Parent and Student Home Use Agreement: Chromebook

Goal: Expand Distance Learning Opportunities for students who need technology at home
Students with no technology device available for at-home learning may receive a Chromebook for their use at home. The limit for checkout is one device per actively enrolled Harmony Public Schools (HPS) student. Student must be present at the time of issuing the device, and student ID numbers will be verified in advance of pick-up to ensure the student is currently enrolled in HPS. This document outlines an agreement between Harmony Public Schools, parents and students for the care and instructional use of the Chromebook.

Educational Resources on the Chromebook
The Chromebook is managed by Google Apps for Education. Along with a login for the device, Google Apps provides online tools for writing, calculating, presenting, drawing and many other applications. Your child may use these tools for a variety of purposes in classroom assignments. Google Apps can also be accessed with other devices or computers with an Internet connection. In addition to Google Apps, many teachers will begin using Google Classroom, an online learning management system that improves learning through better communication, collaboration, and increased access to curriculum resources. Parents can also choose to receive updates and learn about their student’s classes.
Visit this site for device login instructions https://www.parent.harmonytx.org/athomelearning

Free Internet Service at Home
While some documents created at school may be edited offline at home, Internet access is important for full functionality. If wireless internet is not available at home, various internet service providers provide 60 days free Internet service. Visit these web sites for details www.internetessentials.com (After 60 days cost is $9.95/month) https://www.spectrum.com

Care and Maintenance responsible for the general care of their Chromebook. The Chromebooks are designed for school use and should be treated with care. Here are a few recommended precautions:
● Treat your Chromebook as you would any valuable electronic device.
● When not being used, store the Chromebooks in a secure place, out of sight.
● Don’t touch the screen, and be gentle with the keyboard, trackpad, and ports.
● Don’t add stickers or markings to the Chromebook.
● Don’t eat or drink near the Chromebook.
● Avoid extreme heat or cold.
● Do not lend your Chromebook to anyone.
● Report any damage to your teacher or school media center immediately.

Responsible Use
Digital citizenship is an essential 21st century skill. During the school year, your teachers and specialist will be reviewing appropriate online behavior and acceptable use of resources. It’s important to maintain a family dialogue about the educational, recreational, and social use of the Chromebook and other devices your student accesses. Chromebooks are connected to a network that is filtered for inappropriate material, but user responsibility is still the best way to avoid pitfalls in the online world. Remember Chromebook use is monitored.
Here are a few tips:
● Use Internet devices in a central location at home, rather than behind closed doors.
● Help your student to focus on completing tasks and assignments before any recreational activities.
● Help your student solve technical glitches by recording exactly what went wrong and when.
● Ensure that your child understands that he or she should not give personal information to any person or any website without checking with an adult first.
● Talk with your student about cyberbullying-encouraging him/her to be kind and to communicate clearly online.
● Advise your student that anything they post, text, or upload may be forwarded, copied, and published to anyone including future education admissions offices and employers.
● Only enrolled students in Harmony Public Schools will be able to login to the Chromebook, and all usage can be monitored