Laptop Care and Use Handbook

Transcription

1 Laptop Care and Use Handbook

2 Contents 1. RECEIVING YOUR LAPTOP AND LAPTOP CHECK-IN Receiving Your Laptop Laptop Check-in Fees for Missing or Damaged Laptop TAKING CARE OF YOUR LAPTOP General Precautions Carrying Laptops Personal Health and Safety USING YOUR LAPTOP AT SCHOOL Laptops Left at Home Laptops Undergoing Repair Charging Your Laptop Battery Screensavers/Background Photos Sound, Music, Game or Programs Printing Home or Public Internet Access MANAGING YOUR FILES AND SAVING YOUR WORK Saving to the Laptop/Home Directory Network Connectivity SOFTWARE ON LAPTOPS Originally Installed Software Inspection Procedure for Re-Loading Software Software Upgrades Student Music and Videos ACCEPTABLE USE Parent/Guardian Responsibilities School Responsibilities Student Responsibilities Student Activities Strictly Prohibited Laptop Care Legal Propriety

3 6.7 Student Conduct and Discipline Legal Issues and Jurisdiction District Disclaimer REPAIRING OR REPLACING YOUR LAPTOP Claims School Damage & Repair Protection Plan

4 1. RECEIVING YOUR LAPTOP AND LAPTOP CHECK-IN 1.1 Receiving Your Laptop Laptops will be distributed each fall during Laptop Orientation. Parents & students must sign and return the Laptop Acceptable Use Parent Permission and Acknowledgement Form and Information and Technology and Communication Resources Acceptable Use Policy and Agreement before the laptop can be issued. The Laptop Protection Plan outlines two options for families to protect the laptop investment for the school district. Please review the Laptop Protection Plan included in this handbook. 1.2 Laptop Check-in Laptops will be returned during the final week of school so they can be checked for damage, cleaned and reformatted for the following year. If a student transfers out of Black River Falls High School (BRFHS) during the school year, the laptop must be returned at that time. 1.3 Fees for Missing or Damaged Laptop Individual school laptops and accessories must be returned to the School District of Black River Falls (SDBRF) Technology Department per established procedures at the end of each school year. Students who graduate early, withdraw, are suspended or expelled, or terminate enrollment at BRFHS for any other reason must return their individual school laptop within five days of termination of enrollment. If a student fails to return the laptop at the end of the school year or upon termination of enrollment at BRFHS, they are subject to financial liability until the laptop is returned and all associated fees are received. The student will pay the replacement cost of the laptop, or, if applicable, any insurance deductible. Failure to return the laptop within five working days after termination of enrollment from BRFHS will result in a theft report being filed with the Black River Falls Police Department or to the appropriate county Sheriff s Department. Furthermore, the student will be responsible for any damage to the laptop unless the damage and repair protection policy has been purchased. The student must return the device and accessories to SDBRF Technology Department in satisfactory condition. The student will be charged a fee for any needed repairs not to exceed the replacement cost of the laptop. 2. TAKING CARE OF YOUR LAPTOP Students are responsible for the general care of the laptop they have been issued by the school. Laptops that are broken or fail to work properly must be immediately taken to SDBRF Technology Department, per established procedures, for an evaluation of the equipment. 3

