SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

215 S. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD.         SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46613

TELEPHONE (574) 393-6000

Greetings!

Team South Bend is excited to share that students will receive Chromebooks this Fall!  We look forward to instructing our students in 21st century skills such as Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking through the use of web tools and the HP 11” G6 Chromebook Education Edition. A chromebook is an internet capable computer integrated with the Google Suite for Education.  The chromebook will connect to the internet at school using wifi.  While at home they will be able to connect to the internet as well as work offline on assignments, if internet is unavailable.

Kindergarten and first Grade students will have access to a shared cart of 30 chromebooks, second to fifth grade will have a cart of 30 chromebooks in each classroom, and sixth through twelfth grade students will receive a take home chromebook, which will be transported from home to school each day.  Students will be responsible for charging the chromebook at home each night and to bring it to school fully charged.

Internet Filtering will be provided both in school and at home utilizing LightSpeed Relay.  South Bend Schools also received approximately 500 devices with internet capability to be distributed to High School students to enable home access.  These devices will enable the student to connect their chromebook to wifi and then the internet using Sprint’s cellular network.  Applications can be submitted to bit.ly/1millsurvey. Internet is also available for family purchase through AT&T Access (https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access) and Comcast Internet Essentials (https://www.internetessentials.com/) programs at about $10 per month.

Before students can receive a Chromebook, a parent or guardian must complete the Chromebook agreement which can be found at www.sb.school/chromebook.

As our students prepare to enter the world of technology they will be instructed on Digital Citizenship utilizing curriculum from Common Sense Media.  Teachers will guide students through activities designed to prepare students in making good decisions related to appropriate sharing, cyberbullying, working online safely, digital footprints, and representing themselves appropriately online.  Additional Parent Resources are available at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ to guide families through home discussions around technology.

We look forward to supporting your families education as we move to integrate technology into the classroom.

Sincerely,

Team South Bend