Responsible Use Policy – All Students Grades K-5- 2024

Students and Parents,

We have begun to roll out devices to students. As of 9/14/2023 all students, Kindergarten through 5th grade, will have had the Responsible Use Policy lesson. By 9/13/2023 all of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades will have had an initial iPad Chromebook login lesson (Seesaw, Google, etc).

The Responsible Use Policy needs to be digitally acknowledged by both students and parents.

The District recently sent out an email to all elementary school parents with the subject Elementary Responsible Use Policy || Action Needed outlining the various policies regarding technology, as well as a link to the RUP acknowledgement form. Below is a copy of the original email:

Dear Elementary Families:

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! All Scarsdale elementary schools currently have a 1:1 device program. In grades K-2, students will have access to their own iPad in the classroom while in grades 3-5, all students are provided with a Chromebook that they can use throughout the building and at home. For students and teachers, this device is an important part of our instructional program, allowing students to access a single device with all their content. We’ve included an FAQ below to help prepare you and your children for the new school year.

Are there any required forms I need to complete?
Yes, we need all families to complete the electronic acknowledgement form by September 13, 2024. Please review the documents below before submitting the form.

Scarsdale Schools Technology Responsible Use Board of Education Policy LINK
Elementary Online Accounts Overview LINK

Are children required to bring home devices every evening?
No, students in grades K-2 will leave their devices in school each day.  For students in grades 3-5, devices will only be sent home when classroom teachers know the devices will be needed for homework. Often, students will be able to leave devices in the classrooms over the weekend or long vacations.

Do I need to purchase insurance?
For students in grades 3-5, with devices traveling to and from home, we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance to avoid paying the full cost of repair or replacement of damaged devices.
We recommend purchasing the reasonably-priced ($26) insurance policy the district has made available through Akko.

How do we charge devices at home?
Students should be using the devices for a limited period of time in the evening for school-related activities, so the devices should have adequate charge from school.  If you would like to have an extra charger at home, we recommend purchasing a universal charger (45W usb-c charger for Chromebook).

Do the devices have web filtering?
While our students are in school, their devices access our network via a district Internet content filter, which helps to prevent students from accessing inappropriate images and websites. A similar content filter will be used on school-issued Chromebooks when they are outside of school. Because no Internet filter is perfect, we recommend proactive parental monitoring of your child’s use of the school Chromebook.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.  We look forward to a wonderful year of learning!

Sincerely,

Jeannie Crowley
Director of Technology and Innovation
jcrowley@scarsdaleschools.org

Below is the presentation I review with students:

Please fill out the RUP Acknowledgment Form for each child in the elementary schools.

Devices serial numbers, required for insurance, will be going home shortly.

Let me know if you have any questions.