Parent/Guardian Chromebook Handbook 2026-2027

Optional Insurance Plan

An optional insurance plan is available to Ritenour families through a company called One2One Risk Solutions. The annual (one-year) cost of the optional insurance is $20 per device.  All families must register with One2One Risk Solutions online and either accept and pay for insurance or decline coverage. Learn more. 

Lost or Intentionally Damaged Device and Accessories

A Chromebook or any of its accessories that are lost (whereabouts unknown) or intentionally damaged is the responsibility of the student and parent involved in the loss of property. It will be at the discretion of the Ritenour administration as to who is at fault. The user will not be issued another device or accessories to use until the replacement cost of the lost/damaged device and/or accessories is paid to the school.

Personalizing the Chromebook

Chromebooks must remain free of any decorative writing, artwork, stickers, paint, tape, or labels that are not furnished by or the property of Ritenour School District. Spot checks for compliance will be done by administration or Ritenour School District technicians at any time. Parents/students will be charged for the full replacement cost of a device that has been damaged due to intentional misuse or loss.

Returning Your Chromebook

Any student who no longer attends the Ritenour School District will be required to return their Chromebook and accessories. If a Chromebook and accessories are not returned, the parent/guardian will be held responsible for payment in full. If payment is not received, the parent/guardian will be reported to the authorities for stolen property of the Ritenour School District.

At Home

Students need to charge their Chromebooks every evening. When fully charged, the battery should last throughout the day.

Printing

The Chromebook will not support a direct connection to a physical printer.

Managing Your Files and Saving Your Work

Students may save documents to their Google Drive, or they may save them to an external memory device such as an external storage device. Saving to Google Drive will make the file accessible from any computer with internet access. It will be the responsibility of the student to maintain the integrity of their files and to keep proper backups.

General Precautions

• Food or drink is not recommended near your Chromebook.
• Students should never carry their Chromebook while the screen is open.
• Chromebooks should be shut down when not in use to conserve battery life.
• Chromebooks should never be shoved into a locker or wedged into a book bag, as this may break the screen.
• Chromebooks should not be exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Extreme heat or cold may cause damage to the Chromebook.
• Always allow your Chromebook to reach room temperature prior to turning it on.

Carrying the Chromebook

If your Chromebook came with a protective case, please leave the device in it at all times. However, the case is not designed to prevent damage from dropping it or abusive handling of it. Carrying the Chromebook should always be done by holding it from the bottom, never by the screen.

Screen Care

The Chromebook screen can be damaged if subjected to rough treatment. The screens are particularly sensitive to damage from excessive pressure on the screen.

• Do not lean on top of the Chromebook.
• Do not place anything near the Chromebook that could put pressure on the screen.
• Do not place anything in the carrying case that will press against the cover.
• Do not poke the screen.
• Do not place anything on the keyboard before closing the lid, such as pens, pencils, or notebooks.

Clean the screen with a soft, dry anti-static or microfiber cloth. Do not use window cleaner or any type of liquid or water on the Chromebook.

Chromebook Identification

Chromebooks will be labeled in a manner specified by the school. Chromebooks can be identified in the following way:

• Chromebook identification number on the lid and serial number on the bottom.

Under no circumstances are students to modify, remove, or destroy identification labels.

Storing Your Chromebook

When students are not using their Chromebook, it should be in sleep mode or shut down. The top should be closed. The Chromebook should be fully charged each night. Chromebooks should never be stored in a vehicle for an extended period of time, especially during times of extreme temperatures.

Originally Installed Software

All Chromebooks are supplied with the latest build of the Google Chrome Operating System (OS), and many other applications useful in an educational environment. The Chrome OS will automatically install updates when the computer is shut down and restarted. The software originally installed on the Chromebook must remain on the Chromebook in usable condition and easily accessible at all times.

From time to time, the school may add software or apps for use in a particular course. This process will be automatic with virtually no impact on students. Applications that are no longer needed will automatically be removed by the school as well.

Additional Software/Applications

Students will be able to install additional applications on their Chromebooks from the approved Ritenour School District Google Store.

Inspection

Students may be selected at random to provide their Chromebooks, accessories, and cases for inspection when they are in their school building. The purpose of the inspection will be to check for proper care and maintenance, as well as for inappropriate material being carried into the school. Discovery of inappropriate use or content will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student/Parent Handbook and Behavior Guide.

Students may add appropriate music, photos, and videos to their Google Drive. Personalized media are subject to inspection and must follow the Ritenour School District acceptable use policy.

