Can I install Software on

my School computer?

· Short answer – No. Long

answer – School com-

puters are provided for

instructional use. Students

should not install/

download/access any

applications not already on

the school laptop with the

exception of printer drivers

for home computers. Any

other applications should

only be installed under

direction of a faculty mem-

ber.

Can I play games on my

school computer?

· Short answer – No. Long

answer – School com-

puters are provided for

instructional use. If a

teacher has an instruc-

tional game you should be

playing, they will direct you

to do so. You also have a

few “tablet games” to get

to know how your com-

puter works and improve

your proficiency. Typing Pal

also has several “games”

for typing practice.

What’s a Nobi?

· Nobi is the brand name

for the Intel ClassmatePC

Convertible. It was de-

signed by Intel specifically

for student use. Essen-

tially, Nobis are netbook

pcs with a touchscreen

that swivels for tablet use.

SPA installs Windows Tab-

let XP or Windows 7

(depending on model of

Nobi) to provide additional

functionality with Microsoft

applications, such as One-

Note.

How often will I use my

computer in classes?

· That will vary from grade

to grade, subject to sub-

ject, and unit to unit.

Teachers generally tell

students if their class is a

“bring your computer every

day, no matter what” class

or if they will only use the

laptop for specific projects.

However, it is the responsi-

bility of your student to

have their laptop on cam-

pus and in good working

condition each and every

day they’re in school. One

of the first things we men-

tion in class is that com-

puters don’t get sick days.

What do I do if something

goes wrong?

· On campus: Tell a

teacher. If there isn’t a

quick fix, see Mrs. Brass. If

she isn’t available, go to

the tech department and

complete a ticket with Ms.

Martinson.

· Off campus: Complete a

WebHelpDesk ticket at

http://techhelp.spa.edu . If

you’re unable to access

this, email Mrs. Brass

(tbrass@spa.edu) or leave

a voicemail at 651-696-

1444 with your contact

information and a descrip-

tion of the issue.

Where do I store my laptop

if I’m not using it?

· The laptop belongs two

places – with you or in your

LOCKED locker. No excep-

tions.

· If you misplace your lap-

top:

Check the last place you

remember having it

Ask Mrs. Brass

Ask Mrs. Hatting/MSO

As your teachers/advisor

Ask Ms. Edhlund

(receptionist)

Tell your parents!

· If your laptop is “found”

out of your possession,

expect your parents to be

notified. Be proactive; tell

them yourself first.

· If your laptop is lost off-

campus, notify your parents

immediately. It's their re-

sponsibility to notify the

school and, if necessary,

the police to submit a theft

report. Remember, your

family is responsible for the

first $500 toward replace-

ment of a lost/stolen com-

puter.

Can I buy/use my own

case?

· All students will use a case

provided by SPA, however

students who wish to swap

with another student for a

different color may do so,

provided they both consent.

Nobis should always be

carried in case provided,

Technology F.A.Q. Questions Kids Always Ask About Using School Computers

Middle School Technology Update

never without a case or in a

backpack as the weight of

books may crush the display.

Is ther Internet filtered on the

Nobi?

We don’t install filters on

school computers, however we

do have general content filters

on our school Internet access

(to block pornography and sites

likely to distract or slow school

networks). In addition, there is

antivirus software installed on

each Nobi. Should you feel

your child requires filtering

software on his or her laptop,

please discuss with Mrs. Brass.

Nobi Warranty 2

Tech Class Topics 2

What is Web Help Desk? 2

Helpful Laptop Habits 3

Tips for Parenting High Tech Kids 3

Common Sense internet Safety 4

Did You Know? 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Fall 2010

What to Expect When You’re Expecting… A Laptop Parents of 6th graders: Save the date, Tuesday, October 12, 2010. We have a parent technology meeting at 6:30 to help you pre-

pare for the “new addition” to your home.

computer.

3. Enter as much info

as possible describ-

ing the situation

and what immedi-

ately preceded it.

4. Save the ticket.

The tech team responds

to tickets as soon as

possible during regular

business/school days/

hours.

Responses are sent to

the student’s Gaggle

email account as well as

the student’s advisor

and Mrs. Brass (if she’s

not the one responding

to the ticket).

Since 2006, SPA has

used a system called

Web Help Desk to track

technology issues and

requests. When a stu-

dent has an issue with

school technology, such

as their laptop or a

school-supported sub-

scription, the student (or

the adult assisting

them) creates a ticket in

Web Help Desk. This

helps us better track

issues and maintain a

history when issues,

such as recurrent hard-

ware problems, occur.

To create a ticket:

1. In any browser, go

to http://

techhelp.spa.edu

2. Log in with the user

name and password

used for school

Note:

Computers are not con-

sidered “turned in for

repair” until the student

has created a Web Hel

Desk ticket. In the case

that the student com-

puter isn’t functional to

create a ticket, there is

a computer located in

the tech area for stu-

dents to create one.

