At ACSD1, technology is used to support great teaching and meaningful student learning, not to replace the important role of teachers or the value of hands-on, face-to-face learning experiences. We work closely with educators to provide tools and applications that are purposeful, age-appropriate, and aligned with instructional needs. The digital resources made available to students are reviewed and vetted before they are introduced into our classrooms, with the goal of helping students create, collaborate, communicate, explore, and build the skills they need to be successful. We also recognize the importance of balance and thoughtful technology use, and we want families to understand not only what technology students use at school, but why we use it and how it supports their learning.

Current research suggests that not all screen time is the same. How technology is used, what children are doing on a device, when they are using it, and what that use may be replacing are often more important than simply counting minutes. Purposeful technology use can support learning, creativity, communication, accessibility, and collaboration, while excessive or low-quality recreational use can interfere with sleep, physical activity, face-to-face interaction, and other healthy activities. Families are encouraged to focus on balance, quality, purpose, and healthy digital habits, including screen-free times, appropriate content, and keeping devices from interfering with sleep and family activities.

Resources for Families:

• CoSN: Screens in Balance: This resource was specifically developed to help schools and families have more productive conversations about screen use and distinguishes smartphones/social media, educational technology, and entertainment.
  CoSN: Screens in Balance

• CoSN: Purposeful Education Technology: CoSN's newest 2026 resource explaining why "not all screen time is the same" and why educational use should be considered differently from recreational use.
  CoSN: Purposeful Education Technology

• Common Sense Media: Managing Screen Time: Very parent-friendly, with practical suggestions for screen-free times and zones, family agreements, and modeling healthy technology habits.
  Common Sense Media: What's the Best Way to Manage Screen Time?

• American Academy of Pediatrics: The 5 C's of Media Use: A particularly good resource for parents. Rather than focusing only on hours, the AAP asks families to consider the Child, Content, Calm, Crowding Out, and Communication surrounding technology use.
  AAP: Kids & Screen Time – The 5 C's

The district uses Securly Filter to help provide students with safe, appropriate access to online resources. Securly evaluates internet requests against district-defined filtering policies and content categories, allowing appropriate content while blocking websites and resources that are unsafe, inappropriate, or restricted by district policy. Our filtering is designed to cover all internet traffic, not just selected websites or browser activity. Filtering applies across the district network, and district-managed student devices remain protected when they are used away from school as well. Securly also allows the district to apply age-appropriate policies and review internet activity when needed to support student safety and responsible technology use.

Want to learn more about Securly Filter? Here's a resource: Securly Filter

Teachers use Securly Classroom to help keep students focused and engaged when devices are being used for instruction. During an active class session, teachers can view the screens and open browser tabs of students in their class, direct students to specific websites or resources, close distracting tabs, temporarily lock screens to get students’ attention, and limit students to the websites needed for a lesson. Teachers can also send announcements or messages directly to student devices. These tools allow teachers to manage technology much like they manage other classroom resources, helping ensure that devices are being used for their intended educational purpose.

Securly Classroom is different from our internet filter. Securly Filter continuously applies the district's internet-access policies, while Securly Classroom gives teachers additional tools to manage student devices during an active class.

Learn More about Securly Classroom