Q. What kind of device will students receive?

A. The students will receive Chromebooks.

Q. What is a Chromebook?

A. A Chromebook is a laptop running the Chrome OS operating system. The devices were originally designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet, with most applications and data utilizing cloud technology (source: Wikipedia).

Q. Who owns the Chromebooks?

A. The Chromebooks are purchased, issued, and managed by the ConVal School District. The devices are loaned to students so they can use them for educational purposes, both at school and at home.

Q. Do students have to return their Chromebook?

A. Yes, at the end of each school year, or when they leave the school district (e.g. transfer to another district or upon graduation), students will return the Chromebook to technology staff.

Q. What will the Chromebooks be used for?

A. The Chromebooks are part of the blended learning environment in the ConVal School District. Blended learning combines face-to-face instruction with the use of available technologies to enhance student learning through access to online resources.

Q. Will Internet access on the Chromebooks be subject to filtering?

A. Yes, the ConVal School District already maintains a content filtering system and firewalls, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). CIPA mandates that students be protected from content that is considered harmful to minors. The filtering system is also designed to protect a productive learning environment. The content filter that is attached to the Chromebooks is cloud-based and is in operation both in and out of school.

Q. What should students do if they encounter a website that is blocked but is needed for learning?

A. If students encounter a website that is needed for learning but find it is blocked, they should notify their classroom teacher of the access restriction. The teacher will then undertake the necessary steps to get the site unblocked.

Q. What district-wide policy, or school-based procedure, governs the use of 1:1 Chromebooks by students?

A. Students will need to follow ConVal School Board policy JICL to use their Chromebook devices. They will also need to adhere to the Responsible Use Procedure (RUP) that governs the use of all educational technologies in their respective school.

Q. What are the general student expectations regarding the use of Chromebooks?

A. We ask that students make the following expectations part of their self-management skills:

  1. Arrive at school with a fully-charged Chromebook.
  1. Attend classes with the Chromebook.
  1. Log in only under their assigned username and password.
  1. Protect their password by not sharing it with others.
  1. Maintain files in Google Drive and sync offline work, when necessary.
  1. Maintain the Chromebook and charger in good order.
  1. Leave all district asset identification labels intact.
  1. Report any technical problems to the responsible parties.
Q. How should students care for their Chromebook?

A. We ask that students follow these best practices and recommendations:

  • Do not personalize the Chromebook by using pens/markers or by placing stickers on the inside or outside of the Chromebook. Do not remove or damage the Chromebook asset tag.
  • To protect the device, always use the Chromebook on a sturdy surface.
  • Never place anything between the screen and the keyboard. This will avoid damage when the Chromebook is closed.
  • To clean the screen, keyboard, trackpad, and other surfaces, turn off the Chromebook, then wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth. Never spray any type of chemical cleaner on your screen.

Students are encouraged to use a sleeve or protective pouch to protect their Chromebook.

Q. How should students care for their Chromebook when they actively use it?

A. In order to properly care for and protect their Chromebook as they use the device, we ask that students follow these best practices and recommendations:

  • If you use the Chromebook while charging, do not bend or stretch the AC adapter wire. Leave plenty of room for the wire to reach the computer.
  • Make sure that the charging adapter does not create a tripping hazard for others.
  • Use a surge protector instead of plugging directly into the wall to protect the Chromebook from lightning strikes and power surges.
  • Be safe and keep personal information private by accessing the Internet only through trusted and secure networks.
  • Always close any tabs that are not currently in use.
  • Do not walk around with the Chromebook while it is open.
  • Always protect the Chromebook from:

Extreme heat or cold

Unstable surfaces

Food and drinks

Young children

Pets

Q. How should students care for their Chromebook when they aren’t actively using it?

A. In order to properly care for and protect their device, we ask that students follow these best practices and recommendations:

  • Properly close the lid of the Chromebook whenever it is not in use. This will preserve the screen and the hinges. It will also help save battery life.
  • Make sure to close the Chromebook properly before storing it in a backpack.
  • Avoid placing any heavy objects on top of the Chromebook as this may cause damage to the screen.
  • Always store the Chromebook in a safe and secure location. During after-school activities, leave the Chromebook only in a properly secured place.
  • Do not leave the Chromebook in a car for prolonged periods of time or overnight. Heat or cold extremes will damage the Chromebook.
  • Always keep the Chromebook locked, in a safe location, when you are away for the day or for several days.
Q. What if there is a problem with the Chromebook?

