1:1 Chromebooks

The 2018 passage of the OSD Technology and Safety Replacement levy sets the stage to provide each student with computing tools that can be used every day, from any place, to support their learning. These tools will promote higher-level thinking, engage students in the learning process and prepare them for life after graduation.

As the district moves forward with this model, it is important to note that the devices/Chromebooks are the vehicle for the district's 1:1 initiative, but the driver is classroom strategies that support a more student-centered classroom. The focus of student learning will not be the use of any particular technology, but on the skills of critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. We are working to create an environment of equity, access to information and resources, innovation, and student ownership in learning.

With the passage of the 2018 Technology and Safety Levy, the school district will begin roll-out of to meet student learning needs.
 2018-2019

• Students grades 6-8 at Marshall and Reeves Middle Schools will receive a district-owned Chromebook to use at school and home during the school year.
• Other schools will continue to provide access through classroom carts in select content areas.

2019-2020

• Students grades K-2 will have access to shared Chromebooks to use at school.
• Students grades 3-5 will receive a district-owned Chromebook to use at school.
• Students grades 6-12 will receive a district-owned Chromebook to use at school and home during the school year.

Questions?
For more information about the 1:1 initiative, call (360) 596-6172.

The Olympia School District recognizes that technology can transform learning when implemented thoughtfully. We also recognize that screen time at school looks differently from screen time at home. The digital-use divide refers to the growing gap in the way in which the students use the devices for academic purposes. Rather than using the devices passively (for online worksheets or simply consuming media), our teachers have been tasked with providing students with actives uses for technology integration. Students are using technology to create, design, build, explore, and collaborate on learning opportunities that integrate into the established curriculum. This active use of technology deeply engages the child’s mind with the content and therefore creates a meaningful learning experience.

The way in which students use technology at home will likely vary from how it is used at school. Technology use at home is typically more passive and takes parent involvement in order to decide the best use of the device based on the age of the child. The American Academy of Pediatrics has created a variety of resources for families to utilize when integrating digital media into a child’s daily life (18 months to 18 years old). Families can create a Family Media Use Plan to help guide how much time should be spent on screen time once time in school, physical activity, after school activities, and family time are factored in. Asking your child’s teacher how they use technology in the classroom can help you to develop your Family Media Use Plan. Find the Family Media Use Plan at: Family Media Plan website.

The Olympia School District also provides access to parent resources about digital citizenship found on Common Sense Media. In addition, the SecURLy Parent Portal allows families to monitor student activity and to set up home rules on school-issued Chromebooks.

Digital Citizenship Resources

Commonsense Media is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids succeed in a world of media and technology. They provide information, tools, and other resources to parents, teachers, and policymakers. Please take time to browse the family resources found in their Digital Citizenship toolkit.

• Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between

The Olympia School District uses SecURLy to keep students safe on their school-issued devices. To help you monitor your child’s online activity, the Olympia School District has made available the free SecURLyHOME app. This application allows web-based filtering and parental controls on school-issued devices at home. You may set rules to allow or disallow certain websites, pause the internet connection to the device, and receive alerts about possible bullying or self-harm detected in email and web searches.

Account Creation
Parent Access accounts in SecURLy are rostered based on the guardian email address associated with Skyward Family Access. All guardians in Skyward are provided with their own SecURLy Parent Access accounts. You will receive a weekly email report each Monday containing a sample of your child’s online activity over the previous week.

Step 1: Download the SecURLyHOME App.
Get Parent Portal on the go. Real-time activity reports, right in the palm of your hand.

Step 2: Open the App and click on the “send me a link” button.
A link will be sent to the email address you have registered with your child’s Skyward account. Once you’ve clicked the link, you’ll be taken to the SecURLyHOME App. Your account is ready to go!

Step 3: Explore and Configure
SecURLyHOME lets you access your account information from anywhere, in real-time.

Navigating the App
Navigate and explore different views into your child's online safety.

Activity
Get a real-time view of your child's online activity.

Flagged
Flags searches and sites that are related to bullying, self-harm, or suicide.

Rules
Allow or block categories of access when your child is using an OSD device outside of school (district policies may not be overridden).

Allow or block specific websites for your child outside of school.

Pause Internet
Turn off and on the internet connection on your child's OSD device outside of school.

Opt Out
You can opt out of SecURLy’s parent emails here:

• If you are having trouble accessing your account, please refer to this help sheet: SecURLy Parent Access Help (PDF)
• If you have any further questions, email help@securly.com.
• Learn more about SecURLy’s online safety solutions.

As the school year ends, we are pleased to allow our students to take home their district Chromebook for their learning over the summer. Olympia School District filtering policies will stay in place on the Chromebooks, and students may use their device to pursue personal learning goals and interests.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to set their own guidelines for when, where, and how their child uses the Chromebook during the summer. Consider setting times during the day and/or night when your child may not be online.  Establish a place in the house where your child may be supervised while they use their device and where they will store it at night. Online time should be balanced with other activities, including outdoor exercise and play and time with friends and family.

Some possible summertime uses of the Chromebook include:

• Timberland Public Library website - Timberland Public Library access to ebooks and audiobooks and research databases. OSD students have digital-access accounts.
• Summer school or independent learning opportunities
• CODE website - students may teach themselves to code through games and activities
• Khan Academy - online videos and tutorials cover a variety of subjects
• Duolingo - learn another language.
• Creative writing and communications
• Personal research and learning

SecURLy Parent Portal
To help you monitor your child’s online activity, the Olympia School District has made available the SecURLy Parent Portal. This application allows web-based filtering and parental controls on school-issued devices at home. You may set rules to allow or disallow certain websites, pause the internet connection to the device, and receive alerts about possible bullying or self-harm detected in email and web searches. You will receive your account information by email. 

General care

• Take reasonable precautions to protect your Chromebook       
• Keep food and liquids away from the device       
• Avoid heat and direct sunlight.  Cars get especially hot in the summer        
• Do not loan the Chromebook to others
• Keep the battery charged.  Unplug when fully charged
• Restart the Chromebook on a regular basis to allow updates to the operating system
• Bring it to school on September 4 charged up and ready to learn! 

Problems
The OSD Chromebook Damage/Loss Coverage Plan remains in effect over the summer. If the Chromebook is lost or stolen, please report it to the OSD Technology Department as soon as possible.

If the Chromebook is damaged or broken or you need technical assistance, please contact the OSD Technology Helpdesk at 360-596-6172.

Moving or Changing Schools

If you will not be returning to the same school in the fall, please return the Chromebook to your school office by June 30, or to the OSD Technology Department, Knox Building, 1113 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA,  

Questions
If you have any further questions about summer Chromebook use by your student, please contact your building administrator.