In the last two weeks we have had the opportunity to speak to and write to parents from both campuses about our exciting technology education plans for the 2009-2010 school year. Over the next three ParentTalk editions I want to address three key questions that have come up consistently in our discussions and in the email.
The questions are:
Question 1: Have you thought about security and what if my child’s computer is stolen?
Question 2: I already purchased a Macintosh recently. Can I use that machine instead?
Question 3: I want a Mac Book or Macintosh for me or my other children. Can I get one through the school?
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Question 1: Have you thought about security and what if my child’s computer is stolen?
Security concerns are justifiably a high on people minds. We all realize that we will be placing an expensive piece of educational technology in your children’s hands, and this piece of equipment does have a significant street value.
As the old saying goes, “With great privileges comes great responsibility”. This responsibility falls on all parties in this educational endeavor. SAS has their responsibilities, the students have their responsibilities and the student’s parents have their responsibilities. If we all work together, we will have a successful and loss-free one-to-one program.
Our technology security program will has 3 components:
1. Student and community education. Our children will be taught how to take care of their computer equipment. They will be taught how to store, secure and keep track of their computer. They will know what to do if they find a computer that does not belong to them, and where to take it for safekeeping. We will collaboratively work to ensure the security of our important learning tools.
2. School Facility Security Measures. The school will do our part to provide appropriate, secure and available locations where computers can be stored when they are not in use. The school will also mark all computers clearly and track serial numbers and identification numbers associate with the computer and the student’s identification. In appropriate locations additional security cameras may be installed.
3. Security software. The school is currently investigating security software that will provide the ability to track the location and user of a particular computer if the machine is stolen, lost or being used by an unauthorized person. The school will provide this as part of the hard drive image and will be able to track computer use as provided by this software.
A special student-focused “Acceptable Use Procedures and Practices Document” is being created to provide clarity and guidelines for the use of laptops in a safe, secure and educationally appropriate manner. In the Acceptable Use Agreement that all us will read and sign when you receive your computer it clearly states that the following:
Keeping the school assigned notebook safe is your responsibility – use common sense. Damage caused to the notebook due to negligence including the theft of the notebook is not covered by the Apple Care Warranty and may not be covered by any private insurance your family may have.
The following suggestions will increase the chances of keeping the notebook safe and in good working order:
- To eat and/or drink near the notebook is asking for trouble. There should never be any food or drink around the notebook either at school or at home.
- Inserting foreign objects (paperclips, pens, etc.) into the ports (openings) of the notebook will cause damage.
- Use the notebook on a flat, stable surface.
- Removing the notebook from its protective bag while using it in class or moving between classes is not using common sense. The bags were designed to have the notebook remain inside at ALL times.
- After shutting down/powering off the notebook, it should be gently closed from the top center of the screen.
- Never, leave the notebook computer unattended anywhere, anytime!
SAS administration and teaching staff are very focused in our intent to do all that is in our power to make our school as secure as possible and to ensure that there are security options for your child’s laptop. Part of these measures include providing secure school lockers in hallways and locker rooms, as well as locking security stations near cafeterias and gyms.
Laptop Safety Initiative
Next year we will run a special awareness program focusing on ways to keep our laptops safe and secure. This program raise consciousness to the dangers of leaving one’s laptop unattended, and to educate students about procedures to follow when they find a laptop that is unlocked, unsecured and not being attended by its owner. By rewarding students who return found, unattended laptops to school offices and raising awareness of laptop security, we are taking just one more step to prevent the loss of valuable learning time.
Please note that in any case a student does not follow the rules regarding laptop safety, and security, parents will be notified and student may lose privileges associated with the use of their machine.
What about outside of school?
While the school can do its best to secure the environment within the school gates, we are not able to do so outside of school. Yeap Transportation buses are the exception to this rule of course. Laptops found on the buses will be returned to the school offices and returned to the students following school procedures that will include the notification of parents regarding the incident.
If a child’s laptop is lost away from school, the student and their parents will be responsible for the replacement of the machine if the machine is not recovered using the computer tracking software. SAS will facilitate this replacement to be free from disruption and continuity to the students educational program and the family’s financial impact.
What about Damage?
We are requiring use of computer bags that are specially designed for school use, and the machine will NEVER have to be removed from the bag, essentially taking away the primary reason that computer get damaged. Other damage including liquid spills, and misuse will not be covered by the AppleCare warrenty. If the machine ceases to operate due to issues with software or hardware malfunctions, will be repaired or replaced.
10 Minute Turnaround?
Computers are machines and machine break down and malfuction. One of the reasons that Macintosh computers were chosen was because of their positive track record for functionality and lack of problems, but if something does happen, a service center will be set up on each campus and staffed by certified and qualifed technicians who will assess the problem and if it cannot be fixed in 10 minutes, then a loaner machine will be provided till the student’s machine can be repaired.
