1:1 Digital Learning

Student safety is a top priority in District 15. To this end, District 15 incorporates content filtering on all student devices, on and off campus, through a content-filtering service. This service is designed to block access to categories of inappropriate content like obscene or harmful material on the Internet while also reporting student online and search activity.

District 15 staff do not physically monitor devices during school holidays, breaks and weekends. 

Although content filters are highly effective at blocking inappropriate material on the internet, they are not 100% effective. As a result, it is important that both schools and families discuss and encourage appropriate internet usage and online activity with students. 

SecurlyHome

Parents have access to SecurlyHome, a mobile app and online portal designed to provide parents/guardians insight and control over their student's online activity when on school-managed devices and accounts. SecurlyHome was created to help provide students additional educational support and is a companion to the classroom engagement and internet filtering tools that our school uses.  

• First, the Securly app and online portal provides an overview of your children's online activity on school-managed devices and accounts. This overview includes the apps, extensions, documents, and websites your student visited.
• Second, SecurlyHome provides parents with an additional set of internet controls that you can set for out-of-school hours.

Please visit SecurlyHome for information and instructions on how to download and sign in to this app. This app uses the parent email that was used for school registration. Please contact your building’s secretary if you need to update that email address.

District issued Chromebooks are to be used for educational purposes. Students will have the ability to install educational tools and district approved apps and extensions from the District 15 Chrome Store. District 15 does not support the use of Chromebooks for gaming purposes.

Parents have access to SecurlyHome, a mobile app and online portal designed to provide parents/guardians insight and control over their student's online activity when on school-managed devices and accounts. SecurlyHome was created to help provide students additional educational support and is a companion to the classroom engagement and internet filtering tools that our school uses.  

• First, the Securly app and online portal provides an overview of your children's online activity on school-managed devices and accounts. This overview includes the apps, extensions, documents, and websites your student visited.
• Second, SecurlyHome provides parents with an additional set of internet controls that you can set for out-of-school hours.

Please visit SecurlyHome for information and instructions on how to download and sign in to this app. This app uses the parent email that was used for school registration. Please contact your building’s secretary if you need to update that email address.

Yes. Student online and search activity is reported through the content filtering/digital classroom management system, SecurlyHome. Administrators and teachers in District 15 have access to their students’ browsing history.  District 15 teachers can  remotely control their students’ Chromebook devices while the student is at school. While on campus, teachers can also monitor their students’ Chromebook screens and chat/message students. District 15 staff do not remotely control or monitor student devices during school holidays, breaks, and weekends.

SecurlyHome

Parents have access to SecurlyHome, a mobile app and online portal designed to provide parents/guardians insight and control over their student's online activity when on school-managed devices and accounts. SecurlyHome was created to help provide students additional educational support and is a companion to the classroom engagement and internet filtering tools that our school uses.  

• First, the Securly app and online portal provides an overview of your children's online activity on school-managed devices and accounts. This overview includes the apps, extensions, documents, and websites your student visited.
• Second, SecurlyHome provides parents with an additional set of internet controls that you can set for out-of-school hours.

Please visit SecurlyHome for information and instructions on how to download and sign in to this app. This app uses the parent email that was used for school registration. Please contact your building’s secretary if you need to update that email address.

Google has declared its commitment to protecting the privacy and security of students. Google states that it does not sell students’ Google Workspace for Education data to third parties and does not share personal information placed in its systems with third parties. Click here to read more information on Google Student Privacy or the Google Privacy Notice to Parents.

Students who are issued a Chromebook will have limited access to videos and content on YouTube based on restricted settings within our internet filter and the Google administrative console. By default, when a student goes to YouTube.com they will have access to many videos that are deemed appropriate for children of all ages. Additionally, in our Google administrative console, we have given teachers the ability to approve videos for students which may have been initially blocked for children of all ages. The goal of the “teacher approval process” is to allow teachers to selectively unblock videos on YouTube that will supplement curriculum and learning for students in his/her class. Videos on YouTube that are not relevant to District 15’s learning standards or curriculum will remain blocked for students on their Chromebook.

No. District 15 does not have the ability to access the Chromebook cameras.

Students in grades K-8 will receive lessons on Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship at school. Many websites exist to offer parents helpful information and tips on keeping your children safe online. Please refer to these links, as they have been reviewed by District 15 staff and administration.

• Common Sense Media
• Raising Digital Citizens
• NetSmartz
• Get Safe On-line
• Scholastic—Keeping Kids Safe On-line

Students will use their Chromebooks every day; however, the Chromebook does not render textbooks, pencil and paper obsolete. Digital learning in Community Consolidated School District 15 will be “blended learning,” which means using a combination of technology, books and paper to deliver our curriculum and support students in meeting the Illinois Learning Standards. 

• Chromebooks and Google Workspace allow students to get deeper, more meaningful feedback from teachers and their peers in a more actionable way.

