FAQ

What happens if my child damages his laptop? If the damage is the result of negligence, then the student (parent) will be responsible for the repair or replacement, whichever might be required.

How much is it going to cost? Although not yet determined, it is likely that a nominal annual fee will be charged to those who wish to take the machine out of school.

Can other family members use the computer when it is at home? Parents or siblings who have a loan agreement on file may use the computer.

Will my child keep the same computer all through his high school career? That is the intention, assuming a replacement is not necessary.

What are consequences for inappropriate use of a laptop? It depends upon the infraction. It would be similar, if not the same, as the policy currently in place. It could result in loss of privileges outside of what is required while in class.

If I have more than one child in high school can siblings share a computer on the weekend? If both have a loan agreement on file.

How much will they be used? That will depend on the teacher and the tasks they’re asking students to complete.

Will the school go paperless? Although not the reason for purchasing laptops, it is anticipated that paper usage will decline. It is possible that we may go essentially paperless some where down the road.

Do you have the option of not using a computer? Students and parents have the option of not taking a computer off of school grounds. Students do not, however, have the option of not using one in classes for which its use is required.

How will you police the use of the computer? Applicable software and staff observations are a couple of ways to monitor usage.

What software is on the computer? Microsoft Office would be one piece of software on all machines. In addition, there may be other software put on that is specific to a class in which a student is enrolled.

Will there be an option to buy the computer? This has not been discussed fully. It is possible that students may buy the computer, but we may have to charge full replacement cost to do so. This could still be significant savings to students.

Can students bring their own laptop? No. This creates issues with software compatibility, viruses, filtering, and other issues that cause concern.

What happens if you do not have Internet at home? Internet access at home is not necessary.

Where in the community is there free wireless access? School and public library in Edgewood. The school in Colesburg. There may be other areas that we are not aware of.

Will the teachers still use textbooks? It depends on the class. It is hopeful that at some point in the future that we can move away from the paper version of the textbooks.

Is there an option to eliminate textbooks? Yes, that potential is present.

Are the teachers ready for this change? We see this as a process rather than a destination. Teachers will have to constantly change with the technology, and we feel that they can do so quite well.

Can teachers give tests online? Yes.

Who is responsible for laptop maintenance? School personnel.

Is the school ready with enough bandwidth? Yes, we have made the necessary upgrades during this calendar year in anticipation of this move.

How does this affect a student who qualifies for F&R? They should be unaffected.

What if I don't have Internet at home? Internet access at home is not required.

Will we get a bag and cord for our laptop? Yes

What about damages? What if it’s not my fault? The student is responsible for that laptop at all times. If it can be proven that damage was not the result of negligence on the part of the student they will not be responsible for damages. Otherwise, the student will be expected to cover repairs.

What is the fee for using/renting the computers? That is to be determined.

Will we have them over the summer? No.

What time will they get shut off? To be determined.

Will we have to carry around notebooks and stuff too? That depends upon the class.

Will we have the best software versions? (Thinking of Automated Accounting) Our goal is to have what is needed installed on the computers.

If you want to print something at your house, will you need a wireless printer? No

Will I be able to download applications onto it (ie, itunes, etc.)? There will be some downloads allowed—iTunes being one of those.

Will there be more online classes to take for college? To be determined.

Will I be able to chat with students in other classrooms? We don’t believe there is a need to have to do that during class.

How will I keep my computer charged and able to use all day? Plugging it in over night and taking steps to ensure longer battery life (i.e. turn down the backlight, don’t listen to music or watch videos without connecting the cord, etc) will help ensure that the battery lasts through the school day.

Will there be consequences if I don’t have my computer charged at the beginning of the day? Perhaps.

Will there be rules as to whether I can have food or beverages around computer? Yes.

Where should I store it when the computer is not being used? In your locked locker.

Will anything be blocked? Yes. The law requires that certain things be blocked. We will begin with a fairly liberal approach to what is blocked at school, allowing students access to such things as Facebook and YouTube while not in class. If this becomes an issue we will be forced to block more sites.

Will there be a difference in what is blocked at school versus at home? That is possible, depending upon the wishes of the parents.

When we graduate, do we have the option of buying them? To be determined.

Can we use E-bay, Amazon, etc.? Yes

Will we be given flash drives or will we have to purchase? The student will have to purchase flash drives. It is a good idea to have one or two to back up items stored on the computer.

Will the school buy more power strips to accommodate more charging? If students charge the machines at home this should be a minor issue.

Can we use our own laptop instead of the one the school gives us? No.

Will we need administrator password or will we be administrator of my own? There should be no need to have an administrator password.

Will everyone get an e-mail address? Yes.

What if we are gone for an extended period of time, can we do homework while gone? If that works for your classes, certainly.

Will we get e-mailed homework when sick? It depends on the class.

Can we take it other places besides home or school? Yes, but the responsibility to protect the computer remains the same.

Will we always get the same laptop we had the previous year? That is our intention.

Will there be a help desk? This is to be determined, but unlikely at this time.

Will the school be able to see what we are doing on our screen when we are at home? No

What happens if we leave it at home? It could be similar to leaving other class materials at home. There is no expectation that a loaner will be provided.

Will we be able to access Facebook, YouTube, etc. at home? It depends upon your parents’ wishes.

Will we be totally paperless? No, but that is a goal for the future.

How will data storage be handled? Students will need to store their data.

Will games be blocked? Some games are educational in nature, so there will be access. However, which games students will be allowed to play while at school may be limited, and they will likely be monitored.

Will our passwords change? You will be issued a password at the beginning of the year.  Keeping your password confidential is your responsibility.  Current email passwords will remain the same.

Will the computers have cameras? Yes.

What do my parents have to agree to for me to get one? Parents will be required to sign the computer loan agreement.

What if our parents don’t sign up for me to have one? Can they say they don’t want it? Yes.

Will we still have snow days? Yes

Do we get cases and chargers for home AND another set for school, or do we need to drag them back and forth? There will be one case and one power cord provided for each computer.

Will there be a place to charge here at school? If needed, yes.

What happens if we lose access privileges? What actions result in loss of privileges? Losing access will most likely cause you to be unable to access the Internet. If this affects your ability to perform the expectations of one or more classes, then arrangements will be made through the tech staff to have that limited access provided. Loss of privileges will occur for the same offenses as is currently the case, although there may be more added.

What is the consequence for leaving the computer at home? Initially a warning, but if chronic, it will be handled as any other school materials, and it may be required to remain at school.

How will we get them? Will it be before school starts? It is likely that we will be handing them out all at once some evening before school starts. The tentative date for that is August 11.

Do good conduct violations effect computer privileges/usage? No