Chromebooks

Discovery has invested in your education by purchasing Chromebooks for each middle school student to use. This is an investment of money and faith. It is important that you understand the opportunities as well as the responsibilities that this put in your hands. Please use the Chromebook with maturity, honoring the "letter as well as the essence" of the policies, and honoring the purpose for which they have been purchased for you.

Please read the policies carefully. Below is a subjective and incomplete summary of those policies:

A: Distribution and Care

1. Chromebooks belong to DCS but their condition and proper use is your responsibility.

2. You are financially responsible for the Chromebook, but don't get it repaired yourself.

3. It is a good idea to get it insured.

B: General Precautions

1 & 2. Have yours with you and charged every school day.

3. Don't circumvent, remove, alter, hack, or otherwise mess with the management system or filters (if any).

4 & 5. Clean screen with soft cloth and insert/remove cords carefully

6. Don't leave it where it can get stolen or hurt.

7. Don't alter the name or asset tag

8. Use school printers sparingly and only with job-specific permission.

C: Sound, Music, Games

1. Keep sound muted.

2 & 4. Don't add games or apps

3. Don't remove the apps that DCS has installed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Can I play games or music or do messaging during non-school hours?

    1. Answer (by Chris & DP) E1 says that CB should only be used for academic purposes during school hours, but it doesn't regulate non-school hours.

  2. Can I "personalize" my Chromebook by adding a name tag, stickers, or writing my name on it with permanent marker?

    1. Your Chromebook will have a DCS "asset tag" attached which must stay on (B7), but if you add other stickers they should be non-adhesive and easily removable (eg vinyl). Please avoid any permanent markers. You must return your CB in clean condition at the end of each school year. I'd recommend that you use a cover or skin, and decorate that instead of applying stickers to the CB body itself.

  1. If I don't want to bring it back and forth between school and home, can I just leave the Chromebook at school and use my own computer at home?

    1. Answer (by Chris): Yes, although the school can't guarantee that your CB will be safe overnight; there have been break-ins in the past. If you do leave it at school, make sure that it is in a place that is as secure as possible and least likely to be stolen or tampered with by others.

  1. Can I use Chrome extensions and plug-ins?

    1. Answer (by Chris): Chrome extensions that are specific to your Google account should be ok if they are not downloaded or installed onto the Chromebook itself. Be aware that extensions can slow down your device. Avoid using any extensions that take up bandwidth (eg. streaming music) as they may slow down the network for all users. I suspect that a white-list and black-list of extensions will be created as we gain experience or as necessity demands.

  1. Can I use my non-school Google account, or do I have to use just the school account (mydiscoveryk8.org)?

    1. Answer (by Chris): Teachers will be emailing and sharing documents with you via your mydiscoveryk8 address so it is your responsibility to check that one daily. If it is possible to add another user account, then I assume that you may do so.

    2. Can I add my own sim card so that I can get wireless access when I'm not around a wifi network?

    3. What if it gets broken but it wasn't my fault (ie sibling, other student, teacher, parent, stranger).

    4. What if my CB gets stolen or damaged while it is at school (in my cubby, etc.)

    5. Has the school considered getting "tile" devices?