Evening Restriction Plan & Communication Rollout 

Approved by Digital Education Team & Elementary Principals 

Overview & Purpose 

          Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, Quincy School District (QSD) will restrict student Chromebook access and YouTube streaming between 8:00 PM and 7:00 AM on all district-issued elementary and QIA middle school devices. This policy has been reviewed and approved by the Digital Education Team and all Elementary Building Principals. 

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to: 

• Protecting healthy sleep habits and supporting student well-being 

• Reducing unsupervised screen time during late evening and overnight hours 

• Reinforcing the district’s Responsible Use Policy (RUP) in the home environment 

• Partnering with families to establish consistent boundaries around technology use 

          This is a proactive, research-informed measure — not a response to a single incident — consistent with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and aligned with Washington State’s broader focus on student digital wellness. 

Policy Details 

1. What Will Be Restricted 

2. What Will NOT Be Restricted 

          The following are out of scope for this restriction: 

• Middle and High School devices (QMS, QHS) — not affected by this policy 

• Staff-issued devices — not affected 

• Family-owned personal devices — QSD cannot and does not manage personal devices 

• School-day use during regular hours (7:00 AM–8:00 PM) — no change 

3. Technical Implementation 

          Restrictions will be enforced via iBoss for elementary & affected QIA students.

Rationale & Research Basis 

           The following research and guidance informed this policy: 

Communication Plan 

          The communication approach mirrors the successful model used for the QMS cell phone policy: a staged, multi-channel rollout with semi-regular reminders leading up to implementation. Families will not be surprised — they will be informed and re-informed well before the restriction takes effect. 

1. Communication Principles 

• Lead with the “why” — student health and well-being, not punitive control 

• Use plain, approachable language — avoid jargon 

• Be consistent across buildings — all elementary principals communicate the same message 

• Provide ample lead time — families deserve notice, not surprises 

• Acknowledge the adjustment — validate that change requires adaptation 

• Give families tools to help — tips, resources, and FAQs 

2. Communication Timeline 

          The following phased schedule builds awareness progressively, modeled on the QMS cell phone restriction rollout: 

Healthy Tech Use & Screen Time Guidance 

          To support families in making the most of this transition, QSD will share the following guidance alongside each communication. This content should be included in back-to-school packets and available on the QSD website. 

1. Recommended Screen Time Guidelines

2. Tips for Families 

• Create a device charging station outside your child’s bedroom — this removes overnight temptation even on personal devices 

• Use the 8:00 PM Chromebook cutoff as a natural signal for winding down — model the routine for younger siblings 

• Talk with your child about why sleep matters — kids are more receptive when they understand the reason, not just the rule 

• Use screen-free evening activities: reading, puzzles, drawing, or outdoor play before dark 

• If your child has a specific assignment due, encourage them to plan ahead and complete it before 8:00 PM 

• Remember: this restriction applies to the school Chromebook only. You are in control of any personal family devices at home 

3. Resources for Families 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

          The following FAQ is intended for posting on the QSD website and for use by principals and front office staff when responding to parent inquiries. 

Q: Why is QSD doing this? 

          Research consistently shows that screen use late at night disrupts sleep, and poor sleep has a direct impact on how children learn, regulate emotions, and engage at school. This policy is about protecting student health, not restricting learning. 

Q: Does this affect middle school or high school students? 

          No. This restriction applies only to elementary student Chromebooks at this time. Middle and high school devices are not affected. 

Q: What if my child has homework due in the evening? 

          Assignments will still be fully accessible from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. That is 13 hours of daily access, including all after-school hours. Teachers are aware of these hours and will not assign work with deadlines that require access after 8:00 PM. 

Q: Will personal devices or family tablets be affected? 

          No. QSD can only manage district-issued Chromebooks. Personal devices, family tablets, and home computers are not affected. 

Q: What if there is a special circumstance, like a family emergency or a project deadline? 

          Families may contact their building principal or the Technology Department for assistance on a case-by-case basis. We understand life is not always predictable. 

Q: How is this enforced? 

          Restrictions are applied centrally through QSD’s Google Workspace for Education administration tools and iBoss web filtering. No action is required on individual devices. 

Q: Is this like the cell phone ban at QMS? 

          In spirit, yes. Both policies are about creating healthier boundaries around technology and are implemented with substantial advance notice and community communication. Like the QMS cell phone policy, we expect this to become a normal, accepted part of our school culture over time. 

Implementation Checklist 

The following checklist tracks readiness milestones for the Technology Department and administration: 

Contacts & Ownership 

Questions? Contact the QSD Technology Department for technical questions, or your building principal for policy and communication questions.

Quincy School District