• Family File -  The student Family File should always be kept up to date.  Parents/guardians can log into  http://www.hcpss.org/connect/. Parents who have forgotten their login credentials for Family File may click the View Instructions On Resetting Passwords Link on the sign in page. Parents who are new to the Howard County Public School System will receive a welcome email with instructions to activate an account. 

Kids & Families - Broken HCPSS Chromebook? Do you have a device with a cracked screen, not turning on, or broken charger?  

Students can bring troubled Chromebooks to the MHMS Library Media Center. We'll do our best to triage and fix the problem.

We start with charging the Chromebook and doing the refresh key + power button trick (see below). But some problems are beyond our scope - like cracked screens, broken cases, keyboard issues, or liquid damage. Students should come to the Media Center and fill out a pink tech trouble reporting ticket,  If necessary, we will put in a work order ticket for repair/replacement. While waiting, students will have to borrow a DAILY Loaner Chromebook. We have a limited amount to loan out every morning before 1st period. Students will return them at 3pm every day. 

UPDATE 11/22/21- Students & families are responsible to pay for loss and damages due to food, drink, neglect, breakage, or cracked screens for both the Chromebook itself and the charging cord. If it has been determined by the HCPSS technology department to charge for the damage families will be invoiced. MHMS does not play a part in these transactions.

"HCPSS will use My School Bucks to invoice families for Student Technology Incidents. This will allow families to pay via credit card and will automate invoicing emails, which will help to speed up the process."  

Questions:

If the device is found to have been damaged by the student and the family has a financial obligation - they will be notified by HCPSS. Most families will receive two emails. One will come from hcpss_notifications@hcpss.org alerting the family that the other email will be sent as an invoice will be from the My School Bucks [do-not-reply@myschoolbucks.com] website. They can search for those email addresses in their inboxes or SPAM folders. They can also login to their MySchoolBucks account or create an account. https://www.hcpss.org/food-services/ 

Parents who have questions regarding the technical assessment are directed to contact DeviceDeployment@hcpss.org and if they have questions regarding the invoice, they can contact finance@hcpss.org.  Please include your child’s name and Student ID number if possible - you can find this information on Synergy.   Families can also reach out to the Office of Finance Phone: +1 (410) 313-8981 for additional help.  Murray Hill Middle School does not play a part in these financial transactions.

Details: HCPSS Student Device Agreement

Chromebook Repair Costs 

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

After receiving a Chromebook, families can use the directions for connecting a Chromebook to Wi-Fi to connect it to their home network. Students who forget their username or password can use the Account Self Service directions to retrieve their account credentials. A variety of common self-help resources can be found on the Student Technology Resources Canvas community. If you or your child has questions on how to use the technology to access instruction or is having technical issues, please email your child’s teacher or school administrator.

Chromebook ERROR Help including Reset Chrome and Chromebook Powerwash

Technology Support Centers Locations and Hours

Students and staff may visit Technology Support Centers at:

• Old Bushy Park Elementary School, Room E2 (door to the left of the front entrance), 2690 Route 97, Glenwood (Building is between Glenwood Middle School and Bushy Park Elementary School)
• Old Cedar Lane Gymnasium (follow signs to door around left side of building), 5451 Beaverkill Road, Columbia

Note! Both locations are in old school buildings that are not located at the same sites as the new schools with similar names. Anyone seeking assistance should go to the locations listed above and not go to or call the current schools regarding the Technology Support Center.

Technology Support Center hours are:

• Mondays: 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
• Fridays: 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Please note that Technology Support Centers are closed any day that HCPSS offices are closed.

Chromebook Care & Feeding

--- >> Download the PDF Care & Feeding for Chromebook Guide-22.pdf

• Every Night & Weekend: Plug in your Chromebook for overnight charging. Plug & charge on the RIGHT SIDE - it charges faster & better. The progress light will still go on the left. Blue is BEST (fully charged) - Orange is Charging (charging) -No Light is Bad. (dead) Please do not YANK out the cord. 2 Busted charging ports are EXPENSIVE to fix.

Ever​y Day: Bring your fully charged Chromebook & charging cord to school.

• Ever​y Week: Clear Your Cookies & Other Site Data - This will make your Chromebook go FASTER! Go to the 3 dots in the top right of browser > choose Settings at the bottom > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data > ALL TIME -- But do NOT clear your passwords > RESTART.  

• Something Not Working? Restart Smart! Remove any external devices like headphones, microphones, & mice - Logout, shut down, wait 2 min, & RESTART

Students:  Have you Tried the Refresh Key Trick?

Hold down the  Refresh Key 

(on the top of the keyboard) + Tap the Power Button

May need to try 3 times.

