Technology Support Resources - Indian River School District

Chromebooks

Chromebook Overview

Chromebooks are laptops built by Google that operate using secure internet storage. Each student in the Indian River School District is issued their own Chromebook. Students are expected to take responsibility for their Chromebooks by protecting them from damage. The full student device agreement can be found on the following page: Student Devices.

To download the Chromebook Care packet for the 23-24 school year, click here: Chromebook Care Packet

Logging in

The links below provide directions regarding how students can log into their IRSD Chromebooks.

Video: How to log into a Chromebook
Written directions: How to log into a Chromebook (grades K-2)
Written directions: How to log into a Chromebook (grades 3-12)
Direcciones en Español: Inicio de sesión en un Chromebook

Storing a Chromebook

A graphic of a desk in varying shades of blue. The desk surface is clear.

To keep track of your student's Chromebook at home, choose a designated place to store it when it's not in use. The tips below will help you choose a good location.

Store the Chromebook on a flat surface off the floor.
Do not stack heavy objects on top of the Chromebook. This can damage the screen.
Avoid storing it somewhere hot (for example, in a backpack left in a hot car.)
Avoid storing it somewhere where it is likely to be knocked over.

Charging a Chromebook

A graphic of a battery. The battery lines indicate it is fully charged.

Students should come to school with their Chromebooks charged. Set up a routine to ensure your student charges their Chromebook on school nights.

Keep the charger somewhere safe to ensure it isn't lost.
Keep your charger away from pets.
Turn off the Chromebook when not in use.
When not in use, the Chromebook does not need to sit on the charger. For example, if you are going on a family vacation, power down and unplug the Chromebook.
A Chromebook battery should last throughout the day. Using the Chromebook to charge a cell phone will diminish its battery life.

Keeping the Chromebook safe

A graphic of a drinking glass filled with liquid. Drawn around the glass is a circle with a line through it.

Avoid eating or drinking near the Chromebook.
Keep the Chromebook closed when carrying it; never carry it by the screen.
Do not slam the screen closed.
Accidents happen! If liquid gets on the Chromebook, unplug it and turn it off. Remove the liquid with a dry cloth and do not attempt to use it again until it is dry.
If your Chromebook does not work, contact the school; do not try to fix it yourself.

Keeping students safe

A graphic of a computer screen. On the screen is a graphic of a lock.

Chromebooks use content filtering software, but no solution is perfect. Monitor your student's Chromebook usage.
Do not share passwords or personal information with anyone online.
Students should log off of the Chromebook when they are finished using it.
Do not take a Chromebook to a public place and leave it unattended.

FAQ

Why are students sent home with their Chromebooks?

What should I do if I do not want my student to take a Chromebook home?

What should I do if my student loses or breaks their Chromebook?

Students are expected to take ownership of their school-issued Chromebooks. If a Chromebook breaks, do not take it to an outside source to be repaired. Contact the main office at your student's school so the Chromebook can be repaired or replaced.

The first time a student's Chromebook is lost or damaged, the parents or guardians will be notified but will not be charged. Subsequent loss or damage will result in an invoice based on the fair market value of any Chromebooks or parts that are damaged.

To view the full student device agreement, click the following link: Student Device Agreement
To view the student device price sheet, click the following link: Student Device Price Sheet

My student will be transferring from one IRSD school to another. Should they keep their Chromebook?

My student is transferring to a school outside the IRSD. What should I do?

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Dreambox

Dreambox is our adaptive computer program that teaches math conceptually, allowing students to visualize math. Dreambox adapts to meet the student's needs, whether it is filling in unfinished learning from previous grade levels or extending learning to new concepts that students are ready for. Dreambox has proven growth when students complete 5 or more lessons a week independently. This program automatically adapts to meet your student's needs based on the lessons they do. Dreambox encourages independence and productive struggle, allowing students to construct their own understanding of the math topics.

Students can access Dreambox by clicking the icon on their Classlink home page.

Directions for setting up your Dreambox Family Insight Dashboard

1. Have your child log into their IRSD issued Chromebook.

2. Access Dreambox by clicking the Dreambox button on Classlink.

3. In the bottom of the page, click the blue link that reads "set up parent access."

4. Follow the instructions to enter your email and password.

5. Read the terms of use and privacy policy.

6. Click submit.

To return to your family insight dashboard, go to http://play.dreambox.com and click the Family Dashboard button.

Google

Students each have a Google account provisioned through the Indian River School District. When a student logs into their IRSD Chromebook, they are automatically connected to this account. Students can access their Google Accounts from other devices by logging into Classlink and clicking the Google icon on their home pages.

Students have access to Google Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Calendar, and Jamboard. IRSD students do not have access to gmail, Google's email service.

Online Safety & Digital Citizenship

Online Safety

The Indian River School district uses GoGuardian Admin content filtering software provided by the state of Delaware. GoGuardian's website explains that Admin "works on any school-managed device, browser, or operating system, using an advanced artificial intelligence engine to scan for and filter content that is harmful, inappropriate, or against school policy." Content filtering software is necessary for compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA.)

More information about GoGuardian admin can be found by clicking the following link: GoGuardian Admin
More information about student devices, including the device policy, can be found by clicking the following link: Student Devices

Outside of school, students use many apps and games to socialize and have fun. Click the following link to view guides for popular apps and games from Common Sense Media: Parents' Guide to Online Safety

Chromebook Monitoring

In addition to content filtering software, teachers have the ability to set limits on students' browsing ability during their class time through a tool called GoGuardian Teacher. For example, a teacher may limit students so they can only access Schoology during the class period. The purpose of this tool is to help eliminate online distractions so students can focus on academic assignments. Teachers can not set limits on student Chromebook use outside of school hours or on weekends; the product is disabled during those hours.

Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship is the diverse set of skills related to current technology and social media including the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior. The resources linked below support digital citizenship skills with students.

Responsible Use of Technology Guidelines: This document provides our acceptable use policy in student-friendly language. It shows students what they should do when using district devices and technology.

Chromebook Care Packet: This document includes tips for Chromebook care, a copy of the responsible use of technology guidelines, and an overview of Chromebook loss or damage procedures written with students as the audience.

Digital Wellness Guide: This document includes questions to help students and their families reflect on whether or not they have a healthy balance of online and offline activities.

Schoology (Grades 3-12)

Schoology

Schoology is the learning management system used for students in grades 3-12. The embedded video gives an overview of what Schoology is and what it is used to do.

For directions regarding how students can log into Schoology, click the following link: How to log into Schoology as a student.

Schoology Parent Accounts

In order to create a parent account, parents need an access code unique to their student. To receive this code, please contact your student's school.

Once you have your access code, follow the directions in the embedded video to create an account. You can also find written directions by clicking the following link: Setting up a Schoology Parent Account.

Las instrucciones en español se pueden encontrar haciendo clic en el siguiente enlace: cómo configurar una cuenta para padres en Schoology

Seesaw (Grades K-2)

Seesaw

Seesaw is a learning management system used for students in grades K-2. The embedded video provides an overview of what Seesaw is and how it works. Information can also be found on Seesaw's website at the following link: What is Seesaw?

For directions regarding how students can respond to activities in Seesaw, click the following link: Responding to activities in Seesaw

Talking Points

Talking Points is a two-way multilingual messaging system. Your student's teachers or other school staff can use it to send class-wide announcements or individual messages. You will receive them as SMS text messages unless you've downloaded the free parent app.

To send a message to your student's teachers, you can respond via text to the same number you have received messages from in the past. Using the parent app, go into the message thread for that teacher to compose a message. If you choose to use the parent app, your phone will ask whether or not you want to allow notifications.