5 2.1 General Precautions The laptop is school property and all users will follow these laptop policies and School Board Policy 364.1, SDBRF Acceptable Use Policy of Information and Communication Resources. Cords and cables must be inserted and disconnected carefully to prevent damage to the laptop. Laptops must never be left in an unlocked locker, car or any unsupervised area. Keep the device secure or attended (within your sight) at all times. For example, during athletic events, games, practices, and trips, store the device in a secure place. Devices left in bags and backpacks, or unattended classrooms are considered unattended and may be confiscated by school personnel as a protection against theft. Unattended and unlocked laptops, if stolen - even at school - will be your full responsibility. If a laptop is found in an unsupervised area, school personnel should be notified and the laptop should be brought to the High School LMC personnel. Students are responsible for keeping their laptop s battery charged for school each day. If students personalize their laptop they must not take off any SDBRF Technology Department service tags. SDBRF has unique ways to identify each laptop and these are not to be tampered with. If students use stickers to personalize their laptop case, they must be removed without damage to the device or case prior to returning it to the school. Do not let anyone else use the device. Loss or damage that occurs when anyone else is using your assigned device will be your full responsibility. Be aware that the laptop is temperature sensitive. Avoid leaving the laptop in environments of excessively hot or cold temperatures. Do not use laptops on any soft surfaces, such as a couch, bed, chair, etc. Laptops have vents in the bottom that release heat. If these vents are blocked, the laptop processor will overheat, causing damage to the internal components. 2.2 Carrying Laptops The protective cases provided with the laptops have sufficient padding to protect the laptop from normal treatment and provide a suitable means for carrying the device within the school. The guidelines below should be followed: Laptops should always be properly secured within the protective case. Aside from the laptop, the only other items to be stored in the carrying case should be a mouse, power cord, and ear phones. Always completely close the lid and wait for the laptop to enter sleep mode before moving it., even for a short distance. Movement while the device is on can result in permanent damage to the hard-drive and the loss of all data. 2.3 Personal Health and Safety Avoid extended use of the device resting directly on your lap. The bottom of the device can generate significant heat and therefore cause temporary or 4

6 permanent injury. Use a barrier - such as a book or a device made specifically for this purpose - when working on your lap. Avoid lengthy use involving repetitive tasks (such as typing and use of the track pad). Take frequent breaks as well and alter your physical position (typing while standing, sitting, leaning, etc.) to minimize discomfort. If possible, set up a workstation at home with an external keyboard and mouse that allows you to situate the screen at eye-level and keyboard at lap-level. 3. USING YOUR LAPTOP AT SCHOOL Laptops are intended for use at school each day. In addition to teacher expectations for laptop use, school messages, announcements, calendars and schedules may be accessed using the laptop. Students are expected to check their school every school day. Students must be responsible to bring their laptop to all classes, unless specifically instructed not to do so by their teacher. 3.1 Laptops Left at Home If students leave their laptop at home, they are responsible for getting the course work completed as if they had their laptop present. Repeat violations will result in action as detailed in section 6.7 Student Conduct and Discipline. 3.2 Laptops Undergoing Repair Loaner laptops may be issued to students when they leave their laptops for repair with SDBRF Technology Department per established procedures. There may be a delay in getting a laptop should the school not have enough to loan. 3.3 Charging Your Laptop Battery Laptops must be brought to school each day in a fully charged condition. Students need to charge their laptops each evening. If a laptop loses charge due to use throughout the school day, charging stations are available in the library. 3.4 Screensavers/Background Photos Any media deemed inappropriate by SDBRF staff may not be used as a screensaver or background photo. Presence of guns, weapons, pornographic materials, inappropriate language, alcohol, drug, gang related symbols or pictures are prohibited and will result in actions as detailed in section 6.7, Student Conduct and Discipline. 3.5 Sound, Music, Game or Programs Sound must be muted at all times unless permission is obtained from the teacher for instructional purposes. Music is allowed on the laptops and can be used at the discretion of the teacher. Students are responsible for carrying earphones at all times. Students are not permitted to download applications and games. Any personally downloaded games and applications (apps) will be removed. 5

7 3.6. Printing Printing is discouraged in order to preserve resources. However, printing will be available at the BRFHS. Printing at home will require students to set up their own printer. 3.7 Home or Public Internet Access Students are allowed to connect to wireless or wired networks outside of the District. The policies outlined in this document, Black River Falls High School Laptop Policy, Procedures, and Information Guide, are applicable for use outside of the District. Any violation of the policy will result in the student s home use being suspended. Students experiencing Internet issues at home should contact their Internet Service Provider (ISP) for support. 4. MANAGING YOUR FILES AND SAVING YOUR WORK 4.1 Saving to the Laptop/Home Directory Students should save work to the District server or Google Drive from their laptop. Students may also documents to themselves or store them on a flash drive. Storage space will be available on the laptop BUT will not be backed up in case of re-imaging. It is the student s responsibility to ensure that work is not lost due to mechanical failure or accidental deletion. Laptop malfunctions are not an acceptable excuse for not submitting work. 4.2 Network Connectivity The SDBRF makes no guarantee that their network will be up and running 100% of the time. In the rare instances that the network is down, the District will not be responsible for lost or missing data. It is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policies to use applications that bypass SDBRF proxies and filtering. Repeat violations will result in disciplinary action as detailed in section 6.7, Student Conduct and Discipline. 5. SOFTWARE ON LAPTOPS 5.1 Originally Installed Software The software applications originally installed by SDBRF must remain on the laptop in usable condition and be easily accessible at all times. From time to time the school may add software applications for use in a particular course. The licenses for this software may require that the software be deleted from laptops at the completion of the course. Periodic checks of laptops will be made to ensure that students have not removed required applications. Repeat violations will result in action as detailed in section 6.7, Student Conduct and Discipline. 6

