As part of Mars Area School District’s One-to-One (1:1) Technology Program, Mars Area School District provides each student at Mars Area Middle School (7-8) and some teachers/staff members with a District-issued device that may be used for educational purposes during the school day and at home. The initiative was established in support of the schools’ curriculum, which has become more technology driven and is moving toward electronic textbooks and computer-based assignments. The following are answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Mars Area Middle School's One-to-One (1:1) Technology Program:

1. How will the Mars Area Middle School be integrating technology and into classroom lessons?

Mars Area School District’s One-to-One Computer Initiative sets specific goals for Student Engagement (motivation, attendance, etc.); Student Learning (increases strategic and extended thinking); Instructional Practices (re-examination of teaching methods and strategies, efficiency); and Resource Utilization (reducing costs over time through paperless, electronic textbooks and submission of assignments).

2. Will students carry fewer textbooks once they have electronic devices?

Yes.  Teachers will increasingly begin to use digital content for instruction and assignments.  This will be a transition over time.

3. Which students are affected by the One-to-One (1:1) Technology Program?

Mars Area School District’s One-to-One Technology Program currently affects Mars Area High School students in Grades 9-12 and Mars Area Middle School students in Grades 7-8. (Note: Mars Area Middle School students will only be using their District-issued device for educational purposes in school. Middle School students will not be permitted to take their device home.)

4. How does a student obtain a District-issued device?

District-issued devices will be assigned and distributed to all Mars Area High School at the beginning of each school year. Specific distribution dates will be posted on the District’s website. (Note: All District-issued devices must be returned to the District at the end of each school year.)

In addition, before receiving a District-issued device, parent(s)/students must pay an annual $100 Technology Fee in order to take a District-issued device home. And, each student and a parent/guardian is required to sign the "District-Issued Student Device Guidelines" form and the “District-Issued Student Device (Grades 7-12) Technology Fee Payments & Distribution/Collection Information” form (both of which are included as attachments to District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources); as well as the “Computer Networks/Internet Use Agreement” (which is attached to District Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers & Network Resources).

 

5. Is there a fee associated with obtaining a District-issued device?

No. As Mars Area Middle School students will not be taking their District-issued device home; therefore, there is no fee to use the device in school.

6. When are Mars Area Middle School students expected to bring their District-issued device to class?

Just as students are required to bring textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils to class, students are expected to bring their District-issued device to class every day as well. The device will be a daily requirement for daily lessons and assignments.

7. When and where will students pick up/drop off their District-issued device during the school day?

Mars Area Middle School students will pick up their District-issued device in their homeroom at the beginning of each school day and return it at the end of the each school day. Students will be responsible to place the device in its designated slot within the device cart and plug the power cord in for overnight charging. Failure to return and/or use the device for non-school purposes may be considered unlawful use of District property and/or theft. If the device is not returned upon request, the parent/student shall be charged the full replacement cost of the device. Students will not be permitted, under any circumstances, to remove their District-issued device from the Mars Area Middle School building at any time.

8. Are students still permitted to bring their own laptops/mobile devices to school?

Students may bring their personal laptop computers/mobile devices to school in accordance with District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources — Bring Your Own Technology Student Guidelines. Mars Area School District offer the technology infrastructure needed for a common experience for those students using District-issued devices and those who may choose to use their own mobile devices (such as laptops, tablet computers, etc. on both PC and Mac platforms).

Students may choose to bring a personal device to be used for educational purposes during the school day in lieu of receiving a District-issued device. All personal devices must comply with the restrictions set forth in District Policy 237. Note: All software and programs necessary to the curriculum and educational process will be provided on the District-issued device; therefore, students do not require a personal device.

9. Are there any restrictions for what type of personal device a student may use? 

All restrictions on the use of personal devices are outlined in District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources — Bring Your Own Technology Student Guidelines. Personal devices are limited to laptops and/or tablet computers only. (Smartphones and other similar devices will not be permitted for use within the classroom.) If a student is using a tablet computer, it must be accompanied by a wireless- or Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse. Personal devices must also have one of the following operating systems (OS) or a newer OS in order to be compatible with District-provided education software.

