Technology
Technology at XCS
-
Each student receives a Chromebook for classroom use at no additional cost beyond the initial technology fee.
- K-5 students leave their Chromebooks at school, which can be charged overnight and ready for the next day.
- 6-12 students will be issued a Chromebook and a carrying case. They are responsible for bringing their Chromebooks to school fully charged each day. If there is a problem, they should take their devices to their school's main office for repairs. At that point, we issue the student a loaner until their device is repaired.
Please read the parent and student technology agreements to be signed in Final Forms for important guidelines, procedures, and responsibilities. You can also find the answers to our most frequently asked questions, as well as tips for keeping your device safe and in good working order, below.
Remember the devices are for school use only, and the students are responsible for caring for their own device. We charge students a flat fee of $50 for each repair. When necessary, we will charge $300 in case of irreparable damages.
-
DOWNLOAD a print-friendly version of our Chromebook FAQs, found below.
How to troubleshoot common problems with your student's school-issued device.
How do I connect the Chromebook to WIFI?
- At the bottom right, click on the date.
- A menu will pop up. If the wifi icon looks a light gray, then it is not connected.
- Find your network or wifi name & click on it.
- If you have created a secure network, then it will ask you for a password.
- Type in the password.
- Select Connect.
How do I log in to my Chromebook?
The computer log in for every student is:- Username: school email address
- Password: Student ID
NOTE: Student Gmail accounts are generally formatted by last name, first/middle initials & graduation year. For example, a student who is part of the class of 2038 named Jane Ann Doe would be doeja_2038@xeniaschools org.
What do I do if my Chromebook is out of memory?
Turn off the Chromebook. To do this, either hold the power button down until it completely shuts off, OR click on the time at the bottom right and select the power button and choose shutdown.What do I do if my Chromebook won’t turn on?
First, plug the power cord into the outlet and then into the Chromebook. Let it sit and charge for 1 to 2 minutes. Press the power button. If that doesn’t work, then hold down the power button for approximately 30 seconds, and then release it. Try to power it on again.Can I log into the Chromebook using my personal Google account?
Unfortunately, not. Our Chromebooks are managed by the school and in order to provide the most reliable and safe experience, as defined by our BOE, only school managed accounts may log into a school Chromebook.Is this Chromebook specifically assigned to a student?
Yes. Each Chromebook is tagged, inventoried, and assigned to a specific student.What happens if my student’s Chromebook is not working? Will they be given a loaner to use for class?
Please report all damages immediately to the main office of the building your child attends. They will assist by issuing you a loaner while your device is being repaired. Any and all repairs, beyond the warranty repair provided each year, will be charged to the student/parent. Families are responsible for returning the loaner as soon as repairs are complete.How will inappropriate use of the Chromebook be addressed?
Students using the district-issued Chromebook in school and outside of school are expected to comply with district policies. Violations of any of these policies or agreements are subject to student disciplinary action under the school's Student Code of Conduct. -
DOWNLOAD a print-friendly version of the Chromebook Care information found below.
Taking good care of your device is the responsibility of every student and family! Top tips to take care of your device:
- Keep your Chromebook on a flat surface, such as a table or a desk.
- Do not leave it on the floor where someone can step on it!
- Do not pile anything on top of the Chromebook, such as books or other heavy objects.
- Be sure there is nothing on the keyboard when you close the Chromebook. This can damage the screen and keyboard, and may result in fees assessed to your student account.
- Keep all food and drink away from the Chromebook.
- Cords, cables, and removable devices should be inserted and removed carefully.
- Clean screens with a soft, dry cloth (eg: microfiber)
- Do not spray any liquid on the keyboard to clean it. Spray it on a cloth first, then wipe the device. Use a cleaner that is 70% isopropyl alcohol mixture.
- Store the device and charger in a cool dry area.
