FAQ

Is a parent or guardian required to pick up the device?

Yes. In order for students to receive a Chromebook, a parent or guardian must be in attendance at Hampden Charter School of Science, for one of the two sessions scheduled for the appropriate grade level of their child in August.

Middle School: August 17, 2017
High School: August 18, 2017

If a parent or guardian is not available for the sessions above, he/she can come to school on weekdays (between August 21 and August 31) to take his/her student's Chromebook out before the first day of the school.

Please note that HCSS does not sell any Chromebook. If the family’s preference is to purchase a Chromebook, then the same type of Chromebook as the HCSS Chromebooks must be purchased. Otherwise, the student may experience difficulties using his/her Chromebook effectively.

Many kids already own a Macbook, iPad or a PC laptop. So why does a Chromebook required?

The Chromebook is the required 1:1 device. It will allow us to monitor student use at school and push out applications that students will use for course work. Other advantages are the integration with Google Apps for Education, the management tools, 8+ hour battery life and low-cost.

Can I use the Chromebook anytime?

No. Chromebooks will not work between 11pm and 5am every day.

I connected the internet but I could not open any website. The website gives me HCSS Filter error message.

If this problem occurs at any time, please log out and then in again to your Chromebook. If the problem is not resolved, then please contact the IT Office.

I don't have internet at home. What should I do?

If students don’t have any internet connection, we recommend to parents to apply “Affordable Internet at Home for Eligible Households” program. Please visit https://www.internetessentials.com for details.

Can I install any app or extension on Chromebook? How?

If the app or extensions are approved by HCSS IT Department, you can install it on your Chromebook. All approved app and extensions are in the HCSS Chrome Store.

Students must then go to HCSS Chrome Store (the first link of the bookmark bar on the student Chromebook) and install the software application by clicking on it. Applications that are no longer needed will automatically be removed by the school as well..

What is HCSS Protection Plan?

Hampden Charter School of Science strongly recommends that the HCSS Protection Plan be purchased by parent/guardian (for Option 1 - Borrow from HCSS users), and a one-time fee of $45 per year be paid, prior to checking out a Chromebook. Otherwise, parents/guardians will be held responsible for the cost of any repairs in full in case of any damage. This fee is not refundable. Under this protection plan the Chromebooks are protected against accidental damage.

This protection plan covers:

Cracked Screen&Accidental Damage
Vandalism&Theft
Fire&Flood
Natural Disaster (Eathquake, tornado, and hurricane)
Mechanical Failure&Manufacturer Defect

HCSS Protection Plan does not cover:

Scratches on Chromebook
Liquid Spills (No food or drink is allowed near your Chromebook )

This protection plan does not cover for loss of the Chromebook and/or its accessories, or damages caused by intentional misuse and abuse.

If I forget my Chromebook at home. What do I need to do?

If students leave their Chromebook at home, they must immediately phone parents to bring the Chromebook to school. Repeated violations of this policy will result in referral to administration and possible disciplinary action.

How can I charge my Chromebook at school?

There is no charging station at school. Students need to charge their Chromebooks every night, therefore students are required to take their Chromebook home every day throughout the school year for charging. Chromebooks must be brought to school each day in a fully charged condition. [If fully charged at home, the battery will last throughout the day.]

How can I store my Chromebook at extra-curricular events, and PE class?

During the school day when a student is not using his/her Chromebook, it should be stored in the student’s locker securely locked. Nothing should be placed on top of the Chromebook when stored in the locker.

When the school day is over, all students must take their Chromebook home with them. The Chromebook is never to be stored in lockers or anywhere else at school outside of school hours.

If my Chromebook is broken, what should I do?

Option 1 (Borrow from HCSS) users: Contact IT Department immediately. Loaner Chromebooks may be issued (if available) to students when they leave their Chromebook for repair at IT office. Repaired Chromebooks might end up with the original factory settings as first received. Therefore, it is important that students keep their school data synced to cloud drives so documents and class projects will not be lost. Please see the HCSS Protection Plan on Chromebook Handbook for the details.

Option 2 (Buy My Own Chromebook) users: HCSS strongly recommends that a protection plan or insurance be purchased from a third party and will accept no responsibility for any damage, loss, or theft. [HCSS will, however, provide technical support for Google Apps.] Loaner Chromebooks will be issued (if available) to students when they send their Chromebook to service for repair. The limit of Loaner Chromebook usage time is two weeks, it may be extended another 2 weeks. Once you purchase an insurance from third company, please make sure that the repair time is less than 1 month.

HCSS does not sell a protection plan to Option 2 users.

Are the Chromebooks filtered at school? At home?

The short answer is yes to both. We have software on the Chromebooks that filters the content both at school and at home. We do think it is important to know that no filter is 100% effective at blocking questionable content on the Internet. The Internet changes much faster than content filtering can adapt. That is also why we will be teaching students more about digital citizenship and Internet safety.

If we purchase our own Chromebook, will it have all the same restrictions as the HCSS Chromebook?

Option 2 (Buy Your Own Chromebook) users' Chromebook will be enrolled HCSS Chromebook System at the first week of the school. They will have same restriction as Option 1 (Borrow from HCSS) users. The Chromebook will be unenrolled from the system at the last week of the school.

As a parent, we are strongly recommended to purchase a carrying case, how should it be?

The case should be used only for Chromebook. Students should not place anything in the carrying case such as pen, book... etc.

Sample: https://goo.gl/QlWPGd

Can I purchase a mouse, mouse pad, or other Chromebook accessories if they are more comfortable using that?

Yes, you can. However the Chromebook accessories must be simple.

I have more than one student attending HCSS. Can they share their Chromebooks?

No. Each student needs a Chromebook.