If you’re at home and

there’s a tech issue pre-

venting access to Web

Help Desk, email Tami

Brass (tbrass@spa.edu).

PAGE 2

What about the Nobi Warranty?

What’s WebHelpDesk?

MID D L E SC HO OL TEC HNO L O GY UPD ATE

SPA purchases a 3-year,

no-fault warranty from

Equus for each Nobi/

ClassmatePC used by stu-

dents. See the SPA MS

Technology for Families

website for a PDF of the

warranty agreement for

details.

In a nutshell:

This agreement covers

repair or replacement of

notebooks that are acci-

dentally damaged.

It does not cover inten-

tional damage, fire, loss,

or theft.

Cosmetic damage (i.e.

cracks, scratches, case

wear, etc...) is not cov-

ered.

This agreement covers

the components com-

prising the base note-

book unit and power

adapter only.

It does not cover the

battery (past initial year

after purchase), carrying

case, port replicator,

software (to include im-

properly configured Op-

erating Systems and/or

viruses), or any other

accessories or periph-

eral products.

Only damage that af-

fects the functionality of

the unit is covered.

(Cosmetic damage is not

covered by warranty.)

Only the original LCD

panel is eligible for a

one time replacement

LCD panel (due to acci-

dental damage) during

the term of this agree-

ment.

Replacement compo-

nents are covered for

the remainder of the

warranty period or 30

days, whichever is

longer.

The condition of the laptop

is the responsibility of the

student. If something

goes wrong, he or she

should notify the technol-

ogy department (see Mrs.

Brass, complete a

WebHelpDesk ticket, or

turn in the computer in the

tech office).

Tech Class Topics

Current 6th and 7th graders

have tech class once per cycle

(all year for 6th grade, first tri

for 7th grade). Here’s a sample

of what we discuss/review in

class:

Appropriate Use Expecta-

tions

Backing up school work

Using the network

Power settings that make

sense

How does Facebook work?

How can I avoid viruses

and other malware?

How can I make sure my

computer lasts through 8th

grade?

How do I use a flash drive?

How do I calibrate my sty-

lus?

How do I keep my work

organized?

Password management

Using the Internet respon-

sibly

Talking to your parents and

siblings about tech use

Can I use wireless Internet

that doesn’t belong to me?

What if I misplace my

computer?

How does OneNote work?

Wasting less paper when

you print

How do I manage an

iTunes account?

How do I use Gaggle?

Ergonomics

Typing practice with Typ-

ing Pal

Dealing with cyberbullying

Online privacy and your

digital footprint

FAL L 2010

During laptop rollout (as

well as in tech trainings)

we share a lot of helpful

info with students:

· Remember that the rea-

son why you have the

computer is for school-

work and instructional

use. Anything that gets in

the way of this should be

avoided.

· Talk to your parents

about home use expecta-

tions. Avoid the conflict;

know their expectations.

· Make room in your

locker for safe laptop

storage. Be VERY careful

with your charger. Trip-

ping over cords is one of

the top causes of broken

screens.

· Find a safe place at

home (away from siblings,

pets, vaccums) for charg-

ing/storage.

· Make sure your com-

puter is shut down com-

pletely before putting in

your case (all lights off,

screen black).

· Save all of your files to

an appropriate folder

(coursework goes in the

appropriate class folder).

· Avoid exposing your Nobi

to extreme temperatures.

For every hour of expo-

sure to extreme heat or

cold (warmer than 90 or

cooler than 40), your lap-

top needs to rest at nor-

mal room temp for one

hour before being plugged

in or turned on. Frequent

exposure to extreme

temps will damage com-

ponents over time.

· Save as you work. Save

a new document when

you begin working and

save changes frequently.

· If your computer is act-

ing up, try restarting. It

usually fixes pokiness and

general computer issues.

· Back up your data regu-

larly.

+ Schoolwork should

be backed up at least

once per cycle (or more

often, if possible)

+ Personal data should

be backed up frequently;

important/expensive

data (music, photos,

etc.) should live on an-

other drive or computer.

· If you aren’t sure about

something, ask! Stu-

dents needing individual

assistance can meet

with Mrs. Brass during

work study or by appoint-

ment.

PAGE 3

Tips for Parenting High Tech Kids

Helpful Laptop Habits Shared with Your Child

Have your child work at

the kitchen table or in an

area where you can see

their screen.

Check Internet history. If

it’s empty, your child has

deleted something.

Time for a discussion.

Remind your child that,

as the adult, it’s not only

your right but your re-

sponsibility to ask ques-

tions when you’re con-

cerned about a behavior.

Have your child share

their computer and other

(Facebook, email) user

names and passwords

with you.

Have kids stretch and

move around after 20-

30 minutes of heavy

tech use.

