FAQs

Why am I getting a Chromebook?

LCPS is issuing Chromebooks to students over the next three years to give you access to the tools, resouces, and information that you need to make meaningful contributions to the world.

When am I getting my Chromebook?

Students were invited on August 20th to pick up their Chromebooks. Otherwise, students who were registered by August 14th could pick up their device in advisory on the first day of school (August 22nd). Names of students who registered after the 14th will be given Chromebooks as the devices are delivered from central office. Please check your LCPS Gmail account for notice of when to pick it up. If you do not get it by Thursday, August 29, please stop by the Tech Help room just inside the library.

What model is it?

Lenovo 300e Chromebook, 2nd generation

What if I'd rather use my own personal laptop?

Whether you use the LCPS-Chromebook on a daily basis is up to you, as long as you have some sort of device. However, we will still have to issue each student a device, as it is the only thing you can use for testing. SOL tests, in particular, require a fully charged district-issued Chromebook. Math classes also use a program for tests/quizzes that requires a district-issued Chromebook. Finally, only LCPS-managed devices can connect to the network to print here. There is no way to set up a personal device to print or to run these tests.

If you are most comfortable with your own laptops, we suggest that you take the Chromebook home & leave it there on normal days. Bring a device each day, as teachers will use SOME device every day. Teachers have been asked to let students know ahead of time when the Chromebook is specifically needed, so you could bring the CB on those days.

Am I allowed to take my Chromebook home?

As long as you and your parents have signed the LCPS Device Use Agreement and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, then you can take your device home. You must sign on to StudentVUE to access & sign the agreement. Your parents sign on to ParentVUE.

Can I decorate or personalize my device?

Students can add decorations or personalize their device as long as those decorations are removable. For example, you may use decorative clings on that can be easily peeled off, but should not use stickers that will leave a permanent residue. Any accessory or personalization must not interfere with the operation of the device (e.g. accessories that could damage the screen when closed). Vents and LCPS markings and labels must not be covered or moved.

If students customize the wallpaper or background, students are responsible for ensuring that the images are appropriate for a school environment.

How does LCPS keep me safe when I'm using my device?

Loudoun County Public Schools provides filtered internet access through your Chromebook. Even if you are at home or connected to another wireless network, the internet content on your Chromebook always passes through the LCPS internet content filter. This is to protect you from inappropriate or harmful content.

Is my device private to only me?

Since your device is provided by Loudoun County Public Schools, LCPS has the right to monitor your use of your device, along with things that you store in services provided by LCPS like email, Google Drive, or Office 365 OneDrive. In addition, LCPS uses a monitoring service called Gaggle, which monitors the content of students’ email, Google Drive, and Office 365 OneDrive and reports content that is concerning. Remember that your LCPS Chromebook is for school-related use only.

Keep this in mind if you plug a personal device - like a phone - to your Chromebook. If you do, you'll be giving LCPS and Gaggle access to everything on your phone, including photos to texts.

Yes, LCPS is monitoring your Chromebook. But, despite rumors from your friends, no, they cannot hack into your webcam and watch you. Only material on the Chromebook itself, not around it, is monitored.

Can I print from my device?

When you are at school, on the LCPS-secure wireless, you can print to the library copier using mobility print. At home, you can connect to a cloud-ready printer using Google Cloud Print.

What do I do if I don't have internet access at home?

If you don’t have internet access at home, you use your Chromebook to edit docs, sheets, and other other items in your Google Drive offline. When you connect to the internet, those items that you worked on will update automatically.

If you need to get online, you may be able to find places near your home that offer free wireless internet connections. The public library, restaurants, or coffee shops are good places to try.

If you are connecting to a public wireless network, please make sure it is a network that you recognize and trust.

What if I'm having problems with my Chromebook?

If you are having trouble with your device, try restarting the device and logging back in. A simple restart will fix most problems you are having with your Chromebook.

If you are still having problems after a restart, go to the Tech Help desk, which is just inside the library, through the purple door to the left. It is open before school (8:30-9:05a) and after school (4:05-4:30p). You may also get a pass from lunch to visit the help desk.

You should never attempt to repair your Chromebook yourself. Always ask for help if simple troubleshooting steps don’t fix your problem.

What is the replacement cost?

The Chromebook cost is $300. The charger cost is $20.

What software and services will be available?

A Chromebook does not run traditional software applications like a Windows PC or Mac. Instead, Chromebooks provide access to software applications that run on the Internet. These “Cloud Applications” can be accessed and used on a Chromebook just like they can on any modern web browser. G Suite for Education and Microsoft Office 365 are two “cloud-based” productivity suites of software applications that students can use on their Chromebook.

Chromebooks can also run small software programs called Apps or Extensions that can be installed on the device through the Google Play Store. Students can only install apps and extensions that have been approved by LCPS. Students can access many other cloud applications and resources through LCPS GO.

How long do I keep the Chromebook?

All devices will be returned to the school over the summer. Upon the next school year, students will be issued the same device they used in the year prior, unless the student is moving to another school. Students will return their device to their current school if they unenroll. If they are enrolling in another LCPS school, they will receive a device from their new school, if their new school is participating in the technology model. All schools will be participating in the 2020-2021 school year.

I'm having trouble logging on to school programs, like Naviance, through LCPS Go. How do I fix it?

First, try turning off your Chromebook & restarting. (Yes, it does have a power button!) If that doesn't work, clear your browser cache & cookies. The default is to clear the past hour, but that won't be good enough. Select "all time".