General Care of the Laptop
• Liquid, foods, and other debris can damage the laptop. Avoid eating or drinking while using the laptop. Do NOT keep food or food wrappers in the laptop or laptop case.
• When using the laptop, keep it on a flat, solid surface for air to circulate. Using a laptop while on a carpet, sofa, or bed can cause damage due to overheating.
• The laptop should be shut down before coming to school and started after entering the school building each day OR restarted once in the school.
• The laptop should be placed in 'hibernation' between classes and at the end of the day. This is achieved just by closing the laptop case.
Overloading the backpack or case will damage the laptop.
• The laptop should not be exposed to extreme temperatures for extended periods of time. Extreme heat or cold may cause damage to the laptop.
• Care should be taken when inserting cord, cables, and other removable storage devices to avoid damage to the laptop ports.
• A label has been applied to the laptop for ID purposes. Do not place additional stickers/items on the computer.
• Keep the laptop away from magnets and magnetic fields, which can erase or corrupt data. This includes but is not limited to large speakers, amplifiers, transformers, vacuum cleaners, and older television sets.
Screen Care
• Take extreme caution with the screen, this is the most expensive part of the laptop to repair.
• The screens are susceptible to damage from excessive pressure or weight. Do not allow weight on the laptop from within the backpack or where someone or something may lean or step on the laptop.
• Laptops should never be shoved into a locker or wedged into a book bag as this may break the screen.
• Do not pick up the laptop by the screen.
• Avoid touching the screen with fingers, pens, pencils, or any sharp instrument.
• Do not lean or place any weight on the laptop.
• Do not leave pencils, pens, or papers on the keyboard when closing the screen.
• Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth, anti-static cloth, or use LCD approved anti-static cleaner or wipe.
• NEVER clean the screen with glass cleaner.
Carrying the Laptop
• All laptops are to be carried in the school-provided laptop carrying case at all times. Even if the laptop is being carried in a backpack, it still needs to be within the case.
• Always close the lid before moving or carrying the laptop.
• Make sure the case is fully zipped before carrying it with the laptop.
• Do not leave the laptop in a vehicle for extended periods of time or overnight.
• Carefully unplug all cords, accessories, and peripherals before moving the laptop or placing it in a case.
Security
• NEVER leave laptops, AC adapters, or cases in unsupervised, unlocked areas. Unsupervised areas include, but are not limited to the cafeteria, outdoor areas or benches, computer labs, buses, locker rooms, media centers, classrooms, gyms, restrooms, and hallways. In the event of a fire drill or other classroom evacuation, laptops should be taken along with the student.
• When students are not using the laptops or moving to an unsecured space, laptops should be stored in a secured locker. NOTHING should be placed on top of the laptop in the locker.
• Students are expected to take their laptop home every night.
• Laptops should not be stored in a vehicle at home or at school. If a laptop is placed in a vehicle temporarily, it must not be visible from the outside.
• During after-school events, students are still expected to maintain the security of the laptop. Students participating in sport events will secure the laptops by locking them inside assigned lockers.
• Student should avoid using the laptop in areas where damage or theft is likely.
• Students must keep their logon and password confidential.
Loaning
• Students may not lend laptop to others for any reason. This includes other family members.
• Parents/legal guardians may use the laptop to assist their child who is assigned the laptop with homework and school assignments.
Power Management
• The laptop battery is to be charged before arriving to school each day. Power outlets may not be accessible in classroom for recharging.
• Laptops should be placed in standby mode or hibernate if they will not be used within the next 30 minutes.
• Dimming the brightness of the screen will extend the life of the battery.
• Uncharged batteries or failure to bring the laptop to class will not be acceptable excuse for late or incomplete work or inability to participate in class activities.
• All students are required to carry their chargers (AC Adapters) to school in case there is an opportunity to recharge in a classroom.
• Be careful not to cause a tripping hazard when plugging in the laptop to an electrical source.
• For prolonged periods of inactivity, shut down the laptop to conserve the battery.