The most frequently asked questions this past week have been related to Chromebook devices and connectivity. We've changed out numerous Chromebooks the past few weeks. Some of them were not performing for one reason or another. If your student's Chromebook is underperforming, please contact your school staff first. They will work with the Technology Department to resolve the issue. For general technology support please call the Technology Help Desk at (951) 509-5180. We also continue to distribute hotspots for students without access to the Internet or with limited bandwidth in their home. We asked families to complete the technology-needs assessment in July. Since then we have identified other families in need. The supply-chain is slow but we are ordering the hotspot devices as soon as we identify the need. Please contact your principal if you need a hotspot.
Regarding the Chromebook autofill feature for usernames and passwords, since Chromebooks do not autofill, we are discussing enabling this feature so students do not have to log-on each time they access a different program. The no-autofill feature is an industry standard to prevent others from accessing user account information. Principals will provide students and their parents with more details on autofilling. Stay tuned.
I've also been asked about child safety and restrictions on Chromebooks, particularly for students without parental oversight or supervision. The web filters we use while students are using their Chromebooks on campus are robust and allow us to block and filter content. Off campus, however, the ability to block, filter, and minimize access to non-educational materials with the standard filter is not equally robust. As a result, we are refining our filtering and remote classroom management systems. The challenge is to maximize the learning potential in the remote learning environment while still ensuring safe Internet use.
While our Acceptable Use of Internet and Technology Resources Contract, agreed to during data confirmation, recognizes that there are security, privacy, and confidentiality risks inherent in Internet use and wireless communications, we still value safety above everything else. We are currently exploring an additional level of filtering to increase security, and at the same time provide teachers and students with the tools they need to improve the learning experience. We are also exploring YouTube access and restrictions, again to maximize the learning potential YouTube offers, while ensuring a safe learning environment. Parents can always use the parental controls on the Chromebook to allow only verified content, including YouTube. I will update progress on this issue in next week's message.
In closing, I have also been asked about the process for state-issued waivers to open elementary schools for in-person instruction in counties that are on California's COVID-19 Watch List. As of Friday, sixteen private schools have applied for a waiver in Riverside County. No public schools in Riverside County have applied. We are monitoring our local conditions and working closely with the County Health Officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, while continuing to prepare our schools to reopen when the time comes that it is safe to bring back our hybrid students and staff for in-person instruction, which remains the objective of the Board of Education. We recognize that closing schools to in-person learning serves a purpose in minimizing the transmission of COVID-19. But we also recognize that the fully remote learning environment carries its own risks. As a social outlet, as a safe place for abused or neglected children, as a response to food or home insecurity, and as a place to provide intensive individual education plans, there's no place like school.
On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you for your continued partnership as we move into our fourth week of the school year. This is annually the week we adjust our teacher-to-student class ratios based on our actual student enrollment, compared to our projections. Principals and/or counselors will communicate individually with students and their parents this week if there are any changes to a student's schedule as a result of balancing class sizes.
Stay healthy. Be well.
In partnership.
Allan Mucerino
