Modesto City sChools| May 2017

Table of ConTenTsWhy Future ready?................................................................................................. 2

Frequently asked questions.................................................................................. 3

ProCedures............................................................................................................ 5

Care and MaintenanCe............................................................................................ 6

student Best PraCtiCes............................................................................................ 7

CoMMonly used aPPs.............................................................................................. 8

Future ready | May 2017

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

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Why fuTure ready?

Future ready | May 2017

Modesto City Schools (MCS) believes that our students are preparing to enter an ever-changing world where they will need to solve problems, think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate, take initiative and be adaptable. MCS has joined a broad network of similarly focused school districts in support of an initiative known as Future Ready. We believe that the values derived from this Future Ready Initiative will benefit all students without bias. As a supporting participant in the Future Ready Initiative, MCS is committed to

• fostering and leading a culture of digital learning within our schools,• helping schools and families transition to high-speed connectivity,• empowering educators through professional learning opportunities,• accelerating progress toward universal access for all students to quality devices, and• offering digital tools to help students and families.

The benefiTs of a Take-home 1:1 iniTiaTiveA “take-home” 1:1 initiative allows learning to go beyond the boundaries of the normal school day with equitable access for all students. Both students and teachers will reap extensive benefits of this initiative:

• Students demonstrate increased motivation and engagement.• Students have an electronic means to communicate with a teacher without embarrassment. • Students participate in learning activities that utilize the resources they use outside of school

on a daily basis. • Schools do not have to pay for the printing of copious quantities of paper copies.• Students can easily access digital documents and resources.• Teachers can differentiate readings and assignments based on student readiness or interest. • Teachers can post all documents and assignments in one location. • Students interact with digital content in a way that cannot be duplicated with paper, book, and

pencil. • Students and teachers have access to the most recent and relevant information from all over

the world.• Students acquire the technological skills that they will need in their educational career and

workplace.

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

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3Future ready | May 2017

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

frequenTly asked quesTions - sTudenTs

frequenTly asked quesTions - ParenTs & CommuniTy 1. Will my student use the device for all of his/her courses? The student will have digital content in some subject areas, while for other courses, the device will be used to supplement the curriculum.

2. Will my student be able to access inappropriate material with the device? While the District provides basic Internet content filtering on all District devices both at school and at home, we recommend that you talk with your student about appropriate Internet safety and habits. Given the large number of new websites created every day, it is impossible for web filtering to remain 100% accurate, 100% of the time.

1. How do I learn to use the device? Teachers and staff will train students during the first weeks of school. A series of online tutorials will be available for students in Schoology.

2. How do I get help? Teachers will provide assistance, however, students most often get help from other students.

3. Do I have access to the digital content away from school and/or at home? Depending on the digital content, you will have access through Schoology or through caching/ storing of specific digital content on your device. The device can connect to your home WiFi.

4. What happens if I leave the device at home? You will complete your work as assigned with paper/hard copy. “Loaner” devices will not be issued.

5. What happens if I lose my device? File a police report and report the loss to the school site Computer Technicians. Once the school site Computer Technicians have a copy of the police report, the device will be replaced.

6. What if my device is stolen? File a police report and report the theft to the school site Computer Technicians. Once the school site Computer Technicians have a copy of the police report, the device will be replaced.

7. What if I break my device? Give the damaged device to the school site Computer Technicians. The Computer Technicians will determine the extent of the damage and repair/replace the device if appropriate.

8. Do you provide insurance? Modesto City Schools offers optional limited technology coverage for student devices. The optional limited technology coverage covers the first breakage or first theft of the device and is available for purchase at each school. Check with your school for details.

9. Will students receive the same device each year? This may or may not be possible depending on a variety of factors at each site.

3. How will teachers know what students are doing with their computers during class? Teachers will monitor student work with LanSchool. LanSchool allows teachers to see every student’s screen.

4. How do I protect my student’s device? Annual optional limited technology coverage is available for purchase at each school. Families are encouraged to discuss the proper care of devices.

5. What does the service fee cover? The optional limited technology coverage covers the first breakage and first theft of the device.

6. Am I required to purchase insurance (optional limited technology coverage)? No, but please be aware, like textbooks, parents are responsible for the cost of the device and power adapter if lost, stolen or damaged.

7. Must my student use the school’s device? Yes, all students must have equitable access to the digital content.

8. What happens if the school device is defective? Simply return it to the school site Computer Technicians for replacement.

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frequenTly asked quesTions - TeaChers & sTaff 1. Do teachers/staff get a student device? No, the District standard for teachers is the Surface Pro. 2. Where do I get help? Call (574-8600) or email the Help Desk (HelpDesk@mcs4kids.com) to submit a Help Desk Ticket.

3. How do I get technical assistance in the classroom? Each high school has a Computer Technician I and II to assist teachers with hardware, logins and general use of the technology. Call or email the Help Desk at 574-8600 or HelpDesk@mcs4kids.com to submit a Help Desk Ticket.

4. Do instructional para-professionals get a device? Not at this time.

5. What if a student forgets his/her device? The student will complete their work as assigned with paper/hard copy. We will not issue “loaner” devices.

6. What do I do if a student’s password needs to be reset? All teachers have the ability to reset student passwords (https://its.mcs4kids.com/information/ faq/resetting-student-passwords) in our student information system, MOSIS. 7. What do I do if I see a student with a cracked screen or otherwise damaged device? When appropriate, you should send the student to see the school site Computer Technicians for repair or replacement.

