This document provides information for parents about technology use by 6th grade students at St. Paul Academy and Summit School. It discusses a parent technology meeting on October 12th to help parents prepare for students receiving laptops. It then provides answers to common questions students ask about using school computers, such as whether they can install software or play games. It also gives tips for safe laptop use and storage. Finally, it discusses the school's WebHelpDesk system for reporting technology issues and provides internet safety tips for parents.

1. What to Expect When Yo
Parents of 6th graders:
u’re Ex pecting… A Laptop
Save the date, Tuesda
pare for the “new additio y, October 12, 2010. We
n” to your home. have a parent technolog
y meeting at 6:30 to hel
p you pre-
St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Middle School Technology Update
Fall 2010
Technology F.A.Q.
Questions Kids Always Ask About Using School Computers
Can I install Software on Nobi) to provide additional Where do I store my laptop never without a case or in a
my School computer? functionality with Microsoft if I’m not using it? backpack as the weight of
· Short answer – No. Long applications, such as One- · The laptop belongs two books may crush the display.
answer – School com- Note. places – with you or in your
puters are provided for LOCKED locker. No excep- Is ther Internet filtered on the
instructional use. Students How often will I use my tions. Nobi?
should not install/ computer in classes? We don’t install filters on
· If you misplace your lap-
download/access any · That will vary from grade top: school computers, however we
applications not already on to grade, subject to sub- do have general content filters
the school laptop with the ject, and unit to unit.  Check the last place you on our school Internet access
exception of printer drivers Teachers generally tell remember having it (to block pornography and sites
for home computers. Any students if their class is a  Ask Mrs. Brass likely to distract or slow school
other applications should “bring your computer every networks). In addition, there is
only be installed under day, no matter what” class  Ask Mrs. Hatting/MSO antivirus software installed on
direction of a faculty mem- or if they will only use the  As your teachers/advisor each Nobi. Should you feel
ber. laptop for specific projects. your child requires filtering
However, it is the responsi-  Ask Ms. Edhlund software on his or her laptop,
Can I play games on my bility of your student to (receptionist)
please discuss with Mrs. Brass.
school computer? have their laptop on cam-  Tell your parents!
· Short answer – No. Long pus and in good working · If your laptop is “found”
answer – School com- condition each and every out of your possession,
puters are provided for day they’re in school. One expect your parents to be
instructional use. If a of the first things we men- notified. Be proactive; tell
teacher has an instruc- tion in class is that com- them yourself first.
tional game you should be puters don’t get sick days.
· If your laptop is lost off-
playing, they will direct you campus, notify your parents
to do so. You also have a What do I do if something
immediately. It's their re-
few “tablet games” to get goes wrong?
sponsibility to notify the
to know how your com- · On campus: Tell a school and, if necessary,
puter works and improve teacher. If there isn’t a the police to submit a theft
your proficiency. Typing Pal quick fix, see Mrs. Brass. If report. Remember, your INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
also has several “games” she isn’t available, go to family is responsible for the
for typing practice. the tech department and first $500 toward replace- Nobi Warranty 2
complete a ticket with Ms. ment of a lost/stolen com-
What’s a Nobi? Martinson. puter. Tech Class Topics 2
· Nobi is the brand name · Off campus: Complete a
for the Intel ClassmatePC WebHelpDesk ticket at Can I buy/use my own What is Web Help Desk? 2
Convertible. It was de- http://techhelp.spa.edu . If case?
signed by Intel specifically you’re unable to access · All students will use a case
for student use. Essen- this, email Mrs. Brass Helpful Laptop Habits 3
provided by SPA, however
tially, Nobis are netbook (tbrass@spa.edu) or leave students who wish to swap
pcs with a touchscreen a voicemail at 651-696- Tips for Parenting High Tech Kids 3
with another student for a
that swivels for tablet use. 1444 with your contact different color may do so,
SPA installs Windows Tab- information and a descrip- provided they both consent. Common Sense internet Safety 4
let XP or Windows 7 tion of the issue. Nobis should always be
(depending on model of carried in case provided, Did You Know? 4

2. PAGE 2 MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNO LOGY UPDATE
Tech Class Topics What about the Nobi Warranty?
Current 6th and 7th graders SPA purchases a 3-year,  This agreement covers one time replacement
have tech class once per cycle no-fault warranty from the components com- LCD panel (due to acci-
(all year for 6th grade, first tri Equus for each Nobi/ prising the base note- dental damage) during
for 7th grade). Here’s a sample ClassmatePC used by stu- book unit and power the term of this agree-
of what we discuss/review in dents. See the SPA MS adapter only. ment.
class: Technology for Families  It does not cover the  Replacement compo-
website for a PDF of the battery (past initial year nents are covered for
 Appropriate Use Expecta- warranty agreement for after purchase), carrying the remainder of the
tions details. case, port replicator, warranty period or 30
software (to include im- days, whichever is
 Backing up school work In a nutshell: properly configured Op- longer.