HOW TO LOG IN TO YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT
Computer Log In
Username: school email address
Password: Student IDNote: Student Gmail accounts are generally formatted by last name, first/middle initials & graduation year. For example, a student who is part of the class of 2038 named Jane Ann Doe would be doeja_2038@xeniaschools org.
TRANSPORTING DEVICESStudents in grades 6-12 are responsible for having the Chromebook and charger with them every day.
Every Chromebook is issued with a protective case, and students are encouraged to keep their device protected when not in use.
WHAT IF MY DEVICE GETS DAMAGED?
Families are responsible for maintaining the device, and must return all equipment in good working order, including chargers.
If you damage your device, the district will repair or replace the device. All fees will be billed to the student's family account:
- Cost to repair a device: $50
- Cost to replace a device: $300
Technology in the Classroom
As technology becomes more deeply integrated into our daily lives, it is natural for parents and community members to voice concerns about its role in the classroom. However, a significant gap often exists between how technology is used in a controlled educational environment versus how it is used by the general public. To ensure our students are future-ready, we must distinguish between recreational and intentional technology use for education.
Not All “Screen Time” is Equal
One of the most common concerns is the sheer volume of "screen time." It is important to recognize that a student’s hour spent on a Chromebook in the classroom is fundamentally different from an hour spent scrolling through social media or watching public video platforms.
Educational software is designed with instructional scaffolding. Unlike social media apps, which are engineered for passive consumption and "infinite scrolling" to capture attention to drive ad revenue for sites, educational tools are built for active participation. In the classroom, technology serves as a digital workbook, a science laboratory, or a creative canvas. It requires students to solve problems, respond to prompts, and demonstrate mastery before moving forward.
- Passive Recreational Use: Aimless browsing, dopamine-driven feedback loops, and consumption of unvetted content.
- Active Educational Use: Targeted skill-building, interactive feedback, and teacher-monitored progress toward specific learning goals.
AI: Tutor vs. Shortcut
With the rise of generative AI like ChatGPT, many fear that students will simply "ask for the answers," leading to a decline in critical thinking and learning that lasts. We address this through a commitment to academic integrity. Our goal is to teach students how to use these tools ethically — ensuring that AI does not become a replacement for original thought.
Public-facing AI is often a "black box" that simply provides a final product with no context and little effort. In contrast, Educational AI — the kind built into vetted school software — acts more as a personalized tutor. It does not write the essay for the student or give them the answer. Instead, it identifies that a student is struggling with a specific concept, such as fractions or sentence structure, and provides a customized hint or a foundational exercise to help them get there on their own.
These tools, combined with the feedback and structure provided by an experienced teacher, can ensure that students get the best of both worlds: immediate feedback in the moment, as well as thoughtful, in-depth feedback from their instructor.
| Public Generative AI | Classroom Educational AI |
|---|---|
| Often provides immediate answers and completed tasks. | Provides prompts, hints, and adaptive challenges to guide the student. |
| Unfiltered access to the open internet. | Safe, "walled garden" environment with age-appropriate content. |
| Focuses on the final output. | Focuses on the learning process and academic integrity. |
Ensuring Lasting Learning
At Xenia Community Schools, we are focused on creating curious, life-long learners who are strong critical thinkers. By integrating AI and technology responsibly today, we are ensuring our students are future-ready for a workforce where digital literacy is a requirement, not an option.
Research shows that technology can actually deepen retention, when used as a supplement to — not a replacement for! — teacher instruction. Through adaptive learning, AI-driven software ensures that a student does not move on to more complex topics until they have truly mastered the basics.
Our Commitment: We use technology as a tool to empower students, not to distract them or replace the true work of teaching. By maintaining transparency in our methods and upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, we are helping our students become savvy, critical thinkers in an increasingly digital world.
The district's AI policy was revised in May 2026. Review the policy (po7540.09) on the XCS BoardDocs site.
Still have questions about your child’s use of technology in the classroom, such as what apps they use for learning? Be sure to talk to their teacher and principal — or reach out to our Curriculum Department for more information.