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Technology Department » Zionsville Community Schools Chromebook Guidelines  

Zionsville Community Schools Chromebook Guidelines  

The procedures and information within this document apply to all Chromebooks used at Zionsville Community Schools by students.  These guidelines are not exhaustive and teachers and building level administrators may set additional requirements for Chromebook use in their classroom. 

 

Why Chromebooks?  

 

Zionsville Community Schools have chosen to use a Chromebook as the device for our 1:1 middle school program. This decision was based on ease of use, ease of management, security, and affordability. The Chromebook is an intuitive device that functions in much the same way as a web browser. Chromebooks have a native remote management console used to control the device without having to physically touch the device. This will allow our technology department to troubleshoot and resolve issues remotely as well as rollout software used for standardized testing and other classroom needs when needed.  

 

Policies and Conduct

 

Students and parents/guardians must adhere to the Student Handbook, Internet Acceptable Use Policy, and all School Board policies.  

 

Receiving Your Chromebook: Chromebooks will be distributed in class on the first day of school. Students will be assigned a unique asset tag to identify their Chromebook. Asset tags may NEVER be removed from a ZCS Chromebook.  

 

Protection Plan: For the 2024-25 school year, School Device Coverage will be providing a protection plan option for students. More information and a link to sign up can be found on our website, under Parents - 1:1 (BYOD & Laptop Program). 

 

Identification Labels: Each Chromebook has been labeled with an asset tag and an identification label tied to the student. Identification labels CANNOT be modified or tampered with in any way. Students may be charged up to the full replacement cost of the Chromebook for tampering with the identification label, turning in a Chromebook without the identification label, or turning in a Chromebook with someone else’s assigned identification label.  

 

Return: Any student who transfers out of ZCS will be required to return their Chromebook and accessories before leaving school. If the Chromebook and accessories are not returned, the parent/guardian will be held responsible for the full replacement cost of the device. If payment is not received within 60 days, the parent/guardian will be turned over to a collection agency.  

 

Taking Care of Your Chromebook 

 

Students are responsible for the general care of their ZCS Chromebook. Chromebooks that are broken or fail to work properly must be reported to the school technician. You will have the same device each year to ensure you take care of the device. 

 

General Precautions:  

  • Do not eat or drink while using your Chromebook. 
  • Cords, cables, and removable storage devices must be inserted carefully into the Chromebook.  
  • Always close the Chromebook and remove all adapters and chargers before moving the device.  
  • Chromebooks should never be shoved into a locker or wedged into a book bag as this may break the screen.  
  • Do not expose your Chromebook to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Extreme heat or cold may cause damage to the laptop.  
  • Do not leave the Chromebook in a vehicle. 
  • Always bring the Chromebook to room temperature prior to turning it on.  

 

Protecting the Chromebook: Chromebooks have a protective case installed for protection. The Chromebook should never be taken out of the protective case.  

 

Screen Care: The Chromebook screen can be damaged if subjected to rough treatment. The screens are particularly sensitive to damage from excessive pressure on the screen. The screen is damaged more than any other component on the Chromebook. 

Following these guidelines can help to protect the screen from damage.  

  • Do not lean on top of the Chromebook.  
  • Do not place anything near the Chromebook that could put pressure on the screen.  
  • Do not poke the screen.  
  • Do not place anything on the keyboard before closing the lid (e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks).  
  • Clean the screen with a soft, dry anti-static, or micro-fiber cloth. Do not use any alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners, soap, or other glass cleaners on the Chromebook.  

 

Using Your Chromebook at School: The Chromebook is intended for use at school every day. In addition to teacher expectations for Chromebook use, school messages, announcements, calendars, student handbooks and schedules will be accessed using the Chromebook. Students are responsible for bringing their Chromebook to all classes, unless specifically advised not to do so by their teacher.  

 

If A Student Does Not Bring Their Chromebook to School: A student may check out a loaner for the day if enough devices are available. A student borrowing a Chromebook assumes total responsibility for the loaner device and all damage or loss of the device. The school will document the number of times a loaner is issued to each student for not having their Chromebook at school. Students who obtain a loaner will be responsible for returning the borrowed device before the end of the school day.  

 

At Home: All students must take their Chromebook home each night throughout the school year for charging. Chromebooks must be brought to school each day in a fully charged condition. Students need to charge their Chromebooks each evening. Students should NOT bring the AC Adapter power cord (charger) to school. If fully charged at home, the battery will last throughout the day.    

