It is an exciting time in Pickerington Schools as we continue our journey to utilize blended learning with our students, giving students access to communication, resources, and learning tools like never before. Our adoption of One2One devices will allow students to access new online and digital content created by our talented staff, in addition to content provided by textbook companies and software vendors.
Pickerington students will be able to communicate and collaborate in a digital environment that was not available to the world just a 5-10 years ago. We’re excited about working with our students as they learn digital citizenship in a safe and responsible atmosphere.
We’ll continue to be amazed by what our students create and how they incorporate the tools of their generation into the learning that will shape their future. Tools like a Chromebook or iPad will allow them access to software that will encourage their artistic abilities, improve their reading and writing, and push them to think critically as they spark new interests and insights into their journey of being a lifelong learner.
Pickerington educators are dedicated to continuing to offer rigorous and engaging learning opportunities for students.
Receiving Your Device
Please see the section below about the distribution of devices for the 2020-2021 school year.
Ownership of the Device
PLSD retains the sole right of ownership and possession of the device. The device is assigned to the student for educational purposes only for the academic year. Moreover, PLSD’s administrative staff and faculty retain the right to collect, monitor, and/or inspect the device at any time, including via electronic remote access, and to monitor student work or to alter, add or delete installed software or hardware.
Please the section below about the PLSD One2One Device Agreement.
Student’s Responsibilities
Students and their parent/guardian are solely responsible for the device issued to them and must adhere to the following:
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- Students must comply with the District’s Acceptable Use Policy and the Student Device Handbook (in section below) when using their device.
- Students must bring their device to school every day and make sure it is fully charged. Failure to do so may result in loss of instruction.
- Note: A fully charged device should last at least 8 hours.
- Students must treat their device with care and never leave it in an unsecured location.
- Students must report any problems with their device to the media center as soon as possible.
- Students may not remove or interfere with the serial number and other identification tags.
- Students may not attempt to remove or change the physical structure of the device, including the keys, screen cover or plastic casing.
- Students may not attempt to install or run any operating system on the device other than the ChromeOS or iOS operating system supported by the district.
Responsibility for Electronic Data
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- Students are solely responsible for any apps or extensions on their device that is not installed by a member of the PLSD Instructional Technology staff or by classroom educators.
- Students are responsible for backing up their data to protect from loss. This includes securing passwords to protect data.
- Users of District Technology have no rights, ownership, or expectations of privacy to any data that is, or was, stored on the device, school network, or any school-issued applications, and are given no guarantees that data will be retained or destroyed.
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. A loaner device will not be provided. If a student repeatedly leaves his/her device at home, he/she will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Protecting Your Data and Files
Students are responsible for the appropriateness of all files, data, and internet history on their device. Although these devices will be logged and filtered on and off campus, it is still the responsibility of the student to use good judgment when accessing or transmitting data. Do not take photos or video of other students or staff without their permission. The possessing, forwarding or uploading of unauthorized data, photos, audio or video to any website, network storage area, or person is strictly forbidden. Do not access another individual’s materials, information, or files without permission.
Cost of Repairs/Replacement
Pickerington Schools recognizes that with the implementation of the One2One initiative, there is a need to protect the investment by both the District and the student/parent. Therefore, we have set the following charges in place, which are subject to change.
Pickerington School s has created the Technology Protection Plan. See the section below for more specific details about the Technology Protection Plan.
If you do not select the Technology Protection Plan, you will be responsible for paying for the needed equipment, repair or replacement of the device. The prices do not include labor, which ranges from $15 – $50. You will be issued one charger with your device. The Technology Protection Plan does not cover the charger if the charger is lost or damaged. Total replacement cost for the device is $300, plus the cost of the charger if needed.
The following will be considered damage(s) due to intentional reckless, willful, wanton and/or malicious conduct is not covered by the Technology Protection Plan.
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- Key Removal (with or without rubber stopper being intact)
- Keys do not fall off without force being applied to them to break the parts that hold them in place. Key removal is indicative of picking at the device and removing keys. Rubber nubs under the keys are connected below the plastics and metals of each key, and do not come off without being pulled or picked at.
- The Chromebook models after 2016 have tabs to keep keys under the bezel of the keyboard. The tabs or bezel must be pulled up for keys to come off.
- Rubber Removal
- Rubber around the device and on the bottom cover is adhered with adhesives and has notches and rubber nubs that hold it in place. These parts do not just fall off, they must be pulled or picked to separate them from the plastics they are attached to.
- Coloring, Drawing, or Writing on the device.
- Cleaning fines will be applied for any markings on the device. If they can not be removed due to the medium used to color, draw, or writing being permanent, there will be a cost to replace those affected parts.
- Harsh chemicals cannot be used to clean off devices as it causes further damage to the plastics.
- Etching or carving
- Any etching or carving on a device will be considered intentional.
Vandalism and Theft
In cases of theft, vandalism, and other criminal acts, a police report must be filed by the student or parent as soon as possible (within 48 hours after the theft or vandalism is discovered). The police report must be presented to the building principal and a technology help desk ticket must be entered at the Medica Center. Further, students/parents must contact their building principal ASAP after the device is determined to be stolen, lost or vandalized. There is geo-location software that can be activated by the technology department once the principal is notified.
Technical Issues/Damage/Loss
Take your device to your school’s media center if you experience any technical problems or damage. If it cannot be fixed at that time, a loaner device may be issued to you, if available. All device policy agreements and technology protection plan will remain in effect for the loaner device.
Audio & Sound
The sound must be muted at all times, unless permission is obtained from the teacher for instructional purposes. Earbuds/headphones may be used in the classroom-based only upon individual teacher approval.
Device Identification
Student devices will be labeled in the manner specified by the district. Devices can be identified based on the serial number. Asset numbers and the PLSD logo have been etched onto the top of Chromebooks. Do not remove or cover any identifying labels or markings.
