1:1 Parent/Student Handbook

The following is a copy of the WISD One To One Chromebook Agreement. To officially acknowledge the agreement, please go to Skyward Family Access and sign the agreement there. 

The focus of the Chromebook program in the Wylie Independent School District is to prepare students for their future in a world of digital technology and information. In today’s world, excellence in education requires that technology, including access to the Internet, be readily available and seamlessly integrated throughout the curriculum. We have put the support structure in place to ensure our teaching methods reflect and implement this integration. The primary tool for students in Wylie ISD is the Chromebook, a web-oriented device that provides the opportunity to connect student learning to all of the resources and information available online, anywhere, at any time. The individual use of Chromebooks is a way to empower students to learn at their full potential, to communicate and collaborate on analytical thinking and problem solving, and to prepare them for their next step in life.

As more and more students are using technology routinely as part of their classroom instruction, it has become an expectation. Although WISD has strived to provide classroom sets for core classes, there were certain instructional areas that were left out. Therefore, the question becomes, why don’t we have devices to use in our math/foreign language classes? Turns out, we are already buying more devices than we have students to supply those core classes. 

In order to supply everyone with devices, WISD has chosen to move to a one-to-one model for our 5-12 campuses. This model has been in place at all of our secondary campuses in the past.  At the intermediate and junior high campuses, each student was issued a Chromebook that they used throughout the day. The Chromebook was checked out each morning and checked back in the last period of the day. Our high school students were issued Chromebooks prior to school starting, they were able to take them home, and turned them in at the end of the year.  

This school year, we will continue to implement a one-to-one Chromebook program at our secondary campuses – with one major difference. Students in grades 5-8 will also be allowed to take the Chromebooks home!

Each student in grades 5 through 12 will be issued a Dell Chromebook along with a power adapter, cord, and protective case.

The Chromebook and its accessories are, and at all-time remains, the property of WISD, and are loaned to the student for educational purposes only for the academic school year.

Chromebooks are distributed to students at the beginning of the school year. Each campus will publish the dates for pickup to take place. Before a Chromebook will be issued to the student, parents and students must sign a Device Agreement form as well as pay the mandatory non-refundable insurance fee. (See below)

All devices and accessories will be returned to WISD during the final weeks of school, on a date to be determined, so they can be checked for serviceability and to be stored for the summer.

If a student graduates early, transfers, withdraws, is suspended or expelled during the school year, the device must be returned at that time to the front office. Parents/guardians will be charged the full cost of the device if the student’s placement changes, and the device is not returned prior to leaving the school.

Furthermore, the student will be responsible for any damage to the device and must return all issued equipment in good working condition. The student will be charged a fee for any needed repairs, or equipment not returned, not to exceed the full replacement cost of the device and accessories. More information concerning fees and replacement is provided later in this document.

Technology is an integral part of the education all students receive at the Wylie Independent School District. Chromebooks should be considered as essential to the educational process as a textbook and we want them to take advantage of the powerful learning resources available with it. Therefore we are discouraging opting-out of the program. 

If you feel uncomfortable with your student taking the device home, please contact your school’s office to arrange for the student to store the Chromebook in the building rather than taking it home; it will need to be checked out at the start of each day and checked in at the end of each school day.

The decision to discourage opt-outs is due to the fact that technology is already an important element of our instructional program, and it is crucial that each student have access to technology that they need and upon which teachers can rely.

Wylie ISD requires that Chromebook insurance be purchased prior to deployment of the Chromebook to the student. For students in grades 5-8, the annual fee will be $30 per device. The annual insurance fee for high school students is $40, as they will have the option of purchasing the Chromebook at graduation.

 This insurance package covers any type of device malfunction, including:

• Hardware

• Accidental Damage (drops / spills)

• Cracked Screen

• Liquid Submersion

• Power Surge (lightning)

• Theft with a police report

• Vandalism

Please see the Chromebook Repair / Theft / Loss section of this page for details on how each insurance claim or repair request will be handled.

For information on the payment of the annual fee, please see the Payments page.

Students will be trained on how to use the Chromebook by their teachers. Students are also encouraged to research and learn on their own. A good deal of useful information will be made available on the Resources page of this site.

WISD makes every effort to equip parents/guardians with the necessary tools and information to ensure safe use of the Chromebooks in the home. There are several responsibilities assumed by the parent/guardian outlined below. 

Sign Paperwork / Pay Fee

In order for a student to be allowed to take a Chromebook home, the student and parent/guardian must pay an annual insurance fee and sign the Device Agreement form.

Supervise Student Participation

The parent/guardian is responsible for the ensuring:

• Student brings Chromebook to school every day.

• Student is caring for the Chromebook in a manner that protects the device from damage.

