This handbook aims to provide parents and students with a thorough explanation of how the district manages its 1:1 Chromebook initiative. The success of this initiative is strongly tied to the responsibility, ownership, and pride that our students have when they receive their Chromebook/Device. While the district believes that technology use is critical to student success and needs to be part of the daily learning process, the ability to have a device at all times is considered a privilege that our students should not take lightly.

Goals for Student Users

• To increase students’ productivity inside and outside the classroom when completing assignments, projects, and other activities.
• To facilitate mobile learning within the school campus, at home and in other locations.
• To encourage students to explore beyond the basics of their curriculum by giving them access to educational resources and providing a host of tools to present information.

The following sections apply to the assigned Chromebook and any loaner Chromebooks assigned to the student (while their assigned Chromebook is being repaired).

 

Receiving Your Chromebook

• Chromebooks will be distributed by the tech department.
• In order to take the chromebook home, students/parents must sign the chromebook agreement which is sent to the student’s district email address.
• Devices are assigned to individual students who are responsible for their care. Students should not lend their device to another person.
• Students must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. (Policy # 7315)
• Misuse of the chromebook may result in disciplinary action as laid out in the Student Code of Conduct.

It is each student’s responsibility to bring the Chromebook, charged, to school each day.

 

Taking Care of Your Chromebook

Students need access to a device daily. Students should follow these best practices to ensure their device is functioning each day:

General Precautions

• No food or drink should be near Chromebooks.
• Cords and cables must be carefully inserted/removed into/from Chromebook ports.
• Chromebooks should not be used or stored near pets.
• Chromebooks should not be used with the power cord plugged in when the cord may be a tripping hazard.
• Chromebooks must remain free of writing, drawing, stickers, labels, and other
  decorations that are not the property of the PBCSD or approved by the Technology Department.
• Heavy objects should never be placed on top of Chromebooks.
• These devices can be remotely located. Modifying, disabling or attempting to disable the locator is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and the Code of Conduct.
• These devices have a unique identification and at no time should the numbers or labels be modified or removed.

Carrying Chromebooks

• Students should hold the Chromebooks (cover closed) with two hands if they need to carry the Chromebook.
• Never lift a Chromebook by the screen.
• Never carry a Chromebook with the screen open.

Screen Care

The Chromebook screen can be damaged if subjected to heavy objects, rough treatment, cleaning solvents, and other liquids. The screens are susceptible to damage from excessive pressure.

• Do not put pressure on the top of a Chromebook when it is closed.
• Do not store a Chromebook with the screen open.
• Make sure there is nothing on the keyboard before closing the lid (e.g. pens, pencils, earbuds, etc.).
• Only clean the screen with a soft, dry microfiber cloth or anti-static cloth.

Asset Tags

• All Chromebooks will be labeled with a District asset tag.
• Asset tags may not be modified or tampered with in any way.

Students may be charged up to the total replacement cost of a Chromebook for tampering with a district asset tag or turning in a Chromebook without a district asset tag.

 

Repairing/Replacing Your Chromebook

Where to repair

• If your Chromebook needs technical support, all support will be handled by the PB Technology Department.
• You must tell your teacher (elementary school), homeroom teacher (middle school) or greeter (high school) if your Chromebook needs attention.

Estimated Costs of repairs

Device failures due to manufacturing defects are covered at no cost. Chromebooks that are broken or fail to work properly must be reported to the appropriate staff member immediately.

Damaged Chromebook and Accessories not Covered by District

• If the Chromebook needs repair, the district will provide a loaner until repairs have been completed. The loaner MAY NOT be the same make or model.
• Students/Parents will be responsible for any fees not covered by Insurance Coverage (if purchased by parent/student), such as intentional damage to devices.
• If damage to the device is beyond repair, the student/parent may be responsible for the replacement value.

Lost or stolen Chromebook and accessories

• Lost or stolen Chromebooks must be reported to the appropriate staff member within 24 hours of the incident (elementary and middle school – teacher, high school greeter).

  If the device was stolen while not on school grounds you will need to fill a police report and submit a copy of that to the school.

• If the device is lost or stolen, the student and their family are responsible for the total cost of the device and/or accessory (ex. charger)

 

Using Your Chromebook At School

Students are expected to bring a fully charged Chromebook to school every day and bring their Chromebooks to all classes unless specifically advised not to do so by their teacher.

Chromebooks left at home

If a student repeatedly leaves their Chromebook at home, interventions will be put into place by the teacher and/or administrator, consistent across a grade level, similar to issues like homework or instructional materials, or other classroom procedures. In addition, the school may take further disciplinary actions or behavioral interventions if a student fails to meet this expectation.

Charging Chromebooks

• Students are expected to bring their Chromebook to school each day with a full charge.
• Repeat failures to meet this expectation will result in interventions put into place by teachers or administrators.

Chromebooks being repaired

• Loaner Chromebooks may be issued to students when they leave their school-issued Chromebook for repair.
• A tech staff member will contact students when their devices are repaired and available to be picked up.

