Power Up Handbook
The PowerUP Student Handbook includes the guidelines and policies specific to students in grades Pre- K-12 who are participating in the PowerUP program. Guidelines included in the PowerUP handbook supplement, but do not replace, the Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy. Sign the 2025-2026 Parent-Student PowerUp Device Agreement.
DEVICE PURPOSE, QUALIFICATIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
PURPOSE
Athens City Schools offers students access to a variety of technological resources to complement instruction and to encourage creativity, collaboration, and communication. The purpose of the Power Up Program is to expand this access by providing each student with a digital device during an academic year for use at school and, in some grade levels, at home.
QUALIFICATIONS
A student who is enrolled in Athens Middle, Athens High, Athens Renaissance, or Renaissance Virtual qualifies for use of a district owned mobile device. To maintain use of the device, students must comply with the rules and expectations outlined in the Student/Parent Power Up Handbook and the Athens City Schools Internet Safety and Use of Technology Policy (Board Policy JCBA). Any failure to comply with these rules and expectations may result in suspension or termination of the student’s qualification for use of a device and its accessories (charging cable, charging adapter, and case for iPads).
A device issued by Athens City Schools (ACS) has been assigned a unique identification code, which is indicated by a barcode affixed to a device. This identification code is one method used to track a device; a device will also be tracked electronically. A device and its accessories shall remain the property of ACS. Students will make a device and its accessories available to ACS faculty for necessary inspection, physical maintenance, and software maintenance at any time.
Devices and their accessories will be distributed once the student and parent (or guardian) have:
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Read, agreed to, and signed the Athens City School District’s Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy, and the ACS Student/Parent Handbook;
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Paid the mandatory Technology Usage Fee.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
It is the belief of the Athens City School District that every student should be granted equal access to resources provided by the school district. It is not the district’s recommendation that a student be restricted from accessing any learning resources granted to all other students. However, if the student’s parent (or legal guardian) believes that circumstances warrant restricting the student’s access to the use of the mobile device outside of school hours, a written request from the student’s parent must be submitted to the school principal or their designee. Once the request is approved, arrangements will be made to store the student’s iPad at school after school hours. In such cases, devices must be turned into the school library by 3:15 p.m. each afternoon and picked up in the library before school begins the following day. Devices not turned in to the library by 3:15 p.m. will become the responsibility of the student.
DEVICE CONTENT, FILTERING AND PRIVACY
CONTENT
Athens City Schools will provide the necessary programs and applications needed for course materials and assignments. ACS may push updates to student devices each time they are logged on to the district’s network. Students are not allowed to download unauthorized software programs or add-ons. ACS does not allow students to alter the integrity of a device. Downloading illegal software to a device may result in disciplinary action, and/or the suspension/termination of the student’s use of a device and its accessories.
INTERNET FILTERING
Internet filtering is set to function at any time a student accesses the Internet - both in and out of school. However, no content filter is capable of preventing all access to all online content that is not school-related and/or inappropriate; therefore, the user assumes responsibility for information accessed on a device and is bound by the terms and conditions of the ACS Internet Safety and Acceptable Use policy and procedures. Violating this policy may result in disciplinary action, and/or the suspension/termination of the student’s use of a device and its accessories.
PRIVACY
No right of privacy exists in the use of a device. Files and content downloaded, created, transmitted, and stored on a device are not private and shall be subject to inspection, adjustment, removal, and/or deletion by ACS personnel. To ensure compliance, ACS personnel may monitor all files, communications, and online activities of individuals who access a device.
Be advised that ACS may be required to disclose information to law enforcement or other third parties, for example, as a response to a document production request in a lawsuit against the board of education, as a response to a public records request, or as evidence of illegal activity in a criminal investigation. Additionally, any writings that indicate a student might be subject to harming themselves or someone else will be reported to officials and civil authorities. Again, there is no expectation of privacy with respect to the use of a device.
DEVICE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRECAUTIONS
RESPONSIBILITIES
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Keep the device and its accessories (charging cable, charging adapter, case) in a secure, supervised area. Bring the device to school or class each day.
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Fully charge the device before arriving at school or class each day.
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Back up data and other important files regularly to Google Drive.
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Ensure that the device will receive secure storage if you have it at school related activities, performances, sporting events, etc.
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Keep the device in its case at all times or the warranty is subject to be voided.
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Insert charging cables and USB devices carefully to avoid damage.
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Handle the device with care in the classroom and during transportation.
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Clean the device screen with a soft, nonabrasive, microfiber cleaning cloth.
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Clean the case with a soft, non- abrasive cloth with no harsh chemicals.
PRECAUTIONS
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Do not clean the device with liquid cleaning products.
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Do not leave the device unattended.
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Safeguard accessories at all times.
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Do not let other students borrow the device or its accessories.
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Avoid leaving the device in a vehicle.
