Technology

Twenty-first-century education demands a practical, forward-thinking understanding of technology and a cooperative approach to integrating technology with the student’s home, classroom, and various student programs.

Sidney City Schools use technology to provide a strong foundation for the pursuit of excellence and lifelong learning. Technology is used to teach essential skills to learners of all abilities and cultures, to involve the skills and talents of our educational leaders and the community in promoting creative and critical thinking, and to help students, teachers, and the community fulfill their vision for education.

Along with supporting the day-to-day technology operations of the district, the Technology Department answers the technology goals of the curriculum agenda, supports the individual classroom needs of teachers, assists students with connecting their own devices to the learning systems, and maintains a sustainable technology operation.

IT Support

If you experience technical issues, please submit a Help Ticket. Our team will get back with you as quickly as possible. For instructional matters, reach out to our teachers directly.

Help Ticket Submission

1:1 Chromebook Initiative

By providing each of our students a Chromebook, we also enhance their educational experience by allowing them to research, collaborate, create, and learn beyond the walls of the traditional classroom.

Sidney City Schools has reached a 1:1 device status, where every student will have a school-issued device to use. Because of this, our students and teachers are able to leverage the Chromebooks as a tool for creative instruction and learning.

At the primary level, though there is one device per student, those devices are kept at school. At the intermediate school level, devices mostly remain at school with some chances for them to be taken home depending on the situation. In middle school, students are issued a device at the beginning of the year to keep and use between school and home; this practice continues through high school.

Being 1:1 with devices has allowed greater access to technology while preparing our students to succeed in the ever-changing, and increasingly-technological, world. It has also eliminated both the need for teachers to schedule computer lab time at school and the need for students to have a device at home.

Technology Agreement

All use of school and district technology shall be consistent with Sidney City Schools’s goal of maximizing the potential of every person every day by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

Chromebook FAQs

Does the Chromebook belong to the student?

How do students take care of the Chromebook?

The Chromebook is school property and all users will follow this policy and the Sidney City Schools acceptable use policy for this technology. Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook they have been issued by the school.

It is to be charged at home each night so it is ready for use at school the next day.
The student is expected to bring the complete power cord with the computer every day.
The inventory stickers on the Chromebook must not be removed. A Chromebook skin is allowed, but no other markings are allowed on the Chromebook.
Only use a clean, soft cloth to clean the screen, no cleansers of any type.
Cords and cables must be inserted carefully into the Chromebook to prevent damage.
Chromebooks must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or labels that are not the property of the Sidney City Schools. If students use “skins” or cases to personalize their
Chromebooks they must not take off any School labels.
Chromebooks must never be left in an unlocked locker, unlocked car or any unsupervised area.
Students are responsible for keeping their Chromebook’s battery charged for school each day.

What happens when the Chromebook needs repaired or seen by a technician?

Students will report to the Media Center/Library of their building and may be asked to fill out a form.
Students will be asked how the damage occurred and “I do not know how this occurred” will not be an acceptable response.
Students may be issued a loaner Chromebook.
Students who use a loaner Chromebook are responsible for damages that might occur to the loaner while it is in the student’s possession.
Repair costs for student Chromebooks are as follows:

Screen Replacement	$30
Keyboard Replacement	$50
Touchpad	$20
Camera	$25
Headphone Jack/Charging Port (motherboard)	up to $250
Major Cosmetic Damage	up to $250

What happens if the Chromebook is lost or stolen?

What happens if students forget to bring the Chromebook to school?

What things can and can’t students do with the Chromebook?

What things shouldn’t students do with the Chromebook?

Students cannot use the Chromebook for private or commercial gain or for private or personal advertising.
They cannot download pirated software, songs, or movies.
They cannot use it to invade the privacy of others, use it to post materials authored by another without their consent, or use it to post anonymous messages.
Students cannot use the Chromebook to access, submit, post/publish or display defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing or illegal material, or any other material deemed educationally inappropriate.
Students must be aware of copyright laws regarding media and abide by those laws.

What is network etiquette and how does it apply to students?

Network etiquette is how you treat others on the network and how you respectfully use the network resources provided. Students are expected to be polite and to use appropriate language. They are not to reveal their telephone number and address or those of other students. They will not use email to engage in spamming others or posting/ forwarding chain letters. They will not use email to threaten or harass others. They will not disrupt the network in any way and they understand that all information and data housed on their computer is the property of Sidney City Schools and is not private. Students understand that their computer can be accessed by administrators or tech staff as well as a history of their internet usage. A teacher can also request a student show them the contents of their computers, history, or school email account.

