Sequoia Union High School District

AVID & Academy 1:1 Chromebook Programs

The Sequoia Union High School District will be implementing a 1:1 Chromebook Initiative for all Academy students at the start of the 2018-19 school year, as we did last year with our AVID students. Each student will receive a Chromebook to be used in the classroom as well as at home for educational purposes. Teachers will be expanding the use of technology for all instruction, including assignments, projects, research and assessment.

We believe that providing devices to our students will help:

Prepare students to be productive, responsible citizens in the Digital Age.
Increase access to resources
Increase oral language development, productivity, and efficiency

Students graduating from the Sequoia Union High School District will be critical thinkers, collaborators, and strong communicators in the technological world.

This is an exciting time for our schools, our students, and our district.

Info for Students

Care and Handling

Screen Care

The Chromebook screen can be damaged if subjected to rough treatment.

Do not to lean on top of the Chromebook with body weight.
Refrain from placing heavy textbooks or other items thrown into a backpack on top of the Chromebook that could put pressure on the screen.
Do not lift the Chromebook from its screen when opened.

Cleaning your Chromebook

Clean the screen with a soft, dry antistatic, or microfiber cloth. . You can also use packaged pre-moistened eyeglass lens cleaning tissues to clean the screen.

General Precautions

No food or drink allowed near your Chromebook
Insert cables into the Chromebook carefully.
Never shove your Chromebook into a cabinet or wedge it into a book bag as this could break the screen.

Charging

It is the student's responsibility to bring the Chromebook to school charged and ready to go each day. The Chromebook should be charged overnight to ensure a full charge for the following school day.

Wireless Internet Access

The Sequoia Union High School District provides wireless Internet access at all campuses across the district. Chromebooks are configured to automatically connect to the wireless network when in range.

Please see below for resources to find low-cost broadband services for your home or contact the school office to apply for school purchased broadband for your home.

Redwood City Public libraries provides free wireless Internet access. More information about how to access free wifi at Redwood City libraries can be found here.
Comcast offers affordable Internet service through the Internet Essentials program to qualified households. More information about the program can be found here.
AT&T offers affordable Internet service through the Access from AT&T program to qualified households. More information about the program can be found here.
EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit working to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed, low-cost Internet service and computers, and free digital literacy courses accessible to all unconnected Americans. We aim to leverage the democratizing power of the Internet to provide opportunity to all Americans – regardless of age, race, geography, income, or education level. List of services and Eligibility

Student Contract

Chromebook Contract

This contract applies to all students who have been issued a Chromebook by the Sequoia Union High School District.

Please read this contract carefully. It explains what you need to do to maintain the Chromebook device, what happens if you lose or damage the devices.

The Sequoia Union High School District owns the Chromebook issued to students.

Chromebook Policies:

Usage is a privilege and not a right. Students who withdraw from AVID or an Academy program, are expelled, or transfer out of the district will have to return their Chromebook or will be charged for the price of the device (just like with textbooks). If students use inappropriate websites, school administration will handle the discipline and students may lose the right to use the device.
Damaged or loss Equipment (District owned)
Inspecting Devices
The classroom teacher, school administration, or other designated District employee can collect and/or inspect a Chromebook at anytime if they suspect that a student is not following classroom technology expectations.

Standard of Care (ALL Chromebooks)

Student Responsibilities

Bring the fully charged Chromebook to school every day. Students are still responsible for schoolwork even if their Chromebook is not charged or if not in students' possession.
During class,Chromebooks may only be used with teacher permission.
During class, remain on the website or program your teacher has assigned/approved.
The Chromebook should remain in your backpack before school, after school and at brunch and lunch, unless instructed by a teacher.
Backpacks and Chromebooks are not to be outside (unattended) during brunch or lunch.
Do not photograph, record or video anyone without his or her permission.
Do not let anyone use the Chromebook other than your parents/guardians or teachers/administration.
Report any problems, damage or theft immediately to your teacher or administration.
Keep the Chromebook with you or within your sight at all times.

General Care

Do not do anything to the Chromebook that will permanently alter it in any way.
- Student are NOT to put stickers on the Chromebooks or the Chromebook case.
- Each student will be provided with a clear case for the Chromebook; students can put pictures and other items INSIDE of the case, but can not STICK any items to the Chromebook.
Do not remove any serial numbers or identification placed on the Chromebook.
Keep the Chromebook and related equipment clean. For example, do not eat or drink while using the device.
Keep the Chromebook in its protective case at all times.

Screen Care

Clean the screen with a soft, dry anti-static cloth or with a screen cleaner designed specifically for LCD type screens only.

Student Health & Safety (All Chromebooks)

Avoid extended use of the Chromebook while resting directly on your lap. The bottom of the Chromebook can generate significant heat.
Take frequent breaks when using the Chromebook for long periods of time. Look away from the device approximately every fifteen minutes.

I have read, understand, and agree to comply with all responsibilities as outlined in this Chromebook User Contract.

Info for Parents

It Takes A Village

With the advent of the Internet, social media and 24x7 information access, ensuring our students have the skills to safely and effectively navigate the web in and out of school is a critical component of preparing them for their futures. The Sequoia Union High School District is committed to working together with parents to provide safe and informed access for our students.