• Chromebooks allow students to create their own “real” products. Each day, we have students building their own websites using Google Sites, collecting and analyzing. 

• Benefits of having Chromebooks include the increased ability to create, collaborate, critically think and communicate. 

Community Consolidated School District 15 will provide students with instruction on the responsible use of Chromebooks and on Digital Citizenship.

Students will receive this instruction during the first weeks of school and at other times during the school year as needed.  Teachers will also support students as the devices are integrated into classwork and assignments.

District 15 students begin using technology in kindergarten and continue to have access to technology throughout their school career. We recognize that keyboarding is a 21st century skill, and one that is necessary for many of today’s jobs. Although we do not explicitly teach keyboarding in District 15, if students want to practice at home, there are a variety of free tutorials available online. Here is a link to Common Sense Education's best keyboarding practice sites. 

Yes. Students in grades 3-8 are expected to take their district-issued Chromebooks home during the evenings, weekends, and breaks throughout the school year and are fully responsible for the care and condition of their Chromebook. Eighth-grade students will be required to return their district-issued Chromebook at a specified time at the end of the school year. Students who move out of the District will also be required to turn in their district-issued Chromebook. With the exception of students who are graduating from 8th grade, all 3rd through 7th grade students returning to District 15 for the upcoming school year will take their Chromebook home during summer break.

Students will be expected to follow the terms in the Responsible Use Contract that they signed at the time the device was issued to them.

The Google Workspace environment (Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc) is available offline through the Chromebook. In these instances, Google files and tools can be accessed without an Internet connection. The files are then updated the next time the Chromebook detects a connection. In support of CCSD15’s 1:1 Digital Learning environment, District 15 makes Internet connection through hotspots available to families that demonstrate need. Please refer to the District 15 website for information on Internet options for families and contact your school principal.

Students are expected to bring their fully charged Chromebooks to school every day. Based on the availability of spare devices, if a student forgets to bring their Chromebook to school, a loaner device may be secured for the student to use for that day.

A fully charged Chromebook battery will last approximately 10.5 hours. Students are expected to bring their devices to school fully charged each day.

Students are expected to bring their fully charged Chromebooks to school every day. Based on the availability of spare devices, if a student forgets to charge their Chromebook before coming to school, a loaner device may be secured from the school LRC/library for the student to use for that day.

Students will be issued District Gmail accounts when they receive their Chromebook. District 15’s student domain address is @ccsd15.net. Students will be able to communicate with teachers and other District 15 students through their District Gmail account. As a general rule, students will not have the ability to email parents or others who are outside the District 15 domain. District 211, District 214, and other educationally appropriate domains may be opened for student communication and collaboration as needs arise throughout the year. The email accounts are necessary for use in student-teacher communication, Google Suite applications and Google Classroom. 

Each student will be assigned a District 15 Google account (@ccsd15.net) which is the account that must be used each time they log into the Chromebook.

No. The Chromebook is not to be shared with others. The primary purpose of the device is for students to have the ability to create, access, and share content with other students and teachers both during and outside of school. Students will only have the ability to use the Chromebook by logging in with their District 15 Google account information, even outside of school. Parents or other siblings will not be able to use this device to access other accounts.

Only the top of the clamshell plastic case may be personalized with stickers. Stickers are to be school and age appropriate. Do not remove any labels from your Chromebook such as the barcode and student names that have been added by the school district. 

No. Students will not be able to print from their district-issued Chromebook at school or at home. This function has been disabled for all Chromebooks in District 15.

We live in a digital age where we have the ability to create and share information with the click of a button. Our Chromebooks will allow students to collaborate and share materials with students and teachers. As part of this learning environment, we are making an effort to be environmentally conscious, and in doing so, it will reduce our carbon footprint. By using Google Docs, Drive, Classroom and Gmail, teachers and students can communicate, collaborate, and share materials digitally.   

All files created on a Chromebook are digitally accessible in your child’s Google account, or online. Therefore, they are accessible from any device with internet access. In the event that a document you have created must be printed, here are some options.

1. Share the individual items with the child’s teacher, who can access and print from his/her laptop at school. This can be done through Classroom, Drive, or Gmail.
2. Log in to the student’s Google Drive account using a laptop or desktop computer connected to a printer at school, home, or the public library.

A technology fee is paid upon school registration. District 15 will provide each student in Grades 3-8 with a Chromebook, a protective case (soft bag or clamshell), and a charger at no additional cost. Younger students in multi-grade classrooms with 3rd graders will be issued a Chromebook, a protective case (soft bag or clamshell), and charger at no additional cost as well.

Students in grades K-2 will be assigned a device which will be sent home on days when inclement weather is forecasted for use during an e-Learning day. 

These items will remain the property of District 15 while going home with students over the summer. Students continue to be held accountable to the Responsible Use Contract over the summer months. During the next school year, students will continue using the same Chromebook.   

District 15 will not charge a family for the repair or replacement of a Chromebook due to system failure or what would be considered as normal wear and tear. 

