Overview

The High Tech High School Project, sponsored by the Inyo County Office of Education and the Bishop Unified School District, allows each student to receive a Chromebook computer for their educational use both at home and at school. The use of this tool is designed to enrich the learning environment and to assist teachers as they support students in acquiring the skills, knowledge, and attributes that will allow them to be successful 21st century learners.

This handbook is provided to educate all users about the responsibilities associated with effective, ethical and lawful use of technology resources. The use of Bishop Unified School District’s technology resources is a privilege, not a right. It is our hope that in following the district’s technology expectations outlined here, our students will have the best preparation possible for college and careers.

When signing the Student/Parent Chromebook Use Agreement, you are acknowledging that you understand and accept the information in this document.

Parent / Guardian Responsibilities

• Review Student/Parent Handbook
• Monitor student use when not at school
• Work with student to ensure laptop is properly cared for while student is away from school
• Accept liability: families are responsible for theft or loss
• Sign the Student/Parent Chromebook Agreement

In order for students to be allowed to take their laptops home, a student and their parent/ guardian must sign the Student/Parent Chromebook Agreement. The Parent Orientation will provide background information about the project and an opportunity to have questions answered.

Suggestions:

• Monitor your teen’s laptop use as you would the use of any device such as the television, tablet, or smartphone.
• Teach and model the skills kids need to use technology wisely and well.
• Pass along your values in the context of technology use.
• Talk with your teen about making good choices in how they use social media and behaving respectfully and responsibly when interacting with others online.

• Develop a set of rules/expectations for laptop use at home. (Please see the sample Family Media Agreement at the end of this document).
• Consider allowing laptop use only in common rooms of your home (e.g. living room or kitchen) and not in bedrooms.
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in what your child is doing on their computer. Ask questions and request that they show you their work.

Internet Filtering

The district utilizes an Internet content filter that is in compliance with the federally mandated Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). All Chromebook internet activity, on and off campus, will go through the district’s filter and can be monitored at any time. Since no filter can block all questionable websites, parents/guardians are responsible for monitoring their student’s online activities, and students are expected to follow district acceptable use guidelines whenever they are online.

Privacy

Students should have no expectation of confidentiality or privacy with respect to any usage of a district-owned Laptop, regardless of whether that use is for school-related or personal purposes, other than as specifically provided by law. The school may, without prior notice or consent, log, supervise, access, view, monitor, and record use of student Laptops at any time for any reason related to the operation of the school.

Chromebook Damage Information for Parents or Guardians

1. Families may be charged for damage to devices, including:

• Liquid spilled on or in unit
• Drops, falls, and other collisions
• Electrical surge
• Damaged or broken LCD due to a drop or fall

• Damage due to fire
• Intentional damage (such as hammer marks)
• Normal wear
• Cosmetic damage
• Theft or loss

Chromebook Distribution & Collection

Chromebook Distribution

1. Chromebooks will be distributed to students after the school has received use agreements signed by both students and parents.
2. Parents and students must read and understand the contents of this handbook and agreement forms before signing the use agreements.
3. One Chromebook and a charging unit will be checked out to each student shortly after the beginning of school.

Chromebook Returns When Students Transfer / Withdraw

1. Students who withdraw for any reason must return their assigned Chromebook prior to the date of termination of enrollment.
2. If a student fails to return the Chromebook and/or accessories at the end of the school year or upon termination of enrollment, the student will be required to pay the replacement cost of $400 for the Chromebook, and/or $60 for the power supply. Just like a textbook or band uniform, Chromebooks are the property of the School District, and students are responsible for returning them in reasonable condition. Students will be charged the actual cost of any needed repairs not covered by insurance.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Users

• Each student will be assigned the same Chromebook for the duration of his/her time at Bishop Elementary School. Take good care of it!
• The school Chromebook is assigned to you for your use alone. Please don't allow anyone other than your parents, guardians, or school personnel to use your device.  Remember you are responsible for any damage or misuse.

Responsibility for Electronic Data

The students are solely responsible for any apps or extensions on their Chromebooks that are not installed by a member of the district's technology staff, and for managing their own documents. All files are stored in Google Drive, both in the cloud and on the device, and are accessible by district IT staff. Users of School Technology have no rights, ownership, or expectations of privacy to any data that is, or was, stored on the Chromebook.

Operating System and Security

Students may not use or install any operating system on their Chromebook other than the current version of ChromeOS that is supported and managed by the school.

Using Your Chromebook Outside of School

Students are encouraged to use their Chromebooks at home and other locations outside of school. Though an Internet connection will sometimes be necessary to accomplish some tasks, Chromebooks have some applications that function offline. Students are bound by the Bishop Unified School District Acceptable Use Policy and all guidelines in this document wherever they use their Chromebooks. Students should be aware that public wireless access is not secure and should be mindful about sending any private data when connected to the Internet through public WiFi.

The risks of free WiFi

According to Techlicious’ Elizabeth Harper, “Using public WiFi isn't unlike having a conversation in a public place: others can overhear you. If you don't take precautions, information your devices send over a public WiFi network goes out in clear text — and anyone else on the network could easily take a look at what you're doing with just a few simple software tools”. A hacker on the same network can gain access to your password, private data, or browser cookies that a given service uses to recognize you.

Harper offers these tips for staying safe on public WiFi:

• Know whose network you’re connecting to. If you aren’t sure of the name of a business’ public network, ask.
• Make sure your computer is not set up to automatically connect to unknown WiFi networks.
• If you’re sending personal data, make sure you connect to the website via https, which encrypts your data. Look for https:// in the address bar of your browser.

