Chromebook Policies and Procedures

Overview:

The Paramus School District has implemented a 1:1 student computing program in grades PK-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, within seconds of logging in, 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 pupil 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 complete, retrieve, access, etc., 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, the 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.

6. Any school district provided technology device loaned to a pupil must be returned to the school district in the condition it was initially provided to the pupil considering reasonable use and care by the pupil. In the event that such a device is willfully or intentionally damaged, the parent and/or pupil will be responsible for the repair or replacement of the device. Additionally, the parent or pupil 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.

7. A pupil will be required to report to administration any hardware or software problems in the operation of the device within two school days of the commencement of the problem. The district will maintain a stock of “loaner” devices that can be used in the event of damage to the assigned device by the affected student while the student device is repaired/replaced.

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

9. Pupils 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 pupil 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 pupil 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 per incident. A list of known issues, which are exempt from this fee, is available on the district technology website.

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 district technology website.

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. Students will not be charged for “borrowing” a device; however, both parents/guardians and building administration will be notified and the privilege of borrowing a device may be revoked for repeat offenses at the discretion of building administration.

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, the 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.