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Gaggle Safety Management

Keeping Our Students Safe Online

Dear Parents and Guardians,

At Onslow County Schools, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We want to inform you about an important digital safety tool we use to help protect your children while they use district-issued email accounts and Microsoft OneDrive storage.

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into education, we recognize the importance of creating a safe digital learning environment. That's why we partner with Gaggle Safety Management to monitor content on our district-issued technology platforms.

Our Commitment to Student Safety

The sole purpose of using Gaggle is to help identify content that may indicate a student is in danger or distress. This includes early warning signs of suicide ideation, threats of violence, harassment, bullying, and other concerning behaviors that could put a student at risk.

What is Gaggle Safety Management?

Gaggle is a specialized student safety platform that works around the clock to help schools identify students who may need support or intervention. Think of it as a digital safety net that helps us catch warning signs before they become serious problems.

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24/7 Monitoring

Continuous oversight of district-issued email accounts and OneDrive documents to identify concerning content

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Smart Technology

Advanced computer algorithms scan content for warning signs, similar to how email spam filters work

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Human Review

Trained safety professionals review any flagged content before notifying school administrators

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Immediate Response

School administrators are quickly notified when serious safety concerns are identified

How Does Gaggle Work?

Gaggle uses advanced computer technology called "machine learning" - essentially teaching computers to recognize patterns that might indicate a student is struggling or in danger. Here's how the process works:

1

Content Scanning

Computer algorithms continuously scan emails and documents for concerning language or images

2

Human Verification

If something is flagged, a trained human safety expert reviews it to determine if it's truly concerning

3

School Notification

If verified as a safety concern, appropriate school or district administrators are immediately contacted

4

Student Support

School counselors and administrators work with the student and family to provide appropriate help and resources

Important: What Gets Flagged?

Gaggle specifically looks for content that might indicate:

  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
  • Plans for violence against others
  • Bullying or harassment
  • Inappropriate or pornographic content (which is automatically removed)
  • Other signs that a student may be in crisis or danger

What Parents Should Know

What is Monitored

Gaggle only monitors content created or received through:

  • District-issued student email accounts
  • Documents stored in district-issued Microsoft OneDrive accounts
  • Other school-provided digital platforms and tools

What is NOT Monitored

Gaggle does not monitor:

  • Personal email accounts
  • Social media accounts
  • Personal devices or computers
  • Text messages on personal phones
  • Web browsing on personal devices

Privacy and Data Protection

We take your child's privacy seriously. Student data is handled according to strict privacy guidelines, and access is limited to authorized school personnel and trained Gaggle safety professionals who are bound by confidentiality agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the school need to monitor my child's email? +
Will my child know they're being monitored? +
What happens if something concerning is found? +
How accurate is the monitoring technology? +
Can I opt my child out of monitoring? +
How can I talk to my child about this monitoring? +

Resources for Parents

Digital Citizenship at Home

Here are some ways you can support your child's digital citizenship and online safety:

  • Have regular conversations about online activities and experiences
  • Set clear expectations for appropriate technology use
  • Encourage your child to report concerning online behavior
  • Model positive digital behavior in your own technology use
  • Stay informed about the platforms and tools your child uses

Mental Health Support

If you're concerned about your child's mental health or well-being, resources are available:

  • School counselors and social workers
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Local mental health services and providers

Additional Information

For more detailed information about Gaggle's privacy practices and policies, you can visit their Student Trust and Privacy Center at www.gaggle.net/trust-and-privacy-center