Chromebooks Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are we implementing Chromebooks at RCS?
To prepare students for an ever-changing world where technical competence and confidence are a prerequisite for success. We believe that every student has a right to an education that prepares them for further education and future employment, and that develops the skills they must have as citizens of the 21st Century: creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Further, it is consistent with Diocesan policy and norms. Most Diocese of Harrisburg Schools, including Lancaster Catholic High School, use 1:1 programs to support their students. Mastering these tools and skills while at RCS will not only increase educational outcomes now, it will best prepare students for success in high school.

Which students will receive the Chromebooks?

Our initial focus for the 1:1 Chromebook launch is the middle school. Chromebooks will be issued to each student in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. We have some Chromebooks that will be issued on an as-needed basis to students and teachers in other grades. Elementary (K-5) students will continue to use the iPads we have plus additional iPads previously used by middle school students.

What will this cost and who is paying for it?
The entire cost of our Chromebook deployment was funded through charitable donations to the school. Donations ranged from modest to extremely generous. The goal was to provide this valuable resource free of cost to our students and their families. We are blessed to have the support of many benefactors, large and small. Please say a prayer of thanksgiving for their support and generosity.

What is the Chromebook Protection Plan?

The Chromebook Protection Plan is an insurance policy to mitigate repair costs for damage to the Chromebook through normal use or accidental damage. The cost is $10 per year per student. The Chromebook Protection Plan may be paid in cash or by check payable to Resurrection Catholic School. The schedule for repair costs with the Chrome Protection Plan are as follows:

• First damage claim — No Cost.
• Second damage claim — $25 deductible.
• Third damage claim — Cost of Repairs.

NOTE: Those electing not to participate in the Chromebook Protection Plan must pay the full cost of any damage to their device.

What if the device is lost or stolen?
If the device is lost or stolen, parents who purchased the Chromebook Protection Plan will be responsible for paying a $100 incident fee. Parents who have not purchased the Chromebook Protection Plan will be responsible for the actual replacement cost of a new device, just as they are responsible for lost or stolen textbooks.

Are students allowed to take their Chromebooks home?

Yes. They are required to take them home for the completion of homework and projects. Students are also required to bring their Chromebook to school everyday, fully charged.

Can a student remove school issued protective snap-on case from their Chromebook?
No. Students must keep their school-issued protective snap-on case on at all times.

Will Chromebooks be able to be charged at school?
It is the responsibility of students to take Chromebooks home each night and charge them in preparation for the next school day. Chromebooks are expected to be fully charged for each school day. School-issued chargers should remain at home. RCS classrooms have limited electrical outlets making charging at school unfeasible and disruptive for multiple students.  

Can I use my own laptop, iPad or other device instead of the RCS-issued Chromebook?
No. For logistical, instructional and practical reasons, students will use their RCS issued Chromebook as their sole academic device at school. When 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 uniform, quality devices that last all day, and give him/her uninterrupted access to our academic tools and the internet.  Lastly, RCS Chromebooks are managed through the G-Suite for Education giving RCS great control over applications, data and content filters.

What type of Chromebooks will we be using?
RCS has selected the Lenovo ThinkPad 11e Chromebook. This machine is internally ruggedized, has an excellent processor, 8 hour continuous use battery, and it is optimized for educational environments (follow the link for specs).

I’m concerned about my student accessing inappropriate information on the Internet.
We have put numerous filters and restrictions in place to prevent students using their Chromebooks to access inappropriate content on the internet. We use the GoGuardian software system to block student access to all known inappropriate content. Proper supervision by teachers at school, and parents outside school, are also important tools in keeping students safe. RCS will closely monitor ALL internet activity by your student and advise you if he/she is making prohibited or unwise/unsafe choices in web content. Specific disciplinary actions for inappropriate use of the Chromebook are contained in the Chromebook Acceptable Use Policy provided to and signed by both student and parent. An inescapable truth is that your child’s safest and most controlled device to access and surf the web is their new Chromebook!

How do I connect my Chromebook to WIFI at a location outside of school?
Chromebooks can be connected to any WIFI access point. For more information on connecting your Chromebook to a home or business WIFI, click here.

How do I use my Chromebook in offline mode?
Chromebooks are able to be used in offline mode when internet access is unavailable. Students are able to turn on offline mode by following these simple directions. Please note, in order for students to work offline they would need to have opened a file at school, at least once, for the file to be available offline. In addition, files created offline are stored locally and will automatically sync changes when the Chromebook reconnects to the internet.

Do I need to have Internet service at home for this device to work?
No. The Chromebook can be used offline for many applications. Many G-Suite for Education applications, including gmail, docs, sheets, slides, etc. will work offline. That said, providing home access to the internet is becoming more and more integral to educational success. While some projects and assignments do not require Internet access, it is important to maximize our students connectivity to the internet so they do not fall into the “digital divide” of not having access to the internet at home.

Are there any low-cost internet plans for our homes?
There are more options than can be enumerated. Like any other purchase, finding the available options and prices requires research customized to your own family’s needs and budget. A good place to start is “Internet providers in Lancaster, PA” at https://www.highspeedinternet.com/pa/lancaster

What are the policies and rules for Chromebook use?
The RCS Chromebook Acceptable Use Policy is available HERE. Each student and a parent/guardian are required to read and sign the Acceptable Use Policy before Chromebooks can be issued.

Will faculty or staff be able to access or control the webcam on the devices?
No. Faculty and staff will not have access to remote control the webcam in any way. Administrators cannot control the webcam, but they can disable it.

Can my student log into his/her @rcspa.org Google account from my home computer or a personal handheld device?

Yes. Outside the classroom, you can log in from any device that is web accessible. However, using personal devices can bypass some, but not all, of the content screening tools we have put in place. An inescapable truth is that your child’s safest and most controlled device to access and surf the web is their new Chromebook!

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