The start of a new semester is as good a time as any to encourage new student habits. In that vein, the Hanover School Division has instituted a new policy this month designed to help senior students develop better sleep routines. 

As of February 3, students will no longer have internet access from their school-issued Chromebooks between the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m.

“We recognize this change will not solve everything, but it does reinforce an important message: school-issued devices are intended for school use,” says Marlin Adrian, the school division’s assistant superintendent. “The nighttime restriction supports parents by reinforcing the importance of healthy sleep routines and balanced technology use.”

Access to offline features of the Chromebook will still be available to students round the clock. 

School-issued Chromebooks have been a tool in HSD’s toolbox for the better part of a decade. Every student from Grades Nine to Twelve is granted one, courtesy of the division. It’s been an effective way for the division to support learning both in the classroom and at home. 

“It is a key part of the senior years learning experience and helps ensure equity for students by providing consistent access to the same technology,” Adrian says. “Having a school-issued device supports collaboration between students on shared projects, helps students stay caught up when they miss school through online classroom tools, and provides equitable access to learning resources, research, and coursework outside of school hours.”

The recently instituted nighttime policy isn’t the only internet restriction imposed on the Chromebook, though. From the start, the device is set up with a built-in internet filtering program called GoGuardian which cannot be bypassed or removed by the student and applies wherever internet connection can be made.

As well, the division lays out expectations for responsible use for both the student and their family. 

“Families are free to make their own choices about personal devices, but [at night] school-issued Chromebooks will not be used for general internet browsing,” Adrian says. “Ultimately, this is about supporting student well-being and helping students arrive at school rested, focused, and ready to learn.”