Student Devices
All K-12 students will receive a district-issued Chromebook, charger and case to take home in order to access learning. Students use varying models of Chromebooks depending on grade level. These devices are lightweight and inexpensive, and provide students access to the internet, their Google accounts and other web-based applications, including district resources such as Seesaw and our online learning system, Schoology.
- Using the Device
- Taking Care of the Device
- Returning Devices
- Damaged/Lost/Stolen Devices
- Monitoring and Filtering
Using the Device
Devices are intended for use at school each day. In addition to teacher expectations for device use, school messages, announcements, calendars and schedules may be accessed using the device. Students are responsible for bringing their device to all classes, unless specifically instructed not to do so by their teacher. Students are encouraged to use their device at home for homework, reading e-books, and continued learning.
Apps and Extensions
Students will have access to a variety of online resources including resources accessed through ISD191’s Single Sign On (SSO), the ISD191 Chrome Web Store, and the ISD191 Google Play Store. The district and individual teachers have identified specific resources, including apps and extensions, to support student learning. These resources change based on grade levels. The apps and extensions found in these locations have been vetted by the District Technology Department and are compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). These apps will be available for students to download on their own or when instructed to do so by a teacher. Students in grades 6-8 will not be able to download apps and extensions that are located outside of the ISD191 approved locations.
Sound, Music, Games, or Programs
Sound must be muted at all times unless permission is obtained from teacher for instructional purposes. Students are encouraged to bring a pair of earbuds with a microphone to enable them to more easily view instructional materials and create materials on the device.
Charging the Device’s Battery
Devices must be brought to school each day adequately charged to work throughout the school day. Students need to charge their devices each evening by plugging them into an electrical wall outlet. We recommend setting up a station at home where the Chromebook is stored and charged each evening. Replacement chargers can be purchased in the main office of your school.
Storing work
The District utilizes Google Apps for Education to store and share student work. Students have the option to utilize any number of free cloud-based options, however, the District cannot be held responsible for the support of these personal, non-district provided services or the data that the students may store on these services.
Home Internet Access
Students are allowed to use non-school wireless networks on their devices. This will assist them with device use while at home. The ISD191 Acceptable Use Policy must be followed while at home while using a district owned device.
Managed Settings
All student devices are managed by the District Technology Department through the use of Chrome Management, a mobile device management system, and our district internet filtering systems. Any attempts by students to circumvent any district management and/or monitoring settings through software restoration or jailbreaking will result in disciplinary action. The device is owned by Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Public Schools.
Devices Left at Home
If students leave their device at home, they are responsible for getting the coursework completed as if they had their device present. In rare cases, students may check out a device through the building media center which will need to be returned at the end of each school day.
Taking Care of the Device
Students are responsible for the general care of the device they have been issued by the school. Devices that are broken or fail to work properly must be taken to the tech support desk at the student’s school for an evaluation of the equipment. Please see Chromebook Care and Security for more information.
General Precautions
The device is school property and all users must follow the Acceptable Use Policy.
- Cords and cables must be inserted carefully into the device to prevent damage
- Devices must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, labels, or any other physical alterations. Stickers may be placed under or on cases
- Devices must never be left in an unlocked locker, unlocked car, or any unsupervised area. Devices should also not be left visible in a locked or unattended car
- Devices must never be left in a location susceptible to extreme cold or hot weather
- Moisture is damaging to devices; keep it out of water and humid locations
Device Case
The device comes with a school issued case. The purpose of the case is to protect the device, especially while the device is being transported. The case must be used with the device. School-appropriate stickers and decorations may be placed under the case or on the case itself. Students keep the case for the entire time they have the device so placing stickers under the case rather than sticking them to the case allows for students to change their decorations as they get older.
Storing the device
When students are not using their device, it should be stored in their locked lockers or in a supervised backpack. Nothing should be placed on top of the device. Students will take their devices home every day after school unless alternative arrangements have been made. Never expose an device to long-term temperature extremes or direct sunlight. An automobile is not a good place to store a device.
Screen Care
The device screens can be damaged if subjected to rough treatment. The screens are particularly sensitive to damage from pressure on the screen:
- Do not stack items on top of the device or lean on top of the device
- Do not place device in a backpack so other items put pressure on the screen
- Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth or anti-static cloth, no cleansers of any type (i.e. no Clorox wipes)
- Clean the keyboard with a damp rag and/or compressed air designed for electronics
Devices Left in Unsupervised Areas
Under no circumstances should devices be left in unsupervised areas. Unsupervised areas include the school grounds and campus, the lunchroom, computer lab, locker rooms, media center, unlocked classrooms, gymnasiums, auditorium, and hallways. Any device left in these areas is in danger of being stolen. If a device is found in an unsupervised area, it will be taken to the main office.
Returning Devices
All Chromebooks are district property and must be returned when requested. Specific information will be shared in spring each year by your child's school.
WHAT IF I CAN'T FIND MY CHARGER?
