Chromebook Policies and Procedures

Overview: 

The Paramus School District has implemented a 1:1 student computing program in grades 3-12 to facilitate 21st century teaching and learning. Students will use a district-issued Chromebook--a personal computer running Google Chrome OS as its operating system--both at school and at home. Chromebooks are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet and to support applications that reside on the Web with limited offline use. Chromebooks also have Google products built‐in and students can access their school Google account at paramusschools.org. 

Expectations:

1. Parents/Guardians will review with their child the procedures and policies for appropriate use of, and care for, the Chromebook as outlined herein, as well as in the Chromebook Student Handbook.

2. A school district provided technology device must be used only by the student for school district authorized use.

3. Students are allowed to set up access to home wireless networks on their Chromebooks. This will assist students with the ability to successfully access educational content used in classes with the Chromebook. 

4. A WiFi Internet connection will be required for the majority of Chromebook use; however, some applications can be used while not connected to the Internet. Students are encouraged to use their Chromebooks at home and other locations outside of school. Wherever students use their Chromebooks, they are bound by the policies and procedures in this agreement, the  Internet Safety and Technology Policy, Use of Artificial Intelligence - AI Policy, Electronic Communication Devices Policy, and the Chromebook Student Handbook.

5. In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Paramus Public Schools will use appropriate filtering measures--both on and off campus--to limit the exposure of students to indecent or objectionable material on the Internet while the device is connected to the Internet. However, parents are encouraged to provide a safe environment for students to use their Chromebooks at home for school assignments. For more tips, please see the District Provided Technology Device Parent/Guardian Responsibilities document.

6. Devices are inspected by district staff for pre-existing damage, cosmetic defects, or operational issues prior to distribution. When receiving a district-issued device, each student must acknowledge that it is in good working order according to a provided checklist during the check-out process. If a device incurs damage that is considered a safety hazard, the student must report the incident immediately.

7. Any school district-provided technology device loaned to a student must be returned to the school district in the condition it was initially provided to the student considering reasonable use and care by the student. In the event that the device is willfully or intentionally damaged, the parent and/or student will be responsible for the repair or replacement of the device as identified in section 11. Additionally, the parent or student shall be responsible to reimburse the school district the cost of any technology device that is lost, damaged beyond reasonable use or beyond its value, abandoned, missing, stolen, or cannot be returned to the district in accordance with the terms of this agreement. 

8. Students who unenroll from the district for any reason must return their devices to administration upon unenrollment.

9. Students who are provided technology devices are expected to take all appropriate measures and precautions to prevent the loss, theft, damage, and/or unauthorized use of such technology devices. 

10. A parent or student is required to immediately file a police report in the event it is believed the technology device has been stolen. Within one school day after filing a police report, a parent or student shall notify the high school main office and submit a copy of the police report.

11. Grades 5-12:  Damage to district Chromebooks will result in a deductible being charged, regardless of cause and excepting known issues, by the student assigned to the Chromebook as follows:

a. A $25 deductible will be charged for damage for the first incident. The second incident will be charged a $50 deductible. A third incident will incur a $100 deductible. Any subsequent incidents will incur the full cost of device replacement. A list of known issues, which are exempt from these fees, is available on the Paramus Public Schools Chromebook Guide.

b. Families may apply for discounts or waivers if they qualify for other financial aid, including the federal free and reduced lunch program.

c. Lost chargers will be replaced at the cost of the charger or $25, whichever is lower.

d. Current information regarding Chromebook repairs and the deductible, including coverage and fees, can be found on the Chromebook Guide.

e. If it is found that, upon investigation, the damage was the direct result of another student, the deductible can be assigned to the student having caused said damage, subject to the discretion of the investigating administrator.

f. Repeat violations may, at the discretion of the investigating administrator or district, require payment of the full repair or replacement cost of the device.

g. All paid fees are strictly non-refundable.

h. A device can be borrowed for one school day and must be returned before leaving the building.  Failure to return a borrowed device on the same day it was issued will result in a deductible being charged (see 11a).

12. No user may attempt to change the configuration setting of the Chromebook.

13. Any electronic recordings obtained with the device must be for instructional/educational purposes only. Students must obtain prior approval from a staff member in order to use the audio, image or video recording capabilities of the device. Students should ask all individuals being recorded for their permission before they start the recording. No recording should start without the permission of all the individuals being recorded. In addition, electronic recordings obtained with the device may not be shared, published or re-broadcasted for any reason by the student without obtaining the permission of the district and all individuals present in the recording. 

14. Parents and pupils will use the Paramus Schools' device only for the purposes for which it is intended, as outlined herein, in the Internet Safety and Technology Policy, Use of Artificial Intelligence - AI Policy, Electronic Communication Devices Policy, and the Chromebook Student Handbook. Violation of any provision of this Agreement will result in punitive actions including, but not limited to suspension from school and filing of criminal charges, if appropriate.