B Here, B Now, B Engaged - Barrington Community Unit 220 School District

This is Barrington 220's ongoing initiative to ensure purposeful use of technology in our classrooms which promotes engagement, learning, and well-being.

Our backstory: Founded in 2024, the Barrington 220 Social Media & Digital Citizenship (SMADC) Advisory Committee has been working on the topic of refining our practices and expectations around technology in our district. The group, comprised of students, staff, parents, and community members, has continued to meet on at least a quarterly basis. The work began with setting guidance and boundaries for personal device usage, and has evolved to continually evaluate the use of technology in an educational setting. You can see how their work has progressed through the years on their linked webpage above or by clicking the "Committee Updates" tabs towards the bottom of this page for summaries.

Law changes in Illinois: In July of 2026, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 2427 into law. The law requires school districts to develop and implement a policy restricting access to cell phones between the hours of the first arrival bell to the final dismissal bell. Barrington 220 is well on track to full compliance with this law, which goes into effect for the 2027-2028 school year, and will review current practices and policies over the coming year to ensure we align.

Rules Regarding Student Personal Devices:

Personal devices brought to school must remain powered off and out of sight.
- Elementary schools: This applies to the entire day.
- Middle schools: This applies to all instructional periods. Lunchtime will be primarily a device-free zone; however, our cafeterias will have designated seating areas for students who wish to be on devices.
- High school: During instructional time, devices must be powered off and stored out of sight in designated phone storage locations/lockers in all academic and support settings as directed by classroom teachers. They can be used during non-class time (e.g., before school, lunch, passing periods, after school).
Devices are not to be used in restrooms or locker/changing rooms.

Additional details by grade level:

Elementary Schools

School Day Expectations (this includes recess, lunch, school buses, and other school environments)

Personal devices brought to school must remain powered off and out of sight, including, but not limited to: smartphones, smartwatches, headphones for recreational use, and other personal devices.
Devices are not to be used in restrooms or locker/changing rooms.
Specific devices may be permitted only when authorized by staff for educational purposes.
The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices.

Students with documented medical needs requiring personal smart devices may use them with prior approval from the school administration. Documentation from a medical provider may be required. Recommendations must be documented on a student's health care plan, 504 plan, and/or with the the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The principal may approve emergency exceptions.

Corrective Actions/Interventions

School administrators and staff will implement corrective actions/interventions on a case-by-case basis. The following continuum will be used based upon an incident's severity, nature, and circumstances in accordance with Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior.

Instruct the student to return the device to their locker and/or secure location.
Re-teach the expectations and the reasons the expectations exist.
Provide a verbal warning from the teacher, staff, and/or a building administrator.
Issue a parent notification and/or conference to teach/re-teach expectations.
Hold the device for the school day in the classroom or Main Office; the parent/guardian must pick up the device from the Main Office.
Restrict person device privileges.

Additional disciplinary actions/interventions may be taken depending on the incident.

Middle Schools

School Day Expectations

During the academic day, personal devices brought to school must remain powered off and out of sight, including, but not limited to, smartphones, smartwatches, headphones for recreational use, and other personal devices.
Devices are not to be used in restrooms or locker/changing rooms.
iPads will be allowed at lunch, however, there will be iPad-free areas in each lunchroom for students and families who wish to not use technology at lunch time.
Certain devices may be permitted only when authorized by staff for educational purposes.

Students with documented medical needs requiring personal smart devices may use them with prior approval from the school administration. Documentation from a medical provider may be required. Recommendations must be documented on a student's health care plan, 504 plan, and/or with the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The principal may approve emergency exceptions.

Corrective Actions/Interventions

School administrators and staff will implement corrective actions/interventions on a case-by-case basis after all students have reviewed the guidelines at the beginning of the school year. The following continuum will be used based upon an incident's severity, nature, and circumstances in accordance with Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior.

Staff holds the device until the end of the class period.
Staff issues a parent notification and/or conference to teach/re-teach expectations.
Administrator holds the device for the school day in the Main Office; the parent/guardian must pick up the device from the Main Office.
Restrict personal device privileges.

