Key Takeaways
- All district‑owned laptops and iPads will be collected at the end of the 2025‑2026 school year for annual maintenance and reimaging.
- Student data will be erased during this process; files must be saved to OneDrive or another personal backup before turn‑in.
- Elementary schools will receive all laptops and iPads back to classroom charging carts by Friday, June 12, 2026.
- Secondary students in grades 8 and 12 must return laptops, chargers, and styluses; grades 6‑11 must bring laptops with styluses placed in the stylus bay (chargers may be kept at home).
- Running Start students can drop off devices at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center Helpdesk between 8 a.m.–3 p.m. after finals, with a final deadline of June 26, 2026 for late returns.
- Bellevue Digital Discovery laptops are not being collected this year.
- Students who need a laptop for summer enrichment can borrow one on Mondays and Wednesdays, July 6‑24, from 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the same Helpdesk location.
- For any questions or assistance with data backup, contact your school’s technology specialist or the district Helpdesk.
Overview of Device Collection Process
The BSD Technology Services department is preparing for its yearly device maintenance cycle, which includes collecting, inspecting, reimaging, and redeploying all district‑issued laptops and iPads. This routine ensures that equipment is updated with the latest security patches, operating system versions, and district‑approved software before the next academic year begins. By centralizing the collection effort, the department can efficiently inventory assets, identify any hardware issues, and prepare devices for redistribution to classrooms and labs. The process also provides an opportunity to enforce data‑protection policies, as all student‑generated content will be wiped from the devices during reimaging. Consequently, families and students are urged to back up any important work to personal cloud storage (such as OneDrive) or external drives prior to the designated turn‑in dates.
Important Reminders for Data Backup
A critical point emphasized in the announcement is that all student data will be deleted from the devices once they are collected for reimaging. To avoid loss of assignments, projects, photos, or other personal files, students should copy their documents to OneDrive, which is provided free of charge by the district, or to another secure location such as a personal USB drive or home computer. If students encounter difficulties with the backup process, they are encouraged to reach out to their school’s technology specialist, who can provide step‑by‑step guidance or hands‑on assistance. Proactively securing data not only safeguards individual work but also streamlines the reimaging workflow, allowing technicians to focus on hardware checks and software installations rather than data recovery efforts.
Elementary Device Collection Details
For the elementary level, the district will collect every laptop and iPad assigned to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Families are asked to return these devices to the school and place them inside the classroom charging carts no later than Friday, June 12, 2026. This deadline grants the building’s technology specialist a full week to check in, inventory, and prepare the devices before the final day of school. In addition to the primary device, students should also return any accompanying chargers and styluses so that the carts remain fully equipped for the next school year. By consolidating the collection in the classroom carts, the district minimizes the risk of misplaced equipment and simplifies the logistics for both teachers and tech staff.
Secondary Device Collection Guidelines
At the secondary level, collection procedures differ slightly by grade to accommodate varying device assignments and usage patterns. Students in grades 8 and 12 must return their laptops along with their chargers and styluses. For learners in grades 6 through 11, the requirement is to turn in the laptop with the stylus placed in the designated stylus bay; chargers, however, may be retained by the student over the summer break, provided they are stored in a safe and secure location. If a stylus is not found in the bay, the device will be recorded as lost, potentially resulting in replacement costs. This approach acknowledges that older students often need their chargers for personal use during the summer while still ensuring that the essential input accessory (the stylus) is accounted for and ready for reimaging.
Running Start Student Procedures
Students enrolled in the Running Start program, who take college‑level courses while still in high school, have a distinct turn‑in window. After completing their final exams, they may bring their district‑issued laptops to the Bellevue School District Helpdesk located at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center, 12241 Main Street, Building 4, Bellevue, WA 98005. The Helpdesk will accept devices between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. All Running Start participants who miss the scheduled turn‑in at their home school must deliver their laptop, charger, and stylus to this location no later than June 26, 2026. This centralized option provides flexibility for students whose college schedules may conflict with the regular school‑based collection times.
Bellevue Digital Discovery Exemption
Unlike other student groups, those participating in the Bellevue Digital Discovery program will not have their laptops collected this year. The district has determined that the devices used in Digital Discovery will remain with the students over the summer to support ongoing online learning projects and remote coursework. Consequently, families involved in this program should retain their laptops, chargers, and any peripherals as usual, and they are not required to follow the standard turn‑in procedures outlined for other grade levels.
Summer Laptop Loan Availability
Recognizing that some students may need access to a device for summer enrichment, credit recovery, or personal projects, the district will operate a temporary laptop loan program. Devices will be available for pickup Mondays and Wednesdays from July 6 through July 24, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center, Building 1 (12241 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005). Students interested in borrowing a laptop should bring a valid student ID and be prepared to complete a brief loan agreement. This initiative aims to bridge any technology gaps during the break while ensuring that the district’s inventory remains accounted for and ready for reuse in the fall.
Conclusion and Contact Information
The upcoming device collection and reimaging effort is a vital part of the BSD Technology Services department’s commitment to maintaining a reliable, secure, and up‑to‑date technology infrastructure for all learners. By adhering to the outlined timelines and procedures—returning devices to classroom carts, following grade‑specific secondary guidelines, utilizing the Helpdesk for Running Start and summer loans, and safeguarding personal data—students, parents, and staff can help ensure a smooth transition into the next school year. For any questions regarding data backup, turn‑in locations, or summer loan eligibility, please contact your school’s technology specialist or reach out directly to the district Helpdesk at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center. Your cooperation is essential to keeping our classrooms equipped and ready for success.