All Fort Osage 7-12 graders Receive Chromebooks
In 2015-16 the Fort Osage School District will complete implementation of our initiative to provide a Chromebook for all middle school and high school students in the district. Students who have previously had Chromebooks (8th, 9th and 10th graders) can pick up their Chromebooks on their assigned schedule pick-up dates if the parent/guardian has completed the Chromebook registration process. All other secondary students will receive Chromebooks during the week of August 24 if registration is complete.
This year Fort Osage parents will be using Permission Click, an online system to register your student for the District's 1:1 program. Follow this link http://bit.ly/1WYwM2e to access all the documents necessary for your 7-12th grade student(s) to check out a device on their designated date this fall. Registration is required for ALL secondary students, even those who participated in previous years. You can pay the $25 insurance premium directly online with a credit/debit card or you can bring the payment to school anytime after August 3rd.
You can complete the online registration signup without making payment and can come back at a later time to pay online if needed. Please be sure the email address you enter is valid, as all communication for the insurance program is done through email. If you do not have an email address, you can use your student's district-assigned email.
If you experience any problems getting through the system, please call the Fort Osage Help Desk at 650-7777 for assistance.
This year Fort Osage parents will be using Permission Click, an online system to register your student for the District's 1:1 program. Follow this link http://bit.ly/1WYwM2e to access all the documents necessary for your 7-12th grade student(s) to check out a device on their designated date this fall. Registration is required for ALL secondary students, even those who participated in previous years. You can pay the $25 insurance premium directly online with a credit/debit card or you can bring the payment to school anytime after August 3rd.
You can complete the online registration signup without making payment and can come back at a later time to pay online if needed. Please be sure the email address you enter is valid, as all communication for the insurance program is done through email. If you do not have an email address, you can use your student's district-assigned email.
If you experience any problems getting through the system, please call the Fort Osage Help Desk at 650-7777 for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the timeline for distributing Chromebooks this fall?
This year's goal is to put Chromebooks into the hands of students as early in the year as possible. Students in 8th, 9th and 10th grade will be eligible to pick up their Chromebooks on their schedule pick-up days. The OTMS schedule pick-up day is August 4, and 9th and 10th graders may pick up their schedules on either August 5 or 6. Current 7th, 11th and 12 graders are scheduled to receive Chromebooks during the school day sometime during the week of August 24, as long as the parent/guardian has completed the registration process. Registration can be completed by clicking HERE.
What items will students be receiving?
In the fall of 2015, students will be receiving a Chromebook laptop, a charger and a protective case or sleeve. All of these items will be assigned to each student for their use at school and at home, and they must be returned at the end of the school year. Failure to return any of these items will result in the student being billed the full cost of the missing item. Students will receive the same device, charger and bag each year they are enrolled at Fort Osage.
What is the cost to participate in the Chromebook program?
The families of all students participating in the 1:1 Chromebook initiative are required to pay $25 annually to the self-insurance program. This annual premium will protect against loss or damage of the device. Families who qualify for free or reduced price lunches or are facing other financial hardships will be eligible to apply to either have the fee decreased to $10 or to have it waived.
How do I pay for the insurance?
The insurance premium can be paid online with a credit or debit card through the registration process at this website. Families that prefer to pay cash can do so through the school office.
What is the cost if the device is damaged, lost or stolen?
There will be a $25 deductible per incident to repair a damaged Chromebook or to replace a lost power cord, and a $50 deductible to replace a lost or stolen device. While a device is being repaired or replaced the student may check a ‘loaner’ device out from the library for use during the school day. The student’s assigned device will not be returned until the deductible has been paid. Students who qualified for a fee reduction or waiver will be responsible for the deductible, but a payment plan may be established on request.
What if the damage or loss is less than the deductible amount?
If there is damage or loss of any issued item that is less than the deductible amount then the student will only be charged the actual replacement cost.
What if parents choose not to purchase insurance for the device?
A student whose family chooses not to purchase insurance will have access to a laptop during the day but will not be allowed to take the laptop home. These students must check one out at the Library Media Center each morning and check it back in at the end of the school day. If the device is lost or damaged the student would be responsible for the actual costs.