• Student and/or parent/guardian notifies the school of loss or damage following the procedures outlined in this handbook.

Monitor Student Use

The parent/guardian must agree to monitor student use of the Chromebook at home and away from school. Being present and involved is the best way to keep students safe and on-task. 

• Be aware that Internet content will be filtered by systems and policies in place on the Chromebook while it is attached to networks inside as well as outside the school.

• Develop a set of rules for Chromebook use at home.

• Only allow use of the Chromebook in a common area of the home.

• Take a genuine interest in what your student is doing on the Chromebook. Ask questions and request to see their work often.

Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook and all accessories which they have been issued by the school. It is the responsibility of the student to notify campus staff of any issues, regardless of the cause. If a Chromebook is damaged or not working properly the device should be taken to the campus designated Helpdesk location for an evaluation of the equipment. If a loaner Chromebook is available one will be checked out to them. Never try to repair the Chromebook yourself or have someone outside the district work on it.

Students are bound by the policies in the Student Handbook, acceptable use policy, and all rules of this handbook regardless of where they use their Chromebook and regardless of the source of the Internet connection.

General Rules

• The student is responsible for the device at all times, whether on campus or not.

• Family members and friends should not have use of the Chromebook. The Chromebook belongs to the student and only the student.

• Do not loan devices to other students.

• Do not borrow a device from another student.

• Do not share passwords and usernames.

• Chromebooks must have a WISD inventory tag on them at all times and this tag must not be removed or altered in any way.

• Chromebooks and accessories must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or labels. Spot checks for compliance may be done by administrators or teachers at any time.

• No food or drink is allowed next to your Chromebook.

• Vents on the devices must not be covered.

• Students are responsible for bringing their Chromebook to school completely charged each day.

General Precautions

• Do not grasp screen by wrapping your hand around it, your thumbs could shatter the screen.

• Do not lean on the top of your Chromebook when it is closed.

• Do not place anything on the keyboard as you may forget about it when closing the list. Doing so might cause damage to your screen.

• Never carry your Chromebook around with the screen open.

• Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth such as a microfiber cloth. Do not spray any solvents on the screen.

• Do not poke the screen with anything that make scratch the screen surface.

• Cords, cables, and removable storage devices should be inserted carefully into the Chromebook.

Storage

• Do not leave the Chromebook in an unlocked car or locker or any unsupervised area.

• Chromebooks are very sensitive to extreme heat and cold. Leaving devices in cars or direct sunlight may expose them to potentially harmful conditions and should be avoided.

• Do not stack heavy books, materials, on top of the device as it could cause the device to break.

• Chromebooks should not be placed inside backpacks with heavy books.

• Chromebooks must be stored in the supplied case at all times. The Chromebook should be shut down prior to this as the fans on the Chromebook will continue to run if the device is left on.

At School

The Chromebook is intended for use at school each and every day. Students are responsible for bringing their devices to all classes, unless specifically advised not to do so by their teacher. While in class, students are expected to comply with all school rules, policies, and teacher directives when using their devices.

If a student leaves the Chromebook at home, he/she is still accountable and responsible for turning all coursework completed in the required time frame as if the Chromebook were present. Other district computers may or may not be available for student use. If a student repeatedly leaves the Chromebook at home, they may be subject to disciplinary consequences or lose the privilege of taking the Chromebook home.

Loaner devices may be issued to students when their devices are being repaired. A limited number of loaner devices are available so a loaner cannot be guaranteed.

At Home

Students are encouraged to use their Chromebooks at home and other locations outside of school. A Wi-Fi Internet connection will be required for the majority of Chromebook use. However, some applications can be used while not connected to the internet.

Sound

Sound must be muted at all times during class unless permission is obtained from the teacher for instructional purposes. It is recommended that a student bring a headset or ear-buds for any audio needs.

Photos / Backgrounds / Screensavers

Inappropriate media should not be on the device and may not be used as a screensaver or background photo. Any violation of this is subject to disciplinary action.

Copyright

Illegal downloading and distribution of copyrighted works are serious offenses that carry with them the risk of substantial monetary damages and, in some cases, criminal prosecution. Copyright infringement also violates the District’s Internet Service Provider's terms of service and could lead to limitation or suspension of the District’s Internet service.

The campus designated Helpdesk location will be the first point of contact for issues with the Chromebooks. Personnel there will be able to help with the following type of issues:

• Password Issues

• User account support

• Hardware maintenance and repair

• Distribution of loaner Chromebooks

• Operating System or software configuration support

• Restoring Chromebook to factory default

• System software updates

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) and Internet connection, will have Internet activity filtered. Despite the filter, the District cannot guarantee that all controversial or inappropriate materials will be blocked. Parental monitoring of student Chromebook use at home is encouraged.