Additional disciplinary actions/interventions may be taken depending on the incident.

High School

School Day Expectations

Personal devices (including, but not limited to: smartphones and smartwatches) must be:
- Powered off and stored out of sight in designated phone pouches or lockers in all academic and support settings as directed by classroom teachers.
- Not used in restrooms or locker rooms. Students are not permitted to carry devices when the classroom for the restroom.
- Used only during non-class time (e.g. before school, lunch, passing periods, after school)
The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices.
Certain devices may be permitted only when authorized by staff for educational purposes.

Students with documented medical needs requiring personal smart devices may use them with prior approval from the school administration. Documentation from a medical provider may be required. Recommendations must be documented on a student's health care plan, 504 plan, and/or with the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The principal may approve emergency exceptions.

Corrective Actions/Interventions

Staff holds the device until the end of the class period.
Staff issues a parent notification and/or conference to teach/re-teach expectations.
Administrator holds the device for the school day in Student Services; the parent/guardian must pick up the device from Student Services.
Restrict personal device privileges.

Additional disciplinary actions/interventions may be taken depending on the incident.

How do students interact with district-issued technology at school?

This is a question that many people have been asking across the country, as over the last few decades, the tools available to students of all ages have unlocked all kinds of amazing opportunities. Thanks to the One to World program, every student in the Barrington 220 is issued their own device when they enroll. However, with that comes a responsibility to ensure that technology is only used to enhance our students' educational experience. In Barrington 220, that falls into four categories:

Types of Technology Use in Barrington 220

How often are students on district-issued devices at school?

As mentioned above, technology allows students to create, actively participate, and practice skills, but the vast majority of their day is actually not spent on devices. As shown below, on average, elementary students are spending well under one hour each day on devices until they reach the spring of 3rd grade. Even then, as is our practice, technology is only utilized when it enhances a student's educational experience in one of the four above-mentioned ways.

Daily Elementary School Instructional Technology Use

As students move into middle school and high school, the subjects they are studying and the complexity of projects and topics they handle do require more instructional technology assistance. As a district, we continue to monitor and analyze effective uses of instructional technology at all levels.

Do students need to be taking devices home every day?

Based on the limited time devices are needed as part of our youngest learners' educational journeys, for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year:

Educational technology devices for kindergarteners and first graders will be left at school each night.
If families wish to have their child bring a device home to access educational tools, they can arrange that with their child's teacher.
Devices will also be sent home if circumstances like winter weather raise the possibility of an upcoming e-learning day.

Our work is not done in this area. We will continue to analyze and study the impact of leaving devices at school for older students as well, particularly in second and third grade. While there has been a call to expand this to more grades, as students move up through our system, digital tools transition from episodic exposure into deeply embedded learning systems. Technology in Grades 2–3 is not an instructional proxy or a placeholder for engagement; it is explicitly integrated into every step of our curriculum scope and sequence that we will continue to examine.

K-5 families can find more information in this published guide.

If a family has any concerns about student device access at home, they are encouraged to begin that conversation with their child's teacher.

What safeguards are in place on district devices?

Students are unable to download apps through the App Store and must use the Self-Service feature, which only has apps that have been deemed instructionally worthy by staff.
Student access to YouTube has been blocked on school iPad devices. Students do not have open access to the YouTube app or website. Students are still be able to view staff-assigned videos through Edpuzzle. Edpuzzle removes recommended video links and blocks access to additional YouTube content - helping students stay focused on learning.
In the 2025-2026 school year, the district web filtering system has been enhanced to better work outside of the district. However, families should continue to monitor their child's online activity at home.

How can families help monitor and protect their children online?

Whether it's on a personal device or a district-issued device, student safety is our top concern.

Have conversations with your children and set boundaries about your expectations of them using technology
Every family has their own viewpoint when it comes to how much time their child should be spending on technology. We encourage parents/guardians to have a conversation about device usage with their child: how they should approach social situations with friends, if you want them using it on the bus, the amount of usage/time they spend on technology when they are at home, etc. Your child will have peers who come from families with different views on the subject, and it's important they know your perspective.

