As we move into year 2 of our massive Chromebook deployment, some people may be wondering... I thought I just paid the $15 fee last year, why do I owe money again? The simple answer - Chromebook fees are like insurance to protect you from having to pay the full cost to fix or replace a Chromebook if something were to happen to it.

Ultimately, you pay $15 now, but if your child drops their Chromebook or spills something on it later, you won't owe any additional money. If you have not paid your $15 usage fee and you damage or lose your computer, you will have to pay the full cost to fix or replace your device (you will not be able to pay the $15 at the time of damage). This $15 fee only covers the first instance of accidental damage or theft. Subsequent instances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Common Chromebook Catastrophes:

Fees to replace or fix parts are determined at the time of damage. Here are a few examples of common incidents we have seen in our schools.

• Entire Unit/Full Replacement (loss/damage beyond repair) - $220
• Screen - $40
• Keyboard - $50
• Charger - $20
• Hinge - Up to a full replacement
• Camera - Up to a full replacement

We made the decision to assess annual Chromebook usage fees as a way to insure our computers in instances of loss and damage. The money collected from these fees ensures that we're able to continue to maintain our existing Chromebooks and make replacements as needed. Without the fees we aren't able to guarantee that we will be able to continue to provide 1:1 technology services to our students over the years.

If you have not already paid your Chromebook fees for this school year, click on the link below to make a payment online or pay using cash or check at your child's school. To review our Student Technology Device Checkout Agreement for students in grades 6-12, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/15guFcWEaBmLNo1Ceiq48X_yIHT-bDyLH/view.

This summer a new drug began showing up in our local drug market. Known as "Mexi's" due to its origin, this drug is a blend of pressed powders of prescription type narcotics (such as Adderall, Oxy, Percocet). These pills are very dangerous because the contents are unknown and vary depending on the person producing them. Some have been reported to contain Ecstacy and even Fentanyl, which can be introduced into the system just by touching (transdermal) and can be deadly.

These pills are small and resemble pharmaceutical pills. They come in various colors; reports coming out of the Tri-Cities have identified blue pills and local reports have included salmon-colored, like those pictured below. We ask that you be alert and on the lookout. If you find something that is suspicious and/or looks like the pictures shown, please contact our schools. If you have information, but you're uncomfortable with coming forward, you can place an anonymous tip 24/7 using our SafeSchools reporting system at https://evsd90-wa.safeschoolsalert.com/

Last year we implemented our new elementary and middle level mathematics curriculum, Ready Math. An enhancement to the program is an interactive online learning program that helps students build essential skills at their own, individualized level and pace. This program is called i-Ready. i-Ready provides a diagnostic test that students take to identify the specific skills they need to develop to be successful in our classrooms and then measures their academic growth throughout the year. It encourages students to take an active role and ownership of their own learning. To learn more about how to support your child's learning at home with i-Ready, click on the picture.