• Microsoft Windows 8.1 (PC Computer)
• Mac OSX 10.10.5 (Yosemite) released 2014 (Apple)
• iOS 6 (Apple)
• Jelly Bean 4.2 (Android)
  
  

10. Will students receive training on how to use Windows 10? 

Mars Area School District will provide training for students on the Windows 10 operating system, as needed. 

11. Will a student using a personal device have the same access to curriculum and education programs as those students using District-issued device?

Assuming that all requirements are met, as outlined in District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources — Bring Your Own Technology Student Guidelines, students who use a personal device will have the same access to programs and software as those who use a District-issued device. A URL or App(lication) will need to be loaded on a student's personal device for the student to have access to District resources. Note: Some courses may require programs that are not available on District-issued device or personal devices and will require that students to use computers provided in the classroom or in a designated computer lab at the school.  

12. Will a student using a personal device have the same access to technical assistance as those students using District-issued device?

Only those students using District-issued devices will have full access to the Technology Help Desk at each school building. No technical assistance (other than resolutions for power- and/or wifi-related issues) will be offered for personal devices. 

13. If a student's personal device stops working or breaks while he/she is in school, will he/she be able to receive a District-issued device?

If a students’ personal device stops working or breaks while he/she is in school, he/she may receive a District-issued device, assuming all requirements are met in accordance with District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources.

14. How secure is the District-issued device?

No one other than the student to whom the computer is issued is permitted to use the District-issued device. District-issued devices should never be left unattended. And, if stored in a locker, the locker should be securely locked.

Students are not permitted to divulge individual password information to anyone or to post any identifiable information about themselves on the Internet. All students must adhere to District Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers & Network Resources. Any online harassment or security problems should be reported to the principal immediately.

15. Will the District back up my data so that it may be recovered in the event or equipment failure?

Each student is responsible for backing up his/her own data. The District is not responsible for any lost data and recommends that students back-up and save data to their District-provided S:Drive, which may be accessed at school and at home. (More information on students’ access to their S:Drives from home will be forthcoming after the start of the school year.) In accordance with District Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers & Network Resources, students may NOT use a personal disk, flash drive or other such device to back-up and save data in the system. Both District-issued devices and personal devices will have the same access to a student's S:Drive.

16. In the event of a power outage or disruption in Internet service, will students be given extra time to complete assignments if they cannot access the information?

In the event of a power outage or disruption of Internet service, parents and/or students are asked to communicate the issue with the classroom teacher as soon as possible. Students will be given an appropriate amount of time to complete assignments as determined by the teacher on a case-by-case basis.

17. Is a student permitted to download software on the District-issued device?

Students are not permitted to load software on their District-issued devices. Some common examples of prohibited software may include, but are not limited to, file sharing (Limewire, BitTorrent), utilities/OS (OSX or other upgrades), games (Halo, Emulators), etc. All District-issued devices are subject to spot checks for compliance by administration.

In addition, District-issued devices are locked, so that only authorized District personnel may load software. The District monitors and logs any and all attempts to modify a District-issued device that are in direct violation of District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources. The District receives e-mail notifications of any illegal use or violations.

18. How will the District perform software updates on District-issued devices?

All software updates on District-issued devices will be “pushed out” electronically through the District’s network. When a student starts up his/her District-issued device at school at the beginning of the school day, the device will receive and load all appropriate software updates. Students may be instructed to reboot their devices periodically to ensure that all software has been updated.

19. What restrictions are in place to prevent improper use of the District-issued devices?

Mars Area School District provides filtering for inappropriate materials and websites on the Internet. Outside of school, parents are responsible for monitoring their child(ren)'s use of the District-issued device to ensure the students do not alter settings to avoid Internet filters.         

20. What is considered an acceptable use of the District-issued device?

District-issued devices may be used for educational purposes only during the school day and at home. Acceptable uses of District-issued devices are outlined in District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources.

21. Will teachers/administrators be given access a student's District-issued device?

Mars Area School District teachers/staff members and administrators have the right to examine any information on a student’s District-issued device, as stated in District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources.

The District provides filtering for inappropriate materials and websites on the Internet. Parents are responsible for monitoring their student’s use of the device when at home to ensure that the student does not alter the device settings or bypass the Internet filters.

22. When will cameras on a District-issued device be used and for what purpose? How will the District prevent misuse of device cameras?