How do students keep themselves safe on the Internet?

Students can ensure their safety on the internet by not posting personal information about themselves or other people. This includes addresses, phone numbers, work addresses, names of cities where they live, the name of schools they attend, etc.
Students should never agree to meet with someone they have met online.
Students should talk to a teacher, librarian, principal, counselor or other trusted adult about anything they encounter that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.

What if families do not have Internet access or have slow Internet service?

The staff at Sidney City Schools is aware that not all families have access or fast access to the internet. Teachers will keep this in mind as they design assignments and will work with students to provide alternate ways of accessing the information, such as how to download videos while they are at school so they can access them at home without the Internet.

The public libraries also have access, along with McDonalds, the YMCA, and various other restaurants and organizations.
WiFi hotspots will be handed out on a case-by-case basis.

What happens if a student withdraws from the district before the end of the school year?

Students will return their assigned Chromebook and adapter/cords to the school office on their last day in attendance.

A thorough examination of the Chromebook will be conducted. Student and family could be assessed fees for cosmetic or other damages.
If the Chromebook is not returned to the school upon withdrawal or school end, failure to return the Chromebook will be considered conversion/theft and will be reported to the proper authorities.

Revised May 11, 2022--These FAQs are subject to updates and change at any time.

Sidney City Schools reserves the right to amend technology agreements at any time. The Responsible Use Policy is signed off on each year through PowerSchool Forms while at Sidney City Schools.

Contact

Technology
Department

750 S Fourth Avenue
Sidney, OH 45365
937-497-2200

Trent Francis
Director of Technology

Cameron Hopkins
IT Support Specialist

Cody Cagle
Systems Administrator

Trevor Powers
IT Support Specialist

Andrew Scott
Network Administrator

Responsible Use Policy

All use of the Internet shall be consistent with Sidney City Schools’s goal of maximizing the potential of every person every day by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. Guidance and instruction will be provided and required for each individual granted Internet access through the school. The policy does not attempt to state all required and/or unacceptable behaviors by users. However, some specific examples are provided. The failure of any user to follow the terms of the Responsible Use Policy for Internet Access will result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action. An agreement to this form is legally
binding and indicates the party who signed off has read the terms and conditions carefully and understands their significance.

Internet - Terms and Conditions
1) Acceptable Use - The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of Sidney City Schools.
2) Privileges - The use of the Sidney City Schools telecommunications services is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use will result in the cancellation of those privileges. The technology director and the superintendent will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. The administration, faculty, and staff of Sidney City Schools may request the technology director and/or the system administrators to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.
3) Unacceptable Use – You are responsible for your actions and activities involving the network. Some examples of unacceptable use are:

Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts, or transmitting any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation.
Unauthorized downloading of software, regardless of whether it is copyrighted or free from viruses or malware.
Downloading copyrighted material
Using the network for private or commercial gain.
Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities.
Invading the privacy of individuals.
Posting material authored or created by another without his/her consent.
Posting anonymous messages.
Accessing, submitting, posting/publishing or displaying defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, harassing or illegal material, or any other material deemed educationally inappropriate.
Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked.
Posting chain letters or engaging in spamming.

3) Exclusive Use of Access - Network users are solely responsible for the use of their login, passwords, and access privilege. Any problems that arise from the use of a registered user's login are the user's responsibility. The use of a registered login by someone other than the user is forbidden and is grounds for denial or limitation of network access privileges. Primary network
resources can only be accessed with school owned computers, Chromebooks and similar devices.

4) Network Etiquette – You are expected to abide by the accepted rules of network and safety etiquette. These include but are not limited to the following:

Be polite.
Use appropriate language. Do not swear or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.
Do not reveal the addresses or telephone numbers of students or colleagues.
Do not use the network to disrupt the use of the network by other users.
All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be property of Sidney City Schools.

5) Personal Safety – For your own benefit, observe the following precautions:

Do not post personal contact information about yourself or other people. This information includes, but is not limited to your address, telephone number, work address, etc.
Do not agree to meet with someone you have met online.
Disclose to your teacher, librarian, or classroom supervisor any message you receive that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.

6) Search and Seizure/Due Process - Your Chromebook and network accounts are not private.
Routine maintenance and monitoring of the email or file servers may lead to discovery that you have violated this agreement, or the law. The technology director and/or systems administrators will conduct searches if there is reasonable suspicion that you have violated this agreement or the law, or if requested by local, state or federal law enforcement officials. Sidney City Schools will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to illegal activities conducted on network resources owned by Sidney City Schools.

