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Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School - Tustin

"If only I had a thousand lives" - Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac

Integration of Technology to Enhance Learning

Commitment to Low Tech

Integration of technology enhances learning when it is used intentionally to support critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful engagement while preserving the central role of human relationships and reflection. Guided by the Educational Model of the Company of Mary and aligned with the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, our school embraces a low-tech, not no-tech approach to learning in order to place the development of the whole child at the center of every educational experience.

Responsible Digital Citizens

 

In today's toxic digital landscape, interactions—regardless of context—both indirectly and directly affect the healthy development of children. All interactive online platforms that allow students to engage with others, generate content, or receive feedback—whether in real time or asynchronously—pose challenges that minors lack the mental capacity to navigate in a healthy way. Furthermore, current research confirms that children do not possess the maturity or discernment needed to recognize or appropriately respond to harmful online content

Therefore, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School enforces policies that prohibit the creation and use of accounts on any interactive online platform that allows communication, engagement reward or motivation feedback loops for all enrolled students. Children are not equipped to navigate the risks these platforms pose, including addiction, harmful content, and social pressure. Rooted in our Catholic mission, this policy fosters virtue, authentic relationships, and spiritual growth by removing digital distractions that conflict with our values. It is a formative measure intended to support students' dignity, integrity, and overall well-being.

 

A person uses a laptop to browse a website called Smart Sites Design Library.

iPads in the Classroom: Tools for Learning, Not Distraction

Our iPad BYO program for grades 3–8 and K-2 classroom use is designed to support student learning in a focused, responsible, and faith-centered way. All iPads are enrolled in Jamf, a device management system configured to allow access only to teacher-approved educational tools and online content. Devices are not used for social networking, games, or entertainment, and are fully compliant with our Interactive Online Platforms Policy. Our goal is to help students harness technology for meaningful learning while protecting them from the distractions and dangers of the digital world.

A smartphone, two tablets, and a laptop computer are arranged on a wooden table.

Artificial Intelligence

At Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School, the integration of technology—including artificial intelligence—is guided by our mission to form students in virtue, responsibility, and critical discernment. AI tools are not embraced for their novelty, but for their potential to support learning when used wisely and ethically. However, AI is never a substitute for human formation. At the heart of our Educational Project and mission lies a truth that is as powerful as it is simple: who our students become matters just as much as what they know. Academic excellence will open doors—but character is what will carry them through those doors. 

A young girl writes in a notebook, focused on her work.

Ongoing Evaluation: Neurological Development

A faithful and responsible approach calls the school to continually reflect on how technology shapes students’ developing minds. With careful attention to focus and perseverance, the school ensures that digital use does not fragment concentration, while also balancing convenience with practices that strengthen memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. Equal care is given to social and emotional growth by preserving meaningful opportunities for face-to-face interaction, empathy, and communication, all within developmentally appropriate boundaries. 

A group of people stand behind a table with food and supplies.

A Formation-Centered Vision

In the spirit of the Educational Model of the Company of Mary, technology integration is centered on the formation of students who are thoughtful, reflective, and morally grounded. The school intentionally fosters moments of silence, reflection, and discernment alongside digital engagement, helping students learn to pause, think deeply, and listen attentively. It also promotes a healthy balance between screen time and lived experience so that learning remains rooted in real-world interaction, relationships, and active discovery. Within this approach, students are guided to use technology in ways that serve truth, strengthen community, and contribute to the common good. 

Technology with Intention, Learning with Depth
The school balances online and traditional learning by using technology intentionally to enhance, not replace, foundational skills. Students develop digital competencies such as research, collaboration, and responsible use of AI platforms, while also strengthening essential habits through handwriting, discussion, mental computation, and sustained reading. This approach ensures that technology supports learning while preserving focus, critical thinking, and meaningful human interaction.

School Focus and Policy: Generative AI Literacy

GenAI use is guided by developmental readiness and clear expectations for safety, integrity, and purpose. Younger students engage through guided experiences and discussion, while older students use tools in structured and supervised settings with increasing responsibility. All members of the school community are expected to protect personal information, act with honesty, and be transparent in their use of AI. Students are taught to evaluate and refine AI-generated content so that it reflects their own understanding and effort. In partnership with families, we ensure that technology is used in ways that uphold human dignity, promote the common good, and prepare students to lead with faith and discernment in an evolving world.

GenAI Framework

Technology FAQ

We encourage all parents to take an active role in understanding the school’s approach to technology use and its guiding policies. Our goal is not simply to provide access to devices, but to form students who use technology with purpose, responsibility, and integrity. By becoming familiar with these expectations, parents are better equipped to support healthy digital habits at home, reinforce responsible decision-making, and partner with the school in fostering balanced, thoughtful learners. Together, this shared commitment ensures that technology remains a tool that enhances learning while preserving focus, character, and meaningful human connection.

 

Student Technology Use Agreement

 

 

  • Students in grades 3–8 are required to have and maintain an iPad for use during the school day. Each device must be enrolled in the school’s Device Management System for the duration of the academic year. In addition, access to the school Wi-Fi network will only be granted once a signed Acceptable Use Policy Agreement has been submitted.

    iPad Minimum Requirement

    • An iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air 2 (or later), or iPad mini (4th generation or later)
    • iOS 9.3 or later
    • iPads with at least 32 GB of storage

  • Student Cell Phone Policy
    To ensure the safety, integrity, and educational focus of our school environment, students who bring cell phones onto campus are subject to the following rules and expectations.

    While on campus or participating in any extra-curricular activity:

    • Cell Phones must be turned off and kept in backpacks during instructional hours unless explicitly permitted by a teacher.
    • Unauthorized use during school hours may result in confiscation. Repeated offences to this policy can result in disciplinary action(s).

  • Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School prohibits the use of any interactive online platform that allows communication,  engagement reward or motivation feedback loops for all enrolled students. Children are not equipped to navigate the risks these platforms pose, including addiction, harmful content, and social pressure. Rooted in our Catholic mission, this policy fosters virtue, authentic relationships, and spiritual growth by removing digital distractions that conflict with our values. It is a formative measure intended to support students' dignity, integrity, and overall well-being.

    Interactive online platforms are defined as: 

    Any digital service, platform or application that allows users to communicate, create, share, or receive rewards/feedback from the platform or others in real time or asynchronously.

    What This Policy Prohibits

    While enrolled at Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School, students may not:

    Create, use, or maintain accounts on interactive online platforms which leads to inappropriate online or addictive behavior that is reported to or discovered by school personnel.

    We recognize that some digital tools can be used safely with intentional parental oversight and without interactive features. However, the school policy applies to all platforms that allow addictive engagement/use patterns, social messaging, or social broadcasting.

     

  • Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
    In accordance with CIPA, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School provides students with instruction on safe and appropriate online behavior, including digital citizenship, interactions on social media platforms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.

    Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
    The school does not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13 without verified parental consent. Consent is obtained for the use of all online tools and services that collect student data.

  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) / California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)

    In compliance with California privacy laws, students and their parents or guardians have the right to know what personal information is collected, how it is used, and to request access or deletion of such data. Requests may be submitted to the school administration.

    Student Online Personal Information Protection Act (SOPIPA)

    Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School only contracts with online educational service providers that comply with SOPIPA. Student data is not used for targeted advertising, profiling, or unauthorized sharing.

  • Here are some resources for our parents on Internet safety: