Bennington Public Schools

We utilize Chromebooks at Bennington. It has become the number one device in education. You are required to log into a Chromebook with a Google Account. (Gmail address.) Our school-managed devices require students to log in with a Bennington-managed Gmail account ending with benningtonschools.org. (We do not allow a regular Gmail account to log into the machine on school-owned devices.) A Chromebook is a laptop that runs a Chrome Browser. (It is a Chrome OS device and not a PC or MAC.) We have some flip touchscreen units and some simple clamshell non-touch units. You do not install programs on Chromebooks, but there are many extensions to the Chrome Browser and many add-ons to each G Suite product that add functionality. Chromebooks can work offline so that you can create new documents and emails offline. Once Internet connectivity is resumed, those documents and emails are then synced to the account on the cloud.

If you own a Chromebook that is not district-managed, anyone with a Google Account (Including benningtonschools.org accounts) can log into the device. The first person who logs into a Chromebook is the owner. Personally owned Chromebooks can be power washed (by the owner) to restore them to factory defaults. Our experience is that these devices are the most trouble-free devices that a person will use, short of any hardware breakage or other hardware-related issues. Find out more about Chromebooks here. 

For instructions on how to log in to your student's Chromebook, please see the instructions below: 

SIGNING INTO SCHOOL CHROMEBOOK

We run a remote filter called ContentKeeper that filters students and protects them. The ContentKeeper product is installed on all Chromebooks and is available for use K-12. ContentKeeper filters and reports all devices logged into the student's Google Account. On a PC or MAC, people have the option of logging into Chrome, so it may or may not be active since the student may or may not be logged in. (ContentKeeper does not run on an iPad, phone, or other tablet devices.) When a student logs into Chrome, ContentKeeper is loaded and active. When you log into a Chromebook, students are automatically logged into Chrome. This is one more reason we recommend using a Chromebook and having that device signed into Chrome with the students' Bennington Gmail account.

Note- If a PC or Mac has Chrome logged into the student account, anyone using that Chrome browser is being filtered and monitored by the district.

Bennington School District utilizes Clever as a "Single SIgn-on Service." This allows our students to access multiple commonly used educational applications and links. By signing in to Google first, they can access other resources without signing into them. So, one sign-on gets them to multiple websites. Please see the Student and Parent's guide to log into Clever. 

K-5 Parents
Typically, our students in Grades K-2 log in with a Clever badge. (They show a QR code to the camera on the Chromebook, and they are automatically logged into the Chromebook with their Google account.) Since that is not an option, a document will be sent home with the student's login. The username does include the @benningtonschools.org, so it is the student's email address. This login is needed for any personally owned Chromebooks to access the school material.

• Compete to Connect Program for Low Income:
  • COX COMPETE TO CONNECT
  • $9.95 per month
  • For more information, call (855) 222-3252.
  • Data: 25 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload
  • No installation fee. There is no equipment rental fee.
    • You receive at least one of the following government-assisted benefits: SNAP, TANF, Public Housing assistance, or your child is enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. You may be eligible to participate if your household has at least one K-12 child. In addition, you cannot have subscribed to Cox Internet service within the last 90 days or have any outstanding debt or unreturned equipment with Cox.

• Internet or phone assistance for low-income families. (USAC Lifeline Support)
• Find Low-Cost Internet Service and Computers in Your Area

These Internet service providers may be options in our area:

• Century Link
• Cox
• HughesNet
• Viasat
• DirectTV
• Dish
• Allo
• Rise Broadband

Remember, some wireless plans allow you to turn your phone into a hotspot.

Free Internet is available at Bennington Public Schools in the parking lot and on the grounds.

Our guest wireless Internet will be open and available daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. People can pull up in cars or, on nice days, sit around the outside campus. Note: All Internet traffic is monitored, and security camera surveillance is in place.)

The Bennington School District uses G Suite, an online productivity suite. This free online suite offers a complete environment, including mail, docs, sheets, presentations, calendars, forms, classrooms, and many more features. You can access this through a web browser or applications on devices. Anyone who has a Gmail account has these tools available to them. (Most of us would never need to purchase Microsoft Office or other productivity suites.) Our school accounts are very similar to a regular Gmail account but offer us more control and insight into our environment. Every document, folder, sheet, etc., is an online document that allows the creator to share and control who has access. Users can easily import and export records to different formats, so those who need a final copy in a PDF or Microsoft format may do so. The G Suite for education also complies with all FERPA and COPPA laws concerning students.