If you lost your charger or don't turn it in with your Chromebook, you will be charged $15 to replace it. That charge must be paid before you can participate in commencement.
CAN I STILL ACCESS MY 191 GOOGLE ACCOUNT?
Yes. Student accounts remain active and accessible for 6 months after a student graduates or withdraws from the district. We recommend you create your own personal Google account and transfer your documents, photos and any other materials you've created during your time in District 191. More information about taking your Google files with you
WHAT IF I LOST/DAMAGED MY CHROMEBOOK?
Typical wear and tear or accidental damage to the Chromebook will not result in charges. The district reserves the right to charge for the entire replacement cost if negligence is determined. Examples of negligence include, but are not limited to losing or destroying your Chromebook.
Damaged/Lost/Stolen Devices
The Chromebook issued to students is an important learning tool and should be taken care of appropriately. Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Public Schools self-insures our Chromebooks to keep costs low for our families. Our goal is to collectively limit the repairs needed to the Chromebooks and ask that students and families work with us to take good care of the devices.
Never attempt to gain access to the internal electronics or repair your device. If your device fails to work or is damaged, report the problem to the building technician as soon as possible. Device repair/replacement options will be determined by the District Technology staff.
Accidental damage
The first incident of accidental damage will be covered by the district. Multiple accidental damage claims by the same student can usually be prevented by working with the student to carry, store, and use the device in safer ways. Multiple issues of accidental damage will be addressed by the building administration, student, and as needed, the family. The district reserves the right to charge for the entire replacement cost if negligence is determined.
Intentional damage
Intentional damage is destruction of school property and is addressed in Policy 506 regarding student discipline. The school district will take appropriate disciplinary action when students fail to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct established by this policy, including intentional damage of Chromebooks.
Lost device
Notify parent/guardian and school office staff as soon as possible
The building administration will contact District Technology and make attempts to locate and disable the device using our district software. This makes the device unusable. Often, lost devices will turn up when they are disabled.
School administration will contact the student and/or family for more information as needed. Families may be responsible for the replacement costs of a new device.
Theft of a device
Notify parent/guardian and school office staff as soon as possible
The building administration will contact District Technology and make attempts to locate and disable the device using our district software. This makes the device unusable. Often, stolen devices will turn up when they are disabled.
Building Administration will work with students and parents regarding stolen devices. A police report may be requested.
Repairs/Replacement
Damage that renders the device unusable will be completed as soon as possible but often we have to order parts that may take some time to arrive.
Replacement fees may be assessed for lost or damaged items.
It is not guaranteed that the school will have a replacement device for your student’s use.
Monitoring and Filtering
All students, staff, and guests using the District 191 internet and district devices must follow district policies, including the Electronic Technologies Acceptable Use Policy.
Students and families should be aware that District 191 filters and monitors all internet activity on student devices (e.g. Chromebooks) in compliance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and district policy. Filtering means that we use technology that will, to the extent possible, block or filter internet access to inappropriate content. Monitoring means that technology identifies and labels activity related to self-harm, bullying, and violence. This information will be periodically reviewed and may be shared with others, such as school counselors or other support staff, to determine if a student needs support or intervention.
Our filtering and monitoring software is called Securly and it filters/monitors district Chromebooks regardless of where they are being used - at school, at home, or on any other network.
We filter and block major categories such as malware, porn/nudity, adult content, gambling, porn-child, and web-proxies. We also force the “safe search” mode in Google Images and YouTube. As internet resources are constantly changing, filtering does not provide a foolproof means for blocking access to all inappropriate content and the proper use of the internet and educational technologies is the joint responsibility of the students, parents, and employees of District 191.
Outside of school, parents bear responsibility guiding their student’s use of the internet, just as they would for other technology and information sources. Parents are responsible for monitoring their student’s use of the district system and educational technology, even if the student is accessing the district system from home or a remote location. Here are some resources that may be helpful.
Parenting in the Digital Age Resources:
- Common Sense Media: commonsensemedia.org
- The Family Online Safety Institute: https://www.fosi.org/
Home Filtering:
- In addition to the district filtering, parents may wish to check with their internet service provider to see what tools it offers for parental controls.
- Xfinity Parental Controls for the Internet
- Other internet service providers may also offer parental controls.
Getting Started with Student Devices
English
What is a Chromebook? How does my student sign in and access their digital tools for learning?
In this guide, we'll answer those questions to build your familiarity with this essential learning tool.
How do you get help if something is wrong with your child's Chromebook or you need other technology support?
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Technology Support
Contact Technical Support by submitting an online request or by phone. Online tech support provides answers to many common technology issues and allows you to submit a support ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need Internet Access to use a Chromebook?
- Can I opt my student out of receiving a Chromebook?
- Who else can use my child’s device?
Do you need Internet Access to use a Chromebook?
Chromebooks work best when connected to the internet. However, some Chromebook functions are still able to be performed offline (e.g. Gmail, Google Drive, some apps). It is important to understand though that after completing work offline on a Chromebook it needs to be connected to WIFI to sync the work to our cloud-based storage.