8 5.2 Inspection Students may be selected at random to provide their laptop for inspection. If a student s device is requested for an inspection, SDBRF reserves the right to confiscate the device for any reason at any time if inappropriate materials are found on the device. 5.3 Procedure for Re-Loading Software If technical difficulties occur, illegal, or non-sdbrf installed software or applications are discovered, the laptop will be restored from backup. The school does not accept responsibility for the loss of any software or documents deleted due to the re-formatting or re-imaging of the laptop. 5.4 Software Upgrades Upgraded versions of licensed software/applications are available from time to time and will be pushed out to laptops automatically when students are connected to the SDBRF network. 5.5 Student Music and Videos Music ripped from legally purchased personal student CD s can be downloaded to the laptop hard drive for listening. Personal music cannot be shared with other students electronically as this is an infringement of copyright law. itunes will be installed on laptops. Students may have their itunes library on the laptop. Music and video streaming from the Internet is prohibited unless it is for educational purposes. 6. ACCEPTABLE USE The use of SDBRF technology resources is a privilege and not a right. The privilege of using the technology resources provided by the SDBRF is not transferable or extendable by students to groups outside the district and terminates when a student is no longer enrolled at BRFHS. This policy is provided to make all users aware of the responsibilities associated with efficient, ethical, and lawful use of technology resources. If a person violates any of the User Terms and Conditions named in this policy, privileges may be terminated, access to the School District technology resources may be denied, and the appropriate disciplinary action may be applied. Section 6.7 Student Conduct and Discipline of this agreement shall be applied to student infractions. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension/expulsion for students. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved. 6.1 Parent/Guardian Responsibilities Talk to your children about values and the standards that should be followed on the use of the Internet just as you do on the use of all media information sources such as television, telephones, movies, and radio. 7

9 During registration, back to school night, or other scheduled times, you are required to receive necessary information regarding the 1:1 program and sign the Information Technology and Communication Resources Acceptable Use Policy form (Board Policy 364.1) and the Laptop Acceptable Use Parent Permission and Acknowledgement form (Board Policy 364.2). Should you want your student to opt out of taking a laptop home, your student will be assigned a laptop to be checked out and returned at the end of each school day. Your student is required to meet all course requirements. 6.2 School Responsibilities Provide Internet access at school. Provide an academic account (username@students.brf.org) for its students. Provide Internet blocking of inappropriate materials as able while utilizing SDBRF network. Provide network data storage areas. These will be treated similar to school lockers. SDBRF reserves the right to review, monitor, and restrict information stored on or transmitted via SDBRF owned equipment and to investigate inappropriate resources. Provide staff guidance to aid student in doing research, and academic-related activities, to help ensure student compliance of the Acceptable Use Policy. 6.3 Student Responsibilities Read, understand and follow the SDBRF Acceptable Use Policy for Technology SDBRF Policy Use computers/devices in a responsible and ethical manner. Obey general school rules concerning behavior and communication that applies to laptop/computer use. Technology resources shall be used in an appropriate manner that does not result in the informational damage of school equipment. This damage includes, but is not limited to, the loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries or service interruptions caused by the student s own negligence, errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via SDBRF s network is at your own risk. SDBRF specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services. Physical damage to devices should be reported immediately to school staff. Secure laptop devices against theft or loss. Help SDBRF protect our computer system/device by contacting an administrator about any security problems they may encounter. Monitor all activity on their account(s). Students should always turn off and secure their laptop after they are done working to protect their work and information. Securing the laptop includes storing device out of sight and in a restricted access location. If a student should receive containing inappropriate or abusive language or if the subject matter is questionable, he/she is asked to forward a copy to a 8

