Riverwood Named Common Sense Certified School

From Riverwood International Charter School:

SANDY SPRINGS, GA - Riverwood International Charter School received certification as a Common Sense Digital Citizenship School for the 2016-17 school year. Common Sense certification is an annual process which includes preparing the school's’ vision for digital citizenship, professional development, creating and implementing a plan for digital citizenship instruction to students, as well as engaging and educating parents. The certification is an essential to laying the groundwork when implementing new technology in a school setting. Riverwood teachers and staff received Microsoft Surface Tablets in late October in preparation of the full rollout of this technology to students in January, 2017.

"We're honored to be recognized as a Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified School," said Dr. Robert Shaw, Riverwood Principal. "By preparing our students to use technology safely and responsibly, we are providing them unlimited opportunities to maximize and personalize their learning."

Digital media and technology are evolving at a dizzying pace, both unlocking extraordinary opportunities and posing real risks for young people. Students are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technology to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined, both in and out of the classroom.

Issues that emerge from this 24/7 "connected culture," such as cyberbullying, privacy lapses, plagiarism and uncertainty about which information to trust online, are surfacing both in schools and at home. Riverwood has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to use the immense power of digital media to explore, create, connect, and learn, while limiting the perils that exist in the online realm.

"We applaud the faculty and staff of Riverwood for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students' education," said Jessica Lindl, Head of Common Sense Education. "Riverwood deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large."

Riverwood uses Common Sense Education's innovative and research-based digital citizenship resources, which were created in collaboration with Dr. Howard Gardner of the GoodPlay Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The resources teach students, educators, and parents tangible skills related to Internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, managing online relationships, and respecting creative copyright. The free resources are currently used in more than 90,000 classrooms nationwide.

Common Sense Education provides teachers and schools with free research-based classroom tools to help students harness technology for learning and life.The Digital Citizenship Curriculum and interactive games teach students how to make safe, smart, and ethical decisions in the digital world. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families and educators thrive in a world of media and technology.

To learn more about the criteria Riverwood met to become certified as a Common Sense Certified School, click here.

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