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

Future ready | May 2017

ProCeduresTo help facilitate the distribution of devices and prepare students to use their device, District-wide procedures are in place at each site:

• Schools will distribute student devices at “Round Up” (CLAW, SOAR, ROAR, SPEAR, etc.) in early August.

• Students will receive a digital device, power adapter, stylus, ear buds and a padded bag.

• Students will receive training related to first log-ins and general use of the device at “Round Up.” Students have homework related to use of the device to complete before school begins.

oPTional limiTed TeChnology CoverageThe annual $20 optional limited technology coverage fee for each student device covers the first breakage and the first theft with a documented police report. The coverage is available for purchase at each school. Check with your school for details.

finesStudents are responsible for their devices, including breakage, loss and/or stolen devices and accessories. Fines can vary significantly depending on whether or not the optional limited technology coverage was purchased:

• If the optional $20 per device limited technology coverage is NOT paid, then 1st breakage and each subsequent breakage of the device will incur a $60 fine.

• If the optional $20 per device limited technology coverage is paid, then 2nd breakage and each subsequent breakage of the device will incur a $60 fine.

• If the device is not returned at the end of the school year, the student will be fined $200. • If the device is lost during the school year, the student will be fined $200. If the device is

recovered, by Absolute DDS or by another individual, then a $200 credit will be applied to the student’s debt if the student was fined when the device was lost.

• If the device is stolen during the school year, the student will be fined $200 unless the student purchased the optional limited technology coverage and it is the student’s first theft with a police report. If the device is recovered, by Absolute DDS or by another individual, then a $200 credit will be applied to the student’s debt if the student was fined when the device was stolen.

• Additional fines may be levied if the device power adapter is not returned with the device at the end of the year. If the power adapter is lost during the school year or not returned at the end of the school year, the student will be charged a $35 fine.

*Absolute DDS is a service that provides the appropriate law enforcement agencies the ability to track and retrieve lost or stolen devices.

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Future ready | May 2017

ThefT or loss of deviCesEven with the most careful vigilance, sometimes students will lose their device to theft or simply misplace it, even while at school:

• If theft of a device occurs on school grounds, the student must immediately report the theft to the discipline office. After the student files a police report, the student will receive a replacement device.

• If theft of a device occurs off school grounds, the parent/student should file a police report and notify the computer technicians the next school day so the student may receive a replacement device. The first theft is covered under the optional limited technology coverage, with a documented police report.

• If a student loses their device, they must report the loss to the Computer Technician at their school who will assist with the completion of a police report. The student will be fined and a replacement device will be issued.

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

*Hacking is defined as any installation of any software/applications onto the student device. Hacking is also changing the established District configuration of the hardware and/or software on the student device.

Care and mainTenanCeIt is the student’s responsibility to keep their device in working order and keep it clean:

• Students will receive the following: the device, power adapter, stylus, padded bag, and ear buds. Ear buds and stylus will not be replaced when lost or damaged. Students may purchase new ear buds or stylus from the student store.

• Students should store the device, power cord, stylus and earbuds in the padded bag provided and should charge their device at home every night.

• Students should restart their devices every day to receive all of the latest Microsoft and District updates. Updates will occur after school hours so class time is not interrupted. Any issues should be reported to the Computer Technician immediately.

• Students should not place stickers, decals, labels, “skins,” etc., on the District device.• Students should clean their screen with a microfiber cloth.• Students should not eat or drink near the device.• Students transferring to another MCS school must return their device to their original school

before they can receive a device at their new school.• Students transferring to another school district must turn in their device prior to disenrolling

from the school. Failure to do so will result in a fine for the device.

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“haCking” of deviCesTampering with or “hacking*” a device by a parent or student will cause the device to be disabled. The student risks losing all work on the device if it is “hacked.” Students must deliver the disabled device to the Computer Technician at their school the next day. Upon receipt of the “hacked” device, the school site administration will notify parents of a violation of the student Conduct Code, 7-12 Level I Offenses, #22, “Tampering with Property of the School District.”*

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

sTudenT besT PraCTiCesFollowing the suggestions below will help students have a successful 1:1 learning experience:

• Charge the device nightly for optimum performance during the school day. Create a routine for charging, such as charging it alongside a cell phone, so the device is always ready.

• Use the District-provided bag at all times to prevent damage to the device.• Dim the screen to help conserve battery life.• Report any damage to the device to the Computer Technicians.• Do not place any stickers or anything similar on the device.• Upon arrival to school, turn on the device and log in so updates and uploads to the Cloud may

occur. • Log in to Schoology before the bell rings.• Keep the screen at 45º during teacher instruction.

inTerneT safeTy TuTorial agreemenT (isTa)The Internet Safety Tutorial Agreement (ista.mcs4kids.com) must be completed by every student, each school year, prior to October 1.

Future ready | May 2017 7

Future ready | May 2017

Commonly used aPPs

Modesto City sChools | WWW.MCs4kids.CoM

Classroom Management: LanSchool, Classdojo

Instructional: Schoology, Office 365, Google Apps, Nearpod, Turn-it-In

Digital Content: Lessoneer, Digital DBQ, StudySync

Google Apps for Education is used to save and share

documents.

Office 365 is used to access the Office Suite and share documents.

Nearpod is used by teachers to create

interactive presentations.

Students can access and turn in assignments

in Schoology. It is the District’s Learning

Management System.

LanSchool is used during class to monitor student screens.

The English Language Arts curriculum for grades 9-12.

PowerSchool is used to track students’ attendance and grades.

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Modesto City sChools426 loCust street, Modesto, Ca 95351

(209) 574-1500WWW.MCs4kids.CoM