Information for Parents

We understand that children's use of new tools and media can be challenging for parents. At the same time, we believe very strongly in the value of these same tools and media to empower learners of all ages. Here are some important elements of our program, along with some resources and tips for parents.

Authorization for Personal Use of District-owned Device: This is our document outlining the rules and expectations that go along with being provided a district-owned iPad for the school year. Visit the Forms & Docs page to download a copy.

Parent Access: We encourage parents to take advantage of parent access features of Schoology and PowerSchool. Click the "Parent Access Accounts" link in the menu at left.

Key Elements of Our Program

Learning Device Fee: We assess a $75 per student fee each year. The District does not purchase third-party insurance, but we cover all necessary repairs (although at District discretion, a family may be charged if it can be shown that damage was intentional or if an iPad is lost or damaged beyond repair). In this context, the Device Fee is essentially an insurance premium. Note: The fee DOES NOT cover lost or stolen iPads.

Supervision: It is not feasible to monitor iPad use outside of the District. It is the responsibility of parents to supervise and set expectations about iPad use outside of school. We are happy to support parents in this effort. Parents should not hesitate to contact their school principal to discuss any concerns surrounding iPad use, whether at home or at school.

Cases, Chargers & Accessories: The district provides a case, charger and cable when a student receives an iPad for the first time. Each student is expected to keep these provided accessories for their entire time in D102, unless otherwise instructed. If the charger or cable is lost or damaged, it is the family's responsibility to purchase a suitable replacement. (We strongly encourage purchase of chargers from a reputable vendor, rather than a cheap alternative.)

You are welcome to purchase additional accessories for your child's iPad. However, keep the following in mind:

    • The District reserves the right to disallow a given accessory, so to be on the safe side, contact your child's school before purchasing anything.

    • Because available models and features change over time, the District cannot guarantee that a given accessory will be compatible with an iPad provided in the future. For example, the dimensions of a new iPad model might result in a case no longer fitting.

    • Any accessories are considered personal property of the student, and the district is not responsible for damage or theft.

    • Screen protectors: You are welcome to purchase a screen protector; however, in our experience, iPad screens vary rarely become scratched and screen protectors do not generally prevent a screen from becoming cracked due to dropping. If an iPad with a screen protector needs to be sent for repair, the District cannot guarantee the screen protector will be returned.

Please see the Questions and Answers page for additional information.

Resources

We provide links to the resources below as a convenience. The list is by no means exhaustive, nor does inclusion in the list imply an endorsement by D102. We welcome suggestions for additional resources.

    • Information about Parental Controls for iOS (from Apple). Restrictions can be enabled on the device to prevent access to specific features or content.

    • Information about Guided Access (from Apple). Guided Access limits a device to a single app, and lets you control which app features are available.

    • Common Sense Media - Common Sense Media "is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology."

    • OpenDNS - A free service that works in conjunction with the wireless router on your home network to control access to inappropriate sites.