Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship and Responsibilities 

In general, all students are expected to use good judgment and common sense; be safe, appropriate, careful and kind online; do not attempt to get around technological protection measures; and ask an adult if they need help. 

Student Online Responsibilities

Students must: 

  • Follow all school and class rules for technology and the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that students are expected to follow offline. 
  • Use your NEST+m email account for school-related purposes only. 
  • Collaborate in positive ways that help you learn.
  • Use technology to support an inclusive school community.
  • Be cautious to protect the safety of the student and others. 
  • Alert a teacher or other staff member if students see threatening, inappropriate, or harmful content (images, messages, posts) online. 
  • Wear appropriate clothing and use a generic background for video sessions.
  • Email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov or call Respect for All at 212-374-2350 for support on keeping a respectful online community.

Students must not: 

  • Open emails from unknown senders. If the sender is not a NEST+m teacher or staff, do not open the email and do not respond. Flag any suspicious or inappropriate email as SPAM.
  • Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others.  Such conduct will result in disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime.  Teachers will refer this behavior to the Dean of School Culture for follow-up with you and your family.
  • Use a school account to send spam or chain mail. 
  • Use language online that would be unacceptable in the classroom. 

Student Zoom Expectations

  • Join your zoom class a couple of minutes early to ensure proper connection. You’ll be in the waiting room and the teacher will let you in when the class starts. 
  • Mute yourself except when talking; this limits background noise.
  • Make sure you are in an appropriate environment or use a virtual background.
  • Dress appropriately–your teachers and peers will see you.
  • Use video if you feel comfortable, but always stay actively engaged.
  • Focus on the class you are in and don’t try to multitask.
  • Log in from a place that is free from distractions.
  • Use the chat for on-topic discussion or questions.
  • Raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you.
  • Be respectful and appropriate; treat it like a regular classroom.

Student Personal Safety and Privacy 

  • Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information, over the Internet without adult permission.  
  • Users should recognize that communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and associated risks, and should carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others.  
  • Users should never agree to meet someone they meet online in real life without parental permission. If students see a message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes them concerned for their personal safety, they should bring it to the attention of an adult immediately. 

*Students are expected to demonstrate positive behaviors in alignment with the Department of Education’s Citywide Behaviors to Support Student Learning (see below). 

Parent Responsibilities

Teacher Responsibilities

  • Support students through regular communication via Google Classroom.
  • Maintain healthy boundaries for students and faculty. Please do not engage in official email or electronic communication prior to 6:00 am or after 9:00 pm. 
  • Only share Google Classroom codes to students and families in your class.
  • Send invitations to video meetings to students only in your classes.  
  • Wear appropriate clothing and use a generic background for video sessions.

Please also see:

NYC Department of Education Digital Citizenship Guidelines

Updated September, 2020