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Technology

Keeping students safe online

Chesterfield County Public Schools uses a layered approach to student internet safety. Protections include web filtering, managed Chromebooks, approved application controls, Google Workspace safeguards, classroom tools, student safety monitoring and acceptable use expectations. 

No single tool can address every situation. Student internet safety is strongest when technical safeguards are paired with teacher supervision, student responsibility, school follow-up, family partnership and ongoing review.

Internet filtering

The school system filters student internet access to reduce access to inappropriate, harmful, unsafe or noninstructional content. Filtering rules are different for elementary students, secondary students and staff.

Student filtering is connected to the student’s account. This means student filtering applies whether a student is using a division Chromebook at school or away from school. The school system uses web filtering to review internet requests based on content categories and site reputation. Websites may be blocked because they fall into a blocked category, are uncategorized or have a reputation score that indicates potential risk.

Managed student Chromebooks

Chesterfield County Public Schools centrally manages student Chromebooks in order to apply consistent safety and device settings. Here are examples of student safeguards that reduce risk and support appropriate use of division devices and accounts:

  • The school system manages student Chromebook settings.
  • Students may only select preapproved applications from the app store.
  • Student internet activity is routed through the division’s web filter.
  • Students cannot delete their browsing history.
  • Student Google Workspace sharing is limited to Chesterfield County Public Schools users.

Approved applications and digital resources

There are many software and web-based applications available for instructional use. These tools vary in quality, privacy practices, security, accessibility, technical compatibility and instructional value. For that reason, the school system reviews applications before they are used with students. Applications may go through instructional, technical and legal review. Staff are expected to verify that an application has been reviewed and is listed as approved or approved with consideration before using it with students.

The school system maintains an internal application hub for staff members. The application hub includes guidance, terminology, approved application inventory, searchable database, request process for application review and information about application support.

Some approved applications are supported at the division level. Other applications may be approved for use but not receive the same level of division support for training, troubleshooting, rostering or integration.

 

Student data privacy

Student data privacy is part of the school system’s application review process. When digital tools are reviewed, the division considers how student information may be collected, stored, shared, protected and used.

Chesterfield County Public Schools also uses student data privacy resources and agreements, including resources connected to the Student Data Privacy Consortium, Student Data Privacy Alliance and National Data Privacy Agreement. These resources help school divisions and vendors establish common expectations for protecting student information.

Classroom tools for teachers

In grades 3-12, Chesterfield County Public Schools uses Hāpara to support classroom management when students use Chromebooks for instruction. Hāpara allows teachers to:

  • view student Chromebook screens during instruction
  • guide students during digital work
  • message students
  • use focused browsing to limit students to specific websites or resources during a lesson

Digital citizenship education

Chesterfield County Public Schools provides digital citizenship instruction to K-12 students. Students complete age-appropriate lessons each year with their teachers to help them make safe, responsible and informed choices when using technology. Lessons address topics such as:

  • media balance and digital well-being
  • privacy and security
  • digital footprints and online identity
  • relationships and online communication
  • cyberbullying, digital conflict and harmful online behavior
  • news and media literacy
  • the responsible and thoughtful use of artificial intelligence

Lesson content and examples are adjusted by grade level so that students can build their understanding as they grow. Instruction is intended to help students recognize online risks, protect personal information, evaluate digital content, communicate responsibly and understand how their choices can affect themselves and others.

Online Safety

Some student safety concerns may appear in online activity or student-created content. The school system uses a student safety monitoring service called Lightspeed Alert to identify certain serious concerns, such as references to self-harm, violence, cyberbullying, harassment or other potentially harmful behavior.

When a concern is identified, appropriate school or division staff may be notified so that follow-up can occur. Depending on the situation, follow-up may involve school administrators, counselors, parents, guardians, safety staff members or law enforcement. This type of monitoring is intended to support student safety and timely intervention. It does not replace the role of families, teachers, counselors, administrators or students in reporting concerns.

Student safety monitoring is connected to student CCPS accounts regardless of the device. When students use a Chesterfield County Public Schools account on a shared or family-owned device, they should fully sign out when finished. Simply closing a browser window may leave the account signed in, which could cause later activity by another user of the device to appear associated with the student’s account.

YouTube is available in a limited and filtered way for instructional purposes. The school system uses a combination of filtering rules, YouTube settings, safe search tools, content categories and reputation checks to reduce student access to inappropriate or noninstructional content.

The YouTube service within Google Workspace is disabled for students in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Teachers may use appropriate video content for instruction. Student access is filtered to reduce exposure to content that is not appropriate for school use. Teachers may provide specific YouTube videos relevant to instruction directly to students through Canvas Studio’s YouTube Player for Education, which facilitates viewing without distractions and ads.

At times, a preview image may appear even when the connected video is blocked. School technology staff members monitor and adjust settings as online platforms change.

Proxy sites are websites or services that can hide or disguise where a user is trying to go online. Some students may attempt to use proxy sites or similar tools to bypass school filtering.

Chesterfield County Public Schools blocks proxy sites and monitors for patterns that may indicate attempts to get around filtering. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the school system will provide additional guidance to schools about student attempts to bypass filtering. The initial focus will be on clear expectations, student correction and parent awareness. Repeated or intentional attempts to bypass filtering may result in additional follow-up consistent with acceptable use expectations and the standards for student conduct.

Students and parents should report filtering concerns to the student’s teacher or school administrator. Teachers and administrators have access to the block/unblock request process, so they can request review of a website or online resource. Filtering concerns may include a website, video, application or digital resource that appears to be blocked incorrectly or accessible inappropriately. This process helps ensure that filtering concerns are reviewed through the proper workflow and that instructional context is considered.

Students are expected to use division devices, accounts and digital resources responsibly and for school-related purposes. When misuse occurs, schools may follow up consistent with division expectations, acceptable use policy and standards for student conduct. Here are examples of misuse:

  • attempting to bypass filtering
  • using proxy sites or other circumvention tools
  • accessing or attempting to access inappropriate content
  • sharing inappropriate material
  • using communication tools to harass, bully or threaten others
  • uploading inappropriate content into division systems
  • using district devices or accounts for noninstructional purposes when not permitted

Online tools, websites, applications and student behaviors change over time. Chesterfield County Public Schools reviews and adjusts internet safety practices as needed to support student safety, instructional access and responsible technology use. This includes review of filtering rules, approved applications, platform changes, student safety alerts, proxy-site patterns and concerns raised by schools or families.