On this page, you will find information about the Indian River School District's devices, platforms, and tech tools. Use the tabs below to select a topic. If you are looking for the Classlink student portal, click the following link:https://launchpad.classlink.com/irsd/
- Chromebooks
- Dreambox
- Schoology (Grades 3-12)
- Seesaw (Grades K-2)
- Talking Points
Chromebooks
Chromebook Overview
Chromebooks arelaptops built by Google that operate using secure internet storage. Each student in the Indian River School District is issued their own Chromebook. Students are expected to take responsibility for their Chromebooks by protecting them from damage. The full student device agreement can be found on the following page: Student Devices.
To download the Chromebook Care packet for the 23-24 school year, click here: Chromebook Care Packet
Logging in
The links below provide directions regarding how students can log into their IRSD Chromebooks.
- Video: How to log into a Chromebook
- Written directions: How to log into a Chromebook (grades K-2)
- Written directions: How to log into a Chromebook (grades 3-12)
- Direcciones enEspañol:Inicio de sesión en un Chromebook
Storing a Chromebook
To keep track ofyour student's Chromebook at home, choose a designated place to store it when it's not in use.The tips below will help you choose a good location.
Store the Chromebook on a flat surface off the floor.
Do not stack heavy objects on top of the Chromebook.This can damage the screen.
Avoid storing it somewhere hot (for example, in a backpack left in a hot car.)
Avoid storing it somewhere where it is likely to be knocked over.
Charging a Chromebook
Students should come to school with their Chromebooks charged. Set up a routine to ensure your student charges their Chromebook on school nights.
Keep the charger somewhere safe to ensure it isn't lost.
Keep your charger away from pets.
Turn off the Chromebook when not in use.
When not in use, the Chromebook does not need to sit on the charger. For example, if you are going on a family vacation, power down and unplug the Chromebook.
A Chromebook battery should last throughout the day. Using the Chromebook to charge a cell phone will diminish its battery life.
Keeping the Chromebook safe
Avoid eating or drinking near the Chromebook.
Keep the Chromebook closed when carrying it; never carry it by the screen.
Do not slam the screen closed.
Accidents happen! If liquid gets on the Chromebook, unplug it and turn it off. Remove the liquid with a dry cloth and do not attempt to use it again until it is dry.
If your Chromebook does not work, contact the school; do not try to fix it yourself.
Keeping students safe
Chromebooks use content filtering software, but no solution is perfect. Monitor your student's Chromebook usage.
Do not share passwords or personal information with anyone online.
Students should log off of the Chromebook when they are finished using it.
Do not take a Chromebook to a public place and leave it unattended.
FAQ
- Why are students sent home with their Chromebooks?
- What should I do if I do not want my student to take a Chromebook home?
- What should I do if my student loses or breaks their Chromebook?
- My student will be transferring from one IRSD school to another. Should they keep their Chromebook?
- My student is transferring to a school outside the IRSD. What should I do?
- Who should I contact if I have questions?
Why are students sent home with their Chromebooks?
Many of our instructional materials live online. Students are sent home with their Chromebooks so they can access these materials outside the classroom. Our vision is that students will care for their district-issued Chromebooks the same way they would with their personal devices.
What should I do if I do not want my student to take a Chromebook home?
Contact your student’s school administrators to opt out.
What should I do if my student loses or breaks their Chromebook?
Students areexpectedto take ownership of their school-issued Chromebooks.If a Chromebook breaks, do not take it to an outside source to be repaired.Contact the main office at your student's school so the Chromebook can be repaired or replaced.
The first time a student's Chromebook is lost or damaged, the parents or guardians will be notifiedbut will not be charged. Subsequent loss or damage will result in an invoice based on the fair market value of any Chromebooks or parts that are damaged.
- To view the full student device agreement, click the following link: Student Device Agreement
- To view the student device price sheet, click the following link: Student Device Price Sheet
My student will be transferring from one IRSD school to another. Should they keep their Chromebook?
No. Please return your student’s Chromebook to their school. Your student will be issued a Chromebook at their new school. This process helps schools keep an accurate inventory of their devices.
My student is transferring to a school outside the IRSD. What should I do?
Return your student's Chromebook to their school's main office to ensure the Chromebook is checked back in.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
The main office at your student's school can answer questions about Chromebook distribution. For more information on student devices from the Technology Support Services department, click the following link: Student Devices.
Dreambox
Dreambox is our adaptive computer program that teaches math conceptually, allowing students to visualize math. Dreambox adapts to meet the student's needs, whether it is filling in unfinished learning from previous grade levels or extending learning to new concepts that students are ready for. Dreambox has proven growth when students complete 5 or more lessons a week independently. This program automatically adapts to meet your student's needs based on the lessons they do. Dreambox encourages independence and productive struggle, allowing students to construct their own understanding of the math topics.
Students can access Dreambox by clicking the icon on their Classlink home page.
Directions for setting up your Dreambox Family Insight Dashboard
1. Have your child log into their IRSD issued Chromebook.
2. Access Dreambox by clicking the Dreambox button on Classlink.
3. In the bottom of the page, click the blue link that reads "set up parent access."
4. Follow the instructions to enter your email and password.
5. Read the terms of use and privacy policy.
6. Click submit.
To return to your family insight dashboard, go tohttp://play.dreambox.comand click the Family Dashboard button.
