Parents

Most of the learning resources that students access during school are accessed through our Clever portal. Many of those tools will continue to be available during the summer months.

Using the Chrome Browser, start by navigating to https://clever.com/in/darienps

Alternatively, older students would select Log in with Google. Students enter their full username, which follows the pattern lastnamefirstinitial@darienps.org. (ex: smithj@darienps.org)

Elementary student passwords are unique, but follow the pattern of two words followed by two numbers. (ex: shinyapple24). Older students generate their own passwords.

Accessing Clever resources from a personal iPad requires the installation of the Clever App. 
The application is available for free via the Apple App Store.

Clever Login instructions for multilingual families are available on this page: https://clever.com/learning-at-home/families 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to digital systems designed to complete specific tasks. Your smartphone’s facial recognition, virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri, and social media algorithms all use AI. Generative AI (GenAI) is a newer technology that creates original content, including text, images, video, and music, by learning from existing data. If used appropriately, AI supports digital literacy, learning, and productivity in school and beyond.

AI's purpose in our learning environment is to augment, not replace, the effort put into learning. AI in the classroom can provide personalized support, rapid feedback, and engaging learning experiences tailored to individual needs and progress. With teacher permission, AI may be used to facilitate tasks, but not to complete them, ensuring students develop necessary skills.

Use of approved AI tools is at the teacher's discretion and in alignment with curriculum standards and learning goals. If unsure, students should ask the teacher if using AI is acceptable for any given learning task. It is likely that approved usage may require further documentation from older students. Those students should explain how AI was used when they submit an assignment. Librarians can assist with citation formatting for AI prompts.

Please consult each school's student or family handbook and discuss AI practices directly with your child's teacher if you have questions.

 

Typical Appropriate AI Usage		Inappropriate AI Usage
Research Assistance: Gather knowledge and information for a topic, assignment, or assessment.		Submitting AI-Generated Work: Turning in assignments entirely created by AI without disclosure.
Brainstorming: Collect ideas to help start new work.		Plagiarism: Using AI to rephrase existing content without proper citation.
Practice and Revision: Utilizing AI for practice exercises, grammar checks, and feedback.		Misinformation: Relying on unchecked AI-generated information.
Personalize Learning: AI may help you learn at your own pace.		Not Asking Permission: Submitting work without confirming that GenAI is permitted to be used.

 

Last reviewed: 6/15/26

The appropriate amount of technology use and screen time for children at home varies depending on several factors, including age, the purpose of screen time, and individual circumstances. It's essential to strike a balance between technology use and other aspects of a child's development to promote healthy physical, mental, and social growth. The Mediatrician's Guide by Dr. Michael Rich is a worthwhile read for any parent interested in learning more about strategies for raising children around technology.

School-assigned Chromebooks, if brought home, are filtered for internet content, with large groups of sites unreachable. Please monitor and reflect on your child’s use of technology at home, no matter the device type or owner. There are some general guidelines below that may help families make informed decisions about screen time at home:

Age-Appropriate Limits:

• For children under 2 years old, it is generally recommended to avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family or friends.
• For children aged 2 to 5, limit screen time to one hour per day of high-quality, educational programming. Co-viewing and discussing content with the child can enhance the learning experience.
• For children aged 6 and older, screen time can be extended, but it's important to balance it with other activities like physical play, reading, and social interactions.

Content Matters:

• We believe creative content production is more beneficial than passive consumption. Prioritize educational and age-appropriate content. Look for apps, games, and websites that promote learning, creativity, and collaboration. 

Part 1: Non-Technology Solutions for Technology

Establish Screen-Free Zones:

• Designate specific areas in your home, such as the dining room or bedrooms, as screen-free zones to promote family interactions and healthy sleep habits.
• Do not allow students to take devices to bedrooms at night.

Set a Schedule:

• Create a daily or weekly schedule that includes time for schoolwork, physical activity, social interactions, and screen time.

Monitor Usage:

• Have conversations with your child about screen time. Look at usage monitoring tools together and discuss concerns.
• Make sure other caregivers understand and consistently apply your expectations.
• Limit access to social media, especially for children under the age of 13.

Encourage Outdoor Play:

• There is evidence that excessive screen use leads to issues with eyesight and physical fitness. Physical activity and outdoor play address both of those concerns. Aim for at least one hour of physical activity per day.

