Tech Equity 1:1 Take Home Program
Updated August 2021
Which Students get to take home a Chromebook?
In an effort to address tech equity and the digital homework gap, all PUSD students, TK-12th grade will have a new device checked out to them. Students are responsible for taking care of their assigned Chromebook. While insurance will be provided by the district to cover normal wear and tear and stolen devices, students will be financially responsible for any device that is intentionally damaged or lost.
What if my student has their own laptop or Chromebook?
Students may not bring or use their own devices at school. PUSD has no method of ensuring that personal devices are capable of providing students with the same learning experience as the district provided Chromebook. Further, the assigned Chromebooks are provisioned with particular software tools and secure testing browsers identified as necessary for certain required school activities. For safety, PUSD Chromebooks may only be logged into with a school district username and password. These school accounts are under the district's administrative control where the students' actions and history are recorded.
What if my student leaves their Chromebook at home?
If a student leaves their Chromebook at home, they will be expected to make up any digital assignment that they were not able to do in class as a result of not having their Chromebook. Teachers will provide alternative assignments when possible.
What if a student’s Chromebook is not charged?
Each student is expected to have a fully charged Chromebook at the beginning of every school day and bring their Chromebook to all classes. If their Chromebook is not charged they will need to make up any digital assignment that they were not able to do in class as a result of not having their Chromebook. Teachers will provide alternative assignments when possible.
What if my student loses the charger?
If a student loses their charger, a fee ($50) will be assigned to the student, this fee can be paid in the ITS department at the Education Center (351 South Pasadena, 91101 room 111a). To avoid the inflated cost of purchasing a charger from Dell, district families can opt to replace the charger directly from Amazon. Please contact the ITS Help Desk for the correct model. Chargers can be replaced by putting a ticket into ITS.
What do parents and students have to sign?
Parents/guardians and students must sign the Tech Equity Initiative form. This form can be found in the data confirmation section of Aeries or can be obtained from the school site. Students must have a signed Tech Equity Initiative form to have a chromebook checked out to them. Get form here (English) | Obtenga el formulario aquí (español)
Will parents have a financial responsibility?
Yes. While PUSD is providing insurance on all of the devices, this insurance only covers normal wear and tear and stolen devices. Parents will be responsible for the cost of a Chromebook replacement if the student loses the Chromebook or intentionally damages the device. If a Chromebook is stolen, the parent will need to file and turn in a police report for the device to be covered under our insurance plan. The replacement cost of the elementary device is $389.12 and the replacement cost of the secondary device is $758.
Will each Secondary student be assigned a specific Chromebook?
Yes, each student will be assigned a specific Chromebook. A serial number will be linked to each individual student. School personnel can look up this information to ensure that each student is using the correctly assigned Chromebook. If a student is transferring from one PUSD school to another they will NOT need to turn in their Chromebook. Students will only turn in their Chromebook if they are planning to leave PUSD.
What if the student tries to go on an inappropriate site at home?
Chromebooks issued by the District will be filtered outside of school district buildings. A Web filter is a program that screens an incoming web page to determine whether some or all of it should not be displayed to the student. The filter checks the origin or content of a web page against a set of rules provided by the school district. A web filter allows a school district to block out pages from websites that are likely to include objectionable advertising, pornographic content, spyware, viruses, and other objectionable content. However, please note, that although these devices will be filtered, and are safer than using a personal device, it is still possible that objectionable content can slip through the filters.
What if the Chromebook is damaged?
All Chromebooks that are damaged or in need of repair must be brought to the school library as soon as possible. Then the following steps will occur:
- The school will document the damage in a helpdesk ticket.
- The student will complete a damage report.
- The school library will issue the student a loaner Chromebook and document that they were issued as a loaner.
- When a device is damaged and a ticket is submitted, an ITS technician will verify if the device is eligible for repair. In the case that the device is not, the parent or guardian will incur the repair costs of the device.
- If repairable, the school will notify the student when their Chromebook is repaired.
What does the student do with the loaner Chromebook from the library to charge each day?
The school library will keep track of the loaned Chromebooks it provides to students; the student will pick up and return their loaner Chromebook each day from the library. The library will ensure that each Chromebook is fully charged each night.
What if a family does not have internet service at home?
If a family does not have internet at home, they may qualify for a hotspot through the district. If your family does not have internet at home, please request a hotspot through the Hot Spot Request Form.
Will the students take their Chromebook home over the summer?
Yes, with some exceptions. If a student is switching schools (outside of PUSD), for any reason, they will need to turn in their Chromebook and charger.
When should students return Chromebooks to the school?
If a student is switching schools (outside of PUSD), for any reason, they will need to turn in their Chromebook and charger. If a senior fails to return their assigned Chromebook PUSD will withhold grades, diploma or transcripts per board policy AR 5125.2.
Will students be given cases with these devices?
Yes. The district will be issuing a protective sleeve for all Chromebooks.