2024 - 2025 District Chromebook Information

Chromebook Policies and Handbook

All families must review all applicable policies outlined below. In addition, families must review the Student Chromebook Technology Handbook. Once these items have been reviewed, parents / guardians of students are required to log into PowerSchool Parent Portal and sign a form acknowledging they have reviewed the policies and handbook below.

• SOMSD Student Chromebook Technology Handbook
  
• Policy 2361 - Acceptable Use of Computer Networks / Computers and Resources
• Policy 7523 - School District Provided Technology Devices To Students
• Policy 5513 - Care of School Property

Families are required to sign into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and acknowledge they have reviewed the policies and student handbook. Instructions on how to access the agreement form can be found here.

Kindergarten and First Grade Students

• Students in Grades K & 1 use Chromebooks located in their Homerooms.
• Chromebooks are stored in Chromebook carts and should not be removed from the building. 
• After the Chromebook is used, the Chromebook should be returned to the Chromebook cart and plugged in to charge.

Second Grade Through Twelfth Grade Students

• Students in grades 2 - 12 are provided with district issued Chromebooks.
• Students in these grades must use district issued Chromebooks for state testing. 
• Students are responsible for bringing the devices to school each day, fully charged. 

Chromebook Distribution Information

• Students who attended the district during the 2023 - 2024 school year and were assigned a Chromebook should continue to use that Chromebook during the 2024 - 2025 school year.
• Rising 9th grade students are assigned new Chromebooks. 9th grade families can sign up to pick up their Chromebooks using the following link:
  Chromebook Distribution - Appointment Signup
• Newly enrolled 2- 12 families: follow these instructions regarding Chromebook distribution.  

Chromebook distribution for 9th grade students and new students to the district will be done at the District Technology Office. Distribution will be done by appointment only.

The Technology Office is located in the back of the building. Do not use the front entrance. The address is 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ.

Chromebook Insurance

Chromebook Insurance Coverage Brochure (English | Spanish)

Parents of students in grades 2 - 12 have the option to purchase a protection plan for the district issued Chromebook to cover repair and replacement cost if the device is accidentally damaged or stolen. The protection plan is non refundable. The cost of the protection plan is $25.00 for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Once purchased, coverage is in effect from the day the device is received through the last day of the 2024 - 2025 school year. 

• The protection plan does NOT cover misuse, neglect or intentional damage. Students will be responsible for the entire cost of repairs or replacement to devices damaged through student misuse, neglect, or intentional damage. 
• The protection plan does NOT cover damage to power adapters / chargers.
• The protection plan does NOT cover lost power adapters / chargers
• The protection plan does cover accidental damages to loaner devices that are issued to the student in the event that a Chromebook is being repaired. 
• A police report is required when a device is lost / stolen. A claim through the device protection plan for lost / stolen devices is required. 
• If you do NOT purchase the Protection Plan, you are responsible to pay for the cost of any repair(s) for physical damage to the student’s device, power adapter and any loaner devices that are issued to the student. If the device is unable to be repaired, this may also include the full replacement cost of the device. There is no charge for cosmetic damage. District technicians will make repairs to cosmetic issues to Chromebooks, pending part availability. 
  • Students will not be charged for the following:
    • Cosmetic damage.
    • Damage / malfunction due to normal anticipated wear and tear. 
    • Damage / malfunction due to age of equipment.
    • Damage / malfunction due to component failure not associated with hardware damage (ex. Chromebook no longer connects to Wi-Fi  due to wireless card failing failing).

We strongly encourage families of students in Grades 2 - 12 to purchase a protection plan for their Chromebook. If a protection plan is not purchased, families will be responsible for any physical damage to the district Chromebook. 

How To Buy The Chromebook Protection Plan / Insurance

• Families in Grades 2 - 12 can purchase a protection plan for their Chromebook at School Device Coverage's website. (www.schooldevicecoverage.com/signup).
• Please have your child's Student Number and Chromebook available at the time of purchase.
• The cost of the protection plan is $25 for the year.
• Credit Cards and Checks are accepted.
  • Please be advised that there is a 4% processing fee for credit cards.
• If you need assistance with purchasing insurance, please call (888) - 978 - 3515 or visit www.schooldevicecoverage.com
• Policy Information can be found at www.schooldevicecoverage.com/policy

Repairing or Replacing Your Chromebook

Student Chromebook Repair Procedures (Click Here)

• Do not take district-owned Chromebooks to an outside computer service for any type of repairs or maintenance. 
• Students in Grades K - 5 should contact their teacher regarding their damaged Chromebook. Teachers will submit Technology Work Orders to have the broken devices repaired. Please leave the Chromebook in the classroom so that the technician can locate the device.
• Students in Grades 6 - 12 should use the forms below to submit a request to have their Chromebook repaired. Students can drop off their broken Chromebook at their school's Library (CHS & MMS) / Main Office (SOMS). Please note that you must use your district Google account to complete the forms below.
  • Columbia High School Student Chromebook Repair
  • Maplewood Middle School Student Chromebook
  • South Orange Middle School Student Chromebook
•  Repaired Chromebooks may end up with the original factory image as first received. It is important that students keep their school data synced to Google Drive so documents and class projects will not be lost. Personal information that cannot be replaced should be kept at home on an external storage device such as a USB drive
• Students will not be charged for the following:
  • Cosmetic damage.
  • Damage / malfunction due to normal anticipated wear and tear. 
  • Damage / malfunction due to age of equipment.
  • Damage / malfunction due to component failure not associated with hardware damage (ex. Chromebook no longer connects to Wi-Fi  due to wireless card failing failing).

Chromebook repairs typically will take 1 - 3 school days but can be longer depending upon the extent of the repair. Loaner Chromebooks may be available at the schools for the student to use while the device is being repaired. Loaner availability is not guaranteed.

Parts List with Prices

If the part(s) below are damaged and you do not purchase the protection plan, you will be charged the following prices: