OMS Parent Student Handbook - Appendix D
Overlook Middle School
Parent-Student Handbook
Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District (AWRSD) will provide students a device to support learning at home and school. This policy provides guidelines and information about district expectations for students and families who are being issued these one-to-one (1:1) computing devices.
Additional rules may be added as necessary and will become a part of this policy. Our expectation and belief is that students will responsibly use district technology and that they understand the appropriate and acceptable use of both the technology and district network resources. We also expect that students will make a good faith effort to keep their district-issued devices safe, secure, and in good working order.
Our policies and procedures include the following specific responsibilities and restrictions.
EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY AWRSD
- Mobile device licensed to AWRSD;
- Power supply with charger
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
This device belongs to AWRSD and is on loan to you. Do not change any physical structure of the device. Do not remove, cover, or write on district / manufacturer stickers or barcodes. Do not make any markings or add any stickers / decals to the device. Do not remove keys.
GENERAL CARE
- No food or drinks are allowed near the device.
- Use only on a flat surface (your desk or a table) that has been cleared off first.
- Never leave the device on the floor.
- Put the device away in a safe place when it is not in use.
- Do not stack objects, such as books or backpacks, on top of the device.
- DEVICE CHARGING (devices are designed for around 7 hours of battery life)
- Bring a fully charged device to school every day.
- Bring your charger with you to school every day, just in case.
TRAVELING
Close the cover and carry the device with two hands, Never lift or carry the device by the screen, Place the device in a backpack or case to transport.
CLEANING & REPAIR
Report any problems with the device to AWRSD Tech Support at 978-254-3497 immediately. Visit the AWRSD Learning from Home Website for basic troubleshooting tips.
Technology Device Cleaning
The BEST way to keep computers sanitized is to have clean hands to begin with. Please wash your hands before using any technology device, and especially when using a shared device. If hand washing is not possible, try to use hand sanitizer before using the device.
Keyboard Cleaning:
- Please shut down the device.
- Use a disinfectant wipe to clean the top of the keys. Please be sure the wipe is not dripping wet. If it is, you need to wring it out BEFORE using it OTHERWISE damage can be done to the electronics.
- If you do not have access to disinfectant wipes, you can try the following, BUT BE VERY careful not to get any liquid into the computer or it could cause damage. With the computer off, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Dab the swab on a clean paper towel to ensure it is not dripping. TIP: smashing the head of the cotton swab will make it fit better on the top of the keys.
- Alternatively, you can use a Mr.Clean sponge dipped in rubbing alcohol. Be sure to wring it out before using it on the computer as liquid damage could happen.
- Allow the disinfectant to dry. Do not wipe it off.
NOTE: If the wipe/swab or sponge becomes soiled, stop and replace with a clean one.
Laptop/Mouse Cleaning:
- Please shut down the device.
- Use the cleaning methods above to disinfect the laptop surfaces and mouse. Be sure when cleaning the trackpad on a laptop not to get moisture in the cracks along the edge of the trackpad or damage can occur.
Display Cleaning:
Do not use alcohol or any other cleaner on screens or displays!
- For general cleaning, get a soft, lint-free cloth. Use it to wipe the dust off the monitor.
- Dampen a sponge or lint-free cloth with water. Be sure to wring out all the excess moisture.
- Let the monitor dry completely before closing the lid!
PARENT/GUARDIAN EXPECTATIONS
- School issued devices should be used for educational purposes. AWRSD staff uses software that allows them to view screens and monitor activity on district devices, regardless of physical location (in and out of school).
- AWRSD's administrative staff and faculty retain the right to collect and/or inspect devices at any time, including via electronic remote access, and to alter, add or delete installed software or hardware.
- Inappropriate media may not be used for device backgrounds or themes. No images or graphics containing people can ever be used as a background or theme.
- The presence of guns, weapons, pornographic materials, inappropriate language, alcohol, drug, gang-related symbols or pictures will result in disciplinary consequences.
- AWRSD uses a filtering system in compliance with the federally mandated Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). All devices, regardless of physical location (in and out of school), will have Internet activity protected and monitored by AWRSD staff. This is designed to prevent access to educationally inappropriate sites, including those that contain material that is obscene, pornographic, or potentially harmful to minors.
- It is important to understand that no solution is perfect and AWRSD cannot guarantee that students, staff, and community might not access an inappropriate site. It is the individual's responsibility to alert staff of educationally inappropriate content accessed.
- If an educationally valuable site is blocked, students should contact their teacher to request the site be unblocked. Such requests will be given consideration following administrative review.
I hereby release the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District, its personnel, and any institutions with which it is affiliated, from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from my child's use of, or inability to use, the AWRSD computer network, including but not limited to claims that may arise from the unauthorized use of the system to purchase products or services. I understand that students who withdraw from AWRSD must return their device and power supply to the main office at the school. A receipt will be issued confirming that the device was returned.
Failure to return the device will result in a replacement charge. I will instruct my child regarding the Student Expectations and AWRSD Acceptable Use Policy, and understand and agree that the agreement contained herein are incorporated into the contract under which my child is enrolled at AWRSD. I accept full responsibility if and when my child's use of information technology is not in a school setting and understand that my child is subject to the same rules and agreements while not at school if using AWRSD's equipment and network resources. By signing I am also agreeing that I am responsible to pay all associated costs relating to device replacement for any accidental or intentional damages.
OVERLOOK MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT
I understand that access to the Internet from the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District must be in support of education and research, and I agree to the following:
- I will refrain from accessing any instant messaging, newsgroups, links, listservs, or other areas of cyberspace that would be offensive to any students, teachers, or parents because of sexual content; racial, ethnic, or minority disparagement; encouragement of violence; or illicit/illegal content. I will not use proxy servers to access restricted websites.
- I accept responsibility for keeping unlicensed/copyrighted software from entering the school via the Internet. Therefore, I must not download games, music, graphics, videos, software programs or text materials that are copyrighted.
- Plagiarism is unacceptable. Therefore, I accept responsibility for using downloaded text in an appropriate manner. I will appropriately credit resources used. I will not post, distribute, or use any materials without permission from its original creator.
- I will be courteous and use appropriate language. Therefore, I will refrain from swearing, or using any forms of obscene, harassing, bullying or abusive language. If I am a victim of such harassment, I will report the abuse immediately to an administrator, teacher, or a counselor.
- I will keep my personal information private. This means I will not reveal any personal information such as username, password, address and telephone number of myself or others.
- I will not take photos or record video of any student, teacher or administrator.
I understand that the use of the Internet is a privilege and that inappropriate use may result in cancellation of those privileges. I further understand that the system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and that their decisions are final. The system administrators may close the access of any user at any time as required.