Model Healthy Screen Habits:

• Children often model their behavior after adults. Be a positive role model by demonstrating healthy screen habits and limiting your own screen time.

Establish a Family Media Plan

• Common Sense Media and the American Academy of Pediatrics offer ideas and samples of plans for all ages and stages of family life. The Mediatrician's Guide also includes information on shared media agreements.

Engage with Your Child:

•  Whenever possible, co-view or co-play with your child during screen time. Ask questions, discuss content, and use it as an opportunity to bond and learn together.
• Find device-free family time, such as during meals together, book sharing at bedtimes, or family game nights.
• Build open communication so if issues with content or online interactions arise, then your child feels comfortable discussing the problem with you.

Homework and Educational Use:

• For older elementary students, ensure that screen time related to homework or educational activities is productive and focused on learning. Bedrooms are not the ideal location for homework. Set aside a location that gives you good visibility of your child while they are completing homework.

Regular Screen-Free Time:

• Encourage regular breaks from screens to reduce eye strain and promote other activities.

 

Part 2: Technology Solutions for Technology:

Some personal consumer-level device types offer built-in parental controls.

Your home internet provider may offer tools as part of your subscription for monitoring and managing home internet use. It is worth contacting them to find out more. There are three technology strategies that parents might explore to further manage internet access on personal or school devices:

• Router/Network Devices (e.g., Google Mesh, Netgear Smart Parent Controls)

How it works: A small box or router add-on connects to your home network and lets you filter, set time limits, or even “pause” internet access for specific devices. Works for all devices in the house without needing to install extra apps.

Limitations: Buying a new router and setting it up can be technically challenging and expensive. Again, your internet provider may already offer these features. Some devices may be harder to identify or manage depending on your router setup, but limits and restrictions can be applied to all device types.

• DNS Filtering (e.g., FamilyShield, NextDNS)

How it works: You change settings on your home Wi-Fi router so that all internet traffic goes through a family-safe filter. This blocks categories like adult sites or anonymous proxy sites. It applies to the any device on your home Wi-Fi.

Limitations: It doesn’t protect devices on other Wi-Fi networks or cellular hotspots. Kids who are tech-savvy may try to bypass it. Setup can be a little technical. Free options (like FamilyShield) are basic; paid services (like NextDNS) allow more custom settings. Some of these services will conflict with devices managed in multiple ways.

• Parental-Control Apps (e.g., Bark, Qustodio, Net Nanny)

How it works: Apps or services that monitor what kids do online, send alerts for risky behavior, and let you set time limits or block apps/sites. Some can watch searches, YouTube, or social media. These monitoring apps work no matter the location of the device.

Limitations: Most require a paid subscription and must be installed on personal devices. Children may find ways to uninstall these tools. These apps cannot be installed on school Chromebooks.

 

The Darien Public School Technology Department cannot assist you with setting up devices or restrictions on your home network.
 

Most of the district-assigned Chromebooks use a USB C style charging system. If you wish to replace a missing charger, or would like a spare, feel free to order your own. Many different chargers will work. For your convenience, this Amazon link is for a popular cost-effective charger.

Darien High School seeks to cultivate a safe and focused learning atmosphere, free from distractions. Research underscores the substantial impact of personal mobile devices on student attention within the classroom environment. Moreover, cell phones have been shown to significantly influence the social, emotional, and mental health/wellness of our youth. The following protocol, starting in the 2025/26 school year, aims to promote a safe and distraction-free learning environment that supports the right to privacy for all students and staff.

School Day Protocol: 

Use of cell phones by students in grades 9 through 11 during school hours is not permitted. Cell phones must be stored in assigned sealable pouches and kept in student backpacks throughout the school day. Students in grade 12 will have the privilege of accessing their phones in the Senior Cafe area during non-lunch blocks. They are not required to use the pouch system. In specific academic situations, and only with the explicit approval of a staff member, students of any grade level may be permitted to access their devices for educational purposes. 

Exemptions:

Some personal mobile devices are used to monitor a student’s health, such as insulin levels or blood pressure. Students using a device for a clearly defined medical purpose must have this accounted for within a student medical accommodation plan, which will require notification from a health care provider. Use of that device must be exclusively for that described medical purpose.

Any other approved exemptions to these guidelines will be handled when requested on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the building principal, family, and related instructional staff.

