Chromebook Support

• The district’s focus is not the device or brand, but on using technology effectively. A device is another tool for our excellent teachers to promote transformational learning experiences in Eastern Carver County Schools. A Chromebook is a laptop that primarily runs web-based software and Google’s Android operating system.
• The Chromebook is a cost-effective device with a long battery life and is efficiently managed in large numbers. Chromebooks were selected because they support close collaboration, communication, engagement, and personalization between students and their teachers. Developmental projects funded through PowerUp (2012-13) showed success with Chromebooks by both teachers and students. They will seamlessly connect to student Google accounts, which already are in use and managed by the district. They run web-based software which is continually expanding and improving to support nearly every possible student use except for engineering and high-end graphic and video production.  See a quick summary video here.
• Because Chromebooks rely on web-based software, the district is not tied to this device for the long-term. If a better or less expensive device emerges in the future, the district will be able to migrate to it easily without losing student work or sacrificing the investment in teacher professional development.

• Students will bring the Chromebook to school every day fully charged.
• Students will protect the device from damage, defacement, and will not leave it unattended.
• Students will practice responsible digital citizenship at all times.
• Students must remember that they should not give their device to others to use.
• Students may be responsible for any inappropriate content viewed on the device and any damage that may occur.
• Students will never give their login information to other students.
• See copy of ECCS Technology and Internet Acceptable Use Policy for more information

• If a student has any issues (will not work, damaged, lost/stolen) with the Chromebook they should stop in the media center of the building they attend and see the Technology Associate. They will be able to assist the student with the issues that they are experiencing.
• As with any piece of school property checked out to a student, families are responsible for appropriate use while it is in the student’s possession. Much like a textbook that student borrows, a Chromebook belongs to Eastern Carver County Schools. Each device is assigned to that student at the time of distribution. If a device is stolen it will not work outside our district’s Google Apps environment. If a Chromebook is damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen, it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Damage or loss of device due to negligence and/or repeated incidents may require a student’s family to pay for repair or replacement. The district offers a Protection Plan to cover the first three incidents of damage, repair or theft.
• All students are expected to bring a fully charged Chromebook to school each day. In the event that they do not, one may be issued from the media center. If available, the loaner device would need to be returned at the end of the day.

The district’s network is filtered and each computer’s internet access is logged and can be reviewed. Eastern Carver County Schools follow (and may exceed) federal and local guidelines that require filtering of inappropriate material. In addition, student Google accounts are managed by school and district administrators and can be accessed any time if needed.

As with all devices at home, it is the family’s responsibility to establish guidelines and check in with their student frequently about the content and apps they are accessing.  For more information about our Internet filtering please check out this link. 

Click on the Wi-Fi icon on the lower left of the Chromebook to see a list of available networks. Click on the name of the network that you wish to connect to and then enter the Wi-Fi password (if it is password protected). More information on connecting the Chromebook to Wi-Fi can be found by clicking here.

We encourage students to share their work electronically with teachers and peers. For times when students must print, they will be able to select a printer in their building through Google Cloud Print.

While battery time will vary depending on what you are doing, in general Chromebooks have exceptional battery length. When fully charged a Chromebook should last the entire school day. Student Chromebooks need to be charged nightly so they are ready for the next day at school.

• Yes. Eastern Carver County Schools’ technology plan calls for introduction of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) in middle school and expansion in high school students.
• Students that choose to BYOD will be required to install a non-mobile version of Chrome or compatible browser. Classrooms may use extensions or applications that only work in the Chrome browser or Chrome operating system. BYOD devices will be limited with the level of direct support that school or district staff can provide. Please note that iPads, Kindles, smartphones and Android tablets are not acceptable alternatives because they do not support all the demands of the district’s curriculum.
• To verify that your device would meet district minimum standards visit the device specifications page from district website.

No. Eastern Carver County Schools has adopted Google Apps for Education. Only the account that Eastern Carver County Schools creates for each student is the account supported on the Chromebooks.

