Chromebook Handbook

Why yes, we do understand this is long. But it is quite important. Within, you’ll understand what each family is responsible for and our expectations of every student. We’ll explain things like what happens in the unfortunate event of losing or damaging one’s Chromebook, and how you can protect your Chromebook. When you have finished the read, be sure to indicate your completion within MagnusHealth.

Receiving Your Chromebook

Chromebooks that are issued to Foundation Academy students in Grades 6th-12th are funded via a one time Chromebook Fee of $360*, upon their student entering 6th Grade or enrolling to Foundation Academy thereafter. These devices issued to students are both the property and responsibility of the receiving family. Chromebooks in Grades K-5th are property of Foundation Academy and initially funded internally; however, families are responsible for the costs of any devices their student loses, or devices that are damaged while assigned to their student. Replacement costs are $360*. Without this Chromebook, students would not have a device sufficient to participate in our Academic curriculum, for both school and remote learning. These devices are Google Chrome Enterprise enrolled and paired with Google Workspace Education Plus accounts, allowing for enhanced classroom and device management, appropriate filtering, and improved security.

The student’s receipt and use of the Chromebook on Foundation Academy property is limited to and conditioned upon full compliance with the Foundation Academy Chromebook Handbook and signed Agreement. Chromebooks are distributed in 6th Grade on the first week of school. New students who enter midyear or after 6th grade, will receive their device at the New Student Orientation (assuming the Chromebook Fee was paid, no holds exist, and the IT department received advance notice to setup your Chromebook). Parents and students must read and submit the Chromebook Handbook Agreement together, before the Chromebook and Charger will be issued to the student.

*subject to market price fluctuations and device requirement changes

Administrative Access & Management

The student and parent grant Foundation Academy full access and management of the Chromebook. Foundation Academy will manage updates, application installation as well as filtering and monitoring for the student’s Chromebook and School account. Attempting to remove or disable any of these or other Foundation Academy installed systems will be considered a violation of this agreement and may result in disciplinary action, limiting, termination of device usage in school activities, or legal action as needed at the discretion of Foundation Academy.

Repairs & Support

Students are responsible for the care of their Chromebooks and its accessories. Parents and Guardians agree to repair or replace the device or any accessory in case of damage, loss, or theft, resulting in the device becoming unusable in any fashion. Statistically, laptops last consumers an average of 4 years. While our devices are licensed for up to 8 years, there is a good chance that you may need to replace the device through Foundation Academy during your student’s tenure.

Chromebook Repairs & Loaners

Upon device failure, families should check their warranty status (Lenovo – Enter Serial, Samsung – Requires Registration) from the Chromebook’s manufacturer website. Your serial number can be found on the bottom of your device. If your device is under warranty, in most cases upon starting a case or contacting the manufacturer, they will request that you send the device off for a repair. Tip: Prior to initiating a Lenovo warranty claim, we encourage purchasing the low-cost onsite repair Warranty upgrades, when possible, so that they come to you and repair the device.

During the repair send-off your student can come check-out a daily Loaner Chromebook. Loaner devices are not to go home, and should be returned by 3:30 pm on the day the device was issued. Students that do not return the Loaner by 3:30 pm will be charged $5/day lending fee to their Family’s FACTS account each day until returned. Students and their Parental Guardian accept responsibility for any loss, theft or damages caused to the Loaner Chromebook during the period of time in which the loaner Chromebook is checked-out by the student (up to $350 for repair and/or replacement). The Foundation Academy IT team does not work on hardware, except in the case of replacing screens – non-touch screen displays can be replaced for $130 onsite (subject to market price change).

Students who forget their device or fail to adequately charge their device may receive a one-time loaner; subsequent non-repair loaners will result in a demerit. These Loaners must be returned by the 3:30 pm deadline or the aforementioned daily fee applies.

It is important that students utilize Gsuite Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides which keep their school data synced to Google Drive’s (cloud storage). This storage is ‘unlimited’ and allows documents and class projects will not be lost in case of damage or loss to personal or Loaner Chromebooks.

Chromebook Technical Support

Foundation Academy provides up to 20-minutes of Technical Assistance to troubleshoot Chromebook issues during school hours 7:30 am to 3:30 pm EST, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and teacher work days. It is the student’s responsibility to make any difficulty or issue with their Chromebook known to a faculty member so that the appropriate technical support can be requested; all assistance will be documented in a Foundation Academy Help Desk ticket to keep accurate device records.

Technical Support may include, but is not limited to:

• User Account Support
• Assistance with Warranty Lookup
• Distribution of Loaner Chromebooks
• Chrome OS Assistance
• Software Configuration Assistance
• Software Updates
• Restoring the Chromebook to Faculty Defaults
• Network Assistance

Chromebook Care

Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook issued by the school. Chromebooks that are damaged or malfunctioning in a way that prevents the student from being able to utilize them during school hours must be replaced. If a loaner device is needed, one may be issued to the student until their Chromebook can be repaired or replaced, fee applies for takehome (see section titled Chromebook Repairs & Loaners).

General Precautions

• Chromebooks should be used on a hard flat surface, avoiding soft surfaces to allow proper ventilation and avoid overheating, i.e. do not use on bedding, covers, pillows, blankets, etc.
• Chromebooks should avoid extreme temperatures and prolonged use in direct sunlight
• Keep food and drink away from the Chromebook. Liquid is especially harmful to the device.
• Chromebooks should only be moved while shut/closed, never moving with the device open
• Chromebooks should be slept or shut down when not in use to conserve the battery life at school
• Chromebooks should not be forced into a locker or backpack as this may damage the screen

Screen Care

Displays are typically the most fragile component of a laptop. Here are some tips to avoid damaging the display:

• Do not lean or rest on your Chromebook (i.e. elbows have been great at damaging screens)
• Do not hold the Chromebook by the display (avoid hinge stress and display pressure)
• Ensure the keyboard is free of debris prior to closing (i.e. a pen on your keyboard will damage your display upon closing)
• Screens can be cleaned with a dry, anti-static, microfiber cloth. Avoid glass/window cleaner, water, and liquid.

General Usage

Students should be aware that teachers and administrators have the option to view any live Chromebook activity, including remotely view their screens during the hours of 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. To improve classroom management, Teachers have the ability to redirect their class’ or individual student’s focus through Chromebook management interactions; these include announcements on their screen, two-way chat, remote lock-down or redirecting content (i.e. sending the class to a website).

Home Use

All students are required to take their Chromebook home each night throughout the school year. Chromebooks must be brought to school each day fully charged. When fully charged, the battery should last throughout the school day.

All usage of the Chromebook, both on and off campus must be in compliance with the Student/Parent Handbook and Behavior Guide.

School Use

The Chromebook is intended for use at school everyday. Students are responsible for bringing their Chromebook to all classes. Students should only login to their Chromebook with their @fastudent.net email account, where all school-related communications and work will take place.

Failure to bring your Chromebook to class may result in disciplinary action or detriment to participation grades at the teacher’s discretion. Chromebooks are to be fully charged prior to arriving at school. Failing to charge your Chromebook will result in a warning and temporary loaner issued while your device charges for a period; subsequent failures will result in a demerit. As the intent of the Chromebook is to be used as an Academic device, Chromebooks should not be utilized during lunch or morning break, except if being used for academic reasons, i.e. classwork, projects, homework, etc.

Audio & Bluetooth

Sound levels are to be inaudible by others at all times during school hours unless otherwise directed by a Faculty Member or Administrator. This means your device should be muted unless headphones are in use. Headphones are permitted at the teacher’s discretion, and during non-academic time-periods such as before and after school.

To prevent academic disruption, Bluetooth is disabled for on-campus students. Students in a distance learning program may be or may request to be moved to a bluetooth approved device group.

Appropriate Files

Students may add appropriate music, photos and videos as well as other documents and media to their Google Drive. Please store all data on Google Drive, as device storage is limited. Personal files must follow Foundation Academy Acceptible Use Policy and are subject to inspection. Inappropriate media, topics and actions include:

• Vulgarity or Profanity
• Drug or Paraphernalia
• Nudity, Sexual Acts or Pornography
• Violent Acts and Carnage
• Bigotry
• Weapons
• Gambling
• Cyber Bullying
• Copyrighted Materials
• Social Media
• Non-Academic Chat or Video
• Copyrighted Materials

Managing & Saving Files

Students should save all documents to Google Drive. You are permitted to save to an external memory device (such as an SD card, or USB drive); however, your primary means of retaining data should be Google Drive. Saving to Google Drive permits you to access the file from any computer with internet access. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain the integrity of their files and keep their data backed up to Google Drive.

Chromebook Software

Chromebooks are supplied with a recent build of Google Chrome Operating System (Chrome OS) and other applications described below, that are useful in an educational environment. Additionally, Foundation Academy deploys additional academic and management software.

