iPads in the Middle School

Mahoney From Home

March 27
Keyboards: Some people would like to use a keyboard with their iPads. Unfortunately, Bluetooth settings needed to use the devices at school are locked and don't always allow most Bluetooth keyboards to attach. There are keyboards that will plug in and not need Bluetooth, though. Those tend to be pricey (search Amazon for those). But an adapter to use a standard keyboard that has a USB plug will work such as this one:
https://www.amazon.com/HENKUR-Adapter-Charging-Interface-Compatible/dp/B07GJ9TYWP/ref=sr_1_19?crid=3EB3FXJ1Y84NX&keywords=ipad+keyboard+lighting&qid=1584712678&s=electronics&sprefix=ipad+keyboard+lightin%2Celectronics%2C375&sr=1-19

**Note: I don't sell these, nor do I guarantee that this one will work for you or anyone. Please use your best judgement when researching and purchasing any such equipment for home use.

Headphones have the same issues as keyboard. If the headphone jack doesn't work, you may find online or at home Apple ear buds with lightning plug. Other brands can be found on Amazon.

March 27
Parent/Guardian Summaries for Classroom Assignments
Parents and/or Guardians can receive daily or weekly summaries of their children's Classroom assignments when they have been invited to accept this information by teachers. Follow the link above for details.

You can choose the frequency of the emails, such as daily or weekly.Note: Daily means Monday to Friday. You won't receive email summaries on Saturdays or Sundays.
You can unsubscribe or remove yourself from Classroom at any time.

Guardian email summaries include:

Missing work—Work that’s late at the time the email was sent
Upcoming work—Work that’s due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or work that’s due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails)
Class activity—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers

If you have more than one email address that you have used with school communication, be sure to check all to receive the invitation to receive Summaries. Click here to see the 2 steps you will complete from email.

March 16, 2020
Special information for parents of grade 6 students:
As part of our plan to continue learning you are receiving your 6th grade child's iPad and charger. We realize that this is likely the first time your child will be responsible for an individual device. These are extraordinary circumstances, but we believe access to the iPad and related resources will allow your child to continue their learning in some capacity.

You may understandably be concerned about the liability of having this device at home. Families do not need to purchase the optional iPad protection plan that is traditionally offered to families; we just ask that students use the devices for educational purposes only, and treat them carefully. Families will only be charged for repair/replacement in the event of willful damage or loss of the device.

Here are some guidelines that will help you and your student with this new responsibility:

Please establish a location for your student to use the device at home. While in school, students use their desks as their workstation. At home, a table, counter space, etc. could be designated as the workstation. The purpose of designating a space is to limit damage to the device and to help your student “work from home” if needed.
There is no internet filtering on the device while not at school.
Students should only use the devices in a supervised, common area. The apps on the device were chosen for their educational functions. Students are unable to load games or entertainment apps. We advise parents take the iPad from the child at bedtime and return it to them in the morning.

Your child has been using their iPad daily since the start of this school year and is skilled with using the device for learning. Occasionally, an issue may arise that she or he can't solve. Should you need help with recovering or resetting passwords for online learning resources used by our teachers or if there is a problem with iPad functionality, contact Steve Koelker at koelkest@spsdme.org

SPECTRUM internet offer:
Beginning March 16, a local internet provider, Spectrum (previously TimeWarner) will make its services available for free for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who don’t already have internet through the company. To enroll in the program, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. You should expect significant hold times as many families will be taking advantage of this offer.

Please also be aware that the person on the phone MAY attempt to sell you other services. You do NOT need to purchase any services. In order to be eligible for free service you must not have an outstanding bill, and you must not have had service provided to your location in the past thirty days. After the sixty day initial offer you must remember to cancel your subscription. You do NOT need a credit card, and you do not need to sign a contract. This is NOT an endorsement of Spectrum, just a sharing of information that may be helpful to our families.

Tech Help
If your student is having any trouble with their iPad, feel free to contact Mr. Koelker at his email: koelkest@spsdme.org

3.20 If the iPad won't connect to the network or load an app.
The first thing to try for iPad issues is to force restart the device. Here's the process:
Forced Restart for an iPad

Sanitizing phones and iPads - Apple says Chlox Wipes and other 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes are safe to use gently. But avoid moisture near the charging and headphone ports. Click the link to read more.