 Using the network  This agreement covers erating Systems and/or
 Power settings that make repair or replacement of viruses), or any other The condition of the laptop
sense notebooks that are acci- accessories or periph- is the responsibility of the
 How does Facebook work? dentally damaged. eral products. student. If something
 It does not cover inten-  Only damage that af- goes wrong, he or she
 How can I avoid viruses tional damage, fire, loss, should notify the technol-
fects the functionality of
and other malware? or theft. ogy department (see Mrs.
the unit is covered.
 How can I make sure my  Cosmetic damage (i.e. (Cosmetic damage is not Brass, complete a
computer lasts through 8th cracks, scratches, case covered by warranty.) WebHelpDesk ticket, or
grade? wear, etc...) is not cov-  Only the original LCD turn in the computer in the
 How do I use a flash drive? ered. panel is eligible for a tech office).
 How do I calibrate my sty-
lus?
 How do I keep my work
organized? What’s WebHelpDesk?
 Password management
 Using the Internet respon- Since 2006, SPA has computer.
sibly used a system called 3. Enter as much info
Web Help Desk to track as possible describ-
 Talking to your parents and technology issues and
siblings about tech use ing the situation
requests. When a stu- and what immedi-
 Can I use wireless Internet dent has an issue with Note:
ately preceded it.
that doesn’t belong to me? school technology, such Computers are not con-
as their laptop or a 4. Save the ticket.
 What if I misplace my sidered “turned in for
computer? school-supported sub- repair” until the student
scription, the student (or The tech team responds has created a Web Hel
 How does OneNote work?
the adult assisting to tickets as soon as Desk ticket. In the case
 Wasting less paper when them) creates a ticket in possible during regular that the student com-
you print Web Help Desk. This business/school days/ puter isn’t functional to
 How do I manage an helps us better track hours. create a ticket, there is
iTunes account? issues and maintain a a computer located in
 How do I use Gaggle? history when issues, the tech area for stu-
such as recurrent hard- Responses are sent to
 Ergonomics the student’s Gaggle dents to create one.
ware problems, occur.
 Typing practice with Typ- email account as well as
To create a ticket: the student’s advisor
ing Pal If you’re at home and
1. In any browser, go and Mrs. Brass (if she’s there’s a tech issue pre-
 Dealing with cyberbullying to http:// not the one responding venting access to Web
 Online privacy and your techhelp.spa.edu to the ticket). Help Desk, email Tami
digital footprint 2. Log in with the user Brass (tbrass@spa.edu).
name and password
used for school

3. FALL 2010 PAGE 3
Helpful Laptop Habits Shared with Your Child
During laptop rollout (as ing/storage. you begin working and
well as in tech trainings)  · Make sure your com- save changes frequently.
we share a lot of helpful puter is shut down com-  · If your computer is act-
info with students: pletely before putting in ing up, try restarting. It
 · Remember that the rea- your case (all lights off, usually fixes pokiness and
son why you have the screen black). general computer issues.
computer is for school-  · Save all of your files to  · Back up your data regu-
work and instructional an appropriate folder larly.
use. Anything that gets in (coursework goes in the + Schoolwork should
the way of this should be appropriate class folder). be backed up at least
avoided.  · Avoid exposing your Nobi once per cycle (or more
 · Talk to your parents to extreme temperatures. often, if possible)
about home use expecta- For every hour of expo- + Personal data should
tions. Avoid the conflict; sure to extreme heat or be backed up frequently;
know their expectations. cold (warmer than 90 or important/expensive How big is your child’s digital
 · Make room in your cooler than 40), your lap- data (music, photos,
locker for safe laptop top needs to rest at nor- etc.) should live on an- footprint?
storage. Be VERY careful mal room temp for one other drive or computer.
with your charger. Trip- hour before being plugged  · If you aren’t sure about
ping over cords is one of in or turned on. Frequent something, ask! Stu-
the top causes of broken exposure to extreme dents needing individual Talk to your child about how they
screens. temps will damage com- assistance can meet
 · Find a safe place at ponents over time. use technology, both for school and
with Mrs. Brass during
home (away from siblings,  · Save as you work. Save work study or by appoint- for entertainment.
pets, vaccums) for charg- a new document when ment.