Better yet, don’t send any personal data when connected to a public network.

Read the full article here: http://www.techlicious.com/tip/how-to-protect-your-privacy-on-public-wifi-networks/

Responsible Care

Acceptable Use

One of the best features of your laptop is the fact that it is portable and allows you to learn wherever, whenever. Remember that it is a privilege to have your Chromebook. Staff will check students’ laptops periodically. By following the acceptable use guidelines below, you can ensure that you are able to keep and use your device throughout the rest of your high school career in this district.

Student Responsibilities

1. Bring your laptop, fully-charged, to school each day in the case provided to you.
2. Follow the school district’s Acceptable Use Policy and use your device in a responsible and ethical manner.
3. Obey school rules concerning behavior and communication, and follow all rules set forth by staff.
4. Keep your laptop secure (locked in a locker, home, or other secure place) or with you at all times. School personnel will confiscate laptops left unattended and disciplinary action will follow.
5. Do not let anyone other than your parents, guardians, or school personnel use your assigned laptop.  
6. Immediately report any inappropriate digital content to an adult.
7. Return the Chromebook, charger and sleeve at the end of the school year or upon exiting the district. Students and their families are responsible for loss or damages.
8. Protect your private information and use strong passwords.
9. Notify a staff member immediately if you come across information, images, or messages that are inappropriate, dangerous, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable.
10. Report any security problem you know about or identify to a staff member.

Prohibited Activities

1. Any action that violates existing School Board policy or law is prohibited, including any illegal activity, posting inappropriate images, or bullying or harassing anyone.
2. Gaining access to other students’ accounts, files, and/or data is prohibited.
3. Do not share logins or passwords with anyone except your parents and school personnel.
4. Do not attempt to bypass the District’s internet filter.
5. Do not give out private information about yourself or anyone else over the Internet.

Violations of Responsible and Acceptable Use Guidelines

All laptops are to be used in a responsible and ethical manner. Violations may lead to disciplinary action and/or loss of laptop use privileges, and parents will be contacted. This list is not final and the administrator can make additions at any time.

“Minor” Violations

1. Communicating (i.e. email, blogging, etc.) during class time when use is not related to class work.
2. Game-playing on the Chromebook during class without the teacher’s permission.
3. Knowingly accessing non-educational websites during class when use is not related to class or teacher permission was not granted.
4. Adjusting or changing Chromebook settings without permission of the school district.

“Major” Violations

1. Leaving a laptop in an unsupervised or unsecure area.
2. Use of another person’s account.
3. Damaging the laptop intentionally.
4. Bypassing the District’s filter.
5. Using the laptop for any illegal activity, bullying, harassing, or posting inappropriate images.
6. Viewing unauthorized materials, images, or websites (see the District’s Acceptable Use policy).
7. Showing, depicting, or implying illegal activity, violence, and/or adult-oriented materials.
8. Violating the District’s Acceptable Use Policy in any way.

Consequences for Violations

The consequences listed below are examples of possible consequences. Teachers and Administrators will determine the appropriate consequences based on the severity of the infraction and the student’s history of infractions. Possible consequences may include but are not limited to the following:

• Loss of laptop privileges

- Restriction to school day use only (no take home privileges)

- Restriction to the use of a school desktop or other computer

- Technology use completely prohibited

• Site Administration will establish a Progressive Discipline Policy.
• Students who violate rules about laptop care and use will, in addition to other consequences, be required to complete an online Digital Citizenship lesson connected to the violation and submit a certificate of completion to teacher and/or administration.

Chromebooks in Education

Your Chromebook is meant to be used at school each day. Bring your laptop to all classes, unless specifically instructed not to do so by the teacher.

Student and Parent Chromebook Use Agreement

After reading and signing, please return this document to school as soon as possible.   Thank you!

Use of the Bishop Unified School District Chromebook is a privilege. Therefore, I agree that I will follow all school policies pertaining to technology use, including the District Acceptable Use Policy and Student Handbook, which include:

• Securing my Chromebook appropriately
• Reporting any loss or damage to my Chromebook immediately
• Protecting my Chromebook by keeping it in a protective case
• Charging the battery as directed
• Protecting the display by closing the Chromebook when not in use

Use of the Bishop Unified School District computer network and the Internet is also a privilege.

Therefore, I agree that I will:

• Act responsibly when accessing the internet
• Protect my user accounts by logging off when not at my computer

I agree that I will not:

• Send defamatory or harassing emails
• “Hack” into any computer system
• Use copyrighted materials that exceed fair guidelines without written permission of the author
• Loan my Chromebook to another individual
• Share passwords
• Share personal information with anyone on the internet or via e-mail including but not limited to any inappropriate display of body parts
• Engage in unauthorized use of the network
• Maliciously damage or steal school computer equipment or electronic data

If I choose to ignore this agreement or any part of it, I understand that I am choosing to face consequences under Bishop Unified School District Student Code of Conduct, which may include prohibition from use of equipment or the school network.

• We have read and discussed the Student and Parent Handbook and we understand that the student will be issued a Chromebook for academic use at school and at home.
• We understand that students and their families are responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of the Chromebook in the event of loss or intentional damage.

____________________________________        _________________________               ___________________        

                 Student Signature                      Chromebook #                              Date                        

____________________________________        ___________________           __________________________

                  Parent Signature                                 Date                                    Phone Number