Let your child know that

closing the lid or hiding

screens when you walk

by isn’t ok.

It’s ok to take the laptop

away if your child is

abusing it or using it to

excess.

Check your child’s class

websites (for assignment

sheets) or with the

teacher if your child

seems to be taking too

long on assignments

requiring computer use.

“Google” your child (and

yourself) to see what his

or her digital footprint

looks like.

If something doesn’t feel

right and discussing it

with your child isn’t work-

ing, contact Dr. Romans,

Ms. Mairs, or Mrs. Brass.

We frequently work with

parents to help address

concerns.

Here are some tips that

parents have shared over

the years.

Not every tip will work for

every family (nor are these

requirements we expect

every family to follow), but

they’re worth considering

in order to figure out what

will work in your household.

Discuss your family val-

ues with your child and

explain how these trans-

late into the electronic

world.

Keep the laptop out of

the bedroom.

Turn off the wireless at

bedtime.

Limit screentime to 30

minutes before bedtime.

Ask your child to show

you their planner and

discuss the evening’s

homework.

How big is your child’s digital

footprint?

Talk to your child about how they

use technology, both for school and

for entertainment.

No matter what your child may say,

he or she is not the only middle

schooler without a Facebook

account. Saying no won’t make him

or her a social outcast.

Many parents of SPA Middle School

students do not permit their child to

use home wireless on school

computers or allow students with

access to use their laptops without

adult supervision/presence.

You’re the parent; you have every

right to tell your child no when you

think it’s the right thing to do.

Tami Brass Middle School Technology Coordinator

tbrass@spa.edu

(651) 696-1444

or see the MS Tech for Families Webpage:

http://www.spa.edu/community/class.aspx?ClassID=294

For more details about info inside this

newsletter, contact:

time kids spend online. Don’t let them

Instant Message during homework.

Restrict time and sites for online gam-

ing.

7 Agree on downloads. What music

is okay? Which video sites? Don’t

give your kids your credit card infor-

mation. If they need to buy some-

thing, you should be involved.

8 Talk about privacy. Show kids

where privacy settings are on their

favorite sites and make sure they use

them. Remind kids that when they

post something online, they lose con-

trol of it. It can be cut and pasted and

sent around the Web.

9 Make sure kids know to tell some-

one – it doesn’t have to be you – if

anything suspicious, cruel, or scary

happens. They need to know they

won’t get in trouble.

10 Be involved and view your own

habits carefully. Parents are their role

models for safe and smart use. Enjoy

the good stuff together!

1 Tell your kids:

>> Never share names, schools, ages,

phone numbers, or addresses

>> Never send pictures to strangers

>> Keep passwords private (except to

parents)

2 Visit age-appropriate sites. Find

sites that promote learning, creativity,

and that deepen your kids’ interests.

Also check out popular Web sites

before your kids visit them. Social

networks like MySpace or Facebook

are not meant for middle school kids.

3 Minimize chatting with strangers.

Tell your kids that people aren’t al-

ways who they say they are on the

Internet. Anyone can pose as a

“buddy of a buddy.” If kids are play-

ing online games, they should be care-

ful not to disclose anything personal.

4 Help kids think critically about

what they find online. They need to

know everything they see isn’t true.

Also use safe search settings for

young kids or filtering software.

Check browser histories to see where

they’ve been.

5 If they wouldn’t do it in real life,

they shouldn’t do it online. Don’t say

mean things, and no cheating in

games or at school. If it’s not ok to

copy from an encyclopedia, don’t do

it from the Internet.

6 Have some rules about time and

place. Set limits on the amount of

Common Sense on Internet Safety for Middle School Kids from Common Sense Media

DID YOU KNOW?

Due to Federal laws such as

CPPA, CIPA and COPPA, most of

popular online subscription services

require that users are at least 13

years of age in order to legally cre-

ate an account. Children creating

accounts on these services must

falsify their date of birth if they are

under 13 when the account is cre-

ated.

A few of the services which re-

quire users to be at least 13 at the

time of account creation include:

Facebook

Gmail

iTunes

MySpace

Flickr

Most Yahoo! Accounts

(Parents can create family

accounts for kids under 13)

To find out if a site you’re using

has an age requirement, look in the

“Terms of Use” or privacy areas.

You can also try creating an ac-

count and see if it asks for a date of

birth; most will deny accounts to

users with birthdates less than 13

years ago.

Answer more questions on the MS Tech for

Families Webpage ( http://www.spa.edu/

community/class.aspx?ClassID=294 ) :

What if I forget my password?

How do I install a printer at home?

How do I connect to a wireless network?

How do I upload photos for the yearbook?

How do I avoid spyware on my computer?

What maintenance needs to be done by

my student on his or her Nobi?

How do I replace a lost stylus?

See http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ for more information and helpful hints.