Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
General Information
Watertown-Mayer students have the option to use a school-owned device or bring a device from home. The school district's Strategic Roadmap directs that we support technology for all students, in a fiscally responsible manner.
BYOD Summary
Students in grades 5-12 have two choices when deciding which device they will bring to school:
- Use a school-owned device.
If a student chooses not to bring a personal device from home, the district will allow them to use a district-owned device. Devices can be requested during the online registration process. Optional insurance is offered for $50/year. Please keep in mind these devices are limited.
- Bring a device that you already own.
If a student currently has access to a device that meets the Minimum Requirements, which can be found on the Device Information page, they do not need to purchase a new device. They will be able to bring that device from home. When completing your Online Registration, you will be able to indicate that your child will be bringing a device from home.
Minimum Device Requirements
Watertown-Mayer Device Requirements (Grades 5 - 12)
Device Type
Students are required to have a device with a minimum 9” screen, must have a full size keyboard, and must support the Chrome browser. A tablet, ereader, or smartphone cannot be a student’s primary device.
Features
There are two columns listed below, Recommended and Required Minimum. We recognize that some students will bring previously purchased devices from home. We ask that those devices meet the Required Minimum. If purchasing a new device, it is suggested that the device meet the specifications in the Highly Recommended column so that the device will work well in the following years.
|
Feature |
Highly Recommended |
Required Minimum |
|---|---|---|
|
RAM (memory) |
8 GB |
4 GB |
|
Hard Drive |
250+ GB (Win & Mac) 32+ GB (Chromebook) |
100 GB (Win & Mac) 32 GB (Chromebook) |
|
Screen |
10” or larger |
9” |
|
Camera |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Operating System |
Windows 11(PC) macOS 14 (Mac) Chrome OS (Chromebook) |
Windows 10(PC) macOS 12 (Mac) Chrome OS (Chromebook) |
|
Keyboard |
Built-In Keyboard |
Built-In Keyboard |
|
Software |
Chrome Browser Security Software (Win & Mac) |
Chrome Browser Security Software (Win & Mac) |
|
Battery Life |
8+ hours |
6 hours |
Device Security
Media & Internet Safety
While at school and on the school’s network, all internet traffic will be filtered as it has been in the past. When a device is not on the school network, it is the responsibility of the student and family to safeguard the student against internet threats. Tools are available for internet content filtering at home.
Network Level
Put an internet filter on your home network. There are many options available.
- OpenDNS Home
- A free tool that can be used to filter content at the network level in your home.
- It takes some technical know-how.
- Bark
- A paid option
- Easy to setup and use at home.
Device Level
Chromebooks
- Control who can use your Chromebook by making a parent the owner.
- Change your owner's account by following these linked steps.
- Create an owner's account on student's Chromebook by following these linked steps.
Windows & Mac Devices
- We recommend that you install a cybersecurity protection software to protect device from malware.