Digital Parenting and Family Technology Support

All students are assigned an iPad to assist with their learning. Elementary students' iPads stay in their classroom and are only sent home in specific circumstances, such as e-learning days. Secondary students carry their iPads from class to class and bring them home to complete assignments.

SPPS is responding to family and staff feedback about screen time, social-emotional effects of technology, and the continued need for hands-on learning:

YouTube is blocked on student iPads PreK-5. Secondary access is being reviewed this year.
Additional student iPad security and restrictions are enabled to keep students safe and focused.
Intentional technology classroom guidelines are shared and prioritized with teachers.

For specific questions or concerns about your student’s iPad, contact your school.

HAPPENING NOW SEPT. 10 UPDATE FOR FAMILIES ON TECHNOLOGY USE

HAPPENING NOW SEPT. 10 UPDATE FOR FAMILIES ON TECHNOLOGY USE

There are many new and continuing technology safeguards in place for students in the 2026-27 school year.

Elementary Students (PreK-5)

YouTube is blocked on student iPads in grades PreK-5. Students will still be able to view videos that teachers have embedded into Seesaw.
Google Gemini and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are not available for all elementary students.
All students in grades PreK-5 receive age-appropriate Digital Citizenship, Online Safety/Privacy, Online Behavior and Cyberbullying lessons in class each fall.
Gmail is disabled in grades PreK-3.
Elementary students’ iPads remain in the classroom and are only sent home in specific circumstances, such as e-learning days.
Staff received updated guidelines on intentional technology usage, including screentime guidelines and using technology tools for the purposes of supporting and enhancing critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity.

Secondary Students (6-12)

Students carry iPads from class to class and bring them home to do homework.
Google Gemini and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are disabled in grades 6-8.
AI websites including Chat GPT, OpenAI, Grok, Gemini, Claude, etc. are blocked at all times on student iPads. Google Gemini (education version) is available for students in grades 9-12 as part of the SPPS Google Apps tools. All secondary students receive lessons about how to use AI responsibly and ethically.
All students in grades 6-12 complete Digital Citizenship, Online Safety/Privacy, Online Behavior and Cyberbullying lessons in class each fall.
Student access to YouTube will be reviewed later this fall in collaboration with teachers and administrators.
Staff received updated guidelines on intentional technology usage to support students in their critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity.

Additional student iPad security and restrictions are being enabled to keep students safe and focused on their learning. Among these changes:

No mass e-mailing. There is a 35-recipient maximum for emails on student Gmail accounts.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Google search results have been limited and reduced from student access. AI websites such as ChatGPT and Claude have been blocked since the beginning of the 2025-26 school year

What you can do at home:

Families can use the free Securly app to manage your student's school iPad when it is at home. You can pause internet access, block specific websites or schedule offline time. In the Securly app, enter your Campus Parent email then tap “get instant access” to set up your account.

Families can also use iPad “Screentime Reports” (inside the Settings App) for similar controls and usage information. Elementary families can speak to their student’s teacher for more information.

Families should talk to the teacher or principal with concerns about iPad or technology use.

Recommendations for Home iPad Use

Set iPad rules for your child at home

Model healthy use by limiting adult screen time, especially at meals and bedtime.
The iPad should be FIRST used to complete school work before students use the iPad for other purposes.
Check your child’s iPad and their school work regularly.
Have your child use the iPad in a main location like the kitchen or living room.
To avoid unsupervised iPad use, charge the iPad somewhere other than your child’s bedroom at night.
If your child is not following your rules, you have the right to limit access to the device.
Create a Family Media Plan to reinforce healthy technology habits.
Read more screentime tips for families at Common Sense Media.

Control Internet Access at Home

At school and at home, SPPS iPad internet content is automatically filtered. Inappropriate and adult content is blocked, as well as social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc.)

ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity, and other AI websites are blocked. Students 9-12 have access to Google Gemini via their SPPS Google Apps account.

Families can use the Securly Home app to monitor and further manage their student’s iPad at home. Some popular use cases are:

Setting a “bedtime” for the iPad
Temporarily stop internet access on your student’s school device.
Limiting or block access to Youtube or other websites
Limit or block access to Google Gemini

Technology Support

Infinite Campus for Families

Update contact information and review your student's attendance, schedules, transportation information, and grades.

Get Support about Infinite Campus for Families

iPad Help & Support for Families

Troubleshooting guides for common iPad tasks, including signing into apps and managing browser settings.

Get Support about iPad Help & Support for Families

Schoology for Families (grades 6-12)

Monitor grades, track assignments and get weekly email summaries of completed and missing work.

Get Support about Schoology for Families (grades 6-12)

Securly Home for Families

A free app to manage your student's school iPad at home. Pause internet access, block specific websites or schedule offline time.

Get Support about Securly Home for Families

Seesaw for Families (grades PreK-5)

View your student's digital lessons and activities. Ask your student's teacher for their class QR to see your student's activities and posts.

Get Support about Seesaw for Families (grades PreK-5)

Digital Parenting

While iPads are a powerful learning tool, it is important for families to set boundaries around the proper use of the iPad at home. As a parent or guardian, you have the final say as to how much your child uses the iPad at home.

