Concern prompts Brevard schools to clarify they're not using Saturn app

Noting concern among parents about Saturn, a popular calendar application for high-schoolers, Brevard Public Schools issued a statement Wednesday that the app is not used within the district.

Saturn is an iPhone app that allows high school students to upload their schedules and provides a daily look at where students need to be. It also has features that let students see what’s happening in their school through a “Bulletin” feature, which allows them to post updates visible to other students within the school.

In a Wednesday email to parents, Brevard Public Schools officials said they were aware of the concerns.

“Since this app is available to anyone who wants to use it, there is no way to ensure app users are students,” the statement said. “While it appears the app creators have recently increased security measures, Brevard Public Schools does not endorse this app and staff will not ask students to use Saturn.”

Officials added that the app was blocked on the school district Wi-Fi.

BPS uses FOCUS, a software that allows students to view their schedule, grade and attendance information. They're able to view information such as assignment details, class web pages, links to resources and announcements from the district and school.

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Prior to the email's distribution, BPS parents shared concerns on social media. One post in particular was copied and pasted numerous times across Facebook, in which the original poster — a 41-year-old father — explained that the app allowed him to create a login and see his daughter’s school without any verification except a phone number.

He added that the app indicated it required a school email to see the schedules of other students, but by inputting a fake schedule from a list of teachers provided by the app, he could see other students’ schedules and a girls’ athletic team roster. The app also allows students to include their social media accounts on their profiles, as well as the ability to direct message one another.

The father raised concerns about the app being used to harm students.

“It’s not unreasonable to think that a predator or intruder could compile a full schedule for any student in the app without ever having to fully log in,” he wrote. “The reality is, even if the app did require an official login, it's still allowing anyone in the school to see my daughter’s schedule — a bully, a stalker, an unwanted admirer, a mean girl, etc.”

The concern prompted school board member Katye Campbell to post to her Facebook on Tuesday, prior to the statement from Brevard Public Schools.

“We encourage students and parents to use (FOCUS) to keep up with schedules, grades, attendance, transportation, etc.,” she wrote. “You and your child will only be able to see your information in the FOCUS app.”

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @_finchwalker.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: District: Saturn calendar app not being used in Brevard Public Schools