As questions come in to the school we will post the answers here.

Chromebook FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is the Chromebook initiative mandatory?

Every student in the middle school, grades 6-8, will be issued a Chromebook. Students will be required to bring the device to class each day but it will be up to the teacher as to whether or not the Chromebook will be used in class to support the day’s lesson or activity.

Will my child need to bring the Chromebook home?

If families feel they have adequate digital access for all members of the household then families can select the “school-only” option. These students will be assigned a slot in a lockable cart. The student will be responsible for plugging in their Chromebook at the end of each day before leaving the school.

Can my child bring in their own Chromebook or other personal device?

The district has decided not to enter into a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program. With each Chromebook comes a device-specific license that allows efficient management of WIFI access, security settings and deployment of Chrome apps, including the Securly app for home filtering.

Do I have to pay the $50 fee?

The Care and Maintenance fee is not mandatory but is highly recommended. The fee includes a carrying case, the securly filtering software, and repair or replacement of the device for any accidental damage or loss. If the fee is not paid, families will be responsible for any necessary repair or replacement, including the power cord.

Replacement screens cost approximately $75.00 and replacement chargers are approximately $45.00. The cost to replace the device is approximately $250.00. Note: once we receive confirmation of these prices we will re-post the information.
What if the Chromebook is stolen?

If the Chromebook is stolen then it is to be reported immediately to the school and the Wayland Police Department. If the student and family has shown due diligence in the care of the device before it went missing then the student will be issued a new Chromebook. There is a limit of one replacement per student.

When is a repair paid for by the school and when is the family responsible?

The $50 fee covers the purchase of a protective case, Securly filtering software and the remainder is to use for accidental repairs that are bound to crop up. For example, a student is quietly working at their desk with the Chromebook and it is accidentally knocked off the table, thereby cracking the screen. The school will use the fee to have it repaired. If the accidental damage is to the degree that a replacement unit is required, the school will pay to replace it (one time). If the damage is due to negligence (being rough with the chromebook by swinging the case against lockers, for example) then the family would be required to pay for the repairs or replacement unit.  The school recognizes that young students are handling the device on a day to day basis and we will pay for the “normal” repairs from such use, including accidents. We will not pay for repairs when students purposefully mishandle the device. This includes liquid spills (it may be an accident to spill on the Chromebook but eating and drinking near it is not).  Please know that we will spend considerable time with students discussing the care and use of the Cb’s, beginning with the training session before school starts. Reinforcing good habits at home will go a long way to having the device last for the length of the three year lease.

Parents, please do the following 3 steps before August 15th so that we may prepare for this school year’s Chromebook 1:1 initiative:

 1) Signup for a training date

Each family, parent/guardian and child,  must attend one training session before the student can use the assigned Chromebook (at home or at school). Please CLICK HERE to reserve your training time.  Register for each child enrolled in WMS  and not for the adult(s). Also, you do not need to print a ticket, your online reservation will suffice.

At the training session you will be required to sign the Care & Maintenance Agreement. To save time please read, print the 5th page, sign and bring it with you.

On August 27th a training session will be held at the high school for METCO familes who attend the Parent Night meeting (both MS and HS laptop training will occur at the same time and no reservation is needed).  METCO families will need to sign up for a  training date if they cannot attend the August 27th event.

2) Pay the maintenance fee

There is a $50 maintenance fee.  The money will go toward purchasing a carrying case, installing filtering software for home use, and covering accidental repairs (see Agreement).

CLICK HERE to submit your payment online.

If families require financial assistance, please apply to the Wayland Public Schools Financial Assistance Program:

• Program overview
• Application to print and mail

3) Select a Chromebook option

The Take-home option allows students to bring home the Chromebook each day so that they may complete their homework assignments. Students will keep the power cord at home and will be responsible for bringing the Chromebook to school each day with a full charge.

The School-only option is available for families who feel they have adequate access for their child(ren) to complete daily homework assignments. Students will be responsible for plugging their Chromebook in a cart at the end of each day.

CLICK HERE to select the option that best meets the academic needs of your family.

If you have any questions, please contact Beth_Monahan@wayland.k12.ma.us, WMS Technology Specialist and K-12 Department Head for Instructional Technology.

Parents and students are required to attend one training session at the time they pickup their Chromebook.

The training dates are August 25th & 26th and again on September 2nd & 3rd.

All students must have their Chromebook with them at school on Monday, September 8th, fully charged and in the provided case.

The WMS faculty and leadership team has decided to go with the Case Logic molded Chromebook case for all students.

This case has a protective shell to prevent damage and allows students to use the Chromebook in the case if needed.

The lack of pockets will deter students from bringing in their chargers (they should be kept at home) and storing items that belong in their regular folders.

Students can carry the case by the handle during the day and if their backpack is not stuffed, they may place this inside for transporting to and from school.

WMS proposes to allow all students, in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, to take home their assigned Chromebook so that they may have adequate digital access to complete their homework assignments.

Families that have adequate access at home may elect for their child(ren) to keep the Chromebook at school each day

The details of the 1:1 initiative are outlined in the WMS Chromebook Care, Maintenance & Support Agreement.

In order for families to take home the Chromebook, they must attend training with their child(ren). Dates to be announced later this year.

Families must also return a signed Family Contract that outlines the planned use of the Chromebook at home.

The school is asking parents to pay a User Fee that includes a protective case,  home filtering software, and coverage for accidental repairs. See the Care, Maintenance and Support Agreement for more information.