Technology

The 1:1 iPad program for Kindergarten through grade 12 is part of the overall mission of Westlake Academy to provide college bound students with an internationally minded education of the highest quality so they are well-balanced and respectful life-long learners.

Please visit this informational site regarding our 1:1 iPad initiative.  It contains information relating to expectations, care, and the use of the iPads issued to our WA students and our cloud web filter.

For additional help: Parent Information Meeting Video from our our original launch date  or contact us using this support form.

Technology and electronic communication device (ECD) users (administrative staff, faculty, and students) are responsible for appropriate behavior and acceptable use when accessing technology in the school. General school rules for conduct and communication apply to Internet and network use or the use of any ECD.  This includes  but  is not  limited  to computers,  scanners,  still  and  video  cameras,  cell  phones, document cameras, SmartBoards, LCD projectors, PDAs, iPads, iPods, Kindles, charging devices, and all electronic devices.

Use of technology shall be considered a privilege, not a right of each individual. Failure of a user to follow acceptable use standards may result in termination of technology privileges, appropriate disciplinary action as stated in school policies, and possible notification of law enforcement. Westlake Academy will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to illegal activities conducted within or through the school system. 

Internet, email, and phone use within Westlake Academy should be used solely for educational purposes, although Westlake Academy recognizes that limited personal use by administrative and faculty staff members is authorized so long as it does not interfere with the employee’s  duties or the policies of Westlake Academy. It is important to recognize that traditional instructional resources and library materials can be screened with reasonable selection criteria. Technology that links to any public file server provides access to material that may not be considered educationally sound in the context of the school setting.

Westlake Academy has taken precautions to restrict access to unacceptable information in accordance with CIPA rules by employing the use of a firewall/filter, which is automatically and continuously updated to provide protection against current threats. However, it is important to understand that no solution is 100 percent perfect, and at times educational sites may be inadvertently blocked and conversely, inappropriate sites may be accessible.  Students will be provided with guidance and instruction in the appropriate use of technology resources including the Internet so that responsible choices can be made in the event that such a breach occurs. Westlake Academy will make no guarantee relating to the reliability of the data connection and therefore will not be held liable for any data loss or data corruption resulting while using Westlake Academy’s network.

Student use of technology will be permitted upon verification of the signing of the Westlake Academy Student-Parent Property Use Agreement form. The principal or designee will maintain signature records, and will be responsible for enforcing the Technology & Electronic Communication Device Acceptable Use Policy. Westlake Academy reserves the right to make amendments to the terms and conditions of this policy without notice. 

Securly App

Our school uses Securly in an effort to help keep students safe on their school-issued iPads. All WA families have access to the free SecurlyHOME app. To download this App, please click on these instructions. Signing up is the first step in becoming more connected with the specifics of how your student is spending their time online.

Securly Cloud Web Filter

Since 2018 Westlake Academy has partnered with Securly, a cloud based internet filter.  All devices on campus use this web filter to help moderate the content viewed on the internet. The 1:1 iPads given to students will have this filter enabled on campus and off campus. This is done to protect the student from viewing inappropriate content on school owned devices. Students that are not participating in the 1:1 program and bring their own device (BYOD) will still have this filtering while on campus.

BYOD students/guests will need to install a certificate on their device to browse the internet while using the school WiFi. Please follow these instructions based on the type of device your student will be using. Be sure to download the Securly Certificate (File attached to the right).

***Please download the Securly Certificate on the right, or at the bottom of this page. ***

In this age of technology, Westlake Academy is committed to ensuring that all students develop information literacy from an early age. Westlake Academy’s technology devices are available to all students, and they play a key role in digital teaching and learning.  Today, our accessibility to the world through innovations in communication and technology is creating an increasingly smaller, flatter planet. Through these innovations, we are able to provide students and teachers with the ability to virtually transport to any place on the globe, making the world truly our world.

In doing so, we operate on the following beliefs:

1. We believe that 21st century learning demands 21st century tools.
2. We believe that technology promotes anytime anywhere life-long learning.
3. We believe that technology transforms the learning experience for the teacher and the learner.
4. We believe that the guided utilization of technology transforms learners from consumers to producers.
5. We believe that technology allows educators to differentiate learning to meet the diverse needs of learners.
6. We believe that the integration of technology is critical to preparing students for post-secondary success.
7. We believe that technology transforms learning from surface to deeper learning and from local to global interconnectedness that allows students to transfer learning that extends beyond the classroom walls.
8. We believe that a well-balanced approach to technology allows students to work creatively, collaboratively and efficiently to increase their productivity.
9. We believe that technology is a vehicle to access digital content and to utilize it to promote critical thinking.
10. We believe that technology transforms the impact of feedback which is crucial to the learning process.  

The 4Cs of 21^st century skills (collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking) serve as the cornerstone for the learning at Westlake Academy. By combining traditional teaching with digital learning experiences, we can prepare our students for the technology-infused world in which we live.