Set Up Screen Time Settings
With screen time settings, you can view time spent on your devices, schedule time away from the screen, and set time limits for app use — for yourself or for a child in your Family Sharing group. Here are step-by-step instructions created by the Barrington 220 Technology Team.
Aquí están las instrucciones en español.
Talk about healthy screen habits as a family
Below are two resources that could help get the conversation going.
Mayo Clinic
American Academy of Adolescent & Child Psychiatry
Learn more about social media apps your kids may be interested in
Safety Settings for Popular Social Media Apps

Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

What if I need to get in touch with my child?

What if my child needs to reach me during the day?

What if my student is staying late for activities or athletics?

If my child has a phone on them, where does it go during the day?

Can students use smartwatches?

What are the consequences for students who do not comply with these guidelines?

Why are these guidelines being implemented?

How do I set parental controls on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat?

What is a web filter and a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system?

Barrington 220 has used a web filtering system on the district network for at least the past 20 years. The district web filtering system now extends outside of the district on district-owned devices; however, families should continue to mentor and monitor their child’s online activity outside of school.

A Mobile Device Management (MDM) system allows district leadership, in partnership with our technology support staff, to manage and secure our iPad and MacBook Air devices. The features offered by an MDM include deploying and updating apps, configuring settings, providing security policies, and remotely wiping devices if they are lost or stolen.

Why is YouTube blocked?

Beginning at the beginning of the school year, student access to YouTube will be blocked on school iPad devices. Students will no longer have open access to YouTube through the app or web browser. Instead, approved videos will be shared as part of classroom lessons through a filtered access system. The tool removes links to additional videos and prevents students from browsing other YouTube content.

This change is guided by our Social Media Awareness and Digital Citizenship (SMADC) work and aligns with our Framework 220 goals. Our aim is to preserve the educational value of video content while minimizing the distractions, inappropriate material, and unhealthy screen habits that may come with unrestricted access.

Won't blocking YouTube make it hard to get assignments done?

Who to contact with questions:

1. Start with your child's teacher. Use our staff directory to look them up.

2. If your question hasn't been resolved, each building has a Library Technology Assistant (LTA) that could also be of assistance. They can also be found in the Staff Directory.

3. If your question still hasn't been solved, please reach out to your school's principal or assistant/associate principal.

4. If additional resolution is needed after that, please contact: Joe Robinson, Executive Director of Technology & Innovation
jjrobinson@barrington220.org

We are committed to partnering with our families to continue analyzing our digital technology usage and enhancing these guidelines to provide the best educational experience for our students. Again, please check out the work of our Social Media & Digital Citizenship Advisory Committee below and join us in our partnership to give the students of Barrington 220 the best educational experience around.

Most Recent SMADC Presentation:

At the May 5, administrators reviewed the efforts of the Social Media & Digital Citizenship Committee's work from the past year and made recommendations for the upcoming year. Again, you can watch all of their presentations and read their reports on the group's webpage.

Summarized SMADC Committee Updates

May 2026

This report provides an update on the implementation of Barrington 220's Social Media Awareness and Digital Citizenship (SMADC) Guidelines, including the "B Here. B Now. B Engaged." program.

Key Findings

Engagement and Behavior: Surveys indicate that classroom engagement remains strong, with a majority of students and staff reporting participation levels equal to or better than last year.
Device Use: Most students reported that off-task behavior on school and personal devices is the same or less than the previous year. While personal device incidents decreased at the high school level, overall incidents increased in Infinite Campus, potentially due to more consistent reporting.
Challenges: Stakeholders identified issues with YouTube access and web filtering, particularly in middle and high schools. Additionally, there is a need for more consistent enforcement of device expectations.
Artificial Intelligence: Student use of AI is increasing, particularly in grades 6–12, necessitating further guidance on academic integrity.

