Technology Frequently Asked Questions

Teachers use technology intentionally and for short periods to: 

• Support learning 

• Increase teacher–student interaction 

• Personalize instruction based on student needs 

Technology helps teachers spend more time working directly with students—not less.

No. Screen time does not equal learning time. Learning happens through discussion, hands‑on practice, problem‑solving, reading, and interaction with teachers and peers. Technology is only used when it adds value to instruction. 

Are students required to use technology?  

No. Teachers have the choice to provide students with assignments and teachers have students complete assignments on their district device and submit assignments digitally. 

Teachers determine when technology adds value and when it does not. Screen use is developmentally appropriate, and decisions are guided by balance, student well‑being, and learning goals. 

The district conducts consistent auditing of security and monitoring software to help ensure safe and appropriate technology use for students.

The 1:1 program made possible by the community passing the technology levy provides access for each student to a laptop computer.  Elementary and Middle school students use Chromebooks and high school students use Windows-based PCs. 

Elementary students have a cart-based model where devices are kept in the classroom and not checked out to the students.  Teachers have the option of checking them out to students as needed. 

Beginning in middle school, laptops are checked out to students and not kept in the classroom. 

Contact your student's teacher. Teachers have discretion and choice in how they deliver   

Clarify the expectations for assignments and use of technology.  

• Be genuinely curious about what your student is doing and learning with the device. Ask questions and ask to see the work underway.  

• Work with your student to develop an agreed-upon set of expectations and rules for how and when the device is used at home. 

•  Allow the device to be used only in common rooms of your home, not in isolated areas or bedrooms. 

• Employ tools such as Common-Sense Media to facilitate family discussions regarding technology usage, including their Age-Appropriate Family Tech Planners. 

Through Linewize, EPS parents have access to a device-monitoring app called Qustodio. Parents who would like help monitoring their child's school (Chromebook/Laptop) and personal device usage (cell phone, tablet, etc) can submit a request and one of our team will reach out to you.

• You can help reduce non-productive, non-school screen time by:  

• Limiting the amount of time your child is using a device for entertainment.  

• Keeping the bedroom as a screen free area; televisions; cell phones or computers do not need to be in your child’s bedroom, especially at night.  

• Encouraging your child to get plenty of exercise and daily physical activities. 

• Increasing the amount of screen time your student spends creating content over the amount of time spent consuming content. Learn more from this recent Common Sense Media study of use by tweens and teens. Everett Public Schools - Digital Citizenship for Parents Common sense media screen time resources: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/screen-time 

YouTube is blocked for all elementary students.  Middle schools students have restricted access based on a rating for ages 9+.  High school students have access.  Parents who wish to restrict YouTube on the student devices outside the school day can use the district-provided tool to manage access at home.  Parents of secondary students can notify the district if they do not want child accessing YouTube.