• Say YES to Updates: Whenever possible, use an updated Chrome browser & Chromebook. If your device or Gopher Buddy prompts you to update - Do it - even in the middle of class! Restart.

• How to Check for Updates -  Go to the 3 dots in top right of browser > choose Settings at the bottom > About Chrome on Left > Click on Chrome OS Settings > Check for Updates > Let it Update - 3-5min > RESTART. Voila!

NO FEEDING Your Chromebook or You Will Pay: Don't feed your Chromebook anything but electricity. KEEP ALL FOOD & DRINK far away from your device. You ARE responsible to pay for damages due to food, drink, neglect, loss, vandalism, or breakage due to rough treatment. 

Details: https://www.hcpss.org/student-device-agreement/

Chromebook Repair Costs 

• Chrome Extensions of Destruction: Some extensions cause major problems. The gaming ones are the worst (sorry, no fun) they can cause Meet & device crashes. When things go wrong, remove extra Chrome Extensions - Esp the gaming ones - How? Look for the Extensions puzzle piece on top right toolbar > Manage > Remove > Confirm Remove >Restart

• Chrome Browser Tune-Up: Here are some HCPSS suggested things to try to improve your device experience & performance. ​https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/77796/pages/chrome-browser-tune-up?module_item_id=7117422

• Resources & More:

Top Helpful Tips with Tech Issues for Students & Teachers (Ok, for everyone!) - the Easy Cut & Paste Version

Make sure you're logged into your HCPSS GSuite account and not your personal Google account.

Note: 

• If siblings are using the SAME CHROMEBOOK Device -- this needs to be done: 1st sibling goes to Hcpss.me and logs OUT of GSuite and closes any open tabs including Canvas. 2nd sibling goes to HCPSS.me and logs  into GSuite, then follow the directions for joining the meeting.  
• For issues with those devices or technology in general please review the HCPSS Student Device website & more links below or come visit Tech-Help-Desk

Canvas / Google Integration Woes? NEW Steps to FIX that Problem!

How to take a screenshot on a Chromebook:

For the students who do not have WiFI at home.

The parent logs into Connect and then clicks on Student Technology on the bottom left, they can choose Internet Access as a choice to be included with the Device. However, we do not have hotspots yet.  In the meantime, please take note of the below – specifically the Xfinity WiFi, as it is free. They could check to see if where they live is covered by that service.

• Comcast has opened free access to its Xfinity WiFi network, making hotspots across the country available to anyone, including non-subscribers, at no cost. Search by zip code or city to find a hotspot near you at wifi.xfinity.com. Comcast is also providing low cost internet access to eligible families through its Internet Essentials program.

Parents - Do you have questions about Filtering on the HCPSS Chromebooks? 

Thank you for reaching out to learn more about how internet content filtering works. Please find below information regarding how filtering works and the technology HCPSS currently has in place. 

Content filters are put into place in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the internet. Filters work by vendors categorizing sites into buckets, and then the organization applies settings to block certain categories (e.g., weapons). Content filters are not utilized to block all sites other than those used for virtual instruction. Additionally, due to the sheer number of internet sites, it is important to recognize that content filters are not infallible. However, anyone can request a site be reviewed and considered for recategorization. You can review the categories that are blocked and find the link to request review on the Student Technology Resources page.

HCPSS has blocked the category “weapons,” which means the filter will block sites that have been categorized this way because the web content is dedicated to guns, swords, knives and/or other weapons. It does not guarantee that a site in an accessible category will not have content related to weapons, for example, YouTube. As a content hosting site there is a wide variety of content. Because YouTube is an allowed site, a video with weapons could potentially be accessible alongside a video showing how solar eclipses work. Currently, HCPSS does not have technology that filters specific videos on that site. 

Nuke.zone is blocked under the category of Mature-Games. Websites are continuously being added, evolving or changing ownership, and so a site’s category may change, which would potentially change their accessibility.  

The content filter on an HCPSS device is not customizable for individuals and the settings are universal for students. HCPSS does not have technology that allows parents to customize settings on a school system-issued Chromebook. If you wish to put further restrictions on your home internet, you may find it helpful to look for personal network-related content filtering/security technologies such as Circle or others. You may also find it helpful to apply Internet access time restrictions to your home network. Please note that any optional applications or home network configurations are the responsibility of the family and not supported by the school system. Instead the family would need to seek any necessary support from the Internet service provider. 

We encourage parents/guardians to continue to monitor their children’s use of internet sites and services. Students using an HCPSS device cannot clear the browsing history and parents can review it by following directions on the Student Technology Resources page. Additionally, please feel free to reach out to your child’s school counselor to discuss non-technology-related strategies that may support your efforts. 

Thank you for reaching out about the content filter. I hope the information above provides you with the information you need.

From: Justin Benedict. Executive Director. Information Technology