• Gardners Elementary School (GES) utilizes a variety of software applications and web-based tools operated by third party vendors to support student learning. These instructional supports are vetted by your child’s teachers and through the Technology and Curriculum Departments to ensure compatibility with the goals of WCS. The use of these tools by students is governed by the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA), enacted in 1998 and amended in 2012 with the amendments effective as of July 2013.

    The intent of COPPA is to safeguard students’ personal information when students are accessing online services including apps and websites directed primarily to audiences under age 13. This legislation applies to a general audience site that acknowledges it is collecting personal information from users under 13.

    To allow students access to the application, site, or tool, certain identifiable information - generally, the student’s name and Google Apps account are required by the operator.  COPPA grants schools the authority to act as the parent’s agent consenting to the use of student information for educational purposes only.

    A list of current web tools used in each classroom may be found on your child’s teacher’s webpage on the Gardners Elementary School website.This list is updated as new web tools are added.

    Questions or concerns may be directed to our Media Coordinator, Mandy Jenkins or our principal, Robert Pope.