Everyone. ALL students should have a personal computer/Chromebook or a district-issued Chromebook. ALL student use devices that are currently in the building will be pulled the week of March 6th. The only machines that will remain are the desktop computers in the Photo and CTE labs and F104. There will be NO Chromebooks to checkout for students that do not check one out.
What are the advantages of a district-issued Chromebook?
Ease of connectivity. Like the cart Chromebooks (which is what these are), the student will open the machine and within 15 seconds or so, connect to one of the dedicated wireless networks. No need for further authentication. If the wireless is working, it will connect.
Avoid account confusion. Students can only use their district Google account on these devices. There is no confusion about why a student doesn’t have access to a file or activity. They cannot use a personal Google account on the district-issued devices.
Support. With the district-issued device, students get exclusive access to the WLCSD “Geek Squad”. They will submit a support request and we’ll work through the issues. If they have a hardware issue, they will have access to a loaner machine while their device is in for service.
Apps/Programs created for schools. There are a number of programs teachers like to use that can only be accessed on a school-issued device. Among the most used are DRC-Insite (which runs WIDA and the M-Step) and AP Classroom. Additionally the lockdown browser feature in Google Forms can only be used on district devices. By the nature of these programs, they cannot be installed on a personal Chromebook at all. Some can be installed on a personal Windows laptop, but not a MAC.
Payment. All Chromebooks require a $50 deposit. This will be returned once the student leaves the district upon graduation or transfer provided the Chromebook is returned in good condition. Additionally, a family can choose to purchase an optional $20 Insurance Coverage. This covers all accidental damage, including a broken screen. Otherwise, repairs will be billed (a screen is $35) per occurrence.
What happens at the end of the year?
TBD. At this time, the expectation is that all students will turn in their Chromebook at the end of the year to be updated over the summer and they will get the same machine back in the fall.
All Seniors will turn in their device no later than May 19. A process for this will be established so they can use the device for final exams/projects, but they will need to be returned before receiving their cap and gown.
Underclassman may have an opportunity to keep their device for the summer. We are working on putting together a process to make this a possibility due to summer programs, summer homework, and the logistics of collecting all the devices at 10:45 on the last day of school.
What if a student has trouble with their district machine?
They will receive support. Students will complete a Support Request form which will be posted on the building website. This will go to Mrs. Roden. She will communicate directly with the student (they should check their school email) offering troubleshooting steps and/or send the IT intern to take a look. Should a student need a loaner device, they will go see Mrs. Dearth in the Main Office AFTER completing the form.
What if students don’t pick them up?
There will be a process for students to check out a machine after the pick-up window, but the process will take a week to turn around. It is easiest if they pick it up during the pick-up window.
What if kids have issues financially or family cannot pick during the posted times?
Work with the office. There are processes in place for students that need financial assistance or a payment plan. They just need to ask. The financial assistance MUST BE DONE AT CENTRAL. Students/parents should talk to an administrator to start that process. Any ADULT (non-student) can pick up the device at ESC as long as the documents are signed. To ease the process if it is a non-parent, payment online is encouraged to eliminate any question that the parents know this is happening.
