Chromebooks

Many of your questions can be found in the Q&A sheet that was sent home with the Chromebook Agreement form you signed at the beginning of the year. That document is on the front page of this website for reference. Here are some other questions you may have:

What if the Chromebook needs repair?

The district will cover the repair of one incident of accidental Chromebook damage per year. An accidental damage is any unintentional damage that is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Some examples of accidental damage include but are not limited to: liquid spilled on the keyboard, a broken key, or a screen damaged due to an unintentional fall. After the first accidental damage claim, any additional accidental repairs will be charged to the student's account. Intentional damage is not covered by the district. The district's Educational Technology Services department determines the cost of each repair.

After a student uses his/her accidental damage claim, a new Chromebook will not be issued unless the charge of the repair, or the full price of the Chromebook, is paid.

***The district does NOT cover a lost Chromebook or Chromebook Charger. Those losses will be the responsibility of the student.**

***Students SHOULD NEVER obtain third party repairs on their Chromebook .***

Does my student need to bring the Chromebook to school every day?

Yes. Students are expected to come to school each day with the Chromebook fully charged. When students do not bring the Chromebook to school and/or it is not charged to be used throughout the entire school day, each incident will be documented and consequences will be issued. They may also be referred to their grade level Administrator.

How long will my Chromebook stay charged?

The Lenovo Chromebook battery provides an average of 8.0 hours of power. It takes approximately 4 hours for the Chromebook be fully charged. Tips for preserving battery life:

-Close tabs at the end of each class and before charging the device at night.

-Shutdown the device when it's not being used for long periods of time.

-Reduce the brightness of the screen.

-Use the device on a hard, flat surface. This will allow constant airflow under the device and aid in maintaining an appropriate temperature within the device.

-Do not play games or watch YouTube videos. These will drain the battery considerably.

How is one student’s Chromebook identified from another student?

Each device has a serial number on the bottom of the device which has been recorded as part of the student’s PowerSchool profile. Students should only be in possession of the the Chromebook issued to them. Found Chromebooks are brought to Ms. Higdon and Mrs. Jackson in the media center to be scanned and the owner identified. Parents/Students may want to take a picture of the serial number for their personal records.

Can students bring their chargers to school?

No. Students are expected to keep their chargers are home to ensure their device is fully charged at home each night. Parents/Students may want to take a picture of the serial number for their personal records. Each charger has a serial number which has been recorded as part of the student’s PowerSchool profile. Replacement chargers will be ordered at the cost of $31. See Ms. Higdon or Mrs. Jackson in the media center.

Can students remove the identification sticker on their Chromebook or decorate the lid with drawings and/or other stickers?

No. Personal Chromebook covers and cases can be personalized, but not the device.

Can students take their Chromebook home?

Yes, students are expected to take their device home each night to fully charge, complete homework, study for tests and complete class projects either individually or collaboratively with their peers. No matter where your student uses his/her device, the district can track information on what sites students were on, when they were on them, and how long they were on those sites. Students should only use the school-issued Chromebook to complete schoolwork. All other uses of the device are considered to be a technology violation.

A good rule of thumb when you're not sure if what you're doing is appropriate is to ask yourself "Did my teacher ask me to do this?" If the answer is no, then you probably should not be doing it.

What do students do when their device is not functioning properly?

Students should follow the steps in the Trouble Shooting Guide. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5_C2mb5fQsIdHJtSnJyenhjeTA/view

If issues continue, students should:

-fill out the Repair Request form

-bring Chromebook to Ms. Higdon or Mrs. Jackson in the library.

Will earbuds/headphones be necessary and, if so, will they be provided?

Each student will need to supply their own earbuds/headphones and follow instructions from each of their teachers as to when to bring them to class. It is a good idea to bring them every day. Earbuds and headphones must be wired. Wireless earbuds/headphones are not allowed.

Can students bring their own wireless mouse to use with their Chromebook?

Yes, but it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the wireless mouse.

Can students bring their personal electronic device (Chromebook, iPad, etc.) to school?

No. For security and network purposes, students are only to use GCSD issued Chromebooks while at school.

Are students allowed to play games, download/listen to music, watch videos, view images for non-educational purposes?

No. The Chromebooks were purchased by the Greenville County School District to assist students in completing assignments (classwork, tests, quizzes, projects and homework). Students should use a personal device (purchased by their parent or guardian) if they would like to play online games, download/listen to music, watch videos, view images. This includes educational games and videos that are not required to be viewed/played by the teacher.

Are there any areas of the school where the Chromebook will not be allowed?

Yes. Once students are dismissed to their first class of the day, the bathrooms are Chromebook free zones. Students should place the device in their classroom when occupying the bathrooms. During morning arrival, if students need to occupy the bathroom, the Chromebook must remain in his/her book bag.

Will the Chromebook replace my child's textbooks?

Please check with your student's teacher. Several courses have access to online materials from the textbook companies and will be used where appropriate. Having a Chromebook will allow the teacher to utilize a broad range of online resources and materials.

What happens if students do not bring their Chromebook to class?

This may result in disciplinary action such as, but not limited to, teacher detentions, after school detentions, In-School Suspensions, and Out-of-School Suspensions, as well as, loss of Chromebook privileges. Class participation and completion of assignments is not optional for students. Each teacher will communicate with his/her students clear directions for class activities with or without the Chromebook.

My child has lost Chromebook privileges. How are they supposed to complete their work?

Loss of Chromebook privileges at school will be handled on an individual basis working with each subject teacher. Students may still have access to Google Apps for Education and Google Classroom at home on a laptop or a computer connected to the Internet to complete assignments when needed.

What if we don’t have internet at home?

While a Chromebook does require Wi-Fi for much of its functionality, there are several features that can be utilized offline. Students and staff will receive training on what can be done without an internet connection so that time spent at home with the Chromebook is most effective. Click the link for further instructions: https://goo.gl/hByMpR

Will students be allowed to download Apps and Extensions from the Chrome Web Store?

Students are only allowed to install teacher approved Chrome web apps and extensions from the Chrome Web Store. The district can track information on what sites students were on, when they were on them, and how long they were on those sites. Inappropriate use (such as the downloading of unapproved extensions and apps) could result in disciplinary action.

Can the district track web history?

Yes. The district can track information on what sites students were on, when they were on them, and how long they were on those sites.

Nothing ever disappears from the Internet.

Will the district’s internet filter and privacy regulation carry over on the device at home?

Yes, the district’s internet filter will be enforced while the student is on campus as well as off campus. Students have no expectation of confidentiality or privacy with respect to any usage of a district issued Chromebook, regardless of whether that use is for district-related or personal purposes. The District may, without prior notice or consent, log, supervise, access, view, monitor, and record use of student Chromebooks at any time for any reason related to the operation of the District. By using a Chromebook, students agree to such access, monitoring, and recording of their use.

If I have additional questions about the Chromebook, whom should I contact?

Ms. Higdon at mhigdon@greenville.k12.sc.us