Next Steps

The district has proposed five primary actions to refine the SMADC implementation:

Access Improvements: Analyze and resolve common issues regarding blocked YouTube content and instructional websites.
Standardization: Publish a PK-12+ guide to ensure consistent expectations across all classrooms and provide staff refresher training.
Communication Plan: Develop a strategy to clarify effective classroom technology use and bridge the understanding gap between students, staff, and parents/guardians.
Explicit Instruction: Integrate lessons on AI, digital citizenship, and healthy technology habits starting next school year, supported by professional development and resources for families.

Additionally, the district is monitoring Illinois Senate Bill 2427, which could mandate restrictions on personal device use by the 2027–28 school year.

October 2025

This report outlines the progress made in implementing the Social Media Awareness and Digital Citizenship (SMADC) Guidelines, specifically the "B Here. B Now. B Engaged." initiative, during the first 32 days of the 2025-26 school year.Key Findings

Student Engagement: Over 75% of students reported equal or greater participation compared to last year. Staff observed that 95% of students are interacting and collaborating at the same or higher levels than previously.
Focus and Distractions: Teachers reported a significant reduction in time spent managing devices and redirecting student attention. Student off-task behavior on both personal and district devices has decreased.
Web Filtering and YouTube: While filtering is effective, there is widespread student and staff frustration regarding limited access to educational content on YouTube and occasional blocking of instructional websites.
Behavioral Data: Although reported behavior incidents appear to have increased, this is attributed to improved, more consistent reporting practices rather than an actual increase in misconduct.
Middle School Lunch:Observations revealed that less than 20% of middle school students use iPads during lunch, and of those, 97% are socializing while doing so.

Next Steps and Recommendations

The district recommends eight actions to further strengthen the guidelines' impact:

Consistency: Standardize expectations and monitoring across all classrooms.
Access: Reevaluate YouTube and web filtering practices to better support instructional needs.
Leadership: Launch formal peer-led mentorship programs and integrate digital citizenship into existing clubs.
Development: Provide staff with enhanced training on classroom device management tools and video integration.
Partnerships: Continue Family Tech Nights and improve communication regarding home-school device strategies.
App Process: Streamline the app request process and clarify approval criteria.
Monitoring: Maintain data collection through surveys and behavior incident tracking.
Wellness: Continue integrating digital wellness into social-emotional learning.

August 2025

Following the Board of Education's May 2025 approval of the Technology Use Guidelines, the Social Media Awareness & Digital Citizenship (SMADC) Leadership team is actively implementing the new policies. The district has organized its implementation and evaluation plan into five key guideline areas.Implementation Strategy

The district categorized action items into three timelines: before the school year, early in the school year, and by the end of the school year. Key initiatives include:

Digital Citizenship:Implementation of the "B Here. B Now. B Engaged" program and establishing resources regarding law enforcement's role in online threats.
Health & Well-Being: Updating digital citizenship curriculum and aligning it with Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs.
Home-School Partnerships:Extending web filtering to off-campus use, providing Screen Time training, hosting family nights, and requiring electronic signatures for device training for parents of students in grades K, 3, 6, and 9.
Policy & Procedures: Reviewing technology policies via a representative committee, removing non-instructional apps from iPads, and updating student handbooks.
Technology Restrictions: Blocking general access to YouTube for students, allowing only teacher-assigned filtered access, and providing professional development for educational tools like EdPuzzle.

Measuring Success

The SMADC team is utilizing an "ABC" checklist to evaluate effectiveness:

Awareness: Ensuring students, staff, and families understand the guidelines and their importance.
Behavior: Monitoring observable actions in daily technology use.
Consistency: Ensuring the guidelines are applied with fidelity across the district.

Data will be gathered through surveys, focus groups, incident reports, and existing district systems. The SMADC leadership team will continue to monitor this progress and update the Executive Council and Board of Education as necessary.