10 teacher, principal, guidance counselor or Technology Department staff and delete it from their laptop. Students will not plagiarize works that they find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours. Students will respect the rights of copyright owners. Students will return their laptops to the SDBRF Technology Department through an established procedure at the end of each school year. Students who graduate early, withdraw, are suspended or expelled, or terminate enrollment at BRFHS for any other reason must return their laptop within 5 days of termination. SDBRF student accounts will be deleted one year after a student s graduation. 6.4 Student Activities Strictly Prohibited Illegal installation or transmission of copyrighted materials. Any action that violates existing SDBRF Board policy or public law. Sending, accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing offensive, profane, threatening, pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit materials. Use of chat rooms Use of sites selling term papers, book reports and other forms of student work. Internet/computer games, without teacher permission, when class is in session. Changing of laptop settings (exceptions include personal settings such as font size, brightness, etc.) Spamming or sending mass or inappropriate s. Gaining access to other student s accounts, files, and/or data. Use of the school s Internet/ accounts for financial or commercial gain or for any illegal activity. Use of anonymous and/or false communications to mislead, harm, bully or harass another person is strictly prohibited. Students are not allowed to give out personal information, for any reason, over the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, setting up Internet accounts including those necessary for chat rooms, ebay, , etc. Participation in credit card fraud, electronic forgery or other forms of illegal behavior. Vandalism (any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware, software or data, including, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses or computer programs that can infiltrate computer systems and/or damage software components) of school equipment will not be allowed. Bypassing the SDBRF web filter through a web proxy, phone tethering, and any other means. Bullying as defined in SDBRF Board Policy 448 will not be tolerated. If using device on non-sdbrf network, providing Internet use of explicit websites and information is prohibited. 9

11 6.5 Laptop Care The laptops can be damaged if subjected to rough treatment. The screens are particularly sensitive to damage from excess pressure. Do not lean on the top of the laptop when it is closed. Do not place anything near the laptop to put pressure on the device. Do not place anything in the carrying case that will press against the device. Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth or anti-static cloth or with a screen cleaner designed specifically for LCD type screens. Do not bump the laptop against lockers, walls, car doors, floors, etc. as it will eventually break the screen. Never leave any object on the keyboard. Pens or pencils left on the keyboard are guaranteed to crack the screen when the lid is closed. Students will be held responsible for maintaining their individual laptops and keeping them in good working order. Laptop batteries must be charged and ready for school each day. Only labels or stickers approved by the BRFHS or the District may be applied to the computer. Laptop cases furnished by the SDBRF must be returned with only normal wear and no alterations to avoid paying a case replacement fee. Laptops that malfunction or are damaged must be reported to the SDBRF Technology Department through an established procedure. The School District will be responsible for repairing laptops that malfunction. Laptops that have been damaged from student misuse, neglect or are accidentally damaged will be repaired. If the damages to a laptop are not covered under the warranty, and you have not purchased the optional insurance coverage and/or do not have it covered under your home owners insurance, student/family will be responsible for the total cost of repairs up to the replacement cost of the laptop. Students will be provided a temporary laptop while their assigned device is being repaired. Laptops that are stolen must be reported immediately to the Black River Falls Police Department or to the appropriate county Sheriff s Department. Police reports should not be filed if the laptop is misplaced or left unintentionally. The SDBRF Technology Department must also be notified immediately of a stolen laptop through established procedure. Laptops that are lost must be immediately reported to SDBRF Technology Department through an established procedure. 6.6 Legal Propriety Students must comply with trademark and copyright laws and all license agreements. Ignorance of the law is not immunity. If you are unsure, ask a teacher or parent. Plagiarism is a violation of the BRFHS Student Handbook. Give credit to all sources used, whether quoted or summarized. This includes all forms of media 10

