All students look forward to that magical day when they graduate. Until then here is information to help you along the way.
New Students
As a new student at HVRHS, you will most likely have some anxiety. We in IT would like to help you with your transition, making it as smooth as possible. We are fortunate to have a high level of technology to help you achieve your goals during your high school career.
We are a Google Enterprise for Education School which means we have all the benefits that GSuite for Education has, plus additional capabilities that Enterprise provides. All of our teachers use Google Classroom, which means you have access to your assignments no matter where you are.
We have a generous 1-to-1 Chromebook program that provides each Freshman with a brand new Chromebook to use during their time at HVRHS.
We have high speed internet with a 500Mbps connection and wireless through out the main building, Science and Technology Center, Art Garage, and Barn. We do not permit personal devices on the school network for security reasons. However, there is sufficient cellular signal for your mobile devices to function when it is permitted. You can also access a standard telephone in the main office and the Assistant Principals Office (APO) when needed.
We have a copier, printer, and document scanner for your use in the Media Center although we do not encourage printing. We can do almost everything electronic with the tools you are provided.
Please scroll down for more information.
HVRHS Chromebook Program
Housatonic Valley High School implemented a Chromebook program that started during the 2016 school year. The goal was and is to provide a ubiquitous computing experience to our students. Each student is provided a Chromebook at a low cost usage fee of $25 per year to assist their education needs. The usage fee is due by at the end of September each year.
The Chromebooks can be used in school, at home or anywhere the student travels. Students can keep their assigned Chromebook over weekends and holidays for the entire time they are at HVRHS. The systems come with an accidental damage policy that covers one repair in a 365 day period. We suggest parents or guardians purchase insurance from an outside provider to cover loss or theft to the Chromebook assigned to your student.
Students are provided one power supply with the Chromebook. The power supply is a user-replaceable item, which means if you lose it or it is damaged, you must replace it. We have recommendations on the easiest and least expensive methods to purchase a replacement . Please contact IT for further information.
Damage or loss to the system must be reported to the IT department as soon as possible. This can be done via email at itdept@hvrhs.org or by calling the help line at (860) 824-5123 ext 1421.
Returning Students
The annual usage fee is due each year no later than the last business day in September. Please bring a check for the $25 yearly usage fee, made out to HVRHS. The checks should be delivered to Ms. Cindy Fuller in the Main Office.
HVRHS community members with expired accounts will not be able to print until passwords are reset. You can reset your password while on campus by clicking here.
If your Chromebook is malfunctioning or broken, please do not wait; bring it to the IT office in room 182 or call extension 1421.
Departing Students
Graduating Seniors and or students transferring to another school: below are suggestions for moving your data to a personal Gmail account. Transfer students should accomplish steps 1 and 3. Graduating seniors please accomplish steps 1, 2 and 3.
1. Create a personal Gmail account and include your new address in all your correspondence with schools and/or potential employers. This way, once your HVRHS account is closed you will be able to continue communicating with them.
2. When you graduate, set up the "Vacation Responder" in the settings of your HVRHS email account. In the message field you can let people know to start using your personal email address. For directions please click here.
3. Transfer your email and data to your personal account after graduation but before July 15, 2024. The directions for the Google Take Out tool can be found by clicking here.
Offline Mode
Chromebooks can do offline work with Google Docs, Sheets and some other Google apps. Students without internet access at home are still be able to edit and create documents by using Offline Mode. Please go to Chromebook Offline Help.
Purchasing your Chromebook
If a student participates in the program for all four years, the student can keep the Chromebook they were issued.
Seniors who have participated in the program for three years will be eligible to purchase their assigned Chromebooks starting on June 11 in the Main Office for $25.00.
Seniors with two years of participation can purchase their assigned Chromebook for $50.00.
Seniors with one year of participation can purchase their assigned Chromebook for $75.00. We do not sell Chromebooks to departing students who are not completing their senior year.
After the final day of classes,the purchased Chromebooks will be removed from our management system and will need to be reset by the student using the directions available at this link Chromebook Reset Directions. There is also a video of the process at the following link Video.