media platform or disseminated in any way.
Do not tag or post videos without consent.
Do not post any form of content on someone else’s behalf or impersonate someone else.
Students should not use others’ devices without explicit permission. You are responsible for being an upstander if you receive, see, or read an inappropriate or harmful post, group message, by a member of our Community. This should be reported to a trusted adult at FCS if one is received, seen, or disseminated.
Additionally, we expect students to adhere to these best practices for online engagement:
Read the content of a post in its entirety before re-posting to your account.
Correct mistakes in posts that are incorrect or inappropriate with a note that you have made corrections.
Talk through grievances directly instead of using social media to air concerns with others.
Do not criticize students, parents/caregivers, the school or other institutions online.
Safeguard your online identity by not sharing passwords and by logging out of social media accounts when you are not using them.
Online engagement with anyone should be selective. Your reputation is important to us and should be important to you. When making connections, identify the person you plan to connect with and confirm with certainty who the individual is before sharing connections or posts with them. Remember that anything posted remains accessible virtually indefinitely.
Use privacy settings but be aware that all things shared on a social network can become public.
Avoid sharing personal/private information publicly on social media.
Students may not connect (“friend”, “follow”, etc.) with current FCS faculty or staff from social media accounts that they use for personal communication, with the exception of faculty and staff children who may be connected to their parent/caregivers’ accounts. Students may not post or repost information damaging to the FCS community or to a member of the FCS community. Under no circumstances may a student post any sort of obscene, suggestive, pornographic, or sexually explicit material. Materials or behavioral displays which others would deem offensive or inappropriate in an educational setting/community, includes, but is not limited to, the following list:
● Sexting, which includes but is not limited to, asking for explicit pictures, images, videos or sharing explicit pictures, images or videos of oneself or others;
● Videotaping someone in a place where they have an expectation of privacy, and
● Posting videos of inappropriate student conduct to a social media site that affects the FCS community in a negative manner
● Sharing videos or images that is inappropriate or obscene via text message, “air-drop”, email, chat room etc. during school hours or while at a school sponsored event
If a student’s online conduct and/or electronic communication raises concerns for the school because it is inconsistent with the school’s values and ideals, and or community standards, the school will take action to investigate any such concerns, and may determine that a formal response is warranted. Sanctions for students may include, but are not limited to, educational components and/ or disciplinary action(s) such as written warning, suspension or dismissal from school. Remember, think before you post.
At the beginning of the school year, 9th graders and students new to FCS in grades 10, 11, and 12 are given a school-owned Chromebook and charger. Students are responsible for the Chromebook, which will be theirs for their time in the US, including summers. Students are expected to bring their Chromebook to school every day. There are no loaner Chromebooks or other devices available for US students.
We ask that students:
Adhere to the student Responsible Use Policy while using the Chromebook on and off campus
Keep the Chromebook in good working condition, protecting it from damage, and reporting any damage to the Technology Department
Manage data and keep important documents in their FCS Google Drive
Lost/stolen Chromebooks should be reported to the Technology Department immediately. A replacement Chromebook will be provided to the student.
While we ask students to be responsible for their Chromebooks, we know that mistakes can happen, and Chromebooks may break, glitch, or be damaged.
Students should report any Chromebook issue in person to the Technology Department, which is located on the ground floor of Shallcross. Software issues are covered by insurance and will always be sent out for repair at no cost. Physical damage, such as screen breaks, spills, etc., is generally covered by insurance as well. However, if an excessive amount of damage occurs (2+ Chromebooks broken in 1 school year), we will ask families to cover the cost of repair.
Please see Technology & Responsible Use or email the FCS Technology Department at helpdesk@friendscentral.org with any questions.
Each student in the Middle School will be issued a school-owned Chromebook for the school year. Families must sign an agreement for the use and care of the Chromebook.
Students are expected to bring their Chromebook to and from school each day and to use it for their classwork and homework. They must charge their Chromebook at home each night to ensure it can be used throughout the next school day.
Students are not permitted to bring other laptops or tablet devices to school unless they have specific permission from a teacher for special purposes. When students are using Chromebooks in class, we expect them to be staying on task with their academic work.
Chromebooks given to students for the academic year are the property of Friends’ Central. Signing off on this handbook indicates acknowledgment and agreement with these policies and procedures for Chromebook usage:
FCS provides protection against accidental damage to the Chromebook rented through FCS. A Chromebook that is accidentally damaged will be repaired or replaced by FCS.
However, if an excessive amount of damage occurs (2+ chromebooks broken in 1 school year), we will ask families to cover the cost of repair. The Technology Department will notify families via email each time a student turns in a Chromebook with physical damage.
The protection plan does not cover theft, loss, or replacement of Chromebook determined by FCS to be damaged beyond repair.
If the device is stolen or lost, the parent or caregiver and student are responsible for the full cost of replacing the Chromebook.
Students should immediately report any Chromebook issue in person to the Technology Department, which is located on the ground floor of Shallcross.
Software issues are covered by insurance and will always be sent out for repair at no cost.
Students are responsible for the proper care of the Chromebooks. Students will:
Use the Chromebook primarily for supporting their education at FCS
Not circumvent any security or restrictions that are in place on the Chromebook
Bring it immediately to a teacher for assistance if they suspect a Chromebook is malfunctioning or damaged
Abide by all of the technology provisions and acceptable use policies outlined in the
Student Handbook or possibly face disciplinary action
Understand that, at any time, FCS faculty or staff may need to view the Chromebook’s screen and any data contained within
Not deface or decal the Chromebook hardware, case, or accessories with any markings or stickers (unless supplied by FCS)
We highly recommend that parents and caregivers have their child’s FCS account password and password(s) to any social media sites or applications. We also highly recommend that parents and caregivers monitor their child’s activity on social media, text messages, and email on a regular basis.
When a student is logged into the school-owned Chromebook, even if at home, the school’s web filters will continue working. Common Sense Media is an excellent resource on technology and the media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns