• The Device Agreement and Protection Plan must be filled out online before a Chromebook can be issued to any 1st-12th grade student.

• Protection Plan cannot be purchased after device has been issued.

• See other checkout requirements on Chromebook FAQ page.

At the beginning of the school year, the district will assign a Chromebook to each student grades 5th-12th. Students grades 1-4 will have access to device during the school day only.  Each Chromebook will remain the property of the school and is for use by the student until the end of the current school year, at which time the Chromebook will be returned in working condition to the school. This device initiative will lead the way toward continuous improvement in the following district goals: 

• Prepare all learners to be productive and responsible citizens who are equipped to pursue excellence in an ever-changing world.

• Utilize research-based, leading edge instruction and learning opportunities in face-to-face, blended, and virtual classroom settings

Toward these goals, all students will have access to instructional technology that will make them successful in the classroom and beyond.

This initiative seeks to:

• Enhance teaching and learning

• Ensure equitable access to instructional technology

• Improve student outcomes through the 4 C’s:

  • Creativity and Innovation

  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

  • Communication

  • Collaboration

The Chromebook is a personal computer designed to work with Google Workspace for Education web-based applications. The district chose this device as the best fit for the needs of the students in terms of processing speed, ease of operation, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. The district will purchase and retain full ownership of the Chromebooks and will have measures in place to prevent the inappropriate use of the device and/or internet in keeping with District Technology Policy 3.21.

Distribution of the Chromebooks will take place at the beginning of each school year. A student will be given a take-home device only if a parent or guardian has: signed the Technology Acceptable Use Policy, the Electronic Device Agreement, accepted or denied the Chromebook Protection Plan, and has completed the enrollment process that includes acknowledging having read and understood the district policies. Each student in grades 5-12 will receive a Chromebook device, charger with cord, and case to take home during the school year. Each 1st through 4th-grade student will be assigned a device that will remain on campus and not be taken home. Earbuds or headphones will not be provided.

The district will comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to prevent the inappropriate use of the Chromebook. Compliance will be through software that filters web access for inappropriate content and monitors students for incidences of cyberbullying or self-harm.

Any malfunction of the Chromebook that is not the result of negligence or inappropriate use will be repaired at the district’s expense. The district will have devices available that can be checked out to students whose devices are being repaired or replaced.

As with any district-owned property (ex.: textbooks), the student and parent/guardian will be responsible for the care of the device and returning the Chromebook in good working condition. The student and parent/guardian are responsible for replacing or paying to repair damaged Chromebooks as a result of negligence or inappropriate use. A protection plan for the device will be offered to parents and students at the time of checkout.

Parents and students are responsible for providing at-home internet access for the Chromebook. Because the Chromebook is an internet-based device, the student will need internet access either at home or at public places that offer WiFi access in order to use the web-based applications.

When using the device, students understand that Chromebooks are district property, and may be used only for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Collinsville Public Schools District Policy and federal, state and local laws. In addition, students should follow the “Digital Citizenship Tips for Teens” (from commonsensemedia.org).

The student and parent/guardians are responsible for returning the district-owned Chromebook within five days of the student's last day in the district. If the district-owned Chromebook is not returned within five days, a police report will be filed. The parent/guardian may be responsible for replacement costs for a lost Chromebook or for making repairs resulting from inappropriate use or neglect of the device. Please see the “Protection Plan and Additional Fees” category for information.

Students with damaged or malfunctioning Chromebooks must report the damage to their classroom teacher or school office. This includes, but is not limited to: Chrome OS, battery issues, loss of internet connectivity, failure of apps to launch, etc. Collinsville staff will document the problem and the technology department will collect the device for repair. If deemed necessary, a loaner device will be issued if one is available. The loaner device will be the student’s responsibility while in their possession, with the same guidelines listed for the device checked out to them. A committee will determine whether the damage is malicious or non-malicious. If a repair is required due to abuse or neglect, there may be a required fee for any necessary repairs, not to exceed the cost of the Chromebook per incident. The school may also refuse to provide a loaner or reissue a Chromebook in certain circumstances.

The original manufacturer warranty will cover any hardware/software repairs, not due to misuse or intentional damage (1 year from District purchase date). However, any deliberate damage to the device may incur a fee. Fines may be imposed as the circumstances may warrant at the discretion of the District. Multiple incidents of accidental damage may cause the students to lose the privilege of using a device and may also result in disciplinary action. Intentional or malicious damage to any Chromebook will result in the student losing the privilege of being issued a machine in addition to disciplinary action as determined by building or district administration. Intentional or malicious damage may also result in the student being held responsible for the cost of the repair not to exceed the replacement cost of the Chromebook per incident. All damage to screens and detached keys will be considered intentional damage due to failure to follow proper care guidelines as addressed below.

• Do not place food or drink near the device

• Insert cords, cables and removable storage devices carefully.

• Do not deface the device with writing, drawings, stickers, labels, etc. Chromebooks are district property and must be returned in the condition they were checked out.

• Do not remove any district labeling or tags.

• Do not place heavy objects on the device.

• Chromebooks must be kept secure and protected when not in use.

• Always carry the device with care; the screen should not be open when being carried.

• Do not lift the device by the screen.

• Clean the screen only with a soft, dry microfiber cloth or anti-static cloth. DO NOT USE CLEANING SOLVENTS OR OTHER LIQUIDS ON THE SCREEN. 

• For Chromebook sanitizing methods:

  • Power off the device. You will be applying liquid solutions to your Chromebook, so powering it off is a must.

  • Remove any accessories or plug-ins such as cases, USBs, and headphones. Once removed, cases can be separately disinfected with sanitizing wipes or spray.

  • Clean the screen with an LCD-save solution applied to a microfiber cloth. Strong alcohols can eat away the coating on LCD screens. However, LCD-safe solutions such as 50% isopropyl alcohol (diluted with distilled water) and dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride can be used to properly disinfect Chromebook screens. Never use Windex or similar products, which contain ammonia, and never use any solutions containing acetone, ethyl alcohol, ethanol, ethyl acid, or methyl chloride. Also, while diluted vinegar may be safe for removing dirt and smudges from LCD screens, it's not an effective disinfectant against many types of common germs, including those that cause colds, flu, and viruses.

  • To clean, wet a microfiber cloth in LCD-safe solution so that it's damp enough to feel wet, but not damp enough to create any drips (drips are bad. In extreme cases they can ruin the bottom edge of your screen if they get sucked between the layers of the LCD through capillary action). Rub the microfiber gently on the screen in a back-and-forth motion, using the broadest strokes you can. Avoid small circular motions, which can sometimes leave buffed-out spots or whorl marks on the screen. Never use paper towels, kitchen rags, or any type of cloth other than microfiber. These could damage your screen.

  • Use 70% isopropyl alcohol applied to a soft cotton rag to wipe down the keyboard and external chassis. DO NOT spray your device with disinfectant. It's important that the solution is applied to a rag or cloth first so that liquid doesn't seep into the keyboard. This can damage the keyboard itself or important components housed beneath. CAUTION-70% Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable, so keep it and anything covered in it away from any sources of ignition.

  • Wait for the alcohol solution to completely evaporate before turning your Chromebook back on.

• Always keep the Chromebook in the District-issued protective case. Although the case is reinforced to help protect the Chromebook, it is not guaranteed to prevent damage. It remains the student’s responsibility to care for and protect the device.

Failure to use District devices, networks, or other resources responsibly may result in disciplinary action:

• Use the Chromebook and other district technology resources only for academic purposes.

• Use appropriate language and graphics, whether posting and publishing from home or school, when using blogs, podcasts, email or other communication tools.

• Use only district assigned Google Accounts when using the Chromebook.

• Maintain confidentiality about usernames and passwords.

• Communicate only in ways that are kind and respectful.

• Remember that making illegal copies of music, games, movies, and other copyrighted material is prohibited.

• Give credit when using the words or works of others.

• Prevent damage to the Chromebook by following “Chromebook General Care” guidelinesprovided in this policy, the student handbook, and on the website.

• Report the loss or damage of the device immediately to the school office or IT department.

• Charge the device at home and have it ready to use every day, every class period.

• Keep the sound muted or use your headphones/earbuds (only when permitted by the teacher) when the noise might disturb others.

• Publish or complete work digitally to reduce the use of paper in the classroom.

• Remove any identifying stickers or labels placed in or on the device by the district.

• Allow other people to use their assigned device.

• View, use or copy passwords, data, or networks to which they are not authorized.

• Reveal personal information (telephone numbers, addresses, passwords, etc.) about themselves or others.

• Leave devices unsupervised or logged in.

• Harass, bully, or threaten anyone.

• Use offensive or inflammatory language of any kind.

• Misrepresent themselves or others.

• Destroy or damage data, programs, networks, or any other system or component of a system owned or managed by the district.

• Attempt to override, bypass or otherwise change the internet filtering software, Google Management, or other network configurations.

• Reset or wipe their device.

• Place the Chromebook in developer mode.

• Download inappropriate apps and media.

• Damage, use, or adjust settings on someone else’s Chromebook.

• Loan the device to another student

The district encourages all students using Chromebooks to follow basic rules of digital citizenship when working and browsing the web:

• Think before you post - sometimes words can be misinterpreted when sent across the internet. Additionally, anything you post, whether in a document or on social media, can leave a digital footprint that follows you.

• Respect the privacy of others - If you want others to respect your privacy, then you must respect theirs as well. Posting embarrassing information about a friend or forwarding private content without asking can cause unintended harm to others.

• If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all - If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Stand up for others and prevent bullying.

• Give credit where credit is due - If you use someone else’s thoughts or ideas, give them credit for it online. Illegal downloading, cheating, or copying content from others may be easy, but it isn’t right. You have a responsibility to respect the work of others, as they should respect yours.

The district has established a Chromebook Protection Plan (CPP) to give parents and students the ability to assist in protecting the district’s investment. This annual protection plan, if purchased, will cover part or all of the repair or replacement costs related to damage to the Chromebook. The cost for protection is $30 per student taking devices home if paid by debit or credit card using the online service or $35 per student if paid by cash or check (Grades 5-12), $15 per student keeping devices at school if paid by debit or credit card using the online service or $20 per student if paid by cash or check (Grades 1-4). More information on the district’s Chromebook Protection Plan can be found here. If parents opt out of the Protection Plan they are responsible for the full cost of replacement or repair of damage to the Chromebook, charger with cord, and protective case.