Get Support about Digital Parenting

Cybersecurity Reminders for Families

The safety and security of our students is our top priority, both physically and in the online environment. As digital systems continue to evolve and improve, our district also adapts to meet these new opportunities and challenges. Below are some of the security measures we currently have in place for student iPads, as well as information about how our staff help ensure that students are safe online.

iPad Security & Privacy

All student and staff iPads are pre-configured with functionality customized for education. Saint Paul Public Schools actively works with several security vendors to create and update security policies. Some relevant system controls on student iPads include:

Internet Filtering:

Student iPads have pre-installed internet filtering that block websites by categories when students are at school and at home. Blocked categories include sexual content, violence, gambling, games, and others. Social media sites such as Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok are also blocked. While no content filter is 100% foolproof, our Technology Services team is responsive in continually adjusting filters to keep students safe and protected. Staff and families can request to have websites blocked or opened at any time by submitting a service ticket or website contact form. Staff and families can check to see if a website is blocked on SPPS wifi filter using this website. Enter your student’s email address and the website URL to check if the website is accessible.

Youtube:

Youtube is accessible to students and staff, though any video identified by the internet filter is blocked. Additionally, all “Youtube Shorts” are blocked and staff and parents can request an individual Youtube video be blocked or unblocked, just as any website request.

App Store / FaceTime / iMessage:

Although SPPS uses Apple iPads, many apps and tools are not relevant or desirable for the classroom (either physical or virtual!). Pre-installed device management features block apps such as the Apple App Store, FaceTime, iMessage and other tools. Throughout most of the school year students are unable to reset (erase) their own iPads due to the difficulty of setting the device up again and/or circumnavigating the security management features.

Self Service App Store:

Students and staff have access to a special ‘app store’ on the iPads with over 400 apps that have been reviewed for content, data privacy and security guidelines. More information about the App Approval process and Security Review can be found at: spps.org/apps

Securly Home: Monitor Student Screentime and Set iPad Restrictions

Securly Home lets families view & manage student online activity on their school iPad. Accounts are pre-configured and available for all families.

Getting stared with Securly Home:

Go to the app store on your phone and download the free 'Securly Home' app.
Open the app and press the button that says “Get started”.
Enter the email address that you have provided to SPPS in Campus Parent or through Back to School forms. It is important to use the same email address that SPPS has on file because it will automatically connect you to your students’ accounts.
After you enter your email address, press the button that says “Get instant access”.
You will receive an email from Securly to verify your account information. In the email, there will be an access code that you can use to log into the app.
After you have logged in, you should see your students’ names and accounts.

Securely Home features and abilities:

Flagged Activities: If a student searches for or views a website related to self-harm or violence, it is noted in the "Flagged Activities" section on the app.
Blocking websites or apps at home
Setting 'bedtimes' for the iPad or otherwise disabling access at specific intervals.

Additional information about Securly Home can be found on the Technology Services website here. If you have any questions about features in the Securly Home app, please contact homesupport@securly.com.

Student Privacy, Tracking & Location

Companies including Seesaw and Schoology provide online learning tools for Saint Paul Public Schools students. Student data is NOT tracked by these companies after our students leave the district. These companies are unable to see into our systems because of the security and privacy policies purposefully set by both parties.

Our district teams continue to create secure and reliable systems, training resources and guidelines for our students and staff to be successful. For more information on SPPS digital resources, please visit: spps.org/apps.

Additional Family iPad Settings and Controls

Families have the ability to further customize access and restrictions on student iPads at any time using the "Screentime" feature. Families create a 4 digit pin on the student iPad during this process that is not shared with the student. Screentime settings include restricting or disable apps and websites such as Youtube, or set screen time limits. See more details here.

Artificial Intelligence

AI websites including Chat GPT, OpenAI, Grok, Gemini, Claude, etc. are blocked at all times on student iPads. Google Gemini (education version) is available for students in grades 9-12 as part of the SPPS Google Apps tools. All secondary students receive lessons about how to use AI responsibly and ethically. All secondary teachers have access to a tool called TurnItIn, which checks students' work for use of AI. Visit SPPS's Artificial Intelligence overview website to learn more about how staff and students are informed about AI.

Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship is a requirement for Saint Paul Public Schools. All students PreK-12 complete Digital Citizenship, Online Safety / Privacy, Online Behavior and Cyberbullying lessons in class each fall. Teachers review lessons with students periodically throughout the year. Digital Citizenship lesson overview

Internet Access at Home

Reliable at-home internet is important to continue school work outside the classroom and in the event of e-learning or inclement weather school closures. SPPS is committed to providing internet connectivity support options for students and families in need. At-home internet connectivity support includes:

A limited quantity of Comcast Internet Essentials codes is available for eligible families. The Comcast Internet Essentials program is the preferred and most reliable option for families in need of home internet connectivity. Please contact your student’s school for more information.
For students and families experiencing homelessness, mobile hotspots are available for checkout. Please contact your child’s school for assistance.
Project REACH is also able to provide hotspots to students and families experiencing homelessness or other issues as needed. Project REACH is an SPPS shelter and street-based program that promotes school stability and academic success for PreK and school-age children in temporary housing situations. For more information, call 651-231-0404.