Technology @Patton
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Students and staff use technology everyday in the middle school. From the time someone enters our building to the conclusion of the day, technology is everywhere! Whether it is students conducting Internet research in the library or writing using Chromebooks in the classroom or creating music in the keyboarding lab or teachers using SMARTBoards in the classroom, technology is an integral part of the Patton Middle School experience. Students and parents also utilize this technology at home when they visit the school website for the latest news, check on student progress using PowerSchool, access the Library's online resources, sign in to a Google Apps account, access an online textbook just to name a few examples.
Need Help?
Have a tech problem and not sure what to do? Stop by the Library and see Mr. Marshall, Mr. Walsh, Mrs. Rafferty or Mrs. Roberston if you need assistance!
Need a Chromebook Repair?
Canvas
Canvas is UCFSD's Learning Management System or LMS. It’s an organizational framework for students to interact with teachers and courses, all in one place. Students can login to Canvas and see all their courses, assignments, announcements and a calendar. The Canvas Student app is also available for iOS and Android.
Canvas for Parents
Parents may sign up for a Canvas "Observer" account. Parents can link their Canvas account to their student's account so they can see assignment dues dates, announcements, and other course content. Observers can view the course content but cannot participate in the course. Parents may login to Canvas using a web browser or the Canvas Parent app, available for iOS and Android.
To sign up for a Parent Account:
- Visit the UCFSD Canvas page at ucfsd.instructure.com/login/canvas
- At the top of the login box, locate "Click Parent of a Canvas User? Click Here For an Account"
- You will need to provide your name, email address as well as the "pairing code" that your child will have to provide you from their account. They will find the code by going to Account >> Settings >> Pair With Observer. Click here if you need help finding the pairing code.
- Click Start Participating and follow the instructions
To add a child to your existing Parent Account:
- If you need to add additional students to your Parent account, go to Account >> Settings >> Observing.
- Click here if you need help with adding a student.
More Canvas Resources for Parents
- How do I edit my Profile?
- How do I view the Grades page for my child?
- How do I navigate a Canvas course as an observer?
- How do I link my account to ANOTHER child?
- How do I change the language preference in my user account as an observer?
- VIDEO TUTORIAL: Parent Pointers: Monitoring your Child's Learning with an Observer Account
- Check out the Canvas Observer Guide and the Canvas Video Guide
Chromebooks
The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and Charles F. Patton Middle School are committed to preparing our students for a 21st century global society. To that end, after piloting a 1:1 Chromebook program for A Team 6th Graders in 2015-16, every student at Patton was issued a Chromebook beginning with the 2016-17 school year.
We continue to see these advantages for students:
- Increased opportunities for collaboration, communication and creativity
- Increased student engagement in a personalized learning environment
- Increased use of technology to enhance teacher instruction
- Improved access to both teacher content and robust internet resources to foster acquisition of knowledge and skills
Need a Chromebook Repair?
- Chromebook Fees
- Purchase a Chromebook charger or stylus
- Chromebook Care
- Chromebook Help
- Chromebook FAQS
- Qustodio Web Filtering for Parents
- Why Chromebooks?
Chromebook Fees
2025-2026 Secondary Device Costs
Please Note: Make all insurance and repair checks out to UCFSD. Please include your student's name and student number on the Memo section of the check.
Purchase a Chromebook charger or stylus
- Lenovo 300e Charger (Grades 6-8)
- Lenovo 300e Replacement Stylus (Grades 6-8)
- Note: 6th grade Chromebooks did not include a stylus. Any brand stylus can be used with the device. Only the Lenovo 300e Replacement Stylus can fit in the intergrated stylus
Chromebook Care
- Take good care of the school's Chromebook. You are always responsible for your issued Chromebook. You should never share your personal login information, or let any other student use your Chromebook.
- Handle your Chromebook with great care. Do not carry or hold the Chromebook in the air by the screen/display. Never place a heavy object or a lot of objects on top of your Chromebook.
- Always keep the Chromebook into it’s protective case before moving to your next class.
- Keep food and drinks away from your Chromebook.
- Keep your Chromebook clean. Do not write on or decorate your Chromebook. Do not remove identification labels placed on your Chromebook by district personnel.
- Do NOT spray or wipe your Chromebook with any Windex/household cleaner/water and/or cleaning cloth/wipes. Clean your Chromebook keys and screen with a lightly moistened, soft microfiber cloth.
- Charge your Chromebook every night at home. See your teacher if you forgot to charge your device.
- If you close the lid of your Chromebook, you will help save the battery.
- When you plug in your Chromebook to charge it, look for the charging light indicator. This will assure you that your Chromebook is being charged.
- Charging a Chromebook could take up to 2 hours. Therefore, plug it in to charge and go do something else.
- If you are experiencing a problem with your Chromebook or it is in need of repair, please let your teacher know right away.
- If you forget your Chromebook, see your Advisory teacher.
- If your Chromebook has been misplaced, lost or stolen, please let your Advisory teacher know immediately!
Chromebook Help
Use this page to get help with your Chromebook. A few reminders:
- Please charge your Chromebook at home every night. Chargers should not be brought to school. You should see your teacher if you forgot to charge your Chromebook.
- If you leave your Chromebook at home, you may call home to have someone bring it to school. You should see your Advisory teacher for more assistance.
- If you are having problems with your Chromebook, ask your teacher first.