7) Security - Security on any computer system is of the highest priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you identify a security problem on technology resources, you must notify the technology director. Users should not demonstrate the problem to other users. Users should not use another individual's logins. Attempts to log on to the network with a stolen identity or as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges, and possible expulsion. If a user is identified as a security risk or has a history of problems with other computer systems, Sidney City Schools Schools may deny access to technology resources.

8) Vandalism/Harassment – Vandalism and/or harassment will result in cancellation of privileges and disciplinary action will be taken. Vandalism is defined as any malicious and/or intentional attempt to harm, steal or destroy data of another user, school networks, or technology hardware. This includes but is not limited to the uploading or creation of computer viruses, installing unapproved software, changing equipment configurations, deliberately destroying or stealing hardware and its components, or seeking to circumvent network security. Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user or the interference in another’s work. This includes, but is not limited to, the sending of unwanted e-mail.

9) Sidney City Schools reserves the right to amend this policy as needed.

10) The Responsible Use Policy is signed off on each year while at Sidney City Schools.

Device Agreement

All K-12 grade students Sidney City Schools are issued a device for their educational use. It is our belief that if reasonable precautions and care are taken in the use of the device, the device should not experience physical damage. Each student and parent is asked to read this form carefully.

Proper Care and Precautions

Personal Responsibilities


1.	I/We understand that the device and its accessory equipment are the property of Sidney City Schools.
2.	I/We understand that the student, with the support of the parent, is responsible for the daily care and maintenance of the device.
3.	I/We understand and agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the SCS Responsible Use Policy. Failure to abide by this policy will result in disciplinary action.
4.	I/We understand that the device will be returned at the school’s discretion for upgrades and maintenance.
5.	I/We understand that I/we must report all device damages or the theft/loss of the device to the building designee within one school day. In terms of Chromebooks, should a machine be turned in at the end of the year having damages that have not been reported and that damage is deemed greater than the replacement cost of the device, it will be the responsibility of the student to pay the cost of the device.
6.	I/We understand that the device must be in a padded backpack when being transported as a reasonable precaution against damage, theft, or loss. iPads must remain in the protective case provided by the district. Devices and cases must remain free of any writing, drawing, stickers, or labels that are not the property of the district. Only labels or stickers approved by SCS may be applied to the devices.
7.	I/we understand that I/we will be responsible for all repair/replacement charges associated with device damages caused intentionally, through a lack of reasonable precautions (negligence) or loss/theft. Cost will be set by the Tech Director in coordination with Superintendent.
8.	I/We understand that, unless instructed otherwise by a teacher, all students must have their fully charged device with them each day for every class.

Fee, Coverage, and Maintenance Information

9.	I/We understand that if, in the opinion of the building administration, it is felt that the student did not exercise proper care and/or take appropriate precautions, and this behavior resulted in damage to the device, the cost of the parts and repair will the responsibility of the student/parent. Current replacement part costs are listed in this document.
10.	I/We understand that in the event the device is stolen, I/we must contact the school administration immediately. I/we understand that a police report must also be filed.
11.	I/We also understand that in the event that the device was stolen or lost regardless of the circumstances, I/we will be responsible for the full replacement cost of the device.
12.	(For Chromebooks Only): I/We understand that in the event a Chromebook needs to be repaired the student will be able check out a loaner Chromebook. However, I/We understand these loaners are the responsibility of the student to pay for any damages that occur during his/her use.

Sidney City Schools reserves the right to amend this agreement at any time.

Loaner Procedures & Policies

All students will be given loaner machines when they bring their machines in for repairs unless negligence or intentional damage is suspected and if a repair can't occur in a short period of time.

There are 15-30 loaners in every building to meet this need.

When a student’s machine is turned in for repair and they need to check out a loaner Chromebook, the media assistant will fill out a google form checking the device out. This form is used to track damages on loaner computers.

Payment Agreements

Students will be invoiced for the repairs as needed. Repairs needed will be determined by the technology department.

Student Chromebook Repair and Replacement Charges for 2023-2024

Item	Cost
Full Device Replacement	up to $250
Screen Replacement	$30
Keyboard Replacement	$50
Touchpad	$20
Camera	$25
Headphone Jack or Charging Port (motherboard)	up to $250
Major Cosmetic Damage	$30-$250
Charger Replacement	$30
Other parts on a case-by-case basis	$30-$250