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Instructional Technology » 5th-12th Grade Chromebook FAQ

5th-12th Grade Chromebook FAQ

Lovejoy ISD is excited to announce that we will be providing a Chromebook device for each student in grades 5 through 12 for the 2023-2024 school year. We are excited to be able to offer yet another tool that will continue to set Lovejoy ISD apart as a leader in student instruction. If you have questions about the District's device rollout after reading the FAQs below, please reach out to Diana Saylak at  [email protected].
 
Why are we doing this?
Lovejoy ISD believes technology can be a tool that can better engage students, promote collaboration, enhance learning, and provide opportunities to develop future-ready skills. Laptops and the various district-approved applications, digital textbooks, and online resources all contribute to supporting student success and achievement.  This provides an amazing opportunity for our teachers to engage each student with digital resources designed to maximize their learning.  Engaging students with these new instructional tools presents an unprecedented opportunity for your child's responsibility, growth, and development.
 
Click on the questions below for more information.
 
responsibility
 We know that this is a transition in procedures and that students were bringing personal devices in the past.  Beginning this year, Lovejoy ISD is expecting that all students use their Lovejoy-issued devices during instructional time and testing. District-issued student devices and chargers are considered required instructional materials. By using the district-issued device, LISD can ensure the following:
  • testing integrity during classroom quizzes, exams, as well as state testing
  • better classroom management and engagement through the use of interactive resources and tools
  • limited distractions, i.e. students using personal instant messaging applications during class and/or testing
  • safety (We are required by law to ensure student safety when interacting with district technological resources)
  • access to district resources, such as digital instructional resources and materials, such as real-time interactive lessons, certain science equipment, coding equipment, etc. (Most textbooks are now digital, while testing and assignments are accessed through Google Classroom)
 
Therefore, we expect that while at school students use the Lovejoy district-issued device rather than a personal device for instructional and safety purposes.
Chromebooks are tentatively scheduled for disbursement on the following days: 
    • Lovejoy High School - August 8
    • Willow Springs Middle School - August 15
    • Sloan Creek Elementary School - August 16
Pick-up times will be communicated through campus newsletters at a later time.
This device will be traveling to and from school each day with your child.  As such it will be expected that all students use their Lovejoy-issued devices during instructional time and testing.
Students are responsible for:
    • charging their device every night
    • bringing their device and charger to class every day and
    • maintaining and caring for their device.
Student devices and chargers are considered instructional materials, the same as a textbook, and will be expected to be in class every day. 
Technology devices and associated chargers are considered instructional materials.  Forgetting your device will be treated no differently than if a student forgot their textbook, homework, or classroom materials.  Administrators and staff will work to support students during this change in expectations.  Lovejoy staff understands this is a change in student responsibility and will do everything it can to ensure student success.  
It is expected that students bring Chromebooks to class every day charged.  Use of the Chromebook is at the discretion of the classroom teachers and students will be expected to put away and remove devices at the teacher's request.  Other personal devices, such as personal laptops and cell phones, should not be used during classroom instruction or testing.
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Carrying a Chromebook
    • A laptop should be transported using two hands or in a secure bag, backpack, or carrying case. 
    • Never carry a Chromebook by the screen. This is how many finger smudges, cracks, and broken hinges appear.
    • Always unplug the Chromebook before moving it to avoid damage to ports and chargers.
    • Ensure that the Chromebook is enclosed in a backpack or bag to protect it from the weather during transport.
 
Storing a Chromebook
    • Put the laptop away in a case. A padded case will absorb any impacts during storage while also preventing dust from accumulating.
    • Watch out for theft. It takes diligence to ensure your Chromebook is not one of the thousands reported stolen every year. If the laptop has to leave the house, don't let the device out of your sight.
    • Be mindful of the conditions. Chromebooks are sensitive to excessive heat or cold. It is recommended that the device is stored at a temperature between 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, high humidity affects the electronics, so choose a dry area for storage.
    • Don't use the laptop as an ordinary surface. While a closed Chromebook is flat, it shouldn't be used for writing or drawing. The weight of books or household items stacked on top can also damage its screen.
    • Don't leave the Chromebook on the ground. If the laptop needs to stay out for charging or quick access, elevate the device so it won't be stepped on or tripped over.
 
Cleaning a Chromebook
    • Chromebooks should be cleaned using a soft microfiber cloth. Never use water or a specialized liquid cleaner.
Chromebooks should be cleaned using a soft microfiber cloth. Never use water or a specialized liquid cleaner.
For cleaning between keys, try compressed air.
As a parent, you can be a great teacher to your children about how to care for a school laptop. Establishing familiar rules and procedures at home can ensure that your child's device is cared for.
 
