1:1 Most FAQ

To be consistent with our Mission Statement, the Hermitage School District has an obligation to prepare students for an ever-changing world, one that sees technological advancements happening at a rapid rate. We believe that every student has a right to an education that prepares them for further education and/or future employment, and develops the skills that they must have as citizens of the 21st Century: creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. As our District moves towards 1:1, we will ensure that every student in every class will have the opportunity to learn in an engaging environment reflective of the world that surrounds all of us.

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A primary goal of the initiative is to create a 21st Century learning environment, in a fiscally responsible manner. Just as the District currently provides high quality textbooks and other instructional materials for students, the district will supply quality devices to meet the instructional demands of today’s learners. Chromebooks are instructional tools, and the District is looking closely at the spending patterns on current instructional materials and supplies, in order to reallocate funds towards this initiative. Additionally, the district will be implementing an Annual Tech (Chromebook) Fee.

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All students in grades 8-12 will pay an Annual $50 Tech (Chromebook) Fee to offset the cost of the Chromebooks. If your child qualifies for the free/reduced lunch program and you submit an application that is approved on or before your Chromebook Distribution Date the technology fee will be $10 for those approved for free lunch per year and $20 for those approved for reduced lunch per year. For more information on the Free/Reduced Meal Program or to submit an application please visit our information page. Alternatively, you can choose to purchase the Chromebook for a discounted rate based on the grade level of the student. If you choose to purchase the Chromebook, the device becomes yours to keep should you leave the district and you are no longer responsible for paying the Technology Usage Fee each school year. Incoming 8th grade students may choose to purchase the Chromebook for $200.

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If you choose to purchase the Chromebook, the device becomes yours to keep should you leave the district and you are no longer responsible for paying the Annual Tech (Chromebook) Fee each school year. You can use any case you like. While the Chromebook is under warranty we will repair any defects with the device at no cost to the student. Should the Chromebook be damaged due to misuse or abuse or if a repair is needed after the warranty expires the student will be billed for the replacement parts. Please see the question, What happens if the device is damaged or needs repaired?, for more information. Please note that while the student is signed in to the Chromebook their Internet usage will be filtered even when they are not on our campus.

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Chromebooks run an operating system called Chromium, which is much different than Microsoft Windows and MacOS. Google’s Auto Update policy is committed to updating Chromebooks for at least.5 years.

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The only option for payments is if you are choosing to buy the Chromebook using the online store you can pay $50 for 4 consecutive months. There is, however, a fee to process those payments. We are not able to monitor a payment plan outside of the store, so if you are submitting a check, money order or cash for payment it must be either for the entire Technology Usage Fee or for the entire payment of the Chromebook.

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All Chromebooks have a 1 year warranty for defects and failures only.  During the warranty period we ask that any student experiencing an issue with their Chromebooks report it immediately. There will be no cost to the student during the warranty period for parts covered under the warranty. After the warranty or insurance expires, any parts needed for repair will be the responsibility of the student. Labor costs will be the responsibility of the District.  Should a Chromebook be lost or stolen it will be the responsibility of the student to replace under the direction of the District. Any Chromebook abused or intentionally damaged will be repaired at the expense of the student. The cost of replacements parts are listed below. Please note that part prices are subject to change based on availablility. If a part is unavailable from the manufacturer the District will make every effort to find quality parts at the most reasonable cost.

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Students entering 8^th grade are provided the opportunity to purchase 4 years of Accidental Damage and Extended Warrany from Trafera at the start of the school year.  This insurance cannot be added after August 31^st of the 8^th grade school year.  

For students in grade 11-12, the District has partnered with Worth Ave Group to provide Accidental Damage and Extended Warranty Protection for up to 2 years. Parents/Guardians can purchase this coverage as long as the Chromebook is not damaged. If a repair is warranted, it must be completed prior to purchasing the insurance. The cost of the insurance is based on your grade level and device and only needs purchased once, unless it was purchased as an 8th grade student and has reached its expiration (typically the summer prior to the student’s senior year).

Both Trafera and Worth Ave cover Accidental Damage such as Cracked Screens, Liquid Spills, Fire/Flood Damage, Natural Disasters, Power Surge Due to Lightning. It also covers Vandalism, Mechanical Failure and Mechanical Defect. Neither carrier will cover intentional damage by the student to their own device nor does it cover lost or stolen devices. For more details on Worth Ave coverage, please read this flyer.

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No. Students must use the case that the District provides unless the student purchases the Chromebook. The District researched several cases and selected the one that we felt offered the best protection.

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Students may decorate the case in any way as long as the case is not cut into or otherwise altered that may compromise the integrity or protection the case provides. Painting the case, adding stickers, labels, etc. are considered appropriate. If you have any questions, please ask Mr. Fuller in the library.

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The Hermitage School District owns the Chromebook unless the student pays the purchase price as listed above. Students will use the same device each school year for the functional life of the device. Therefore, it is very important that the device be treated with care. You are required to leave all identification and inventory tags in place.

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Students may take the device home once the Computer/Network Acceptable Use Policy, via the online Returning Student Information Form, and the Student Chromebook Acceptance Form, printed and submitted to Mr. Fuller in the HHS Library, are completed. If for any reason parents do not want the device at home, students may sign them in and out each day. Please call the Hickory High School Main Office for details.

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The Hermitage School District is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and maintains a content filter, provided by Linewize, to monitor usage both on and off the the District’s network. Linewize offers a Parent Portal that allows parents or guardians to monitor their student’s activity and receive a weekly report as well as immediate alerts when they attempt to access a restricted site. For more information, please contact Mr. Fuller in the HHS Library.

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All students in grades 8-12 must use the school issued Chromebook while in school. If students bring a multitude of devices that operate differently and don’t have a common set of applications, it becomes very difficult for classroom teachers to plan lessons and manage workflow. In addition, one of the goals of going 1:1 is to ensure that all students have access to quality devices that give access to the Internet. Using school-issued devices allows us to ensure that our systems are optimized to meet the needs of the classroom.

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• School Board Policy 815 – Computer/Network Acceptable Use
• Student Chromebook Equipment Acceptance Form

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The student must return the Chromebook prior to their last day with the Hermitage School District unless the student purchased it. Any Chromebook not returned will be locked and legal proceedings may be pursued.

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No. Faculty and staff will not have access to remote control the webcam.

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Always carry the Chromebook in its case even when at home. The District supplies always-on style cases for this purpose. Carrying a Chromebook by its screen can damage the hinge and/or display and could result in a chargeable repair.

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At school, you will carry your Chromebook to all your classes. For any classes not requiring your Chromebook, or during lunch, you must store it in your locked locker or keep it with you. You are responsible for the Chromebook and should never leave it unattended or unsecured.

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Be sure you plug the Chromebook in overnight so you come to school with a fully charged battery. Bring your Chromebook with you every day to school. You will be responsible if it is not ready for classwork every day.

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