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The Chromebook and Google Workspace for Education accounts belong to Hoover City Schools.
Students should have no expectation of privacy when using their assigned Google Workspace for Education account.
Anytime you use the HCS network, even on a personal device, the district Acceptable Use Policy still applies.
Every click, site, email, file, and search can be reviewed by HCS tech staff and school administrators at any time if necessary.

Expectation of Privacy

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HCS Acceptable Use Policy

What does “Acceptable Use” mean?

Using the privileges given in a responsible and ethical manner

Parents/guardians and students agreed or disagreed to the HCS AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) during online registration.
Students and parents/guardians must have accepted the AUP.

The full Acceptable Use policy can be found on the Hoover City Schools’ website (hoovercityschools.net). Choose Technology Department and Policy and Procedures

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STUDENTS WILL...

Only use a Hoover Google account on an HCS Chromebook
Be held accountable for the decisions when using a Hoover Google account at all times (school and home)
Keep food and drinks away and handle the device with clean hands
Keep the device out of extreme temperatures
Remove all cords carefully
Report damages or lost/stolen devices immediately
Follow rules given by teachers

Students

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STUDENTS will NOT

Add personal stickers or drawings
Carry in overloaded backpack
Drop, slide or press on device
Share their device with others
Remove keys from keyboard
Have access to Gmail

Students

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What is considered UNacceptable Use?

Consequences for Improper Use: Privileges suspended or revoked, devices revoked, and/or Appropriate disciplinary consequences

Students sharing personal information with others including online
Breaking state and federal copyright laws
Sending, receiving, transmitting, uploading, or downloading explicit, profane, offensive, or obscene images
Cheating
Using messaging services other than through Google Workspace for Education for educational purposes
Using this device or HCS network for financial gain
Cyber-harassment or bullying
Vandalism to the device
Attempting to bypass the HCS security measures

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As required by law, the internet at school is filtered.
Chromebooks can be connected to your home wifi.
All filters and acceptable use rules apply to students on campus or off campus.
Students can access Google Workspace for Education on any device
Parents/guardians and students are responsible for what happens on the device outside of school
Chromebooks can be accessed offline.

Device

Connectivity

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Receiving and Returning Your Device

The device will be issued with one charger.
A student will not receive a device if registration isn’t completed online.
If a student withdraws from HCS, the device, charger, and case is HCS property and must be immediately returned at that time.
When returned, each device will be inspected. If any damage occurs, payment must be made for the item to be repaired or replaced.

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Device Inventory and Asset Tag Information

Each device is the property of Hoover City Schools and is individually labeled and inventoried (by asset number and device serial number) to the individual student to whom it has been loaned.
HCS can ask for the device back at any time.
An inventory asset number is etched on the device's bottom or back. At no time should any Hoover inventory or asset number be tampered with or removed.
Tampering with or removing an asset number constitutes damage and requires the device to be immediately returned to the school.

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Protection Plan

Parents/ guardians are solely responsible for any damages to their student’s devices once the student takes ownership of these devices without regard to the cause, fault, location, or circumstances.

With this in mind, a Protection Plan is available to parents and students who want to ensure their devices against unforeseen damages.

K-2 Does not need a protection plan
3-5 Recommended if taking a device home
6-12 Required

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Purchasing the HCS Protection Plan

If your device is lost, damaged, or has technical issues, please immediately report this to your teacher or administrator.

The Protection Plan is non-refundable may be purchased annually online at myschoolfees.com. Payment is due by September 30th of each year.

**No device will be reissued until the full cost of the repair payment/s is collected per Hoover City Board of Education Textbook and Device Rules.

	With Protection Plan
Initial Cost	$25
Repair 1	$0
Repair 2	Cost determined by HCS technology staff or designee.**
Lost/Stolen Digital Device	$150**
Non-repairable Digital Device	$ Cost of replacement**

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Protection Plan

DOES NOT cover

Damage caused by physical, chemical, or other abuse
Damage from excessive heat or water, acts of nature, or any abuse.
Anything unreasonable considering the normal and expected uses in a residence or school, and includes, but is not limited to:

damage by vandalism,
use of improper cleaning solutions,
leaving damaging substances on the device,
the dropping of heavy objects on the device
“acts of extreme nature” include, but are not limited to, weather-related damage and fire damage.

Damage that is determined to be intentional or malicious, disciplinary action may follow.

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HCS Protective Case Procedure

** (Effective Jan 2023 for all new HCS-issued student Chromebooks)**

The HCS Protective Case Procedure requires that all devices must maintain an HCS-provided protective, form-fit case.

The student is responsible for:

Ensuring the protective case remains on the student-issued Chromebook for the life of the equipment.
Students and parents will be responsible for the cost of repairs or replacement of an HCS-issued Chromebook that is damaged without the protective case installed.
All Chromebooks returned to the Technology department for repair must be returned in the HCS-provided protective case. If HCS or its designee determines that a student Chromebook was damaged without the protective case applied, the repair of the Chromebook may not be covered under the HCS protection plan.

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Where will the device be stored at home?
Where should the device be used in the house to ensure monitoring and safety of the device?
How can you help your child with charging?
What is your family’s policy on helping to monitor type of use and amount of use?
How can you help your child with siblings?
Grades 3rd- 12th only: Do you want to purchase the protection plan through your child’s MySchoolFees account?

Deadline: Sept. 30

Questions to Consider