Backgrounds and Themes

• Inappropriate media may not be used as any backgrounds or themes. The presence of such media will result in disciplinary action.

Storage

• All student work should be stored in Google Drive.

Logging into a Chromebook

• Students will only log into their Chromebooks using their school-issued Google Apps for Education account.
• Students should never share their account passwords with others.

Using the Built-In Chromebook Camera

• Students may not use the camera and video capabilities without the subject’s
  permission, including audio recording on the Chromebook.
• Cameras or audio recordings may never be used in a locker room or restroom.

 Managing and Saving Your Digital Work with a Chromebook

• Most student work will be stored in cloud-based applications and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and most mobile Internet devices.
• Some files may be stored on the Chromebook’s hard drive. This space is very limited. If sent for repair a “Powerwash” may clear all “local saved work”.

  We do not backup local data prior to Powerwash.

• Students should always remember to save frequently when working on digital media.
• The district will not be responsible for the loss of any student work.

Use of External Devices with Chromebooks

• No external storage devices such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, cell
  phones, ect. may be connected to chromebook.
• No external devices will be allowed to connect to the chromebook for any
  reason except for the following:

 

• Chromebook charging cable
• Teacher approved devices such as science prob, headphones, mouse, etc.

 

Using Your Chromebook Outside of School

Students are encouraged to use their Chromebooks at home and other locations outside of school. A WiFi Internet connection is required for much of Chromebook use; however, many applications can be used while not connected to the Internet.

• Student use of the Chromebook will be subject to PBCSD website filtering software, even when accessing materials on a home connection.
• It is incumbent upon parents to monitor and manage student Internet activity or screen time while at home. It is the prerogative of the parents to limit or restrict Chromebook or Internet use at home.

 

Operating System and Security

Students may not use or install any operating system on their Chromebook other than the current version of ChromeOS that is supported and managed by the district.

Updates

• The Chromebook operating system, ChromeOS, updates itself automatically when the device is restarted. Students do not need to manually update their Chromebooks.

Virus Protection

• Chromebooks use the principle of “defense in depth” to provide multiple layers of protection against viruses and malware, including data encryption and verified boot. There is no need for additional virus protection.

 

Content Filter

The district utilizes an Internet content filter that is in compliance with the federally mandated Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). All Chromebooks, regardless of physical location (in or out of school), will have all Internet activity protected and logged by the district. If a website is blocked in
school, then it will be blocked out of school.

***Attempting to reset the Chromebook for any reason is considered hacking. The student will be referred to the office for disciplinary action.

***Attempting to bypass the content filter in any way for any reason is considered hacking. The student will be referred to the office for disciplinary action.

 

Chromebook Identification

Records

• PBCSD will maintain a log of all Chromebooks that includes the Chromebook serial number, asset tag code, and name and ID number of the student assigned to the device.

Users

• Each student will be assigned the same Chromebook for the next 3-5 years. Take good care of it!

 

Returning Your Chromebook

The District will notify families/students when students need to return Chromebooks. For most grade levels, the Chromebooks will stay with the same student for several years, including over the summer.

When to Return Chromebooks

• When notified, students will turn in their Chromebooks at the designated time and place. Failure to turn in a Chromebook and accessories (ie. charger) will result in the student being charged the full replacement cost. A report of stolen property may also be filed with the local law enforcement agency.

Transferring/Withdrawing Students

• Students that transfer out of or withdraw from the district must return the Chromebook (with originally supplied charger) on the date of exit to the student’s main office(elementary schools) or guidance counselor (middle/high schools). Failure to turn in the Chromebook will result in the student being charged the full replacement cost and hold on transcripts and records. Unpaid fines and fees of students leaving PBCSD may be turned over to a collection agency.

 

No Expectation of Privacy

No right of privacy exists in the use of technological resources. School system administrators or individuals designated by the superintendent may review files, monitor communications, and intercept email messages to maintain system integrity and to ensure compliance with board policies and applicable laws and regulations. School system personnel shall monitor online activities of individuals who access the internet via school-owned computers.

 

Appropriate Uses and Digital Citizenship

School-issued devices should be used for educational purposes. Students are to adhere to all board policies, including the district Acceptable Use Policy and the district Code of Conduct. In addition, students will adhere and agree to the following:

• Respect yourself. I will show respect for myself through my actions. I will select online names that are appropriate. I will use caution with the information, images, and other media that I post and view online. I will carefully consider what personal information I post.
• Respect others. I will show respect for others. I will not use electronic mediums to antagonize or bully others.
• Protect yourself. I will ensure that the information, images, and materials I post online will not put me at risk. I will not publish my personal details, contact details, or a schedule of my activities. I will report any attacks or inappropriate behavior directed at me while online. I will protect my passwords, accounts, and resources.
• Protect others. I will protect others by reporting abuse and not forwarding inappropriate materials or communications. While working in a digital and collaborative environment, students should always conduct themselves as responsible digital citizens.