Starting this year, South has implemented GoGuardian software, a Chromebook instructional program that allows teachers to manage classrooms and monitor student Chromebooks during school hours, according to an email sent by District 225 on Friday, Aug. 14.
GoGuardian was chosen after a four-week pilot program during the 2025-2026 school year, during which three software programs were tested by teachers, Ryan Manly, Senior Manager of Technology Services, said. Despite the mixed opinions on the site by students during the testing period, GoGuardian is only active during school hours, so no privacy invasions occur, Manly said.
“The goal is to reduce digital distractions and clarify expectations for Chromebook use for both students and teachers,” Manly said. “Rather than having one district-wide rule for every website or technology, individual teachers can make decisions based on what is appropriate for their particular class, lesson, or assignment.”
GoGuardian also serves to block harmful and unsafe web content, including the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), Manly said. Blocking content deemed harmful, unlike the ability for adults to view student screens will occur at all times, Manley said.
“GoGuardian Admin provides around-the-clock content filtering, but does not track students’ physical locations or provide access to webcams, microphones, keyboard inputs, or personal files,” Manley said.
GoGuardian is still in early use, where some websites have to be unblocked after the site has restricted access for needed activities, sophomore Daria Jurkowska said. Google Earth was blocked from use, which created an unwanted hurdle for her architecture class, Jurkowska said.
“We’re wasting time because our teacher has to go on his computer and unblock them,” Jurkowska said. “It’s also weird because it feels that I am being watched, and no one wants that feeling.”
Firewalls and blocking systems of negative web content have always been on student Chromebooks. South has only changed which site we use, Principal Dr. Barbara Georges said. South is anticipating student feedback after the program has been used more frequently, Georges said
“It has come to my attention that there are a lot of misperceptions about GoGuardian,” Georges said. “Therefore, this will be one of the topics on a future agenda of the Principal Advisory Council to gather feedback on the student experience once GoGuardian is implemented.”