May 2025

This summary outlines the proposed Technology Use Guidelines for the 2025-26 school year, developed by the Barrington 220 Social Media Awareness & Digital Citizenship (SMADC) Advisory Committee.Background and Process

Formed in October 2024, the SMADC committee—comprised of over 40 diverse stakeholders—engaged in research and design thinking to address technology and social media challenges. The committee identified 32 core issues, which were categorized into five primary areas to form actionable guidelines.Proposed 2025-26 Guidelines

The guidelines focus on the following categories:

Digital Citizenship & Responsible Use: Reaffirms the "Bell-to-Bell No Cell" program, establishes clear expectations for personal devices, and incorporates student mentorship.
Health & Well-Being: Aligns digital citizenship with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula to address mental health, screen time, and cyberbullying.
Home-School Partnerships:Extends district web filtering to home use, provides Screen Time training, and requires mandatory device training for families of students in grades K, 3, 6, and 9.
School Policy & Procedures:Includes regular policy reviews and limits on "non-instructional" apps. Middle schools will offer specific lunch guidelines, including an "iPad-free" option.
Technology Restrictions & Filtering: Blocks YouTube for students except for assigned educational use.

Implementation and Next Steps

The district plans to implement these guidelines starting in the 2025-26 school year. Summer 2025 will focus on updating handbooks, creating staff professional development, and planning communication strategies. The administration and SMADC committee recommend the Board of Education adopt these guidelines to support healthy digital citizenship.

December 2024

As part of the Framework 220 strategic plan, Barrington 220 has established an Advisory Committee to address Social Media Awareness and Digital Citizenship. The committee aims to implement a district-wide process to ensure students and staff use social media in a safe, healthy manner.

Committee Structure and Activities

The committee includes nearly 50 stakeholders, ranging from students and parents to community leaders and district staff.
A steering committee of 12 district leaders oversees the work.
During their inaugural meeting on October 22, 2024, members participated in design thinking activities, including creating an Empathy Map to understand the student experience with technology and an Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize issues.

Key Findings

Analysis of student perspectives highlighted themes such as constant social connection, pressure to maintain idealized lifestyles, and emotional impacts like anxiety and FOMO.
The committee and district leaders identified 108 potential issues, which were consolidated into seven priority categories. These include:
- Capitalizing on student knowledge.
- Providing education for staff and parents.
- Teaching social media mechanics and alternatives.
- Reviewing technology guidelines.
- Integrating social-emotional learning.
- Monitoring/limiting usage.

Next Steps

The Steering Committee has recommended the following actions:

Assigning targeted readings, including Growing Up in Public by Devorah Heitner and The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.
Seeking assistance from expert consultants, specifically Dr. Devorah Heitner.
Conducting student focus groups to gather further insights.
Preparing for the next Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for January 14, 2025.

October 2024

This initial report outlines the Social Media Awareness objective under Barrington 220's Framework 220 strategic plan. The initiative has been expanded to include Digital Citizenship and Technology Engagement within the context of student and staff health and well-being.

Objective Goals and Scope

The district aims to identify and implement a process to address social media use in a healthy, safe manner. This includes addressing issues such as cyberbullying, screen time, and parent versus school responsibility. The district intends to create resources, guidelines, and updated curricula for students, parents, and staff.

Governance and Structure

The project is led by the departments of Student Services & Support and Technology & Innovation.

Steering Committee: Consists of Executive Council members and district administrators to lead the Advisory Committee.
Advisory Committee: A diverse group of 40–50 stakeholders, including students, staff, parents, board members, and experts, will inform and advise the project.

Proposed Implementation Process

The district follows a four-stage approach, with each stage expected to take several months to a year:

Research & Study: Convene the committee and gather baseline data.
Plan & Develop: Establish recommendations and develop an implementation plan.
Implement: Execute the plan and update procedures.
Monitor & Refine: Measure effectiveness and refine strategies.

Research and Collaboration

The district is leveraging research from sources such as Dr. Jonathan Haidt and Dr. Devorah Heitner, while also collaborating with other local school districts to discuss technology policies. While no long-term budget is set, potential costs include consultants, guest speakers, resources, and curriculum development.