Darien Public Schools reserves the right to amend these practices as necessary to adapt to evolving technologies and educational needs.

Darien Public Schools 
Cell Phone Protocol for Darien High School Students

2025/26
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers  

1) Summary of the cell phone protocol:

Grades 9-11: Prohibited during school hours. Phones must be locked in assigned pouches and kept in backpacks. 

Grade 12: Prohibited with one exception (Senior area of the cafeteria outside of the lunch waves). Store phone away in backpack, but pouch system not required.

All students: Device access allowed for educational purposes with explicit staff approval.
 

2) Why is Darien adopting a phone-free school policy?

Students need to be able to focus, learn, interact with each other, build an in-person community, and engage with teachers.

These protocols:

• Enhance students' focus and academic performance.
• Reduce distractions in the classroom.
• Encourage students to develop better social skills through face-to-face interactions.
• Promote a healthier school environment.

3) What does the research say?

Article 1

• Banning smartphones reduces the number of consultations for psychological symptoms.
• Banning smartphones lowers the incidence of bullying for both girls and boys.
• Banning smartphones results in girls making gains in both their GPA and externally graded mathematics exams.
• The effects are particularly strong at schools with the strictest bans, requiring students to hand in or lock away their phones, not just place them on silent mode.

Article 2

• Unstructured presence of phones has detrimental academic effects on certain groups of students.
• Restricting their use can be a low-cost policy to reduce educational inequalities.

Article 3

• It can take students up to 20 minutes to refocus on what they were learning once distracted by a notification or text.
• Removing smartphones from schools in Belgium, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom was found to improve learning outcomes

Article 4

• Students reported improved grades, focus and social interaction.
• Fewer behavioral incidents.
• Improved academic integrity.
   

4) What is included in a phone-free device definition?

All forms of mobile telephones that enable wireless communication in any form, such as text, voice, or video.

5) Why not include other smart-enabled devices, such as watches?

Observations from staff and feedback from high school students indicated that other forms of smart-enabled hardware are easier to manage and less likely to be utilized. We wish to provide our older students with a level of trust, but we recognize technology continues to rapidly evolve. We will revisit this decision if student behavior indicates a need to do so.

6) Are students allowed to access phones during passing/transition time and during lunch?

No, phones must be stored and out of sight during the entirety of the school day. Seniors will be afforded access to their personal cell phone in the designated Senior Cafe during non-lunch blocks.

7) How will students manage their class schedule?

Students who piloted pouches in the spring found that they made the necessary adjustments to follow their schedules when they did not have access to phones

Students can check their schedule electronically before the school day and on laptops. Students may print or write a copy of their daily schedule, or utilize a daily planner.

8) What if my child needs their phone in case of a crisis or lockdown at the school?

School security experts say phones can make children less safe in crisis situations for the following reasons:

• Student use of cell phones during an unfolding emergency can distract their attention from safety and emergency response directions being given by school staff.
• Cell phone use by students can hamper rumor control and, in doing so, disrupt and delay effective public safety personnel response.
• Cell phone use by students can impede public safety response by accelerating parental and community arrival at the scene of an emergency during times when officials may be attempting to evacuate students to another site.
• Victims and worried family members trying to get through can jam communications, interfering with first responders.

9) How will parents be informed in case of an emergency during the school day?

In the unlikely event of an emergency during the school day, parents will receive communication through official channels in the same manner that happens for other unexpected events, such as weather delays. (i.e. ParentSquare, email)

10) How do I contact my child during the school day? (i.e. schedule change, after-school activity)

Parents may contact the main school office if they need to reach their children during school hours. The office staff will relay any urgent messages to the students.

Parents and/or guardians who need to contact their student during the school day can email their student on their school email. 

11) What if my child needs to contact me during the school day?

Standard phones are available in every classroom. If a student needs to contact their parent or guardian during the school day, the student may use the classroom phone with permission from the supervising adult. If a more private conversation is necessary, a phone is available in the main office and in the school counselors’ offices.

12) Why can’t teachers be in charge of the class and collect the phones?

Students need consistency and one policy for the entire school benefits all students. Teachers benefit by regaining classroom instructional time instead of having to police phones, as monitoring phones takes time and energy away from teaching and supporting all students. 

13) Why is it important to allow our children to be independent during the school day?