Web Filtering / Internet Protection

Ensuring students are accessing the Internet responsibly both at school and at home requires a combination of "over the shoulder" monitoring, periodically reviewing student Internet activity and educating students on the appropriate use of the Internet.

Digital Citizenship / Resources for Home

Classroom blogs and other online media are powerful tools that open up communication between students, parents, and teachers. Please help with responsible use of online tools by reviewing and .

GSuite / Resources for Learning

Teachers will use GSuite (Google Apps) as well as Google Classroom and Canvas LMS (at all schools except Sequoia) to help simplify creating, distributing and grading assignments in a 1:1 learning environment. Many teachers already use these resources to send and receive student assignments in their classrooms.

Screen Time / Information About Screen Time

How much time children spend using technology during the day is a concern for many parents. Recent studies have differentiated between active screen time and passive screen time but everyone agrees that setting expectations for overall screen time for children is important to providing a well rounded learning experience.

Screen Time Resources

The American Academy of Pediatrics revises recommendations on screen time -

Information from around the web

CSM Article: "Five Myths and Truths About Kid's Internet Safety"
CSM Article: "4 Questions to have with Older Kids and Teens About Their Screen Time Habits"
CSM Article: "Tips and Tricks for Managing Screen Time When School is Online"
NPR TEDTalk: "When It Comes To Kids, Is All Screen Time Equal?"
CSM Question: "How much screen time is ok for my kids?"
CDC Infographic: "Screen Time vs. Lean Time"

FAQ's

1. Why a 1:1 take home Program?

The district believes that the integration of technology into the learning process is a critical component in preparing students for their futures. 1:1 technology provides anytime/anywhere learning and opens the doors to collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking skills that students need to compete and contribute in our local and the global society.

By preparing our students to communicate and collaborate in an ethical and safe manner we are preparing them for their futures. The Common Core Standards require students in all grades to use technology to research, collaborate, and create original works. Additionally, the end-of-the-year California State Assessments begin in third grade and are administered entirely on a computer. Using technology throughout the year in an authentic and effective manner will better prepare our students for this new generation of assessments.

2. What happens if my child does not have his/her Chromebook in school on any day?

The Chromebook is just like any other school supply. They are expected to have it in class everyday.

If for some reason they do not have theirs on any particular day it will be up to the teacher to

decide how they will handle that.

3. What happens if my child breaks or loses their Chromebook accidentally?

We have opportunities for families to purchase low-cost insurance that will cover the device against accidental damage, theft, fire, flood, etc.

Students are responsible for the well being of the Chromebook. If the Chromebook damaged is accidental or stolen and we repair/replace the Chromebook your child will still have all privileges.

4. What happens if my child is negligent and loses or breaks the Chromebook due to vandalism or neglect?

Even though we hope this never happens, the consequences for each offense will be determined by the school administration.

5. Will students be able to charge their Chromebooks at school?

The students should charge their Chromebooks at home and that charge should last throughout the day. Teachers may have additional power supplies but this is not guaranteed.

6. Can my child use his/her own Chromebook, iPad or Laptop?

Our initial 1:1 program requires that all students carry with them and use the District-standard Chromebook at school for a number of reasons, including the following:

By providing a consistent device for every student, we can ensure that all students have the same access, applications and capabilities to complete their schoolwork, as well as to learn how to use the technology both in class and from their peers.
Consistent technology enables teachers to plan and teach to a uniform learning environment and allows district staff to provide effective on-campus support should a problem arise - something that we would be unable to provide in a free-for-all technology environment.
The new state online assessments require specific "secure" software that we are unable to install on personal computers. We can "push" out software and updates to District Chromebooks as needed, which we will be unable to do for personal computers.

7. Will there be filters when using their Chromebook online?

Yes. In order to be in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act, the district will have a filter in place when the Chromebooks are taken home. The school's wifi, by law, is already filtered and this filter will be in effect when students are on campus. However, because nothing in the technology field is ever 100% guaranteed, we recommended parents take an involved role in their child’s use of the device and the Internet.

8. What if I don’t want my son or daughter to have a Chromebook?

We believe access to appropriate educational technology is increasingly becoming an integral part of the learning environment. However, if you feel that this is not the right solution for your student, we ask that parents/guardians inform their school administrator as soon as possible so that alternative accommodations can be discussed.

9. Can the Chromebook be used without an Internet connection?

Yes. Google Drive can be set up to work off-line. However, access to other resources may not be available without an internet connection.

10. How is a Chromebook different from a Laptop?

A Chromebook is a laptop running Chrome OS as its operating system. Chromebooks are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet and integrate with GSuite (formerly Google Apps for Education), the collaborative learning environment used by SUHSD teachers and students.

Chromebooks give students, teachers, and administrators a simple solution for fast, intuitive, and easy-to-manage computing. Chromebooks provide access to the web's education and collaboration resources, as well as offer centralized management and low total cost of ownership. Chromebooks offer durable and affordable access to learning resources for all students.