Chromebooks Undergoing Repair

• Loaner Chromebooks may be issued to students who have paid the cost of the repair when they leave their Chromebook for repair at their designated school.
• If repair is needed due to malicious damage, the school may refuse to provide a loaner Chromebook unless the full replacement cost has been rendered prior.
• Repaired Chromebooks will have the original factory image as first received. It is important that students keep their school data synced to the cloud drives 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.
• Students and parents will be charged for Chromebook damage that is a result of misuse or abusive handling.
• If a Chromebook becomes defective, through no fault of the student, after the Acer warranty expires, Ritenour School District will replace the Chromebook at no charge with a refurbished Chromebook of the same age or newer.

Accidental Damage or Loss Protection

The Ritenour School District is requiring a signed agreement by parents for the repair or replacement of the Chromebook. The Ritenour School District will require that a police report be submitted by the parent/guardian in cases of theft. Fraudulent reporting of theft will be turned over to the police for prosecution. Parents/students will be charged for the full replacement cost of a device that has been damaged due to intentional misuse or loss.

Chromebook Technical Support

Students or their parent/guardian can contact the Ritenour IT department if a problem arises with their district device. Email techsupport@ritenourschools.org or call (314) 493-6085. IT support for Ritenour technology is available to teachers, staff, students and their families for their district devices and related instructional technology needs.

Technical support includes:

• Password identification.
• User account support.
• Coordination of warranty repair.
• Distribution of loaner Chromebooks.
• Hardware maintenance and repair.
• Operating system or software configuration support.
• Restoring the Chromebook to the factory default.
• System software updates.

Procedure for Restoring the Chrome OS

If technical difficulties occur, the device may be restored to factory settings. All student-created files stored on external storage devices or Google Drive will be intact after the operating system is restored.

What is a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are mobile devices designed specifically for people who live on the web. With a comfortable, full-sized keyboard, large display and clickable trackpad, all-day battery life, lightweight and built-in ability to connect to Wi-Fi, the Chromebook is ideal for anytime, anywhere access to the web. They provide a faster, safer, more secure online experience for people who live on the web, without all of the time-consuming, often confusing, high-level maintenance required by typical computers. (Google)

What kind of software does a Chromebook run?

Chromebooks run millions of web-based applications, or web apps, that open right in the browser. You can access web apps by typing their URL into the address bar or by installing them instantly from the Chrome Web Store. (Google)

Will students have access to the devices beyond the school day?

Yes. Another benefit of the program is that learning can continue beyond the school day with the Chromebook. Students will be able to bring the device home throughout the school year.

Who should we see, call, or email if there is a problem with the device?

Students or their parent/guardian can contact the Ritenour IT department if a problem arises with their district device. Email techsupport@ritenourschools.org or call (314) 493-6172 or (314) 493-6085. IT support for Ritenour technology is available to teachers, staff, students and their families.

May my student use their device at home if we don’t have access to the internet?

The Chromebook is heavily dependent on an internet connection, but there are word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation options that will work in offline situations as well. The district is working to ensure that all Ritenour students have Wi-Fi access so they can use their devices for learning at home.

Can the Chromebook be used anywhere?

Yes, as long as there is a Wi-Fi signal to access the web.

Is there antivirus software built into it?

It is not necessary to have antivirus software on Chromebooks because there are no running programs for viruses to infect.

How long does the battery last?

The normal life of the battery of the Acer Chromebook is approximately 10-12 hours if it is fully charged.

Will students be able to access inappropriate sites when using their Chromebook off campus?

Through the use of the Chromebook Management Console, the Ritenour Technology Department will be able to have the same filtering on the devices at home that students experience at school.

How can a student access a device if their Chromebook is being repaired?

The district is planning to have loaner devices available once all ordered devices have arrived. Students or their parent/guardian can contact the Ritenour IT department if a problem arises with their district device. Email techsupport@ritenourschools.org or call (314) 493-6172 or (314) 493-6085. IT support for Ritenour technology is available to teachers, staff, students and their families.

Does the district have the ability to track technology that may be lost or stolen?

Steps have been taken to allow us to track devices in these scenarios. We are also coordinating with law enforcement to prevent avenues for resale.

How are these web-based applications managed?

The Ritenour School District Technology Department will maintain and manage all devices through our Google Apps for Education account. The Technology Department can pre-install and block specific web applications from a centralized management console.