Promoting student independence throughout the school day helps them build vital life skills. When students are not in constant contact with parents, they have more opportunities to develop self-confidence, resilience, and problem-solving abilities, all of which are linked to improved mental health.

14) What if my child has a medical condition that must be monitored by their cell phone?

Students will receive a non-locking velcro sealable version of the pouch system. The school will require documentation from a licensed medical professional to support an exemption such as diabetes or seizure monitoring and must go through the Health Office. This exception still prohibits cell phone use for any other purpose. 

15) What if my child has an IEP/504 plan?

It is extremely rare for a cell phone to be required for an IEP/504 plan. If the situation does arise, documentation is required and the exception is specific to the need only and still prohibits cell phone use for any other purpose. Please notify the case manager ahead of the meeting so that the school nurse is included in the invitation.

16) My child forgot their laptop or forgot to charge it. Can they use their phone?

DHS has a few alternative resources for accessing instructional programs. Students may visit the school library to temporarily check-out a Chromebook or iPad.

17) Will my DHS student be able to use their phone when they leave campus?

Yes.

Additionally, DHS Seniors may use phones in Senior Cafe during non-lunch blocks and if they leave school due to a free period. 

18) Will my child be able to use their phone on a bus?

Yes.

Students with a locking pouch will unlock it before they board buses at dismissal. Experience shows that this takes less than 2 seconds per student per unlock station. There will be multiple unlock stations available at multiple exit points.

19) What if my child forgets to unlock their pouch when they leave campus?

There will be one 24 hour unlock station outside the school building monitored by a security camera. They may come to campus and unlock the bag at any time after the regular school day.

20) Will my student have access to their phone on school-sponsored field trips or sporting events?

Cell phones are generally permitted on bus rides to and from school-sponsored events as well as at the venue, so long as the devices are used in ways that do not negatively impact the school environment.

Some events and locations may have restrictions on the use of cell phones on premises. As guests, we would be obliged to follow any of those limitations.

21) How will a sports coach communicate with my student?

Coaches and club advisors will use email and Google Classroom to communicate important information about activities and events.

22) What about in-class usage for instructional activities?

Students do not need cell phones to complete classwork. Teachers may grant permission to students to access cell phones if an educational benefit exists for accessing cell phones in an instructional block. If a student wishes to use their phone for educational purposes, they must seek permission from their teacher or a school administrator beforehand. Teachers will be provided with an unlocking device when requested in advance.

23) Will it be harder for students to make connections and friends if they are offline all day?

Social media tends to foster asynchronous interactions leading to greater levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. In-person socializing forms far stronger connections and supports the development of healthier social and emotional skills.

24) Don’t some students benefit from having social media?

Even for students who use social media for connection and activism, it is still a distraction during school hours. As a school community, we work hard to foster a culture of inclusion. Our goal is to limit use during the school day to minimize disruption and mitigate the potential harms of social media dependency.

25) Isn’t it better to teach students to use phones responsibly rather than take them away?

Brain science research and expert psychiatrists say the adolescent brain is not able to self-regulate the addictive pull of cell phones and social media. The social media platforms and games that young people spend so much time on were deliberately designed to be addictive. Additionally, part of teaching responsible use is creating phone-free zones that help students understand that phones are a tool to be used at specific times in specific ways, rather than being something that is on and used 24/7.

26) Where will cell phones be stored during the school day?

Students in grades 9-11 will be using an assigned personal locking bag system. These products allow students to maintain possession of personal phones in their backpacks at all times as long as the protocol is followed. Similar magnetically sealed pouch systems have been implemented in hundreds of schools around the world to facilitate an engaged learning environment.

Students in grades 9-11 should keep their cell phones turned off or in airplane mode and stored in their assigned pouch and kept in their backpacks during school hours. 

Grade 12 students similarly are asked to keep their cell phones turned off or in airplane mode and stored in their backpacks during school hours. Students in grade 12 will not be assigned a storage bag, unless they wish to use one.

Alternatively, students may leave their cell phone in their car or at home.
 

27) Why don’t the seniors have a bag?

Senior students are driving, working, and preparing for a world with technology access throughout the day. The goal is to promote their self-regulation and personal time-management. Seniors will store their phones in backpacks throughout the day. 

Seniors will be afforded space in the Senior Cafe to access their phones when it is not the lunch block. 