12 on the Internet, such as graphics, movies, music, and text. Use or possession of hacking software is strictly prohibited and violators are subject to discipline as referred to in the BRFHS Student/Parent Handbook. Violation of applicable state or federal law will result in criminal prosecution or disciplinary action by the District. 6.7 Student Conduct and Discipline If a student violates any part of the above policy, he/she will be disciplined per Board Policy Acceptable Use Policy and 443 Code of Conduct. SDBRF administration reserves the right to modify discipline based on the severity of the student s action. Violations of general student behavior policies will, of course, be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions. Student is responsible for completing all coursework and must make provisions with their teachers to do so. 6.8 Legal Issues and Jurisdiction The School District of Black River Falls owns and operates the equipment and software that compose our network resources. The school is obligated to take steps to insure that all facilities are used legally. Hence any illegal use of network resources is prohibited. All content created, sent, accessed or downloaded using any part of the District s network resources is subject to the rules stated in this policy. School administration monitors our network and may find it necessary to investigate electronic incidents even if they happen after hours and outside of school. As the owners of our network resources, including system, the school administration reserves the right, if needed, and at its discretion, to remotely access, to open, examine and/or delete any electronic file that violates this Laptop Use Policy. 6.9 District Disclaimer The District does not have control of the information on the Internet or incoming s, or does it provide any technical barriers to account holders assessing the full range of information while not connected to the School District s network. Sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, illegal or otherwise inconsistent with the mission of the School District of Black River Falls. While the District s intent is to make Internet access available for educational goals and objectives, account holders have the ability to access other materials as well. At SDBRF, we expect students to obey the Acceptable Use Policy when using the Internet. The District account holders take full responsibility for their access to the District s network resources and Internet. Specifically, the SDBRF makes no warranties with respect to school network resources nor does it take responsibility for: 1. the content of any advice or information received by an account holder; 11

13 2. the costs, liability or damages incurred as a result of access to school network resources or the Internet; any consequences of service interruptions. This policy exists along with all other building and District rules, guidelines and procedures. Specific items not covered here may be addressed by other building, District rules, guidelines, or procedures at the discretion of the building principal/designee. 7. REPAIRING OR REPLACING YOUR LAPTOP 7.1 Claims All repair/replacement claims must be reported to the SDBRF Technology Department per established procedure. In the event of theft, students and parents must file a police report, using the serial number and Technology Department asset tag number, and bring a copy of the report to the Principal's office immediately. This must happen before a laptop can be repaired or replaced with School District Protection. 7.2 School Damage & Repair Protection Plan SDBRF will provide information to parents and families about laptop insurance options. Families need to understand that they are responsible for fully reimbursing the district for theft or accidental damage of the laptop or other devices. If a device is lost or stolen and there is no verifiable proof of theft (forced entry), the student will owe current market replacement cost of the device to SDBRF (approximately $850). Students will be assigned a loaner or replacement device. If students lose their assigned device a second time, they will lose the privilege to take the laptop home. Whether a laptop is stolen on School District of Black River Falls property or off campus, it is the responsibility of the student and their family to report the laptop stolen to Black River Falls Police or to the appropriate county Sheriff s Department and the SDBRF. To file a police report, you will need the laptop s serial number found on each laptop. For all theft claims, the student/family is required to provide a copy of the police report to the SDBRF. The police report and the specific details of the theft will determine what coverage may be available to replace the laptop. In order for SDBRF to cover the theft, there must be evidence that proves a break-in occurred. If there is no proof that a break-in occurred, the loss will not be covered by SDBRF. As an example, this type of loss occurs when a laptop goes missing or is accidentally left somewhere, but there is no proof the laptop was stolen. In this situation, the student/family is responsible for the current market replacement cost of a new laptop (or equivalent laptop if the laptop is no longer available new). 12

14 Until a police report is filed and a copy is provided to SDBRF, all thefts will be considered not covered. The steps to follow if your laptop is stolen: 1. Report the laptop stolen to Black River Falls Police or to the appropriate county Sheriff s Department. Report must include serial number of laptop. 2. Report the theft to the Principal at BRFHS. 3. Provide a copy of the filed police report to the Principal at BRFHS.. If the theft is covered by SDBRF, the student/family cost is as follows: First covered theft - $ 100 deductible Second covered theft - $ 200 deductible Third and all additional thefts Full replacement at current market value If the theft is not covered by SDBRF, or by insurance, the student/family cost is as follows: Full replacement at current market value 13