District 15 reserves the right to charge families up to the full cost of the Chromebook and accessories for repair or replacement due to damage or loss caused through use that is determined by building administration to be dishonest, fraudulent, intentional, criminal or negligent (not locking/storing the device in a secured manner or location).

All District 15 issued Chromebooks will be covered for:

• Accidental damage
• Fire
• Electrical surge
• Natural disasters
• Theft. A police report must be filed by the parent/student and the police report must be provided at the time of making a claim.

However, if a student damages district issued Chromebooks, District 15 may charge families for repairs up to the full cost of the Chromebook and accessories for repair or replacement due to damage or loss caused through use that is determined by building administration to be dishonest, fraudulent, intentional, criminal or negligent (not locking/storing the device in a secured manner or location).  

The school administrator, in consultation with teachers, makes the final determination depending on the circumstances of the incident.

Bids we have received from vendors have included a different option to cover accidental damage as a part of the cost of the device. All student Chromebooks will be covered for general repairs, fire, electrical damage, natural disasters, and theft. However, if a student causes intentional damage to a District 15 issued device, the family may be charged.

Each Chromebook issued to students will be labeled with an asset tag that identifies the Chromebook and a label that identifies the student that the Chromebook is issued to. This information will be entered into the District’s inventory system. In the event that the student name and asset tag are removed, the student and Chromebook can also be tracked through the manufacturer’s serial number.  

Over the summer, please contact your child's school to schedule a time to drop off the broken Chromebook and pick up a loaner. Each school is equipped with loaners for such occurrences. Once the Chromebook is repaired, the school will contact you to arrange a time to return the loaner and pick up the repaired Chromebook.

The Chromebook is fast, lightweight, and has a longer lasting battery life than most other mobile devices. The integrated full size keyboard and track-pad eliminates the need and cost for external keyboards and mice. They are also significantly less expensive than many other mobile technology solutions.

The management of Chromebooks is also one of the reasons this platform was chosen over others. District deployment and updating of apps, extensions and settings on Chromebooks district-wide is an efficient and quick process. In addition, the Google Administrative Console removes the cost, need and expertise for any other additional material applications.

No. The District has standardized on specific device makes and models in order to deliver consistent instructional activities and learning support. Furthermore, not all families in District 15 can afford to provide their child or children with a tablet, laptop, Chromebook, or other mobile computing device for use at school. Allowing students to bring their personal devices for use to supplement learning in the classroom would cause equity issues for those students whose families do not have the financial means to provide them with a tablet, laptop, Chromebook, or other mobile computing device.

Additionally, district-issued Chromebooks are configured to operate on the district’s network and are managed both in-district and out-of-district by District 15’s Technology Department. This directly benefits students because it affords the District with the ability to:

• Deploy required apps, configurations, updates and policies
• Control and/or adjust device settings;
• Monitor and recall search histories, electronic communications, etc.

• Kindergarten: Digital tools are used in short, purposeful sessions to build early computer literacy. Usage is highly supervised and focuses on active, hands-on learning that supports core developmental milestones. Devices stay at school.
• 1st-2nd Grade: Students begin navigating guided digital environments while maintaining a strong balance with non-digital activities. Technology is used to support communication and collaborative skills alongside traditional learning methods. Devices stay at school.
• 3rd Grade-4th Grade: Devices are only sent home when a specific, intentional learning extension is required. Home use is intended for curriculum-tied tasks with defined time limits to ensure students maintain healthy digital habits.
• 5th Grade-8th Grade: Students use technology as a tool for research, problem-solving, and original creation. Digital homework at this level is active and purposeful, such as continuing a collaborative project, conducting research, or creating original content.

When devices come home for older students, our goal is Intentional Use. Here is what families can expect:

• Active Creation & Discovery: Home learning with technology focuses on researching, problem-solving, and creating—not passive scrolling or entertainment.
• Purposeful Goals: Every digital assignment connects directly to what students are learning in their classrooms.
• Healthy Balance: Digital tools should never replace sleep, physical activity, or family time. We encourage families to set up "tech-free" times and places at home, such as during meals or before bedtime.

We believe in equipping parents with the tools needed to guide technology use at home with confidence:

• SecurlyHome App: While District 15 filters content during the school day, the free Securly Home app gives parents visibility and control over their child’s district-issued device at home. You can view web activity, block additional content categories, and set screen-time rules like pausing the internet or setting automated bedtime schedules.
• Common Sense Media: Throughout the year, we share practical guides and tips from Common Sense Media—a trusted, bilingual (English/Spanish) resource for navigating digital safety, app reviews, and screen-time management.
• Classroom Connections: Each year during Open House, Back-to-School nights, and in ongoing communications, teachers share how technology is used in their specific classrooms so you always know what to expect.
• Responsible Use Contract: Every family reviews and signs our Responsible Use Contract during annual registration, establishing shared expectations for safe and responsible device care at school and at home.