Technology

St. Monica Technology Mission/Vision

To nurture and develop academic, social, and spiritual leaders of tomorrow, who are confident using technology in moral, responsible, and innovative ways while living the faith traditions of the Catholic Church.

The following beliefs and guidelines will help us carry out our Mission/Vision:

At St. Monica School, technology will be used as a tool to help our students further develop and grow in their Catholic faith. 

Through the use of digital platforms and tools, students will be given the ability to practice the application of virtues through a digital lens as well as be given the opportunity to accomplish faith in action, by spreading the Word of God and making a difference in the world.

Privacy and Safety concerns, with regard to technology use at St. Monica, will be addressed at three different levels. 

The administration will carefully vet technology acquisitions using rigorous research and advice of technology experts to put in place school-wide security measures, including a secure network and content filters. Teachers will teach digital citizenship skills early and often, including management of personal data, digital identity, and student data privacy, Teachers and administration will manage this by the application of classroom and school-wide technology rules as well as thorough monitoring of usage within the classroom. Students will demonstrate digital citizenship regularly, including how to protect themselves from any privacy and security threats that may have missed the above stated precautions, and will be given regular opportunities to practice these skills.

In order for students to intellectually grow and be lifelong innovators of technology, they need to be led by example. 

Teachers will be trained and provided with professional development to effectively integrate technology in all subject areas. Teachers will use technology as a tool for learning and model its practical use. Students will have access to appropriate, vetted technology tools to give them the opportunity to engage with and learn from others. Technology will be used as a tool to differentiate lessons within classrooms, to develop critical thinking skills, and to work collaboratively. Teachers will use technology to alternatively assess students, providing a more equal and advanced opportunity for measuring growth and success. These skills provide a way to foster productive intellectual growth as well as creating lifelong, independent, active learners by engaging students and giving them a thirst for knowledge. 

Learning is an active process through which students acquire knowledge through participation in complex, meaningful tasks, and vertically aligned curriculum. 

Students will experience learning in areas of digital citizenship, STEM, coding, integrated application usage, research-based learning, and basic device usage skills. Students will demonstrate real-world citizenship skills by learning to maintain a work/life balance while using technology. Teachers will use a vertically aligned curriculum and use available resources to facilitate these instructional priorities. 

In order to use technology as an appropriate tool and to assist students with their positive social/emotional growth, some criteria need to be in place. 

Students will be carefully guided by teachers to collaborate respectfully with others online using age-appropriate social technology tools. These tools and resources will allow students to use their voices in a different manner to increase their social and emotional well-being. Teachers and students will carefully review an acceptable use policy together and apply it daily within the classroom setting. In aligning with our beliefs of developing the ability to practice the application of Catholic virtues through a digital lens, students will understand the effect their online actions have on others. Teachers will take care to model a balanced use of technology to encourage authentic, in-person interactions. 

Communication and collaboration are key components for successful use of technology in an educational setting. 

Teachers and administration will positively and proactively communicate with parents and students on a regular basis using many forms including but not limited to email, social media, learning management systems, and digital journals. Collaboration will occur between students and teachers in a safe and efficient manner using cloud file sharing, shared calendars, collaborative features within applications, and other appropriate tools.