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Message form the District
Regarding the Family Option Model for the 7-12 Laptop
Initiative
Based on staff and parent input received through the recent laptop
survey – as well as other feedback and data – the
district is revising its policy regarding the laptop program to
better accommodate the diverse preferences for laptop access
expressed by stakeholders. Specifically, the new policy is
designed to allow families to choose between having their
student(s) check out a laptop for full 24/7 access or to simply use
school-housed laptops when they are needed for classroom
activities. These options are more fully explained below.
It is important to note that the district is
fully committed to continuing its work toward effective integration
of technology into the instructional program. The high level
of access to technology in our schools has led to some dramatic
changes in school and classroom operations – use of digital
organizers, electronic file exchange, posting of
grades/assignments/materials, reliance on digital learning
resources, and so on. Shoreline’s teachers will
continue to take advantage of the efficiencies and instructional
opportunities afforded by technology and will not be expected to
revert to former methods of accomplishing these tasks.
Consequently, families selecting Option 2 below are agreeing to
provide sufficient accommodations in lieu of a district laptop.
Option 1: Check out laptop for home-school access.
1) Student agrees to fully comply with all terms
of the Shoreline Laptop Agreement and District Network Policy.
2) Student pays annual technology fee for laptop
insurance (est. @ $80 for 08-09) and agrees to insurance terms for
any claims resulting from theft and/or accidental damage.
Additionally, 7th graders and 9th graders must either provide or
purchase from the district a suitable protective case for the
laptop. (Note: families requiring financial assistance
with the technology fees should contact school officials to discuss
available options).
3) Provisions for modified parental control
settings on the laptops can be arranged with district or school IT
staff. Families wishing to purchase and install additional
parental control must coordinate this with IT staff.
Option 2: In-school access to laptops for classroom
activities and parent-provided home access.
1) Teaching staff will make laptops available to
students when they are needed for classroom activities; laptops are
unlikely to be available for student use if they are not part of
that day’s class work. Each school will make provisions
for some level of supplemental access to computers during the
school day
2) Classroom laptops will have all standard
Shoreline software installed, but students will not be able to save
work to laptops; instead they will need to utilize student servers,
USB drives, email, or other means to move work between school and
home.
3) Families choosing not to receive a district
laptop for home access assume responsibility for providing adequate
computer access at home for the completion of school
assignments. Teachers will be planning instruction on the
assumption that students have home computer access to complete
work.
4) Students will be responsible for checking
teacher web sites or other online publication of assignments, due
dates, documents, etc.
5) Students using in-school laptops are expected
to follow all existing standards of acceptable use and
care/handling. Damages resulting from intentional abuse or
neglect will result in appropriate fees for repair costs.
Misuse of the laptops can result in disciplinary action and
potential loss of access.
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