EPSD Connects
Parent/Community FAQs (Middle and High School)
- What students will be receiving devices at the secondary level? Secondary students will utilize a HP Chromebook Flip (Generation I or Generation II) this school year.
- Will parents need to buy insurance for student devices? No.
- What happens if an individual device is damaged?
- Ownership of the district-issued devices (Chromebooks, iPads, or laptops) rests with the East Penn School District and is only to be used by the student the device has been issued to; students will not share it with others, including family members. Students will follow the guidelines set forth in EPSD Policy 815, the Acceptable Use of Technology Resources, Electronic Communication and Information Systems.
- Students are to return district-owned devices and accessories upon withdrawal from the district or upon graduation. Third party accessories will not be accepted; replacement chargers can be purchased at the student’s school.
- It is the responsibility of the student to keep the assigned device and accessories secure and protected at all times. Methods to protect the device include:
- keeping drinks, food, and other harmful materials away from the device.
- keeping the device out of extreme temperatures.
- never leaving the device unattended and susceptible to theft.
- Financial restitution may be sought for negligent or intentional damage. Negligent damage may include loss or misuse of accessories (charger), spilling a drink on the device causing it to malfunction, or exposing it to extreme temperatures. Students are not to place stickers on their devices, the cover, or to remove the asset tag from the device; doing so is the equivalent of destroying school property and may result in school consequences. Intentional damage will be determined by the building administration, and an invoice will be issued for the damage.
- If a device is reported lost, stolen or missing, the following actions will be taken to recover the device:
- The student should report the device missing to a staff member at their assigned school who will then notify the Technology Department.
- Geo-location services on the device may be activated, and the device may be placed in lost mode or disabled to prevent others from using the device.
- What happens if the device is damaged? We recognize that even with the best of care, errors occur, and devices break from time to time. Please do not attempt to repair the device yourself nor take it to a repair center. If you have an issue with your device, please report it to your teacher.
- What if the device is lost or stolen? Students should contact a teacher or building administrator to report the issue. If appropriate, local law enforcement will be contacted. Parents will be billed for a replacement Chromebook.
- How can I get an additional or replacement charger? Students can purchase additional power supplies and / or charger cables at the discounted district price at the school store.
- Does the district block access to inappropriate websites? Yes. Chromebooks will be filtered both in the district and when connected to home or public WiFi. The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires that school devices be filtered to protect students from inappropriate online content. Specifically, CIPA uses the federal criminal definitions for obscenity and child pornography. Keep in mind that no blocking technology is 100% effective. The best filter is a parent or guardian. We encourage you to talk with your child and be aware of his or her online activities and behaviors.
- Will a consistent app package be chosen? For a comprehensive list of possible applications please refer to: https://www.eastpennsd.org/technology/edservices/
- How much time will students spend on the device each day? The device is a tool to enhance teaching and learning. Therefore, the balance of device use will vary by subject and learning activities. At times, your child may use technology heavily, but there will be other times when your child will not use the device as frequently.
- What is the battery life of the device? The manufacturer predicts a battery life of 7.5 to 10 hours. Of course, battery life depends greatly on usage. Streaming and/or editing video typically uses more battery power than typing an essay.
- Will charging stations be available at the school? Some charging stations will be located in classrooms; however, students are expected to bring their device fully charged to school each day.
- What if my child forgets his Chromebook at home? It is the responsibility of the student to bring their charged Chromebook to school each day. Some additional devices will be kept on standby in the school with limited availability.
- Will my child be required to take their device home every day? Students should take their device home daily to continue their class assignments and to charge the device in preparation for the next day.
- What training and resources will be available to students, staff and parents? Our focus in East Penn is on high quality instruction enhanced through the meaningful integration of technology. We continue to provide professional development to teachers on effective technology integration. In addition, we are fortunate to have two Instructional Technology Specialists to support teachers with this integration process. Prior to receiving their Chromebook, students will complete a video-based training. This training will include an overview of device features, expectations from building administrators, and digital citizenship tips. In addition, these topics will be revisited throughout the school year. To review these materials and find additional resources related to internet safety, please visit eastpennsd.org/epsdconnects
- Who should I contact if I have questions about EPSD Connects? You may contact building administration with any questions or concerns.