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The Chambersburg Area School District is excited to start the school year with our brand new Anytime, Anywhere Chromebook 1:1 program! Each student will receive a Chromebook to extend and enhance his/her education both at school and home during 2020-21 school year. Our goal is for students is to open the doors to inspire, create, grow, explore, and learn.
What is a Chromebook?
A Chromebook is a laptop computer that is designed to access the internet using a Chrome browser. The majority of files and programs are stored on the web, rather than on the device itself. A Chromebook is very versatile, portable, and great for use in school and at home.
What does it cost?
Chromebooks will be distributed to all grade students free of charge. To receive a Chromebook ALL students/parents must opt in or out of the Damage Waiver and agree to all necessary paperwork. In the event of purposeful damage to the Chromebook, repayment may be required as determined by school administration. See the Damage Waiver tab for more information.
Why are we providing students with 1:1 Chromebooks?
We believe ready access to technology is an important part for preparing students for life in the 21st Century. The Chromebook is an appropriate tool both inside and outside of the classroom. During school time, students will be actively engaged in the classroom both with and without the use of the Chromebook. Outside of school, students will be able to revisit classroom lessons, complete homework, and even communicate with their teachers.
Is a virtual classroom sufficient for student success?
There is no replacement for sound teacher pedagogy and the District's goal is to move towards a blended environment. This combines both online and in person instruction. No matter what tool is introduced into the classroom, nothing can or should replace the expertise and guidance of the teacher. In addition, teacher pedagogy is an evolving process that can and should leverage available technology to enhance the learning experience. Educational technology, in any form, is a tool that can help build and create engaging lessons and allow students to learn and show what they know in unique ways. Much like a hammer alone builds nothing until it is picked up and used by a skilled craftsman, classroom technology benefits no one until it is in the hands of skilled CASD teachers.
What can my child use to protect the Chromebook?
The school will provide a zippered case. Students are required to use this case for Chromebooks. Other school supplies should not be carried in the Chromebook case.
How will we ensure students are safe using their Chromebooks from home?
Use of Chromebooks at home will be under the same filtering and security policies that they are in school. Inappropriate web use will be reported automatically in a daily report to school administration.
How will my child’s Chromebook be tracked?
Each Chromebook comes standard from the manufacturer with a unique serial number. When a Chromebook is provided to a student, that serial number will be associated with the student. When Chromebooks are returned at the end of the year, that number must match.
What if I don’t have internet at home?
Even if you do not have an internet connection at home, you can still do many things with your Chromebook. You can do any of these following things offline: view, create, and edit documents, spreadsheets, or slides using the Google Drive app. You can even save websites as PDF files to view offline
There are also affordable internet options for families in our area. To research options available to you, we've created an Internet page with resources for you to explore.
Will my child have proper training on how to use the Chromebook?
Yes, training will be part of the rollout process. There are also Chromebook resources on the Parent resources on both the Student and Parent Resoruce pages include an introduction to the device, a Chromebook simulator as well as tips.
What grade levels will be going 1:1?
Grades K-12
When will the 1:1 be implemented?
Fall 2020
What devices are be issued to students?
Dell Chromebook
HP Chromebook
Are all 1:1 grade levels able to take their Chromebook home?
Yes, all grade levels will need to take home their devices for remote lessons and work.
Will Chromebooks go home with students over the summer?
Yes. All students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer. Many students are attending Summer School and other educational programs and will benefit from the use of keeping their Chromebooks over the summer. Only CASHS seniors or students withdrawing from the District will need to turn in their Chromebooks. Note that at the beginning of 6th grade, students will swap their elementary touch Chromebook for a secondary Chromebook. Summer Chromebooks
Are cases being issued in addition to the Chromebook?
Yes. In order to reduce risk of damage a protective sleeve will be provided with each student Chromebook. When not in use, students are expected to keep their Chromebooks in the protective sleeve at all times.
Can my student/I refuse the District-provided Chromebook?
No. District-provided Chromebooks must be brought to school, fully charged, every day. District-provided Chromebooks:
- Will have the highest priority in terms of support and network access
- Are the devices teachers expect and plan for when preparing lessons and assignments
- Must be used for all online assessments—no exceptions
Will there be a flat technology fee assessed to all students?
No. Students will be provided a Chromebook, charging cable, earbuds and protective carrying case at the onset of the school year. Unless the Chromebook, charging cable, or protective case is damaged or lost, no required Chromebook-related fees will be assessed.
Will Chromebooks have internet filtering when used off campus?
Yes. All 1:1 Chromebooks will be subject to the same filtering rules both off and on campus. Although no web content filtering system is ever 100% effective, the software used by the District provides protection against inappropriate web content that meets federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements.
What if I forget my Chromebook?
If students leave their Chromebook at home or brings it to school not charged, they will be considered unprepared for class. They are responsible for completing their coursework as if they had their Chromebook present. A loaner Chromebook is not guaranteed due to limited resources and restrictions on sharing due to Covid-19. Loaners will depend on availability. There are limited extra resources with priority given to repaired devices. All returned and issued devices will be sanitized.
Can my student refuse the District-provided Chromebook?
No. In order to keep our support model as efficient and effective as possible, we need to maintain strict standards on the devices our students use. As such, students will only be able to use District-supplied devices. In addition, having all students with access to the same type of device creates a consistent teaching and learning experience in the classroom.
What if students do not have access to the Internet at home?
Resources can be found on the Internet page of the 1:1 website. Chromebooks still have the ability to use the traditional Google tools offline, such as writing in Google Docs and preparing presentations in Google Slides. Chromebooks also have a feature that enables students to download work ahead of time so they can work offline.
Will students use the same Chromebook over several academic years? When/if will the Chromebook be replaced with newer technology?
Yes. District Chromebooks will be on a four-year replacement cycle. Elementary students grades K-5 are issued a Chromebook Touch device and secondary students grades 6-12 will have a regular Chromebook. Students will receive a new Chromebook in Grade 6.
How do I prevent eye strain when working on Chromebook or other digital devices?
A best practices for using digital devices in a classroom or for remote learning is to use 20-20-20 rule to prevent eye strain. A handout on the 20-20-20 rule is here.