Seniors may choose to use a sealable pouch or leave their phone in their car, if desired. 
Violation of the cell-phone protocol will result in the assignment of a lockable bag to a senior.
 

28) The middle school does not use lockable bags. Why the high school?

Students at the middle school have individually assigned lockers for storing phones. Darien High School does not have an individual locker for every student. In addition, students at the high school have more time during the day with less structure and lower supervision. The goal of this plan is to support students in the less structured parts of their day.

29) How does it work?

Students in grades 9 -11 will be assigned one locking pouch that will remain with the student throughout the school year. It is similar in size to a pencil case and made of a flexible, soft material.

Before entering the school building, students in grades 9-11 will power off their phone (or set it to ‘airplane mode’) and place it in their assigned lockable pouch.

Students will show their pouch to staff as they enter the building, with the pouch secured. The pouch will remain with the student throughout the school day in the student’s backpack.
        
When exiting at the end of the school day, students will tap one of the magnetic unlocking stations and open the pouch.

Students in grade 12 will similarly power off or set their phone to ‘airplane mode’ and place it in their backpack prior to entering the school building.
 

30) What if my child forgets their pouch at home?

Storage for unsealed phones will be provided in the main office each day. Students will place their phone in a bin in the main office and then retrieve it before going home.

31) What if my child loses the pouch?

Similar to when a student loses an ID badge, there is a replacement fee. (Currently $30.) Until replaced, the student will store their phone in the front office each day. Students will receive a new lockable pouch after paying the fee, or may instead continue to store their phone in the front office each day.

32) What if my student does not abide by the rules and is caught with their phone out during the school day?

1st Offense: Staff member directs the student to the main office to meet with an administrator.  The administrator and student call home to report the incident to their parent.  The phone will remain in the main office for the day and the phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day. 

2nd Offense: Staff member directs the student to the main office to meet with an administrator.  The administrator and student call home to report the incident to their parent. A parent or guardian must pick up the phone in the main office at the end of the school day.
  
3rd Offense: Staff member directs the student to the main office to meet with an administrator.  A parent or guardian must pick up the phone in the main office. Saturday Detention will be assigned. If the student is a senior, this student will also be assigned a locking bag.

If a student continues to have self-regulation issues, consequences will escalate as appropriate for increased violation of school rules including in-school suspension and/or limits on participation in extracurricular activities.  Additional support will be offered by school counselors on a case-by-case basis.
 

33) What happens with confiscated cell phones?

Confiscated devices will be stored in a secure location in the school office area to prevent damage, loss, or unauthorized access.

34) What if my child refuses to comply?

Please help us support your child by discussing the importance of this change in practice.

Students who refuse to comply with directives related to confiscation of phones may be subject to further discipline. See our student handbook for information about discipline and insubordination.

 

What digital applications or services are used in the classrooms?

Privacy contracts and a list of approved software resources for teaching and learning may be accessed here:

Instructional Software Library

A listing in the portal is not an expectation that your child will use that software. Specific questions about usage in the classroom should be directed to your child's teacher.

Research underscores the substantial impact of personal mobile devices (namely cell phones and Smartwatches) on student attention within the classroom environment. Moreover, these devices have been shown to significantly influence the social, emotional, and mental health/wellness of our youth. In response, a District Personal Mobile Device Plan was developed with guidelines to cultivate a safe and focused learning atmosphere, free from distractions. The following guidelines aim to promote a safe and distraction-free learning environment that supports the right to privacy for all students and staff.

School Day Guidelines: 
The use of personal mobile devices by Elementary and Middle school students (PK-8) is prohibited.  At the elementary schools, if families elect to allow their child to carry a personal mobile device for an identified purpose, the device must remain powered off, silenced and stored in the child's backpack (elementary) throughout the school day, including while riding the bus. At MMS, if families elect to allow their child to carry a personal mobile device for an identified purpose, the device must remain powered off, silenced and be stored in the locker throughout the school day.  Any device that is not powered off, silenced and stored away will be confiscated; parents will be required to pick up any confiscated personal mobile devices at the end of the school day.  Darien Public Schools is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal belongings brought to school.

