Chromebook Policy

The policies, procedures, and information within this document apply to all Chromebooks used at Holy Spirit School (HS) by students, staff, or guests including any other device considered by the Administration to fall under this policy.

Teachers may set additional requirements for Chromebook use in their classroom.

Updated November 24, 2020

Receiving the Chromebook:

Chromebooks will be distributed each fall during the first or second week of school.  Parents and students must sign and return the Chromebook Student/Parent Signature Page before the Chromebooks can be issued. 

Training:
Students will be trained on how to use the Chromebooks by their homeroom and classroom teachers.
Students will be trained on websites, apps, and software used for teaching.

Return:
Student Chromebooks and accessories (power cord and cases) will be collected as requested by the school.

Any student who transfers out of or graduates from HS will be required to return his/her Chromebook and accessories.  If a Chromebook and accessories are not returned, the parent/guardian will be held responsible for payment in full and records will be held.

Taking Care of the Chromebook:
Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebooks which they have been issued by the school.  Chromebooks that are broken or fail to work properly must be given to the technology coordinator for needed repair or replacement.

General Precautions and Best Practices:

• No food or drink is allowed next to a Chromebook while it is in use.
• Cords, cables, and removable storage devices must be inserted carefully into a Chromebook.
• Students should never carry their Chromebooks while the screen is open unless directed to do so by a teacher.
• Chromebooks should be shut down when not in use to conserve battery life.
• Chromebooks should never be wedged into a book bag, closet, book shelf, as this may break the screen.
• A Chromebook should not be exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Extreme heat or cold may cause damage to the laptop.
• Chromebooks should always be brought to room temperature prior to turning on.

• Under no circumstances should a Chromebook be stored in an unsupervised area at school and home..  Unsupervised areas include the school grounds, the cafeteria, unlocked classrooms, the library, gym, hallways, bathrooms, bedroom, around small children, or any other area that is not securely locked or in which there is no supervision.
• Unsupervised Chromebooks will be confiscated by staff and taken to the principal’s office.  Disciplinary action will be taken for leaving a Chromebook in an unsupervised location.
• Under no circumstances should a student leave a chromebook on a floor - in the hallways, gym,classrooms and at home.  This is a leading cause for screen damage.

Carrying the Chromebook:
The protective shell of a Chromebook will only provide basic protection from everyday use.  It is not designed to prevent damage from drops or abusive handling.  All students must use the padded bag provided by the school.  Students must always use extreme care when carrying a Chromebook in its case. 

Screen Care:
The Chromebook screen can be damaged if subjected to rough treatment.  The screens are particularly sensitive to damage from excessive pressure on the screen.
 

• Do not lean on top of a Chromebook.
• Do not place anything near a Chromebook that could put pressure on the screen.
• Do not place anything in the carrying case that will press against the cover.
• Do not poke the screen
• Do not use the screen to trace an image
• Do not place anything on the keyboard before closing the lid (e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks).
• Clean the screen with a soft, dry anti-static, or micro-fiber cloth.  Do not use window cleaner or any type of liquid or water on a Chromebook.  Individually packaged pre-moistened eyeglass lens cleaning tissues may be used to clean the screen.  These are very convenient and relatively inexpensive.

Using The Chromebook

At School:
The Chromebook is intended for use at school  each and every day.  In addition to teacher expectations for Chromebook use, Digital Academy, announcements, calendars, academic handbooks, and student handbooks may be accessed using the Chromebook.  Students will be responsible for bringing their Chromebooks to all classes, unless specifically advised not to do so by their teacher.

At Home:

• All students are required to take their Chromebooks home each night while we are involved in distance learning.  Chromebooks must be brought to school each day in a fully charged condition.  The battery life is 6.5 hours. Students need to charge their Chromebooks each evening. Students who regularly forget to bring their Chromebooks to school or repeatedly forget to charge them at night will be subject to disciplinary action.
• Chromebooks must not be used at home for any non-school related activity including, but not limited to, personal videos, photos, creation and distribution of videos, gaming, or personal social media (for example: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tik-Tok, Snapchat.)
• The Chromebook is for the sole use of the student to whom it has been issued.
• Sound:

Sound must be muted at all times unless permission is obtained from the teacher for instructional purposes.  Students may bring their own inexpensive earbuds to be used with the Chromebooks.  The school will not allow full-ear, expensive headphones or Beat style earbuds or headphones.

• Camera:

Chromebook cameras must be ON for every live/virtual classroom session. Cameras must remain ON for the entire class.


ALL REMOTE LEARNING

In the event that school returns to learning ALL REMOTE, these additional policies will go in place. These are in addition to all other policies listed in this document.

• There will be daily set office hours for technology questions and help. Meeting links will be posted daily on the Technology Help classroom page.
• Teachers will have set office hours for homework and assignment help. Meeting links will be posted daily on the appropriate Classroom page. Teachers will notify parents and students regarding office hours in their weekly newsletters.
• Access to Chromebook apps and the internet will have a set amount of hours. Daily from 7:30 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.
• Occasional system shut downs for maintenance will be announced and will normally take place on weekends.
• If you are unable to check in during homeroom or any other class- For ANY reason, this must be reported by a parent or guardian. The Office Staff needs to be contacted immediately so you are not marked absent.

Managing Files and Saving Work:

Students may save documents to their Google Drive. Saving to Google Drive will make the files accessible from any computer with internet access. Students using Google Drive to work on their documents will not need to save their work, as Drive will save each keystroke as the work is being completed.  It will be the responsibility of the students to maintain the integrity of their files.  Students will be trained on proper file management procedures.