No matter what your child may say,
Tips for Parenting High Tech Kids he or she is not the only middle
schooler without a Facebook
Here are some tips that  Have your child work at by isn’t ok.
parents have shared over account. Saying no won’t make him
the years.
the kitchen table or in an  It’s ok to take the laptop or her a social outcast.
area where you can see away if your child is
Not every tip will work for their screen. abusing it or using it to
every family (nor are these
requirements we expect  Check Internet history. If excess.
every family to follow), but it’s empty, your child has  Check your child’s class
they’re worth considering deleted something. websites (for assignment
in order to figure out what Time for a discussion. Many parents of SPA Middle School
sheets) or with the
will work in your household. teacher if your child students do not permit their child to
 Remind your child that, seems to be taking too
 Discuss your family val- as the adult, it’s not only
long on assignments
use home wireless on school
ues with your child and your right but your re- computers or allow students with
sponsibility to ask ques- requiring computer use.
explain how these trans-
access to use their laptops without
late into the electronic tions when you’re con-  “Google” your child (and
world. cerned about a behavior. yourself) to see what his adult supervision/presence.
 Have your child share or her digital footprint
 Keep the laptop out of looks like.
the bedroom. their computer and other
 Turn off the wireless at
(Facebook, email) user  If something doesn’t feel You’re the parent; you have every
names and passwords right and discussing it
bedtime. with you. with your child isn’t work- right to tell your child no when you
 Limit screentime to 30  Have kids stretch and ing, contact Dr. Romans, think it’s the right thing to do.
minutes before bedtime. Ms. Mairs, or Mrs. Brass.
move around after 20-
We frequently work with
30 minutes of heavy
 Ask your child to show tech use.
parents to help address
you their planner and concerns.
discuss the evening’s  Let your child know that
homework. closing the lid or hiding
screens when you walk

4. DID YOU KNOW? Common Sense on Internet Safety for
Due to Federal laws such as
CPPA, CIPA and COPPA, most of
popular online subscription services
Middle School Kids
require that users are at least 13 from Common Sense Media
years of age in order to legally cre-
ate an account. Children creating time kids spend online. Don’t let them
accounts on these services must Instant Message during homework.
falsify their date of birth if they are
1 Tell your kids:
Restrict time and sites for online gam-
under 13 when the account is cre- >> Never share names, schools, ages,
ing.
ated. phone numbers, or addresses
A few of the services which re- >> Never send pictures to strangers
quire users to be at least 13 at the 7 Agree on downloads. What music
time of account creation include: >> Keep passwords private (except to
is okay? Which video sites? Don’t
parents)
 Facebook give your kids your credit card infor-
mation. If they need to buy some-
 Gmail 2 Visit age-appropriate sites. Find thing, you should be involved.
 iTunes sites that promote learning, creativity,
and that deepen your kids’ interests.
 MySpace Also check out popular Web sites
8 Talk about privacy. Show kids
where privacy settings are on their
 Flickr before your kids visit them. Social
favorite sites and make sure they use
networks like MySpace or Facebook
 Most Yahoo! Accounts them. Remind kids that when they
are not meant for middle school kids.
(Parents can create family post something online, they lose con-
accounts for kids under 13) trol of it. It can be cut and pasted and
To find out if a site you’re using 3 Minimize chatting with strangers. sent around the Web.
has an age requirement, look in the Tell your kids that people aren’t al-
“Terms of Use” or privacy areas. ways who they say they are on the
You can also try creating an ac- 9 Make sure kids know to tell some-
Internet. Anyone can pose as a
count and see if it asks for a date of one – it doesn’t have to be you – if
birth; most will deny accounts to “buddy of a buddy.” If kids are play-
anything suspicious, cruel, or scary
users with birthdates less than 13 ing online games, they should be care-
happens. They need to know they
years ago. ful not to disclose anything personal.
won’t get in trouble.
Answer more questions on the MS Tech for 4 Help kids think critically about
10 Be involved and view your own
Families Webpage ( http://www.spa.edu/ what they find online. They need to
habits carefully. Parents are their role
community/class.aspx?ClassID=294 ) : know everything they see isn’t true.
models for safe and smart use. Enjoy
 What if I forget my password? Also use safe search settings for
the good stuff together!
young kids or filtering software.
 How do I install a printer at home? Check browser histories to see where
 How do I connect to a wireless network? they’ve been.
 How do I upload photos for the yearbook?
 How do I avoid spyware on my computer? 5 If they wouldn’t do it in real life,
 What maintenance needs to be done by they shouldn’t do it online. Don’t say
my student on his or her Nobi? mean things, and no cheating in
 How do I replace a lost stylus? games or at school. If it’s not ok to
copy from an encyclopedia, don’t do
it from the Internet.
For more details about info inside this 6 Have some rules about time and
newsletter, contact: place. Set limits on the amount of
Tami Brass See
Middle School Technology Coordinator http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
tbrass@spa.edu for more information and helpful hints.
(651) 696-1444
or see the MS Tech for Families Webpage:
http://www.spa.edu/community/class.aspx?ClassID=294