Middle School Chrome Books

Chromebook Pamphlet, Brochure, Trifold Information
2015-2016

Our Chromebook ^TM Mission
As we navigate the 21st century, excellence in education requires that technology be seamlessly integrated throughout the educational program. Increasing access to technology is essential for the future. The individual use of Chromebooks ^TM is a way to empower students to learn at their full potential and to prepare them for the real world of college and the workplace.

The Device Purpose
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School is supplying students with a Chromebook ^TM device. This device is the property of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. The Chromebook ^TM allows student access to Google Apps for Education ^TM, Google Classroom, educational web-based tools, as well as many other useful sites. The supplied device is an educational tool not intended for gaming, social networking or high end computing. All use of this device (whether on school property or off school property) must be in compliance with the Technology and Telecommunications Parent Permission and User Agreement Form.

Receiving Your Chromebook ^TM
Students will be issued their Chromebook ^TM at the beginning of each school year. Before a student is issued a Chromebook ^TM , the following steps must occur:

• The non-refundable technology fee must be paid in full.
• The GoCare Insurance Form and Fee must be paid and returned.
• Students must complete an orientation.
• Students and parents must read and agree to all policies and procedures for use, care, and maintenance of the Chromebook^TM.
• Students and parents must have a current Technology and Telecommunications Parent Permission and User Agreement Form on file.
• Watch the Chromebook Program Informational Video located on Edline and also a link emailed out to the parents.

Equipment:
Students will be issued the following equipment:

• Asus Chromebook^TM Model C200/Toshiba Chromebook 2
• < > Protective Carrying Case
• A set of earbuds

Time Line:
August 19 ^th: GoCare Insurance Form and Policies and Procedures will be distributed
August 26 ^th: All forms and fees returned to Mrs. Leslie
August 31 ^st: 8 ^th Grade Orientation
Sept. 1 ^st: 7 ^th Grade Orientation

New this year:
Insurance
Families need to participate in a protection/replacement plan that covers spills, drops, and any other accidental damage that may result while in the student’s care. This coverage is provided by a third party provider, GoCare Insurance, at an additional cost. This insurance will be available through the school prior to the distribution of devices. SAOPCS highly encourages the purchasing of this coverage.

Taking Care of Your Chromebook ^TM
Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook ^TM they have been issued by the school. Chromebooks ^TM that are broken or fail to work properly must be taken immediately to the Technology lab.

General Policies:

• Students should always keep their Chromebooks^TM secured in their hallway locker when not in use.
• No food or drink should be consumed or opened near the Chromebooks^TM.
• Cords, cables, earbuds, and removable storage devices must be inserted carefully into Chromebooks^TM.
• Heavy objects should never be placed on top of Chromebooks^TM.
• Do not lean on or use your Chromebook^TM as a writing surface.
• Never leave your device in extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or in a vehicle.
• Always bring your Chromebook^TM to room temperature prior to turning it on.
• Chromebooks^TM must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or labels that are not the property of SAOPCS.
• Students are responsible for charging their Chromebook^TM battery before the start of each school day.
• Students may be selected at random by teachers or administrators to provide their Chromebook^TM for inspection for damages or misuse.
• Students should not leave their Chromebooks^TM on the floor or in the hallway in fear of it being stepped on.

Screen Care:
The Chromebook ^TM screen can be damaged if subject to heavy objects, rough treatment, some cleaning solvents, and other liquids. The screens are particularly sensitive to damage from excessive pressure.

• Do not put pressure on the top of a Chromebook^TM when it is closed.
• Do not store a Chromebook^TM with the screen open.
• Do not place anything in the protective case that will press against the cover.
• Make sure there is nothing on the keyboard before closing the lid (e.g. pens, pencils, or disks).
• Do not poke the screen.
• Only clean the screen with a soft, dry microfiber cloth or anti-static cloth.

Chromebook ^TM FAQ’s
Q. What is a Chromebook ^TM ?
A. Chromebooks ^TM are mobile devices designed specifically for people who live on the web. With a comfortable, full-size keyboard, large display and clickable trackpad, all-day battery life, lightweight and built-in ability to connect to WiFi, and mobile broadband networks, the Chromebook ^TM is ideal for anytime, anywhere access to the web. They provide a faster, safer, more secure online experience for people who live on the web, without all the time-consuming, often confusing, high level of maintenance required by typical computers” (Google).



Q. What kind of software does a Chromebook ^TM run?
A. Chromebooks ^TM run millions 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 ^TM” (Google).

Q. How are these web-based applications managed?
A. Each Chromebook ^TM we provide to students will be a managed device. Members of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School IT Department will maintain devices through our Google Apps for Education ^TM domain. As such, the school can pre-install web applications as well as block specific web-applications from a centralized management console.

Q. What devices can I connect to a Chromebook ^TM ?
A. Chromebooks ^TM can connect to: USB mice and keyboards, USB storage and SD cards, headsets, microphones, and earbuds.

Q. Can the Chromebook ^TM be used anywhere at any time?
A. Yes, as long as you have a WiFi signal to access the web. The Chromebook ^TM does offer the ability through some Apps for users to work in an “offline” mode if WiFi is unavailable.

Q. Will our Chromebook ^TM have 3G or 4G?
A. No. The school’s Chromebooks ^TM will not have 3G or 4G broadband.

Q. Do Chromebooks ^TM come with Internet Filtering?
A. Yes, the Chromebooks ^TM are subject to Internet filtering by school policy. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School will be filtering Internet access both onsite and offsite using the school’s web filter.

Q. Is there antivirus built into it?
A. It is not necessary to have antivirus software on Chromebooks ^TM. The Chromebook ^TM operating system is implemented in such a way that it is difficult to be compromised.

Q. Who is the provider of the protection plan? What does the plan cover?
A. The provider we support to protect the Chromebook is GoCare Insurance. This plan is a highly recommended full coverage, extended warranty plan with a $25 deductible (student/parent responsibility) that protects from liquid spills, liquid submersion, damage from drops, cracks, and shattered screens. Included in this plan in the Discount Replacement option. If the device is lost or stolen, a $100 fee can be paid towards another Chromebook ^TM .


Be sure to check out the new informational video about our Chromebook program at http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/co1bYifqiU .


Please contact Amy Leslie if you have any questions or concerns.