Field Trips/School-Sponsored Activities Guidelines: 
Personal mobile devices are never required for field trips or school-sponsored activities. The use of personal mobile devices for field trips by Elementary and Middle school students is prohibited. Any device that is not powered off, silenced and stored away will be confiscated; parents will be required to pick up any confiscated personal mobile devices at the end of the field trip/school-sponsored activity or school day.  The use of personal mobile devices for certain Middle school field trips may be permitted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the administration and teacher leaders. A decision on the protocol for those trips will be communicated prior to the event and included as information on a permission slip. Expectations for use of those devices, if permitted, will align with appropriate use of district technology resources and related Board policy.

Exemptions:
Some personal mobile devices are used to monitor a student’s health, such as insulin levels or blood pressure. Students using a device for a clearly defined medical purpose must have this accounted for within a student medical accommodation plan, which will require notification from a health care provider. Use of that device must be exclusively for that described medical purpose.

Any other approved exemptions to these guidelines will be handled when requested on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the building principal, family, and related instructional staff.

Darien Public Schools reserves the right to amend these guidelines as necessary to adapt to evolving technologies and educational needs.

Darien Public Schools 
Personal Mobile Device Plan Guidelines 2024-2025
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers  

1) Why are personal mobile devices not allowed during school hours for students?

Research underscores the substantial impact of personal mobile devices (namely cell phones and Smartwatches), which utilize applications that significantly distract students from the learning and social connection that are fundamental to their education.  Moreover, these devices have been shown to significantly influence the social, emotional, and mental health/wellness of our youth. In response, a PK-8 District Personal Mobile Device Plan was developed with guidelines to cultivate a safe and focused learning atmosphere, free from distractions.

2) When will the mobile device guidelines be in place?

The start of the 2024-2025 school year. We will communicate and discuss these practices with students and staff during the first three days of school (August 28-30). Full implementation will start on Tuesday, September 3rd.      

3) What happens if a student is observed with their personal mobile device during school hours?

In MMS, a student observed with a personal mobile device will be directed to hand over the device to the teacher. At the first available opportunity, the teacher will pass along the device to the main office for safe storage and contact the grade level administrator, who will reach out to the family to arrange pick up of the device at the school in the main office after school hours. Additional consequences in alignment with our behavior policy may be applied, if necessary.

If a personal mobile device is observed in an elementary child’s possession during the school day, the elementary school teacher will redirect the child to ensure the device is off and returned to their backpack or locker. Depending on the intent or level of distraction, the device may be sent to the front office, where a guardian will need to pick it up.

4) What types of devices are considered personal mobile devices under these guidelines?

Personal mobile devices include any electronic devices that allow digital communication, location tracking, or provide entertainment through multimedia. Examples include Smartwatches, tags, rings, cell phones, non-school-issued laptops, tablets, e-readers, portable gaming systems, and augmented and virtual reality headsets.

5) Are students allowed to bring personal mobile devices to school at all?

The use of personal mobile devices by students in grades PK-8 is prohibited. Devices should stay home. At the elementary schools,  if families elect to allow their child to carry a personal mobile device for an identified purpose, the device must remain powered off, silenced and stored in the child’s backpack throughout the school day.  At MMS, if families elect to allow their child to carry a personal mobile device for an identified purpose, the device must remain powered off, silenced and stored in the locker throughout the school day.   

6) What about the bus ride to and from school?

Elementary school students are not to use personal mobile devices during daily busing, unless an approved exemption is in place. The age range of students at the elementary level and our effort to reduce total screen time are additional factors in this decision. 

Middle school students may use personal mobile devices on daily transportation (not inclusive of field trips; see below) but are subject to expectations of appropriate behavior with those devices. Any issue with the appropriate use of technology during transportation will be directed to building administrators and consequences in alignment with school handbooks  will be applied as necessary.

7) What should a student do if they need to contact their parents during the school day?

If necessary, children may go to the school office and use the phone with the assistance of a school secretary. Changes in after-school care plans or any necessary communication with your child can be handled by contacting your school’s secretary or using the dismissal app provided by the school district.

8) Does my child need a personal mobile device for schoolwork?

No. Students do not need personal mobile devices for instructional purposes during the school day. Students at the elementary and middle schools are provided a device for instructional purposes. 

9) Are there any exemptions to the personal mobile device guidelines?

Yes, exemptions exist for personal mobile devices used to monitor a student’s health, such as insulin levels or blood pressure. These must be included in a student medical accommodation plan, requiring notification from a health care provider. Any other exemptions will be handled on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the building principal and family.

10) How will parents be informed in case of an emergency during the school day?