Google Chrome OS

Chrome OS will automatically install updates when the computer is shut down and restarted. The software originally installed on the Chromebook must remain on the Chromebook in usable condition and easily accessible at all times. Your Chromebook was enrolled and is managed as a Google Suite for Education Enterprise under the foundationacademy.net organization. From time to time, the school may add software or apps for use in a particular course. Apps are automatically installed upon logging in. Applications that are no longer needed will automatically be removed by the school as well.

Google Play Store

The Google Play Store is also installed on your Chromebook. Your available Play Store apps are limited to those whitelisted by your managed organization (Foundation Academy). To request an app be whitelisted for academic purposes, please submit a Help Desk Ticket. Apps may be either automatically installed or set to ‘allow install’ where end users can find the app in the Google Play Store.

Google Chrome & Chrome Web Store

Google Chrome is also preinstalled as the browser to be utilized on your Chromebook. Within Google Chrome is the Chrome Web Store for Chrome Extensions (add-ons). Like the Google Play Store, the Chrome Web Store utilizes a whitelist policy. You may request an app be whitelisted for academic purposes by submitting a Help Desk Ticket. Chrome extensions may operate in the background of Chrome, or appear in the upper right corner next to your profile icon. When signing in to Chrome for the first time, if prompted please ensure you select Link Data to sync and receive the appropriate bookmarks and apps.

Securly

Foundation Academy filters the web content and use of your Chromebook using a product called Securly. Parents may register to receive weekly reports of their student’s use, as well as any violations of the Appropriate Media. Additionally, parents may increase the flexibility of off campus use through the Securly Home App, such as allowing for streaming media (i.e. music or video services). Parents should receive an email invitation to create their Securly account typically during the second or third week of school. Students who attempt to bypass the monitoring or filtration will be subject to disciplinary referral.

Additionally, Securly Classroom offers teachers the ability to see all student devices enrolled in their course, and interact with them individually and as a group. Teachers can redirect or lock screens, share links and communicate through this tool.

Inspection

Students may be required to provide their Chromebook and accessories for inspection.  Discovery of inappropriate use or content will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Student/Parent Handbook and Behavior Guide.

Protection & Storage

Identification

Each Chromebook offers a unique serial number on the bottom of the device. Serial numbers are tied to students in the Google Administrative Suite. Thus, students may not remove or deface serial numbers. Your Chrome Hardware and software is tied to the serial number. Defacing a serial number does not remove the serial number as it is tied to the internal hardware; it simply makes the device more time-consuming to visually identify. We suggest saving a Google Doc file titled ‘Chromebook Serial Number’ with your serial number. In the case that you lose or need support for your Chromebook, this will expedite your assistance.

Students are permitted to get their Chromebook engraved with their name or drivers license number (such as by the Winter Garden Police Department). Alternatively, throughout the year the Technology Department may offer engraving sessions.

Storing Your Chromebook

When students are not using their Chromebook, it should remain in their possession or be stored in their lockers with the lock securely fastened. The Chromebook is not to be stored in lockers or anywhere else at school outside of school hours. Under no circumstances should a student leave their Chromebook unattended.

Students are responsible for securely storing their Chromebook during extracurricular events. A locked locker is suggested when possible.

Lost Devices

Foundation Academy is not responsible for lost or stolen devices. That said, if you lose your device, please immediately Submit a Help Desk Ticket visit the Technology Department or indicating so. The Technology Department may remotely lock, unlock or wipe your device.

Leaving Foundation Academy

When a student is unenrolled from Foundation Academy due to Graduation, not returning, expulsion or any other reason that would effectively dissolve the student’s connection with Foundation Academy, the Technology Department will check for any financial holds. When given the all clear, your Chromebook will be deprovisioned and unenrolled from the Google Management software and filtering services. After the deprovisioning is completed, we encourage users to Factory Reset their Chromebook, which ensures any potentially lingering profiles are eliminated. Upon un-enrollment it will become the responsibility of the student and his or her guardian to maintain, manage, filter and secure the content of the device.

Chromebook Handbook Agreement

Parents and students must read agree to the Chromebook Handbook policies enlisted on this page prior to using their Chromebook on campus. By using your Chromebook at Foundation Academy, you agree to the aforementioned policies. Families should dually accept the terms of the Chromebook Handbook within MagnusHealth (RenWeb ParentsWeb > Students > Medical > MagnusHealth).