Ethical use of technology
Students at Medway Public Schools understand that technology must be used in ethical ways that promote a respectful, nurturing and supportive environment. As such, students are expected to use technology in compliance with the acceptable use policy. The use of technology to harm, demean, or to create a hostile learning environment for others will not be tolerated.

1:1 devices and student responsibilities

All students are provided a Chromebook for use at Medway Public Schools (MPS). Once issued, the device becomes the responsibility of the student and any damage or loss not covered by the optional insurance will be the financial responsibility of the student. Students will be expected to return their device in good working order, free from damage prior to commencement during their senior year. The replacement cost of each school issued Chromebook is approximately $350.00. Insurance covering the device is optional and may be purchased by the student in one or multiple year increments. The cost will be calculated at the time of purchase. The device remains the property of the Medway Public Schools and the school reserves the right to periodically inspect devices (including the contents of devices) throughout the school year. Students should not have an expectation of privacy in the school-provided Chromebook or its contents.

It is expected that each student bring the device to school each day fully charged. There are limited charging locations in the school, but access to these may be limited during class time.

Optional Insurance: Immediately around the time of deployment the opportunity to buy insurance will be made available through a self service kiosk. Information and pricing will be advised during the open enrollment window.

Families are offered the opportunity to purchase insurance through the school issued insurer. The fee covers accidental damage of the device. If it is determined that a student has intentionally damaged the Chromebook (vandalism / malicious), they may be responsible for paying the full cost to repair or replacment of the device. The policy does not cover loss or stolen devices or damage to charging units.

The window to purchase insurance for a device will remain open within a month of the deployment window. After this time insurance will not be offered and any damage or costs to repaired will be billed to the student.

Opt-out

Students may elect to opt out of the school's 1:1 program, but will be responsible for providing their own electronic device each day. Electronic devices must comply with the following requirements:

> Ability to access wifi network.
> Access full web-browsing capabilities via the Google Chrome Browser, including Google
Drive & all Google Applications.
> Have a cover or case that can be closed at a staff member's direction.
> Have full-day charge capability.
> Provide Touch-Based screen functionality
> Cell phones and iPads are not compliant devices for the purposes of this policy.

Students who elect to opt out of the school 1:1 program understand that content on personal devices that are brought into school or access the schools network must comply with the acceptable use policy and violations of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

Parental Sign-off

All students attending MPS must have a parent complete this form, at which time the parent will indicate whether or not the student will participate in the program, and agree to the policies governing the use and responsibility for the Chromebooks, or if the student will opt-out of the program and provide his or her own device for school purposes.

Google Educational Accounts

Each student will be provided with a Google Workspace for Education account that provides access to Google Drive and Applications such as Docs, spreadsheets and others within GSuite for Education. The accounts provided are educationally based accounts and privacy rights are protected to a greater degree than with google accounts available to the public. To read more about Google privacy rights for educational accounts, click the link below.

http://www.google.com/edu/privacy.html

It is important that students remember that the google account provided to them is for educational use and remains the property of the Medway Public Schools. As such, students may not use the account for purposes that do not comply with the acceptable use policy.

Gmail

Students in grades k-4 will not be allowed to access gmail. Students in grade 5-10 will be provided a Gmail account capable of receiving email within the Medwayschools.org domain for school use, and students in grades 11-12 will be provided a Gmail account with full priviledges to internal and external email domains. This will be the only account that will be used for communication among students and staff at MPS. Students are expected to check their email account daily to ensure they remain up to date with all communications. Parents who wish to monitor communications for their student should request the password to the google account from their child. Parents will continue to receive communications from the school through the regular email account that each parent provided to the school. If you would like to opt-out of the use of Gmail for your child please contact the building Principal regarding this request.

Content Filtering

MPS employs a content filtering system that is applied to all computers in the school that access the network which limits students’ access to content inappropriate for educational purposes. This same system is applied to all Chromebooks while students are at school and at home. Any attempt by a student to bypass this system will be considered a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy and may result in disciplinary action. Students who opt-out of the 1:1 program may not have content filtering available outside the school’s network, contingent on the browser and login practices of the student.

Technical Assistance

MPS will provide technical assistance via email, at support@medwayschools.org, and in-school assistance when available. Students who experience problems with Chromebooks should email support@medwayschools.org