In the unlikely event of an emergency during the school day, parents will receive communication through official channels in the same manner that happens for other unexpected events, such as weather delays.

11) Are personal mobile devices allowed on field trips or during school-sponsored activities?

Personal mobile devices are never required for field trips or school-sponsored activities. The use of personal mobile devices for field trips by Elementary and Middle school students is prohibited. Any device that is not powered off, silenced and stored away will be confiscated; parents will be required to pick up any confiscated personal mobile devices at the end of the field trip or school day.  The use of personal mobile devices for certain Middle school field trips may be permitted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the administration and teacher leaders. A decision on the protocol for those trips will be communicated prior to the event and included as information on a permission slip. Expectations for use of those devices, if permitted, will align with appropriate use of district technology resources and related Board policy.

Expectations for use of those devices, if permitted, will align with appropriate use of district technology resources and related Board policy. Staff have the right to collect personal mobile devices if inappropriate use is observed or reported.

12) What if a student needs to contact their parents during a field trip?

Elementary school students will contact the supervising teacher, who will facilitate communication with parents as needed. MMS students will follow the same procedure, even if a personal mobile device is permitted for the trip.

13) Can students use personal mobile devices for taking photos or videos during field trips or school events?

No. Personal mobile devices should not be used for taking photos or videos during field trips unless explicitly permitted by the supervising administrator for educational purposes on out-of-state or overnight trips for middle school students. Supervising staff, who will know which students are not allowed to be photographed in alignment with our current classroom practices, may elect to facilitate image capturing and share as appropriate with families.

14) How will the school handle emergencies during field trips and school-sponsored events?

In case of an emergency, the school will use official communication channels to inform parents. Supervising teachers and destination facilities are prepared to manage such situations effectively.

15) What are the consequences of using a personal mobile device inappropriately during a field trip or school-sponsored event?

If a student is found using a personal mobile device inappropriately or without permission during a field trip, the supervising staff member or administrator will confiscate the device, and it will be returned to a guardian at the conclusion of the event or picked up at the school at a later date. Additional consequences may apply based on the nature of the misuse.

16) What are the personal mobile device guidelines for DHS?

Currently, students at DHS are required to bring their own charged personal device for instructional purposes. Review of current practices pertaining to the Personal Mobile Device Plan at the high school will take place in the fall.  Findings and recommendations will come before the Board prior to the winter break. 

17) Who do I contact if I have questions?

For further details or specific concerns, please refer to the guidelines provided by Darien Public Schools or contact your school administration.

 

We have chosen Securly Classroom as a service for our classrooms to: 

• Help students stay more focused when learning online
• Help assess students’ progress on class assignments
• Facilitate communication between teachers and students during class time 

Securly complies with Connecticut student data privacy laws. The service helps teachers redirect off-task computer use, share resources directly to student screens, pause the use of devices, and enable staff to filter internet resources beyond the current settings from our network. 

Securly’s web-based services operate when a student is signed in to their school-managed account while using a school-assigned Chromebook or Chrome tablet. Darien Public Schools enables teachers to use Securly Classroom with students in their classes only during school hours, Monday through Friday.

When a student is off campus, parents are responsible for supervising internet access and usage. We encourage you to discuss rules for appropriate internet usage with your child, and reinforce lessons of digital citizenship and safety with him or her.  
 

Darien Public Schools believes in a thoughtful and balanced approach to technology use in the classroom. Technology helps us to challenge students at all instructional levels, provides varied opportunities for success, and assists in measuring and monitoring learning growth. Students should learn, communicate, collaborate, and have opportunities to demonstrate their learning and creativity in many mediums including digital, face-to-face, and traditional paper and art supplies in ways that are appropriate for their age. Teachers' use of technology in the classroom should directly correlate to learning objectives and standards. We believe learning activities utilizing technology tools that include collaboration, critical thinking, and incorporate student creativity and ownership of learning have a deeper impact on depth of understanding.  

We recognize that technology is evolving rapidly, along with our understanding of the impacts of technology. We believe one of our responsibilities is to encourage healthy screen time habits for students. Screen time is a phrase referencing activities completed in front of an electronic screen, such as watching TV, working on a computer, or playing video games. We view screen time in two principal domains: consumption and creation. Passive (or recreational) consumption, such as watching a sitcom, or scrolling through a popular social media platform, doesn’t qualify as an educational use of technology. Instead, our teaching staff focuses on using technology in the promotion of learning, such as researching a topic of study, developing individualized skills in content areas, and in collaborative ways such as making a short video with partners.