Effective on the first day of school, all cameras on District-issued devices will be disabled. Attempts to reactivate or misuse of device cameras may result in discipline in accordance with District Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers & Network Resources and District Policy 218 Student Discipline.

23. What are the consequences for misuse of a District-issued device?

Failure to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources and District Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers & Network Resources may result in discipline as specified in District Policy 218 Student Discipline.

24. How will the District prevent "tech-savvy" students from changing the settings on the District-issued device? 

All settings on District-issued devices are rights protected. Any attempts to alter District-established settings may result in discipline in accordance with District Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers & Network Resources and District Policy 218 Student Discipline.

25. What do I do if my District-issued device stops working or if I need technical assistance?

A Technology Help Desk will be available from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Mars Area Middle School. Mars Area School District will have several IT staff members on hand at the Technology Help Desk to answer any questions and to address technical issues.

Note: Students using District-issued devices will have access to technology help at each school building. No technical assistance (other than power-related issues) will be offered for personal devices.  

26. Who is responsible for the general care/maintenance on the District-issued device? 

Students/parents are responsible for proper care of the District-issued device. The following guidelines are offered for general device care:

• The device should be used on a flat, solid surface
• Open the device from the front center open point.
• Never put pressure on the screen with thumbs, fingers or any object. 
• Do not open the screen past the natural pivot stop point.
• Do not apply stickers, marker or anything to any part of the device.
• NO FOOD OR DRINK IS PERMITTED NEAR DEVICE.
• Place the device in the sleeve with the port side up to avoid putting pressure on the DVD Drive.
• Do not put any pressure on the DVD Drive side of the device.
• Do not hold the device by the screen or screen frame.
• Do not put the device in a position where there is any pressure on the device or anything on top, in a backpack or case of any kind where the device is squeezed (any situation where the device is under any pressure).
  
  

27. Are students permitted to transport their District-issued device in a backpack?

Students are permitted to transport District-issued devices in backpacks as long as the devices are not being crushed or squeezed (any situation in which the device is under pressure), as this may result in damage the device. Appropriate care and handling of District-issued devices is outlined in District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources.

28. Is a student permitted to personalize his/her District-issued device, as to distinguish it from the devices of other students?

Each Mars Area Middle School student will be provided a transparent device cover, which may be decorated or personalized appropriately. Students are not permitted to apply stickers or markers to any other part of the District-issued device other than the transparent cover. Failure to comply may result in discipline in accordance with District Policy 224 Care of School Property and District Policy 218 Student Discipline.

29. If the District-issued device is damaged, may I attempt to fix it myself?

Mars Area School District is the only entity authorized to repair the student computers. Under no circumstances should any parent or student attempt to repair a computer.

30. What do I do if the District-issued device is damaged, lost or stolen?

Missing or damaged devices should be reported immediately to the school office. (Note: Theft or loss, intentional damage and/or misuse of the device is the sole financial responsibility of the parent(s)/student. The actual cost to repair or replace the device will be the responsibility of the parent(s)/student.)

31. Are the District-issued devices equipped with GPS tracking systems so that they may be recovered when lost or stolen? 

District-issued devices are NOT equipped with GPS tracking software and will not be tracked by the District at any time. Lost or missing District-issued devices are to be reported immediately to the school office. Theft or loss, intentional damage and/or misuse of the device is the sole financial responsibility of the parent(s)/student. 

32. If the computer is damaged or lost, what is the cost to replace the District-issued device?

The cost to repair or replace a District-issued device is up to $350 at Mars Area Middle School. Mars Area School District does not cover intentional damage, misuse, theft or loss. Intentional damage, misuse, theft or loss of the device is the sole financial responsibility of the students and their families.

33. What is the guarantee that students and parents will be treated fairly in the determination of how a District-issued device is damaged or stolen? 

Mars Area School District and its administrators will address all claims in a fair, professional and expedient manner. Damaged, lost or stolen District-issued devices are to be reported immediately to the school office.

34. How can I learn more about the District's One-to-One (1:1) Technology Program?

More information regarding the One-to-One Computer Initiative will be announced throughout the school year. Specific questions may be directed to the Building Principal.  To view District Policy 237 Electronic Devices & Personal Technology Resources or District Policy 815 Acceptable Use of Internet, Computers & Network Resources in their entirety, visit www.marsk12.org. Specific policy questions may be addressed to Mars Area School Board at [email protected].