Under our 1-1 Chromebook program, every secondary student in the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) receives a Chromebook for school use. A Chromebook is a mobile computer that runs on Google’s Chrome Operating System. These machines are designed to be used primarily while connected to the internet. They are optimized to allow the use of Google applications (for example Google Drive, Calendar, Gmail, Google Classroom, etc.). WRDSB students already have G Suite accounts provided to them which they will be able to use on their Chromebooks.

Grade 9 students or students new to the WRDSB should follow these instructions to set up their Chromebooks and their G Suite account.

Grade 9 Chromebook Setup Instructions

When you receive your Chromebook, you need to complete your registration.

Over the summer, your password was changed to help transition your Google account for secondary school. You will need to change your password now before setting up your profile on your new Chromebook. Follow the instructions below.

  1. On the Chromebook, select “Browse as Guest.” Ignore the prompt to sign in to your Chromebook.
  2. Open the Chrome browser and go to the WRDSB MyPassword dashboard at https://mypassword.wrdsb.ca/
  3. Select Change Password. Enter your user name and temporary password
    • User Name
      • This has not changed – usually the first four letters of your last name, first initial, last four numbers of student # @wrdsb.ca (i.e. smita1234@wrdsb.ca)
    • Temporary Password
      • Please contact your teacher or school for more information on your temporary password.
  4. Enter your new 12-character password using the recommendations below
    • When deciding on your new password, consider using the passphrase method:
      • Select 3 or more unrelated words. Each should be between 4 and 8 characters in length
      • Change the word case on at least one of the words
      • Use a special character or number as a separator between each of your words; or pad the password with a number or special character at the start or at the end. Use a simple-to-remember pattern
    • This password will remain the same unless you decide to change it. Follow the same process above if, in future, you feel a need to change your password.

The randomness of the word choice and length of the passphrase makes it strong. The most important thing to remember is that the words need to be random.

For example, “catinthehat” would be inadvisable as a combination because it’s a common phrase and the words make sense together. But, something like “correct_horse_battery_staple” is random. The words are uncommon and don’t make sense together and it is also much easier to remember than a traditional random password. Very common words – like colours, or month names, or seasons – may cause your password to be rejected.

Never Share Your Password
  1. Close your browser and exit out of guest mode (click bottom right corner)
  2. Then, follow the prompts to add yourself as a user to your Chromebook using your WRDSB email address and newly-created password. Be advised that it may take a few minutes for your new password to be recognized.

Still can’t log on using your profile?

Continue to use “Browse as Guest” until classes start. We will help you with the remaining steps when you arrive.

If you are a new student to our Board, your Google account will become active 24 hours after you have attended a class and your attendance has been recorded.

Tech Support at Home

Tech@Home is your first-stop resource for troubleshooting technical problems at home. In-School technicians are also available to help on-site.