 

Managing Your Files and Saving Your Work: Students will create and save documents in their ZCS cloud location. Students are required to use their school-issued account, not a personal Google account. ZCS cannot maintain or safely monitor a personal Google account. All school-issued online accounts are the property of Zionsville Community Schools and can be monitored and searched at any time if ZCS believes the Internet Acceptable Use Policy or Student Handbook has been violated.  

 

Saving Files: Files may be saved to local storage on the device. Please remember that storage space on the device is limited. The local storage will never be backed up and work may be lost if the device is damaged or a malfunction occurs. It is always best to save everything to your online repository.  

 

Network Connectivity: ZCS makes no guarantee that their network will be up and running 100% of the time. In the rare case that the network is down, the school will not be responsible for lost or missing data.  

 

Personalizing the Chromebook: Chromebooks and cases must remain free of any decorative writing, drawing, stickers, paint, tape, or labels that are not the property of Zionsville Community Schools.  

 

Background and Themes: Inappropriate media may not be used as Chromebook backgrounds and themes. The presence of such media will result in disciplinary action.  

 

Originally Installed Software: Chromebook software is delivered via the Chrome Web Store. These are web-based applications that do not require installation space on a hard drive. Some applications, such as Google Drive, are available for offline use. The software originally installed on the Chromebook must remain on the Chromebook in usable condition and easily accessible at all times. All Chromebooks are supplied with the latest build of Google Chrome Operating System (OS) that is compatible with all school software, and many other applications useful in an educational environment. The Chrome OS will automatically install updates when the computer is shut down and restarted. From time to time the school may add software applications for use in a particular course. This process will be automatic with virtually no impact on students. Applications that are no longer needed will automatically be removed by the school as well.  

 

Additional Software: Students cannot install additional software on their Chromebook other than what Zionsville Community Schools approves.  

 

Procedure for Restoring the Chrome OS: If technical difficulties occur, and cannot be fixed in a reasonable amount of time, the Chromebook will be restored to factory defaults.  

 

Repairing or Replacing Your Chromebook  

 

Technical Support: The school’s tech department is the point of contact for repair of the Chromebooks. Services provided by the Tech Office include:  

  • Password recovery  
  • User account support  
  • Coordination of warranty repair  
  • Distribution of loaner Chromebooks  
  • Hardware maintenance and repair Chromebooks   

 

Repair:  

  • Loaner Chromebooks will be provided to students when they leave their Chromebook for repair at the respective school technology office.  
  • Repaired Chromebooks will end up with the original factory image as first received.  

 

Information Protocols: Files on Chromebooks are synced automatically to the cloud, but accidents can still occur. Personal information that cannot be replaced should be kept at home on an external storage device. Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Devices: Each user is responsible for their own digital property. Users should treat it and use it responsibly and appropriately. Parents/Guardians accept full responsibility for stolen, lost, or damaged devices, including loss or corrupted data on those devices. 

 

Internet Commerce: Access to the internet allows for a chance that your child can access sites that allow for purchases. If students make purchases, Zionsville Community Schools cannot be held responsible for any possible charges to your account that might be incurred.  

 

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)  

 

ZCS recognizes its responsibility to educate students regarding appropriate behavior on social networking and chat room sites about cyberbullying. Therefore, students shall be provided instruction about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking sites, in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response. The Superintendent or designee shall provide age-appropriate instruction regarding safe and appropriate behavior on social networking sites, chat rooms, and other Internet services. Such instruction shall include, but not limited to, the dangers of posting personal information online, misrepresentation by online predators, how to report inappropriate or offensive content or threats, behaviors that constitute cyberbullying, and how to respond when subjected to cyberbullying.  

 

Privacy Expectations: School-issued Chromebooks have been configured to optimize the educational experience for students and staff as well as protect students from harmful content per federally mandated guidelines. As mentioned previously, all devices on the school network go through a content filter that prevents students from accessing harmful content. The filtering policies are a requirement of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). At no time will any member of the ZCS staff have the ability to manipulate the Chromebook webcam in any way.  

 

Zionsville Community Schools CHROMEBOOK GUIDELINES AGREEMENT TERMS:  

You will comply at all times with the Zionsville Community Schools Chromebook Guidelines and its procedures as well as the ZCS Acceptable Use Policy.  

Legal title to the Chromebook is in the School Corporation and it shall remain in the School Corporation. The student’s right of possession and use is limited to and conditioned upon full and complete compliance with this Agreement and the Chromebook Guidelines.  

 

LOSS OR DAMAGE:  

If the property is stolen, a police report must be filed by the student or student’s parents/guardian involved in the loss of property. Loss or theft of the property must be reported to the ZCS by the next school day after the occurrence.