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Do not leave the device outside.
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Avoid allowing pets in close proximity to the device.
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Avoid eating or drinking in close proximity to the device.
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Do not use the device near water such as a pool, tub or shower.
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Do not place heavy objects on the device.
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Do not lean or push on the device.
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Do not check the device as luggage at the airport.
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Do not place pencils, paper, or other objects on the device keyboard.
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Do not place pencils, paper, or other objects in the device or in between the keyboard and screen.
DEVICE DAMAGE, LOSS AND REPAIRS
IN GENERAL
By taking possession of a device and its accessories, the student and parent(s) (or legal guardian(s)) agree to assume full responsibility for the safety, security, care, and proper use of a device and its accessories.
A Device Protection Plan is required with respect to the mobile devices, which should assist the student and parent(s) or legal guardian(s) by providing for the replacement and repair of damaged, stolen, or lost devices. However, whether coverage will apply in a particular case will depend on the facts of each individual situation. There will be an amount required to be paid by the student/parent/guardian. The school system will determine, in its sole discretion, the amount required of the student/parent/guardian.
DAMAGE
In case of damage to a device caused by accident, fire, or flood, the student/parent/guardian agrees to assume full responsibility for the damaged device, to the extent that the same is not covered in the Device Protection Plan.
Damage to a device must be reported within 24 hours to the school principal or designee. Not reporting damage or failing to report damage in a timely manner will increase the likelihood that the damage is not covered by the Device Protection Plan, and result in a financial obligation for the student/parent/guardian in the amount of repair costs for the damaged property.
LOSS
In a case of complete loss of a device, through liquid damage, theft, loss, or other cause, the student/parent/guardian agrees to pay the replacement cost for a device as identified by the school district, to the extent that the same is not covered by the Device Protection Plan. This may result, for example, in responsibility for the full replacement cost or the claim fee. In the case of a loss or theft occurring on school grounds, the student/parent/guardian must report the incident to the principal or designee on the day of the occurrence. In the case of loss or theft occurring away from school grounds, the student/parent/guardian must report the incident to the law enforcement officials of jurisdiction within 24 hours of the occurrence and then provide documentation of the aforementioned law enforcement report to the school principal or designee within one school day of the occurrence.
Failing to report loss or theft in the manner described here will increase the likelihood that the loss will not be covered by the Device Protection Plan, and in a financial obligation for the student/parent/guardian for the full responsibility for the loss of the device and the corresponding financial obligation for the replacement costs of the lost property. The school system will determine, in its sole discretion, the amount required of the student/parent/guardian (the amount, for example, of any deductible or replacement cost) with respect to any complete loss.
Once a copy of the report of loss has been given to the school system and the student pays the claim fee and/or the amount determined by the school system, the student will be issued another device.
In order for a device to be replaced due to theft, all procedures mentioned above must be adhered to and the claim fee must be paid under the school Device Protection Plan policy.
A student/parent/guardian is responsible for the cost of replacement of a lost device if the loss of the property is not reported as stated herein, or a device is lost as the result of handling, storing, or using in a manner not in compliance with the “Device Responsibility” section.
LOSS OR DAMAGE TO ACCESSORIES
A student/parent/guardian is fully responsible for the replacement cost of any device accessories (charging cable, charging adapter, case) damaged or lost while in their possession. Replacement costs of the accessories are based on the price for which the Athens City School District purchases replacement accessories from 3rd party vendors.
DAMAGES OR LOSS CAUSED BY BAD ACTS
Students/parents/guardians may be held fully responsible for damages or loss caused by dishonest, fraudulent, intentional, negligent, or criminal acts, including but not limited to altering the operating system, altering the physical device and the removal of the Athens City School District provided identification code. This may include the suspension or termination of the student’s ability to use a device and its accessories, disciplinary action against the student, and/or legal action against the parent (or legal guardian(s)). State law provides that parents, custodians, and guardians are responsible financially for their minor child’s destructive acts against school property or persons (Alabama Code - Section 16-1-24).
REPAIRS ONLY BY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Although students/parents/guardians are responsible for the costs of any repairs to an IPAD (to the extent that the protection plan does not apply), the Athens City School District is responsible for arranging for the performance of any and all repairs to IPADs. Students and parents (or legal guardians) may not and should never attempt to repair a device themselves or through any party other than the school district.
DEVICE RETURN
RETURN Devices and their accessories will be returned during the final week of school unless otherwise instructed by school officials. If a student withdraws or is expelled from the Athens City School District, a device will be returned at that time.
FAILURE TO RETURN
A student failing to return a device and/or its accessories at the end of the year or before his or her departure from the Athens City School District may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability. The student’s parents (or legal guardians) may also be subject to liability. School records may be held until the issue is resolved and a theft report will be filed with the local authorities if an Athens City School District owned device and accessories are not returned.