Knowledge and Consequences MCPS COMPUTER USE LESSONS

KNOWLEDGE: LAPTOP DAILY CARE/PROTECTION At school, the laptop is with you or locked in your locker Never leave your laptop unattended Never leave it in an unlocked classroom or with a friend When carried, laptop is in the case, or closed and carried securely Never in or under a backpack or athletic bag Always treated with respect and care Do not eat or drink around the laptop  No open laptops in the DBC at lunch You are not an administrator  do not set an administrator password Do not mess with or damage the laptop ID sticker or the case ID tag Remember, you are renting the laptop and its case. It is not yours No personalizing. No writing. No stickers. No drawings. No etchings

CONSEQUENCES: LAPTOP DAILY CARE/PROTECTION Your laptop will be confiscated if it is Found unattended Carried improperly Opened in the DBC at lunch time Confiscated laptops will be delivered to Ms. Walski $25 fine or 3 administrative detentions to get it back No loaner computers are provided for confiscated laptops Score of 0 on all work missed until laptop is reacquired, unless the teacher’s class policy allows work to be made up or submitted late Physical damage or personalization to the laptop or its case will result in a repair or cleaning fee of at least $25. Full replacement cost will be assessed for a laptop or case that is too compromised to be reassigned in the next school year

KNOWLEDGE: CLEANING THE COMPUTER Before any cleaning, shut down the laptop and unplug the power adapter Use water to dampen a soft, lint-free cloth for cleaning the exterior casing, display screen, or keyboard Never spray water or any other cleaner directly on to the computer exterior, display screen, or keyboard Do not get moisture in any openings D not use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide. An inexpensive plastic keyboard can help keep the keyboard clean You may want to disinfect your keyboard--but NOT the screen--by wiping with a damp Lysol or Clorox disinfecting wipe before wiping with the water-dampened cloth

CONSEQUENCES: CLEANING THE COMPUTER Without cleaning, a keyboard can accumulate more germs than a toilet. Cleaning with the computer on or the power adapter attached can result in electric shock. Moisture that gets into the computer can damage electric circuits. Be careful. Damage from stains on the screen, a sticky touch pad, or dirty keys is not covered by warranty or insurance. Such damage is payable by the students or their parents.

KNOWLEDGE: MANAGING THE BATTERY Come to school with a fully-charged battery  charge each night Most rooms have few convenient outlets Teacher does not have to let you re-charge in class, especially if it is disruptive or if cords pose a safety hazard Avoid activities that can drain the battery (e.g., games or videos) except as instructed by the teacher

CONSEQUENCES: MANAGING THE BATTERY No battery = 0 for all work missed due to the dead battery The teacher’s class policy may not allow work to be made up or submitted late Managing the battery power level is a student responsibility!

KNOWLEDGE: AVOIDING DAMAGE Always carry the laptop in its cushioned case Do not pack other items in the laptop case; texts can cause a pressure crack in the screen or loose items can scratch the computer surface Close the computer when not in use Do not put any items, especially heavy items like back packs or athletic bags, on top of the laptop or its case Do not carry a laptop in a back pack or athletic bag---the weight and jostling of other items can damage the laptop (e.g., by blunting the rounded edges of the laptop, or by applying lateral pressure tha can damage the display screen) Stow laptop cases carefully when driving Never allow a laptop or its case to get wet Do not eat or drink around the laptop. What’s on your fingers gets on the keyboard!

CONSEQUENCES: ACCOUNTING FOR DAMAGE Return damaged laptops immediately to Ms. Walski for processing and repair Loaner computers are available only if The damage is covered by warranty, or The damage is covered by laptop insurance and the $200 deductible is paid to MCPS Abusive damage caused by not carrying the laptop in its case, by not protecting cords, by careless handling, or by eating or drinking near the laptop may invalidate a warranty or insurance Damage not covered by warranty or insurance is paid by the student or their parents Work missed due to a damaged laptop is scored as zero unless otherwise provided for by the teacher’s policy for make-up or late work