How to Prep Students for Summer Chromebook Care

When the final bell rings, for many the focus shifts from lesson plans to much-needed relaxation. For tech departments however, summer brings a new list of projects and fleet prep. For schools that allow students to take their devices home, there is another layer of anxiety: the state of their Chromebooks. 

The first two weeks of a school year account for disproportionate device damage. Students return from summer with cracked screens, missing keys, and devices that spent three months in a backpack at the bottom of a car. For districts running cart-based programs, repairs were manageable. Devices stayed in the building. Accountability was distributed across a classroom, not a single student.

The shift to 1:1 changes that math entirely. When a device goes home with a student, it becomes a household object. It gets used by siblings. It gets left in a backpack under their bed. It gets carried to places no school device was designed to go. On the first day of school, the damage is already done.

The numbers tell a clear story of why proactive summer care is vital:

• ~30% of annual device repairs occur in the first 30 days of school
• 3x higher breakage rate for 1:1 vs. shared-cart programs
• $60–$120 average repair cost per incident for a Chromebook screen replacement

With less in our control than usual, a simple care guide sent home with students is one thing we can do to hopefully prevent these repairs. Here are a few helpful points to cover with students to encourage proper device care over the summer:

Battery Care

• The Battery Rule: Batteries are temperamental. If a student leaves a device at 0% for three months, the battery will most likely come back damaged. Advise students to charge their devices to at least 80% before shutting them down.
• The Right Charger: It’s important that students use the charger provided by the school. Students will think using any Type-C charger is fine, but using a random charger can lead to long-term voltage damage.
• Check on the Device: If a student’s device won’t be regularly used, it’s important to remind them to check on it a few times over summer. They should power it on every couple of weeks to make sure it charges properly and the battery hasn’t drained.

Proper Storage

• Environmental Hazards: It’s surprising how many students might think a Chromebook is a good poolside accessory. Remind students that high-heat environments will damage their device. Devices should stay out of cars, windowsills, patios, or pool decks. They need to be kept in a cool, dry place.
• Physical Pressure: Students should also be reminded not to stack heavy books or bags on top of the device, as this can crack the screen even if it is in a case.

General Upkeep

• Keeping it Clean: Students should use a soft cloth to wipe the screen and keyboard. Remind them that no liquids or sprays should ever be used directly on the device.
• Personal Responsibility: It is vital to remind students that the device is assigned to them and should not be lent to friends or family. They are responsible for any damage or loss that happens over the summer break.

Along with these quick tips, it is always a great idea to point students back to your official Student Technology Policy for full guidelines. In fact, sending a copy of that document home with them is a proactive way to keep expectations clear. 

We don’t want to threaten students; we just want to encourage them to respect and care for their devices so they can either enjoy using them all summer or simply avoid the headache of damage fees when they return. Summer should be fun, and the last thing a student should have to worry about is a broken Chromebook!

Free Resource: Summer Care Flyer Template
To help you get this information out to your school community, we’ve created a customizable flyer template based on these exact guidelines. You can add in your school’s logo, list your tech department’s contact info, and hand it out to your students before they head home for break.

[Download Your Free Flyer Template Here]