This document provides an orientation for parents about their child receiving a MacBook laptop from Mooresville Middle School. It discusses the school's goal of preparing students for the 21st century, why laptops are being used now, basic laptop information, how the learning management system Angel works, care instructions, backup recommendations, internet safety guidelines, internet filtering at school, suggested home internet guidelines, required use policies, resources for help, and login information.

1. MMS MMS
Mooresville Middle School
MacBook Orientation for Parents August 2009

2. Why us? Why now?
Mission of the NC State Board of Education:
Every public school student will graduate from high school
globally competitive for work or post-secondary education
and prepared for life in the 21st Century.
Today’s learners have grown up in a digital world. They have cell
phones, computers, multi-dimensional video entertainment, iPods, the
Internet, and they have never seen a TV without a remote control. Our
children are hyper-communicators, goals planners, multi-taskers, experts
at figuring out and using technology, and they are active learners.

3. Because it’s the right thing!
Students experience a huge gap between their everyday lives
and activities when they walk into a classroom.They now use
paper, pencils, listen to one person lecture them, read dated
textbooks, then memorize for a test.
Engaging these students and making education
relevant is critical...for our schools to continue
to effectively and fully prepare the citizens and
leaders of tomorrow.

4. Basic Info

5. Basic Info

6. Software
Pages Comic Life
Numbers Firefox
Keynote Google Earth
iCal GarageBand
iTunes DVD Player
iPhoto Dictionary
iMovie iDVD
iWeb Angel LMS

7. Angel
Angel http://angel.mgsd.k12.nc.us The ANGEL Learning
Management Suite of teaching and learning tools enables efficient
and effective development, delivery and management of courses,
course content and learning outcomes. Engaging communication
and collaboration capabilities enhance instruction to deliver leading
edge teaching and learning.
Parents can keep track of student progress in Angel by requesting
an “Insight Window Account.” Go to http://angel.mgsd.k12.nc.us
and click on Request an Insight Window Account. You will need to
have your student’s user id and password to request an account.
Once your account is approved, you will receive an email with your
password.You can then log in and track your student’s progress.

8. Care of Laptop
Property of MGSD
Entrusted to the student to benefit their education
Carry in provided case at all times
Charge nightly
Visit Help Desk at first sign of trouble (don’t put it off)
Do not walk around with MacBook open
Do not leave unattended **Do not loan your laptop
Avoid eating and drinking near MacBook
Careful when using around young children and pets
Use on a hard surface so laptop doesn’t overheat

9. Bring Daily
Just like a textbook, notebook, or
pencil the laptop is expected to be
charged and ready to go everyday.
Teachers will have lids up and lids down time.

10. Back-Up
It is the responsibility of the student
to backup their own computer files!
Methods:
USB flash drive
External Hard Drive with Time Machine

11. Internet Safety in the Schools
Student Training
• Students receive training on the use of the Laptop
• Students receive training on Internet Safety

12. Internet Use is Teacher Directed
Internet is used for educational research and activities
Teachers monitor student Internet use in class
Students are not allowed “free time” to surf the Internet

13. Internet Safety Guidelines for Students
1. Never give out personal information
2. Never use parents’ credit card online
3. Create secure passwords & never share them with anyone
4. Never arrange a face-to-face meeting
5. Don’t open e-mail if you don’t know who sent it
6. Don’t click on banner ads or pop-up ads on websites
7. Never use bad language or send threatening e-mail

14. School Internet Filtering
Server-Based Filtering Software
• Filtering software installed on MGSD web server
• Filters websites based on content-keywords
• Can block specific web sites upon request

16. Suggested Guidelines for home
Internet Use
Parents-Set and Enforce rules for home Internet Use
• Have computer in a common room
(not in the bedroom with the door closed!)
• Time limit on Internet, instant messaging, social
networking sites, online gaming, etc.
• Parents should ask and know student’s personal
username and password

17. Home Internet Safety
Suggestions Concerning E-Mail
• Parents should have access to students’ e-mail
• Threatening e-mail should never be sent
• Attachments bring danger of viruses
• Spam = Junk Mail = Don’t reply

18. Home Internet Safety
Web-Surfing
Banner/Pop-Up Ads
* Clicking on them places a “cookie” on your computer
* This allows websites to track your movements
(from Wal-mart to phishing scams!)
Personal Information
* Never give out
* Avoid even seemingly innocent and unimportant info
Online Purchases
* Do not do without parent permission/supervision
* Make sure website is secure (https:) before entering
credit card information

19. Monitoring Student Activity
Check the History in FireFox (History, Show All History)
If it is empty, ask why
Click on an item to go to that page

20. Required Use Policy/Code of Conduct
Students will make available all messages or files
upon administrator or teacher request
Just like a textbook or a locker, MGSD owns the
laptop. Students are permitted to use it for
educational advancement
Administrators have capability to remotely view
student computers

21. Required Use Policy/Code of Conduct
Use Appropriate Language
When searching the web
When sending messages
When blogging/using message boards
No Cyber Bullying
No personal information
Remember educational setting

22. Cyberbully
Cyb erbully in g

23. Required Use Policy/Code of Conduct
Give credit where credit is due!
Following copyright laws
Teachers & staff members instruct students on
copyright laws

24. Required Use Policy/Code of Conduct
Prohibited Access:
Bypassing the filter
Using another student’s username or password
Sharing passwords
Downloading or installing
Tampering with the hardware

25. Required Use Policy/Code of Conduct
Personal Communications:
Chat rooms & Instant messaging only with class
instruction
Social networking sites are blocked
Hosting personal web pages
Unless school-approved, teacher supervised

26. Required Use Policy/Code of Conduct
Inappropriate Materials (treated like similar non-
computer offenses):
Materials that are unacceptable in a school setting
Pornographic, obscene, graphically violent, vulgar
Music, Sounds, Language,Videos, Other Materials
Downloads or transfers through an external drive

27. Required Use Policy/Code of Conduct
Keeping your laptop damage free:
Do not leave a laptop unattended.
Keep pets, food, drink, & babies away from laptop.
Laptop may not be used during school lunch.
Do not leave your laptop in a vehicle.
Do not put stickers or skins on laptop or bookbag.
Do not write on laptop or bookbag.
Do not walk around with laptop open

28. Resources
http://www.mgsd.k12.nc.us
Click on Digital Conversion
Help directly from Apple, after hours or when the MGSD
Helpdesk is unavailable - Apple Education Support
Line 800-800-2775, and the serial number is needed (on
bottom of laptop)
Parent Training Sessions during year

29. Log-In
Student user name will be NCWise number
Student will create own password:
Must be at least 6 characters in length
Must contain 1 CAPITAL letter
Must contain 1 lower case letter
Must contain 1 number