A. When students experience technical problems with their Chromebook, they should report issues to the following staff members:

Great Brook School (GBS)

Sarah Hale, shale@conval.edu Role: Library Media and Technology Integration Specialist Location: GBS Library

South Meadow School (SMS)

Sandra Murray, smurray@conval.edu Role: Technology Integration Specialist Location: SMS Computer Lab

ConVal High School (CVHS)

Rachael Bowman, rbowman@conval.edu Role: Library Media Specialist Location: CVHS Library

Ashley Jones, ajones@conval.edu Role: Library Media Specialist Location: CVHS Library

Helfried Zrzavy, hzrzavy@conval.edu Role: Technology Integration Specialist Location: CVHS Library

Q. Is there insurance I can buy for my student’s use of the Chromebook?

A. Parents/Guardians have the option of paying an annual $25 Chromebook fee. If you choose to pay this fee for the 2019-2020 school year, repairable damage to the Chromebook will be 100% covered. Additionally, if the Chromebook needs to be replaced due to damage or loss, parents/guardians will be charged only $75 for replacement.

Parents interested in paying the optional Chromebook fee of $25 need to do so prior to September 20 or within two weeks of the student’s enrollment in a ConVal school. Payments should be made electronically at K12PaymentCenter. If you are unable to make an electronic payment and need to make a payment using an alternate method, or if a family is experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the ConVal School District’s Business Administrator, by phone (603) 924-3336, ext. 2029.

Q. Other than at school, how can students access the Internet with their Chromebook device?

A. Students can join their home Wi-Fi connection. In addition, they have the following options to access the Internet wirelessly at the following locations, outside of the school day:

  • ConVal High School Library/Learning Commons
    Hours: Mon-Thu 7 am to 4 pm and Fri 7 am to 3 pm

Antrim

  • James A. Tuttle Library
    Hours: Mon and Wed 2 pm to 6 pm, Tue and Thu 2 pm to 8 pm, Fri 9 am to 12 pm, and Sat 10 am to 4 pm
Phone: 588-6786

Bennington

  • Dodge Library (24/7/365 access)
    Hours: Mon 9 am to 6 pm, Tue 12 pm to 6 pm, Thu 12 pm to 8 pm, Fri 12 pm to 5 pm, Sun 4 pm to 8 pm
Phone: 588-6585

Dublin

  • Dublin Public Library (24/7/365 access)
    Hours: Mon – Tue 4 pm to 8 pm, Wed 9 am to 12 pm & 4 pm to 8 pm, Thu 4 pm to 8 pm, Sat 9 am to 1 pm
Phone: 563-8658

Francestown

  • George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library (24/7/365 access)
    Hours: Tue 2 pm to 7:30 pm, Wed 10 am to 5 pm, Thu 2 pm to 7 pm, Fri 12 pm to 5 pm, and Sat 9 am to 12:30 pm
Phone: 547-2730

Greenfield

  • Stephenson Memorial Library (24/7/365 access)
    Hours: Tue 2 pm to 6 pm, Wed 10 am to 8 pm, Thu 2 pm to 8 pm, Fri 2 pm to 6 pm, and Sat 10 am to 4 pm
Phone: 547-2790

Hancock

  • Hancock Town Library (24/7/365 access)
    Hours: Mon and Wed 2 pm to 6 pm; Tue and Thu 10 am to 7 pm; Sat: 10 am to 4 pm
Phone: 525-4411

Peterborough

  • Peterborough Town Library (24/7/365 access)
    Hours: Mon, Wed, and Fri 10 am to 6 pm; Tue and Thu 10 am to 8 pm; and Sat 10 am to 4 pm
Phone: 924-8040

Temple

  • Mansfield Library (24/7/365 access)
    Hours: Mon and Fri 10 am to 5 pm, Tue and Thu 3 pm to 7 pm, and Sat 10:30 am to 7 pm
Phone: 878-3100

Town libraries that are marked as having 24/7/365 access offer 24-hour wireless access to the Internet. This means that even when the libraries are closed, the Internet can be accessed in the area surrounding the perimeter of the building.