How often does the Chromebook need to be charged?
Students are expected to fully charge the Chromebook each evening at home, which should provide sufficient battery life to use the device throughout the school day. Students should also try to preserve battery power during the school day by lowering the lid whenever the computer is not in use. Students will be allowed to charge their devices in class only at the teacher’s discretion.
What happens if a student leaves the Chromebook at home?
Students who accidentally leave their computers at home may have access to a limited number of ‘loaner’ computers that are available in the Media Center. Students will be able to “sign in” to their account but would not be able to take this computer home with them. Repeated failure to bring the Chromebook to school could result in disciplinary action.
Can students access the internet at home using their own internet provider?
Students may connect to any Wi-Fi network, whether at home or in a public place.
What if I do not have internet access at home?
The District will not be providing internet access for families. Students without home wireless access will be able to complete Google Docs and other Chromebook functions that are available ‘offline’. Students may also visit the public library or places such as restaurants and business that provide free wireless in order to have access outside of school.
Are other family members allowed to use the computer at home?
Any family member is able to utilize the computer with parent or guardian permission.
Can my student install software on the Chromebook?
The Chromebook is a web-based device that does not allow for software to be installed. Students will access web-based applications at school and at home, although some features are also available for use ‘offline’.
Can I install additional printers such as a home printer?
Students should be able to intall home printers as long as the printer is compatible with the wireless ‘cloud-based’ printing. A tutorial will be available for this.
Can students change the appearance of their Chromebook?
Students are not allowed to do anything to the computer that permanently alters it in any way. The Chromebook is school property and should be treated as such. Intentionally defacing the device will be treated as a disciplinary offense.
Where should students store their Chromebooks when they are not in class (PE, lunch, practice, etc.)?
Students need to keep their computers in a secured location at all times when unsupervised. The best choice students can make is to lock their laptop in their locker. The locked trunk of a car would be an acceptable storage place as long as it’s not excessively hot or cold.
If on an athletic team, never leave computers in school vehicles, in the gym, in a locker room, on a playing field or in other areas where it could be damaged or stolen. Coaches and teachers will advise students on where they can safely store their devices.
Laptops left in bags in unattended classrooms or other areas considered “unattended” will be confiscated by faculty or staff as a protection against theft.
What if the Chromebook needs service?
If the student is having problems with the device at school and classroom troubleshooting is unsuccessful, the computer should be taken to the Library Media Center. Students will be given a loaner device to use during the school day while their computer is being repaired.
What is the best way to clean the screen?
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth when cleaning the computer. If necessary, the cloth may be dampened slightly to assist in the cleaning areas that do not appear to be coming clean with the dry cloth.
Are textbooks being replaced with online textbooks?
The District will continue using their current textbooks at this time. Several courses have access to online materials from the textbook manufactures and will be used where appropriate. Having a laptop will allow the teacher to utilize a broad range of online resources and materials.
This year's goal is to put Chromebooks into the hands of students as early in the year as possible. Students in 8th, 9th and 10th grade will be eligible to pick up their Chromebooks on their schedule pick-up days. The OTMS schedule pick-up day is August 4, and 9th and 10th graders may pick up their schedules on either August 5 or 6. Current 7th, 11th and 12 graders are scheduled to receive Chromebooks during the school day sometime during the week of August 24, as long as the parent/guardian has completed the registration process. Registration can be completed by clicking HERE.
What items will students be receiving?
In the fall of 2015, students will be receiving a Chromebook laptop, a charger and a protective case or sleeve. All of these items will be assigned to each student for their use at school and at home, and they must be returned at the end of the school year. Failure to return any of these items will result in the student being billed the full cost of the missing item. Students will receive the same device, charger and bag each year they are enrolled at Fort Osage.
What is the cost to participate in the Chromebook program?
The families of all students participating in the 1:1 Chromebook initiative are required to pay $25 annually to the self-insurance program. This annual premium will protect against loss or damage of the device. Families who qualify for free or reduced price lunches or are facing other financial hardships will be eligible to apply to either have the fee decreased to $10 or to have it waived.