Students each have a Google account provisioned through the Indian River School District. When a student logs into their IRSD Chromebook, they are automatically connected to this account. Students can access their Google Accounts from other devices by logging into Classlink and clicking the Google icon on their home pages.
Students have access to Google Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Calendar, and Jamboard.IRSD students do not have access to gmail, Google's email service.
Online Safety
The Indian River School district uses GoGuardian Admin content filtering software provided by the state of Delaware. GoGuardian's website explains that Admin "works on any school-managed device, browser, or operating system, using an advanced artificial intelligence engine to scan for and filter content that is harmful, inappropriate, or against school policy." Content filtering software is necessary for compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA.)
More information about GoGuardian admin can be found by clicking the following link: GoGuardian Admin
More information about student devices, including the device policy, can be found by clicking the following link: Student Devices
Outside of school, students use many apps and games to socialize and have fun.Click the following link to view guides for popular apps and games from Common Sense Media: Parents' Guide to Online Safety
Chromebook Monitoring
In addition to content filtering software, teachers have the ability to set limits on students' browsing ability during their class time through a tool called GoGuardian Teacher. For example, a teacher may limit students so they can only access Schoology during the class period. The purpose of this tool is to help eliminate online distractions so students can focus on academic assignments.Teachers cannotset limits on student Chromebook use outside of school hours or on weekends; the product is disabled during those hours.
Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenship is the diverse set of skills related to current technology and social media including the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior. The resources linked below support digital citizenship skills with students.
Responsible Use of Technology Guidelines: This document provides our acceptable use policy in student-friendly language. It shows students what theyshoulddo when using district devices and technology.
Chromebook Care Packet: This document includes tips for Chromebook care, a copy of the responsible use of technology guidelines, and an overview of Chromebook loss or damage procedures written with students as the audience.
Digital Wellness Guide: This document includes questions to help students and their families reflect on whether or not they have a healthy balance of online and offline activities.
Schoology (Grades 3-12)
Schoology
Schoology is the learning management system used for students in grades 3-12. The embedded video gives an overview of what Schoology is and what it is used to do.
For directions regarding how students can log into Schoology, click the following link: How to log into Schoology as a student.
Schoology Parent Accounts
In order to create a parent account, parents need an access code unique to their student. To receive this code, please contact your student's school.
Once you have your access code, follow the directions in the embedded video to create an account. You can also find written directions by clicking the following link: Setting up a Schoology Parent Account.
Las instrucciones en español se pueden encontrar haciendo clic en el siguiente enlace:cómo configurar una cuenta para padres en Schoology
Seesaw (Grades K-2)
Seesaw
Seesaw is a learning management system used for students in grades K-2. The embedded video provides an overview of what Seesaw is and how it works. Information can also be found on Seesaw's website at the following link: What is Seesaw?
For directions regarding how students can respond to activities in Seesaw, click the following link: Responding to activities in Seesaw
Talking Points
Talking Points is a two-way multilingual messaging system. Your student's teachers or other school staff can use it to send class-wide announcements or individual messages. You will receive them as SMS text messages unless you've downloaded the free parent app.
To send a message to your student's teachers, you can respond via text to the same number you have received messages from in the past. Using the parent app, go into the message thread for that teacher to compose a message. If you choose to use the parent app, your phone will ask whether or not you want to allow notifications.
- Which schools use TalkingPoints to communicate with families?
- Do I need to sign up to use Talking Points?
- Which contacts receive TalkingPoints messages?
- What do I do if I need to change my contact information?
- I tried to download the app and it asked me for a class code. What is this?
- I downloaded the app, but I don't see messages from teachers unless I open it. What should I do?
- What should I do if I don't want to receive messages?
Which schools use TalkingPoints to communicate with families?
North Georgetown Elementary, Georgetown Elementary, Southern Delaware School of the Arts, Millsboro Middle School, Georgetown Middle School, Selbyville Middle School, Indian River High School, and Sussex Central High School.
Do I need to sign up to use Talking Points?
No. Whichever guardian is listed as "guardian 1" in our system is automatically enrolled in Talking Points. Additional contacts can be added upon request. If you are not interested in receiving messages, you can unsubscribe by responding GOODBYE or STOP to messages you receive.
Which contacts receive TalkingPoints messages?
TalkingPoints messages are automatically sent to one of the phone numbers listed as the primary guardian. If you would like additional contacts to receive TalkingPoints messages, contact your student's school.
What do I do if I need to change my contact information?
Contact your student's school to update your information.
I tried to download the app and it asked me for a class code. What is this?
Class codes are used by individual teachers who have free Talking Points accounts. Since our district has a paid account, there are no class codes. If you download the app and are prompted to enter a code, it means a different number was pulled from our system (EX: Mom's cell instead of Dad's cell.) To have your number added, contact your student's school.
I downloaded the app, but I don't see messages from teachers unless I open it. What should I do?
When you first download the app, your phone will ask whether you want to allow push notifications.If you select "don't allow," you will not receive notifications for the app; you will only see messages if you open the app itself.
If you selected "don't allow" and you would like to allow notifications, click the following link for directions: How to Change Notification Settings (directions for iOS and Android)
What should I do if I don't want to receive messages?
To unsubscribe, text GOODBYE or STOP to the number you received a Talking Points text message from. If you'd like to receive messages in the future, you can text REJOIN.