Table 1 outlines research-based screen time guidance provided by three organizations that promote healthy practices for children in the United States. There is a great deal of agreement that common sense strategies for families include avoiding screens for an hour before bed, maintaining healthy sleep habits, and engaging with play that gets the body moving. In addition, all adults should role model healthy screen habits.

When we consider screen time from an educational perspective, advice from healthcare organizations and current research does not support strict time limits. Evidence demonstrates that well-planned use of educational technology improves student outcomes. However, emerging research correlates extended screen time to physical discomfort such as headaches and neck pain, and potentially promotes the development of myopia. That is why Darien Public Schools believes in the balanced use of technology in the classroom, with a focus on the intended learning outcomes.
 

Table 1. Screen Time Recommendations

	Ages 0-2*	Ages 2-5*	Ages 5-9	Ages 9+
American Academy of Pediatrics**	Interactive video chatting with caregiver. (0-18m) High-quality programs viewed together with caregivers. Avoid allowing children to use media by themselves. (18-24m)	Limit media to 1 hour or less per day of high-quality programming.	No time recommendations. Develop a family media plan.	No time recommendations.  Develop a family media plan.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry	Limit to educational programming with a caregiver and video chats with a family member.	Limit non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekend days.	Encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens.  No time recommendations.	Encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens. No time recommendations.
World Health Organization	Subdivided: under 18 months screentime is not recommended.  18 months to age 2 sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better.	Up to age 4, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better.  No recommendation age 5.	No recommendations.	No recommendations.

*Darien Public Schools does not offer instructional services for students under the age of 3.

**The AAP released a new report on technology and youth in February 2026. The new report indicates that they are no longer setting screentime recommendations. The guidance presented in the table is still referenced widely.

Darien Public Schools has implemented the following practices to maximize the benefits of technology use in the classroom:

Limit Apps on Assigned Student Devices: Students and teachers do not have access to add any app they want. Teachers must submit a work order request before new tools can be added to student devices. 

Usage Evaluation of Curricular Apps and Subscriptions:  Many subscription services such as IXL, CodeMonkey, and Formative provide district and classroom-level analytics. In addition, we are now looking at broad-level usage of applications across the district. Underutilized apps that do not contribute to student growth may be removed. Usage out of line with typical practices may warrant additional consideration.

Digital Citizenship and Responsible Use: Digital citizenship and responsible is everyone's responsibility.  As online collaboration and publication become common practice in classrooms, discussions and expectations should become part of the classroom culture and practices. We work with our media specialists, health and physical education teachers, and secondary technology teachers, who are experts in this area to promote the balanced use of media and digital tools in and out of the classroom.

Teacher Professional Development:  Staff training will encourage reflection on the purpose of the digital resources and an eye toward interactive, creative, and collaborative learning with technology. The PICRAT technology integration matrix is a helpful resource for teachers reflecting on their use of technology with students in the classroom.

Limit Education Device Access: Pre-K students do not have individual access to technology. Students in Kindergarten through fourth grade have classroom access to a device, which stays in the classroom. Students in grade five may begin bringing devices home for educational purposes. Take-home devices are provided for middle school students, while high school students provide their own devices for learning during the school day. There are limited exceptions to this based on identified learner needs.

Restrict Access to Personal Devices: New guidelines have been drafted to reduce access to personal devices such as cell phones and smartwatches during the K-12 school day.

Internet Filtering: All school devices are subject to content filtering intended to reduce the use of non-educational resources. K-8 staff may further limit access through tools such as Clever and Securly. Staff actively monitors student use of technology in classrooms.

 

General access to YouTube as a platform is blocked for K-8 students on school-issued devices.

Staff are permitted to select and show specific YouTube videos for instructional purposes. Staff may show the selected video to a whole class, or distribute for individual viewing via embedding into select products, such as Google Classroom. Embedded YouTube videos do not allow advertising and do not enable students to browse into other videos.

Students K-8 are not permitted to use their school credentials to create a YouTube Channel or upload content to YouTube.

If you become aware of any workarounds discovered by our creative students, please contact the IT department with as much relevant and specific information as you can provide.