3.20 Some students are having issues with Google Classroom docs not loading. Try these steps:

Shut everything down and restart all equipment. This means full shut-down of the iPad and restarting of the home wifi and/or Internet routers.
If the problem persists, the student can Unenroll from Classroom, then ask their teacher for the code to reenroll. When the student rejoins all their work will reappear. No records will be lost.
To Unenroll, go Classes in Classroom so all classes are visible . Find the 3 dots in the upper right and tap to Unenroll.

3.26 - The Classroom app keeps crashing
Here is the fix for a student iPad that won't allow Classroom to stay open:

1. Tap and hold on the Classroom app, then choose Delete App.
2. Then go into the Self Service app and find Classroom, then choose Reinstall.

A mobile device for everyone…

Mahoney is included in the South Portland School District (SPSD) commitment to a technology rich environment. Begun in 2002, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative or MLTI has provided devices for each 7th and 8th grade student in state public schools, and South Portland teachers and students continue to make great use of this important resource. Grade 6 students are provided the same model iPad at Mahoney and Memorial along with the same apps, though grade 6 equipment is not part of the MLTI program.

Our students use technology tools to collaborate, communicate, conduct research, create digital content, organize materials, save data, take tests, and otherwise demonstrate their learning and develop skills in a variety of ways.

Despite the many benefits that our technology adds to teaching and learning, the technological landscape continues to grow and change at a rapid pace, which may also pose challenges for students, teachers, and parents alike.

iPad Expectations

Here is an abbreviated version of the expectations set for student iPad use. All students are asked to agree to each of these points before they are issued an iPad:

iPad belongs to SPSD and is for student use during the school year.
iPad is for educational use.
iPad may be monitored at any time.
Student is responsible for iPad and accessories at all times.
iPad may only be used by the student to whom it is assigned.
Loss and damage must be reported to school adult ASAP.
iPads must be handled appropriately, carried in protective bags, keep away from liquids, etc.
Family may be billed for damage depending on circumstances.
No unauthorized Apps or utilities may be added to the device.

And some reminders for home care and use:

iPads should be charged each night.
iPads may only be used by the student to whom they are assigned.
iPads should be stored in a safe place and not in the bedroom.
Parents are encouraged to have devices turned off and stored at a reasonable hour to ensure distraction free sleeping.
iPad should not be used near food, liquid, outdoors, or anywhere where damage is more likely to occur.

iPads at Home

What if the iPad breaks?

While the iPad protection plan will significantly reduce costs to the family, please note that, unless it can be established that the student is in no way responsible for the damage, there will be some amount of financial responsibility for the family. Information will be sent to all families outlining details of the the protection plan. Please be committed to proper care of the device at all times. Repairs are expensive.

As parents, it can be tough to keep up with all of the changing technology. But don’t despair! Remember that, while kids learn to use technology far more quickly than we do, we are still able to model positive digital behavior, help them to use good judgement, and even learn new things from them. Here are some of Common Sense Media’s tips for parents in the Digital Age:

Model good behavior - if you are not on your device during dinner, it will be easier to ask them not to be.
Pay attention - Know what your kids are doing on line.
Impart your values - Being kind and respectful offline extends to online behavior.
Establish limits - There is a right time and place for everything.
Encourage balance - Get kids involved in offline activities.
Make kids accountable - Have kids earn the privilege of being an online citizen.
Explain what is at stake - Remind them that what they do online today can impact them far into the future.
It’s not rocket science - Join them online, ask questions, and learn things from them.
Lighten up and enjoy the possibilities together!

Digital Rules of the Road for Parents

Common Sense Media is an invaluable resource for parents and educators. Begun in 2003, CSM has been conducting research, offering advice and providing a wide variety of resources for helping families and schools guide children to safe and profitable use of technology and media for over 15 years. From reviewing and rating movies, games and apps to reporting on important trends in digital technology use, CSM provides a welcome service for everyone who cares about kids in the digital age. Parents can join the organization to receive news and information via newsletter and to get access to special articles and reviews.

Here are helpful resource pages:
South Portland School District Board Policies See sections IJNDB- Student Computer and Internet Use and JICJ - Student Use of Electronic Devices

Maine Department of Education - Maine Learning Technology Initiative

Common Sense Media - See the Parents Need to Know section for great practical advice.