Personalizing the Chromebook:

Chromebooks must remain free of any decorative writing, drawing, stickers, paint, tape, or labels that are not the property of HS.  Spot checks for compliance may be done by teachers or administrators at any time.
Only photos and videos taken for academic purposes will be allowed.

Software on Chromebooks:

Originally Installed Software:
Chromebook software is delivered via the Chrome Web Store. These are web-based applications that do not require installation space on a hard drive. Some applications, such as Google Drive, are available for offline use. The software originally installed on the Chromebooks must remain on the Chromebooks in usable condition and remain easily accessible at all times.

All Chromebooks are supplied with the latest build of Google Chrome Operating System (OS), and many other applications useful in an educational environment. The Chrome OS will automatically install updates when the computer is shut down and restarted.

From time to time the school may add software applications for use in a particular course.  This process will be automatic with virtually no impact on students.  Applications that are no longer needed will automatically be removed by the school as well.

All applications will be used and opened through the CLEVER portal.

Virus Protection:
Virus protection is unnecessary on the Chromebooks due to the unique nature of their design. 

Additional Software:
Students may NOT install additional software/apps on their Chromebooks other than what has been approved by HS. 
Gaming - personal gaming is not permitted on the Chromebooks.  Educational games may be used according to teacher guidelines.

Inspection:
Students may be selected at random to provide their Chromebooks for inspection.  The purpose for inspection will be to check for proper care and maintenance as well as for inappropriate materials.

Protecting and Storing the Chromebook:

Chromebook Identification:
Chromebooks will be labeled .  Chromebooks may be identified in the following ways:
 

• Record of serial number and  tag
• Individual name label

Under no circumstances are students to modify, remove, or destroy identification labels.


Damage to or Loss of a Chromebook and Accessories

Students and parents will be charged for Chromebook damage that occurs when a Chromebook is misused, handled in an inappropriate or abusive manner, or left unattended**.

Lost or Damaged Device and Accessories:
A Chromebook or any of its accessories that is lost or damaged is the responsibility of the student and parent.  The user will not be given another device or accessory to use until the replacement cost of the lost/damaged device or accessory is paid to the school.
 

• Replacement of the Chromebook $250
• AC Adapter & power cord - $55
• Screen - $50
• Battery - $98
• Case - $25

Chromebook Technical Support

The Technology Coordinator will be the first point of contact for repair of the Chromebooks.  Services provided by the coordinator include:
 

• Password identification
• User account support
• Coordination of warranty repair

• Hardware maintenance and repair
• Operating system or software configuration support
• Restoring Chromebook to factory default
• System software updates

GoGuardian for Chromebook Usage Monitoring

The Technology Coordinator, teachers and administration reserve the right to use our monitoring system, GoGuardian, to look at individual student usage of the devices, including, but not limited to, web searches and page visits, all docs, sheets and any Google Drive files, and to limit student Internet access to general and specific websites and applications. GoGuardian is always on  at school and at home.

Technology Acceptable Use and Code of Conduct:

All other policy statements regarding technology acceptable use , code of conduct issues, and middle school homework policies found in the Holy Spirit School Parent-Student Handbook apply to the use of the Chromebooks. 

**Our most significant problem is in the event that a student leaves a chromebook unattended (on the edge of a desk, a floor, a counter) and returns to find the screen has been damaged.  This may be due to that device then being compromised by another student’s or family members carelessness.  Because this can’t be proven/verified, it will still be the responsibility of that student who was assigned that device to pay for repair or replacement.

Holy Spirit School
Chromebook Policy Handbook
Student Pledge and Signature Pages
 

• I will take good care of my Chromebook.  I will be issued the same Chromebook each year.
• I will never leave my Chromebook unattended in an unsecured or unsupervised location.
• I will never loan out my Chromebook to other individuals.
• I will know where my Chromebook is at all times.
• I will charge my Chromebook’s battery to full capacity each night.
• I will keep food/beverages away from my Chromebook as these may cause damage to the device.
• I will not disassemble any part of my Chromebook or attempt any repairs.
• I will protect my Chromebook by always carrying it in a secure manner to avoid damage.
• I will use my Chromebook in ways that are appropriate for education.
• I will not place decorations (stickers, markers, writing, etc.) on any Chromebook.
• I understand that the Chromebook I am issued is subject to inspection at any time without notice and remains the property of HS.
• I will file a police report in case of theft or damage caused by fire.
• I will be responsible for all damage or loss caused by neglect or abuse.
• I agree to pay the full replacement cost of my Chromebook, power cord/charger, and case in the event that any of these items is lost or intentionally/neglectfully damaged.
• I agree to return the Chromebook, power cord/charger, and case  in good working condition at the end of each school year.
• I will follow all policy statements regarding technology acceptable use, code of conduct issues, and middle school homework policies found in the Holy Spirit School Chromebook Policy and the Holy Spirit School Parent-Student Handbook.
•  I will make sure my chromebook is kept in a safe place every night, to prevent accidental damage.

PARENT/STUDENT
CHROMEBOOK SIGNATURE PAGE

User Agreement

Student Agreement

Rules and regulations are necessary in order to offer technology opportunities to our students.  In order to use technology resources, I agree to abide by all guidelines and policies as stated in the chromebook policy handbook and the parent/student handbook.

Student Signature:______________________________________  Date:_____________________


Parent/Guardian Agreement

As the parent or legal guardian of the student signing above, I have read the Chromebook policies and grant permission for my child to access a Chromebook.  I understand that my child will be held liable for violations of this agreement.  I understand that Chromebooks and technology resources are intended for educational purposes only.  I also understand that it is difficult for my child’s school to restrict access to all controversial materials, and I will not hold Holy Spirit School or the Diocese of Columbus responsible for materials acquired on Holy Spirit’s network or my home network..

Parent Signature:______________________________________  Date:_____________________