Personalizing Devices
Students are permitted to place school appropriate stickers on the top of their Chromebooks only. The presence of weapons, alcohol, drug or gang-related symbols or pictures are not permitted per school/district policies. Stickers cannot cover the PLSD logo or the asset tag number. Stickers are not permitted on the sides or bottom of the Chromebook. 3D stickers, puffy stickers, or rhinestone and gemstones are not permitted as they can cause damage to the device.
Students are permitted to install school appropriate personal apps on their devices. If storage on the device becomes an issue, all school required applications have a priority over student downloads and may require the student to uninstall personal apps.
No stickers are permitted on the iPads.
Device Collection
Devices must be returned to the building media center during the final weeks of the school year by the date announced each spring or prior to withdrawal from Pickerington Schools. Any student who withdraws, terminates enrollment, or is expelled, must return their device and accessories immediately. If a student fails to return the device and/or accessories the student/parent will be billed for the replacement cost of the device and/or accessory. Any device not returned or immediately paid for in full will be considered stolen property and law enforcement will be notified.
Care of the Device
The device is the property of Pickerington Local Schools and all users will follow these rules and the Acceptable Use Policy. Students are responsible at all times for the care of the device to which they are assigned.
- Use a microfiber or clean soft cloth to clean your display and keyboard on a regular basis. Do not use paper towels or wet wipes.
- If further cleaning is needed, use isopropyl alcohol wipes or a dry soft cloth only. Household cleaners or household wipes can cause damage to the device.
- If you sneeze or cough on the device please wipe it off; see the sections above about cleaning.
- Keep all foods and liquids away from the device. Eating or drinking over the device can cause damage if liquids or food get on the device, especially the keyboard.
- Do not leave the Chromebook in an unsecured location as this could result in the loss or theft of the device. This includes leaving the device in a car. Extreme heat or cold can also harm the device.
- Under no circumstances should devices be left in unsupervised areas including school grounds, athletic fields/areas, cafeterias, computer labs, classrooms, dressing rooms, and hallways. Unsupervised devices will be confiscated and disciplinary action may be taken.
- Stickers may not be placed on the trackpad, keyboard, camera, or bottom cover and may not be covering the device etchings. Stickers containing profanity, guns, violence, or drugs will be reported to building administration and promptly removed.
- Completely power off the device at least once a month. Hold down the power button until the screen goes black and stays off. Once restarted, install any available updates.
- Use Gopher Buddy to check for updates every couple of weeks. If it has a red exclamation point on the icon, please install the available update.
- Students will not have the opportunity to charge their devices at school, devices are to come to school, each day, charged to 100%.
- Too much pressure may crack the screen or cause internal damage. Avoid placing anything on top of the device or placing it in an overstuffed locker or book bag.
- Keep all rubber, keys, serial numbers, and logos of the device intact. If removed this will be considered intentional damage.
- Keep liquids out of your backpack when the Chromebook is in it. If the device is inside your backpack please treat your backpack with care to avoid damage to the device.
- When walking with the Chromebook always keep the lid closed and use both hands to hold.
- If the device is left on the floor, a chair, or sofa there could be significant damage from stepping or sitting on the device. Please keep the device off of these surfaces.
- Drawing, writing, or etching on the device using pencil, marker, paint, nail polish, or any other implement will result in a fine for cleaning; etching will result in a fine for the replacement of the damaged part.
- When carrying the Chromebook on top of your books please be careful the device does not slide off. Place any three-ring-binders on top of the device to avoid an uneven surface.
- Gently close the lid of the device and ensure nothing, including pencils or other objects, are in between the keyboard and display.
- All repairs must be completed by the PLSD Technology Department. Attempting to repair the device or taking it elsewhere could result in intentional damage fines.
Transporting Devices
When transporting the device between classes or outside the building, you are required to close the lid. Never walk with the device open. Students are required to take their devices home every day after school, regardless of whether or not they are needed.
Passwords
Students will be required to maintain an updated password on their device. Students may never share, distribute, or otherwise allow other students access to their password. At any time, a parent, teacher, or school administrator may request and obtain the password and access to the device.
Chromebook FAQ’s
Q. What is a Chromebook?
A. “Chromebooks are mobile devices designed specifically for people who live on the web. With a comfortable, full-sized keyboard, large display and clickable trackpad, all-day battery life, lightweight and built-in ability to connect to Wi-Fi and mobile broadband networks, the Chromebooks are ideal for any time, anywhere access to the web.”
Q. What kind of software does a Chromebook run?
A. “Chromebooks run thousands of web-based applications, or web apps, that open right in the browser. You can access web apps by typing their URL into the address bar or by installing them instantly from the Chrome Web Store.” Chromebooks are able to run Android apps starting in the summer/fall of 2016.
Q. How are these web-based applications managed?
A. Each Chromebook we provide to students will be a managed device. Members of the Pickerington School District Technology Department will maintain devices through our Google Apps for Education account.
Q. Can the Chromebook be used anywhere at any time?
A. Yes, as long as you have a WIFI signal to access the web. There is an offline option, as well, when using Google Drive, and when students enter a wi-fi connection, it syncs again with the student’s Google account.
Q. Will our Chromebook have 3G/Cellular Signal?
A. No. The district Chromebooks will not have 3G broadband or a cellular signal.
Q. Is there antivirus software included with the Chromebooks?
A. At this time, there is not as all of the data is stored in the cloud, there is no need for antivirus software. They do, however, come with web filtering.
Q. How long will the Chromebook run on a fully charged battery?
A. Chromebooks have a rated battery life of 8-10 hours. However, we do expect that students charge them each evening to ensure maximum performance during the school day without interruption of use.