GAPPS Profile Pictures Access and Timelines for 2023/24
Between October 10-13,
2023, students may customize their YRDSB Google Apps (GAPPS) profile pictures within parameters
established by the YRDSB. This will enable students to express or represent
themselves in their profile images, while prioritizing safe and inclusive
learning and working environments for all of our students and staff.
What does this mean
for students?
· Students will have an opportunity to select a customized profile
picture that meets YRDSB guidelines.
· Students will receive guidelines and considerations based on their
grade level to support them in selecting and/or creating an appropriate profile
picture.
· This is optional. Students who do not select an image will
continue to have their first initial as their GAPPS profile image.
· Students will have two opportunities each year, during the fall
and again in the spring, to change their images.
YRDSB does not tolerate any forms of hate or
discrimination. In the past, it came to the Board’s attention that YRDSB Google
Apps (GAPPS) profile pictures were being used to spread online hate through
racist imagery shared and uploaded to GAPPS accounts. These images cause pain
and can make other students and staff members feel unsafe, marginalized and
unwelcome in our learning environments. Appropriate actions were taken to
address this issue, including a mandatory learning series for all students,
mandatory training for all YRDSB staff, and temporarily removing access to
customizing profile images.
YRDSB will be continuing to implement measures
that support student safety over the course of this school year. These
measures include providing teachers with ongoing access to resources and
support for addressing issues of hate.
Students are also
encouraged to report problematic images that perpetuate hate or cause harm by
speaking with a caring adult or by making use of the YRDSB’s ReportIT tool.
More information
about GAPPS profile images is available on the
Board website.