Troubleshooting Tips
My Chromebook won't turn on
https://helpdesk.ucfsd.org/a/solutions/articles/5000062432
Troubleshooting WiFi Connections
https://helpdesk.ucfsd.org/a/solutions/articles/5000063202
How to clear the cache on your Chromebook
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IFns9W0daAcuZ81buyoq0eKAugXPmjSh170AzBje7Yg/preview?usp=sharing
Factory Reset Your Chromebook
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1faPq0UHWicc1k7Vz-cRBd_DCAyUWa5hyKH_jP3zh9ws/preview?usp=sharing
How to Print from a Chromebook
https://helpdesk.ucfsd.org/a/solutions/articles/5000062683
You set up your printer, but it won't print from a Chromebook
https://helpdesk.ucfsd.org/a/solutions/articles/5000062684
Connecting to a District Provided Kajeet Device (Mobile Hotspot)
https://helpdesk.ucfsd.org/a/solutions/articles/5000063200
Comcast’s Internet Essentials plan is being offered for free (eligibility requirements)
Chromebook FAQS
Question: What is a Chromebook?
Answer: A Chromebook is a laptop running Chrome OS as its operating system. To learn more about your new Dell Chromebook 11, check out the QuickStart Guide. Want to learn more about Chrome OS? Take a look at Google's Chromebook Tour. And for more information, check out Google's Chromebook page
Question: Why did we choose the Chromebook as the device for students?
Answer: We chose the Chromebook for many reasons. Over the past few years, we have found that the teachers and students preferred the Chromebook over other devices we have to offer at school based on usage patterns of the different devices and informal polling of classes. Since our School District uses Google as a platform for communication and workflow, Chromebooks fit seamlessly into our instructional environment. Our students have Gmail accounts and have received instruction on how to effectively use their gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, and other Google applications as a part of our sixth grade computer course curriculum. For the 2015-16 school year, we piloted a Chromebook 1:1 with the A-Team students in 6th grade. It proved to be very successful and helped us make the final decision about choosing Chromebooks.
Question: Will students be able to take the device home?
Answer: Because we recognize that there is opportunity for students to continue to create and collaborate while at home, we do allow students to take the devices home. The student should always leave the power charger at home at all times.
Question: What if a student experiences a problem with their Chromebook?
Answer: If students experience a problem with their Chromebook or it is in need of repair, they should let their teacher know right away. In addition to Mr. Marshall and Mr. Walsh, we will also have a building tech support person in the Library to take care of Chromebook problems.
Question: What if a student forgets to bring their Chromebook to school?
Answer: If student forgets their Chromebook, they should see their Advisory teacher and they make a phone call home to see if the Chromebook can be dropped off at school.
Question: Can I purchase another Chromebook charger?
If you would like to have a second charger, click here for information on how to to purchase one.
Question: How will we partner to ensure students know how to safely and appropriately use the device?
Answer: Sixth grade students will be given digital citizenship instruction and all students will be given instruction by Mr. Marshall and Mr. Walsh through team core classes. The district's acceptable use policy will be reviewed and in effect. The UCFSD website also provides tips on digital citizenship for parents. While students are on-campus, the District will be providing web filtering and controls. Once students are allowed to take the Chromebooks home, it will be the responsibility of the parent and student to ensure proper monitoring and use of the Chromebook during off-campus hours.
Question: Can you print from a Chromebook?
Yes. But, in order to use a printer with Google Chrome OS, the printer must be Google Cloud Print-ready. Printing on a Chromebook is a different experience than on a Mac or Windows laptop. Here's an article from Google about cloud printing. It shows you how to set up your Cloud Print printer and what to do if you don't have one: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1069693?h...
Question: Will faculty or staff be able to access or control the webcam on the device?
Answer: No. Faculty and staff will not have access to remote control the webcam in anyway. Administrators cannot control the webcam.
Qustodio Web Filtering for Parents
Why Chromebooks?
The Chromebook - and it's sibling, the Chromebase - is a type of computer designed to get you on the web as quickly as possible. All Chrome devices are powered by the Google Chrome operating system, which has been developed to provide a fast, simple, and more secure computing experience for people who spend most of their time on the web. A couple of reasons we like them here at Patton are:
- Students sign in with and are connected to their school Google account
- All work is done in a web browser and saved on the web, which is great for us using Google Apps
- Chrome devices start up fast and last all day long
- The device will always be up-to-date
PowerSchool
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is the UCFSD student information system. Both students and parents/guardians have access into the system via the middle school website. Primarily, students will use PowerSchool to check class schedule and grades. Students will also use PowerSchool to make 9th grade course selection.
Students use their campus name and password to login to PowerSchool. Students should see Mr. Walsh or Mr. Marshall if they do not know their password or are having difficulties logging in to PowerSchool. Need more help? Visit the Patton Power Up Canvas Course!
PowerSchool for Parents
Parents may also sign up for an account. Parents can use this account to also see their child's class schedule and grades as well as attendance reports. Parents can also schedule emailed grade notifications with this account.
To sign up for a Parent Account:
- Visit: https://ucfsd.powerschool.com/public
- Click Create Account
- You will need your child's Access ID and Access Password to setup your account. If you do not have these, contact the middle school main office for assistance.
To add a child to your existing Parent Account:
- Visit: https://ucfsd.powerschool.com/public
- Once you are logged in to the Parent Portal, click on "Account Preferences" on the left hand side
- Click on the tab named "Students"
- Click on the blue button "Add"
- Enter your child's name, Access ID, Password, and Relationship to add him/her to your account
More PowerSchool Parent Resources
Qustodio Filter
Qustodio is a parental control solution that makes it easier to keep your kids safe online. It enables you to supervise your children’s device use so you can ensure they only view age-appropriate content and that they enjoy a positive online-offline balance.
All UCFSD parents have access to this tool to manage their child's school Chromebook while at home. Use the email address you have on file with school to set up your account.
Look for an invite from the school district very soon with information on how to create your Qustodio account!
Acceptable Use
Acceptable Use of Electronics
Please refer to Policy: 815 Acceptable Use of the Electronic Communications Systems.