How do I pay for the insurance?
The insurance premium can be paid online with a credit or debit card through the registration process at this website. Families that prefer to pay cash can do so through the school office.
What is the cost if the device is damaged, lost or stolen?
There will be a $25 deductible per incident to repair a damaged Chromebook or to replace a lost power cord, and a $50 deductible to replace a lost or stolen device. While a device is being repaired or replaced the student may check a ‘loaner’ device out from the library for use during the school day. The student’s assigned device will not be returned until the deductible has been paid. Students who qualified for a fee reduction or waiver will be responsible for the deductible, but a payment plan may be established on request.
What if the damage or loss is less than the deductible amount?
If there is damage or loss of any issued item that is less than the deductible amount then the student will only be charged the actual replacement cost.
What if parents choose not to purchase insurance for the device?
A student whose family chooses not to purchase insurance will have access to a laptop during the day but will not be allowed to take the laptop home. These students must check one out at the Library Media Center each morning and check it back in at the end of the school day. If the device is lost or damaged the student would be responsible for the actual costs.
How often does the Chromebook need to be charged?
Students are expected to fully charge the Chromebook each evening at home, which should provide sufficient battery life to use the device throughout the school day. Students should also try to preserve battery power during the school day by lowering the lid whenever the computer is not in use. Students will be allowed to charge their devices in class only at the teacher’s discretion.
What happens if a student leaves the Chromebook at home?
Students who accidentally leave their computers at home may have access to a limited number of ‘loaner’ computers that are available in the Media Center. Students will be able to “sign in” to their account but would not be able to take this computer home with them. Repeated failure to bring the Chromebook to school could result in disciplinary action.
Can students access the internet at home using their own internet provider?
Students may connect to any Wi-Fi network, whether at home or in a public place.
What if I do not have internet access at home?
The District will not be providing internet access for families. Students without home wireless access will be able to complete Google Docs and other Chromebook functions that are available ‘offline’. Students may also visit the public library or places such as restaurants and business that provide free wireless in order to have access outside of school.
Are other family members allowed to use the computer at home?
Any family member is able to utilize the computer with parent or guardian permission.
Can my student install software on the Chromebook?
The Chromebook is a web-based device that does not allow for software to be installed. Students will access web-based applications at school and at home, although some features are also available for use ‘offline’.
Can I install additional printers such as a home printer?
Students should be able to intall home printers as long as the printer is compatible with the wireless ‘cloud-based’ printing. A tutorial will be available for this.
Can students change the appearance of their Chromebook?
Students are not allowed to do anything to the computer that permanently alters it in any way. The Chromebook is school property and should be treated as such. Intentionally defacing the device will be treated as a disciplinary offense.
Where should students store their Chromebooks when they are not in class (PE, lunch, practice, etc.)?
Students need to keep their computers in a secured location at all times when unsupervised. The best choice students can make is to lock their laptop in their locker. The locked trunk of a car would be an acceptable storage place as long as it’s not excessively hot or cold.
If on an athletic team, never leave computers in school vehicles, in the gym, in a locker room, on a playing field or in other areas where it could be damaged or stolen. Coaches and teachers will advise students on where they can safely store their devices.
Laptops left in bags in unattended classrooms or other areas considered “unattended” will be confiscated by faculty or staff as a protection against theft.
What if the Chromebook needs service?
If the student is having problems with the device at school and classroom troubleshooting is unsuccessful, the computer should be taken to the Library Media Center. Students will be given a loaner device to use during the school day while their computer is being repaired.
What is the best way to clean the screen?
Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth when cleaning the computer. If necessary, the cloth may be dampened slightly to assist in the cleaning areas that do not appear to be coming clean with the dry cloth.
Are textbooks being replaced with online textbooks?
The District will continue using their current textbooks at this time. Several courses have access to online materials from the textbook manufactures and will be used where appropriate. Having a laptop will allow the teacher to utilize a broad range of online resources and materials.