Chromebook Insurance is an optional plan to help families lower the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged Chromebook. It is not required. Families will be responsible for the full cost of repairing any damage caused by their student. For a $20 fee, the Insurance Plan eliminates out-of-pocket costs for most repairs and replacement for approximately one school year. The district will repair faulty parts (i.e. hard drive, camera, etc.). Lost or damaged power adapters are not covered by the insurance plan or the district.

At the end of 12th grade or when a student starts 6th grade or 9th grade they will turn in their existing Chromebook which has reached it’s end of useful life for a new Chromebook.  Students are responsible for keeping their Chromebook in good condition. When students return their old Chromebook for new one,  District staff will use the following guidelines when assessing the condition of returned Chromebooks and chargers. If you are concerned about having to pay, your family can purchase a protection plan here to defray repair and replacement costs. Be sure to purchase the insurance plan before returning a Chromebook; the damage waiver cannot be applied retroactively.

Please note:

• If you have an active Chromebook Insurance Plan the only costs you would see are for a missing/unreturned Chromebook and/or a damaged/missing charger.
• Deliberate and malicious damage is not covered by the Chromebook Insurance Plan.
• Fees below are for Chromebooks at the end of useful life and are based on their scrap value.  Fees are higher for Chromebooks which are being repaired or returned during their working life.
• If device is not in working order, a maximum repair fee is determined by grade level:
  3rd, 6th, 9th grade student maximum repair fee is $375.
  4th, 7th, 10th grade student maximum repair fee is $200.
  5th, 8th, 11th or 12th grade student maximum repair fee is $75.

What happens at the END of the 2022-2023 school year?

2023 graduating seniors / Non returning students

All 2023 seniors and any students not returning to Eastern Carver County Schools for the 2023-24 school year must return their assigned Chromebook with a power charger to their school before leaving for the summer.  Details on the various options to return devices will be provided by your school.

Kindergarten through 11th grade students

All students in 3rd through 11th grade who have a District provided Chromebook from the 2022-2023 school year can keep their Chromebook for use during the summer of 2023, and then bring them back for the start of 2023-2024 school year. For more details please see below:

• Current Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd grade students will leave their Chromebook in their classroom for the summer and will use classroom sets of Chromebooks again for the 2023-24 school year.
• Student incoming in 4^th – 12^th grade should plan on bringing the Chromebook they used over the summer back on the first day of school next fall.
• During the first or second week of the 2023-24 school year (each school will provide detailed directions) the following will happen;
  • Incoming third grade students will get their assigned Chromebook and will use this until the start of 6^th grade.
  • Incoming sixth and ninth grade students will exchange their current Chromebook for a new one. Sixth graders will use this Chromebook until the start of 9th grade and 9th graders will use this Chromebook until they graduate from high school.
• All other students will use their same Chromebook for the 2023-2024 school year.

Consider a Chromebook Insurance Plan to reduce or eliminate potential fees (chargers are not covered by the protection plan) from accidental loss or damage over the summer.

Students who do not want to keep a Chromebook over the summer should contact your school or email us at 112Chromehelp@district112.org or call us 952 556 7777 to make arrangements to drop off your Chromebook. You will receive the same Chromebook once school starts in the fall of 2023.

Where to get help. If you have had issues with your Chromebook over the summer you can stop by your school’s Media/Innovation Center during the start of school. For summer help please email 112chromehelp@district112.org or call and leave a message at 952 556 7777.

Note: When a student turns in their Chromebook at the end of 12th grade, or exchanges it at the beginning of sixth or ninth grades, the Chromebook and power charger must be in full working condition. Normal wear-and-tear and cosmetic issues are acceptable, but damage to a device, including stickers, will result in charges. If a Chromebook is covered by the district’s Chromebook Insurance Plan, damages on the returned Chromebook will be covered according to plan details. If a Chromebook is not returned, fees related to replacement of the device will be charged. If a power charger is not returned, a fee will be assessed as power chargers are not covered under the protection plan.