Here are some other things to consider when supporting your child's technology use:
    • A low-traffic area is crucial since siblings and family pets running by can knock the laptop off its perch
    • Students often have a drink or snack with them when completing their schoolwork, but the liquids and crumbs should stay away from the desk or kitchen table.
    • Pick a quiet, clean spot for your kids to work where the laptops can sit on a flat surface. 
    • Monitor your child's use of the device by having them use it in an open space where they can be periodically checked on.
    • Enable the GoGuardian Parent app.
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Your child will be responsible for taking care of his/her assigned device. In the event that the student breaks the device or is in need of repair, a loaner device will be issued while the device is sent out for repair. Parents have an opportunity to purchase insurance on their district-issued device via iTurity https://iturity.com/lovejoy/ This inexpensive insurance ($25) will cover any repair associated with your child's device no matter how many times it is damaged throughout the school year. (Please note that lost or stolen devices/chargers cannot be covered).
The enrollment period for this inexpensive insurance is through September 1, 2023.  We encourage parents to sign up as soon as possible to assist the district in planning and preparation. 
iturity
A computer technician will be available on each campus.  Students will be able to submit a work ticket and obtain a loaner device while their machine is out for repair.  Each campus will have set times and locations where students are able to exchange their devices.  
Some of the most common damages are the following:
    • Dropping the laptop
    • Closing the laptop with a book or writing utensil inside
    • Opening the screen roughly or further back than intended
    • Peeling away rubber trim and losing keys
    • Snapping USB hardware (memory sticks, wireless mice plugs, etc.)
    • Jamming cords and connectors into the wrong ports
    • Tripping overhanging power cords (which can also sometimes pull the laptop off the table with it)
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Inappropriate media may not be used as wallpaper, icons, and avatars.
The presence of weapons, pornographic materials, inappropriate language, alcohol, drug, or gang-related symbols/pictures will result in disciplinary action.
The outside of the student device may not be permanently modified.
Sound will be muted at all times unless permission is obtained from the educator for instructional purposes.
Headphones may be used unless it becomes a distraction and is impacting the instructional process.
Students must provide their own headphones.
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Lovejoy ISD uses a 2 tiered approach to ensure all students are protected.  The first is a robust district firewall that limits the content students are exposed to while using the district network.  The second is a device-based tool called GoGuardian that monitors and prevents access when students are utilizing other networks, such as your home network.   
Parents also have access to this second tier of protection, GoGuardian, to monitor their child's usage at home, set limits on the amount of time they spend on a device, and block specific sites based on parental preference. Click here for directions on setting up GoGuardian Parent. 
Since every student in grades 5-12 will be issued a device, sharing or borrowing devices is not necessary. Students are responsible for their own devices, and should not loan a device or other equipment to other students, or not borrow a device from another student. In addition, students should not share passwords or usernames with others.
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Students in grades 5 - 12 are given access to a District student email account while they are currently enrolled in the District. This account is set up with the student’s user ID. Students must abide by the guidelines established by Lovejoy ISD.  Parents wishing to deny access to District email must do so in writing to the campus principal. Email and other digital tools such as, but not limited to blogs and learning management systems, are tools used to communicate within the District. The use of these communication tools should be limited to instructional, school-related activities, or administrative needs. Email is subject to monitoring by appropriate staff. Students in grades 5 - 12 should check email frequently, delete unwanted messages promptly, and stay within the email server space allocations. Internet access to personal email accounts is not allowed. Students should keep the following points in mind:

 

Perceived Representation. Using school-related email addresses, blogs, wikis, and other communication tools might cause some recipients or other readers of the email to assume that the student’s comments represent the District or school, whether or not that was the student’s intention.

 

Privacy. Email, blogs, wikis, and other communication within these tools should not be considered a private, personal form of communication. Private information, such as home addresses, phone numbers, last names, pictures, or email addresses, should not be divulged. To avoid disclosing email addresses that are protected, all email communications to multiple recipients should be sent using the blind carbon copy (bcc) feature. 
Inappropriate Language. Using obscene, lewd, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language in emails, blogs, wikis, or other communication tools is prohibited. Sending messages that could cause danger or disruption, personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks are prohibited.

 

Political Lobbying. Consistent with State ethics laws, District resources, and equipment, including, but not limited to, emails, blogs, wikis, or other communication tools must not be used to conduct any political activities, including political advertising or lobbying. This includes using District communication tools to create, distribute, forward, or reply to messages, from either internal or external sources, which expressly or implicitly support or oppose a candidate for nomination or election to either a public office or an office of a political party or support or oppose an officeholder, a political party, or a measure (a ballot proposition). These guidelines prohibit direct communications as well as the transmission or forwarding of emails, hyperlinks, or other external references regarding any political advertising.

 

Forgery. Forgery or attempted forgery of email messages is prohibited. Attempts to read, delete, copy or modify the email of other system users, deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive email, or the use of another person’s user ID and/or password is prohibited.

 

Junk Mail. Generally, students should refrain from forwarding emails that do not relate to the educational purposes of the District. Emails intended for forwarding or distributing to others are prohibited. Creating, distributing, or forwarding any annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people (spamming) is also prohibited. 

Lovejoy educators understand the importance of having a balanced approach to use with both non-tech activities and technology-infused activities and plan a healthy balance between using technology and unplugged experiences.
 
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Examples of non-permanent laptop accessories:
    • custom carrying cases/bags
    • personalized headphones, earbuds,
    • wireless mouse
    • stickers that can be easily removed
    • skins
Students enjoy choosing their own style of backpack or bag, but it is important to be mindful of how it offers protection for a Chromebook. Here are some components to consider when purchasing a backpack that will carry a Chromebook.
    • dedicated laptop compartment that is well-padded and can fit a Chromebook
    • weatherproof or weather-resistant material
    • ability to securely close with a zipper
    • interior organization for a charger and other school essentials