FAQ's

How can I clean my iPad?

To clean your iPad we ask that you follow these recommendations from Apple:

To clean iPad, unplug all cables and turn off iPad (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPad. iPad has an oleophobic coating on the screen; simply wipe iPad's screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal usage, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and might scratch your screen.

Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product? 

Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.

Can I set up my iPad on my home wireless network and printer?

Students are allowed to set up home wireless networks on school iPads. A printer may also be set up but we are unable to install any personal printer apps.

Can I update my operating system (iOS)?

You may update your iPad to anything  that starts with OS 15.  Please wait for instructions to update to OS 16.  Also please keep your individual apps up to date.

Can I download any additional apps on my iPad?

Students are not allowed to download additional apps on their NPS device only what is offered through the Self-Service.

Can I take off/change my iPad case? 

Many parents (and students) have asked about supplying their child with a keyboard or alternative to the district provided case. It is Needham’s expectation that the provided case will remain on the iPad until returned to the district at the end of use. Should you choose to change the case on this device, the liability for cracked screens and/or any other damage will be the financial responsibility of the family and no longer the district. We expect if you change the case, the original case will be returned to the office as soon as possible and the proper paperwork be signed by a parent. If you own your own iPad you may.

What should I do with my iPad over the summer and how do I prepare to move onto Pollard in the fall?

• Are you collecting school owned iPads over the summer?

High Rock students may keep this iPad with them over the summer and bring it to Pollard on their first day back. There will be no iPad summer storage this year for families remaining in the district. The following are a few reminders of iPad Use that students and families should review:

• The Parent/Guardian and Student agree to maintain any iPad owned by the NPS in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

• The Parent/Guardian or the Student shall not leave the iPad in extreme heat or cold, e.g., in a car, in these conditions.

• The Student shall leave the iPad in its protective case.

• The Parent/Guardian and the Student shall not allow any iPad owned by the NPS to be removed from the Continental United States.

All families electronically signed the District’s iPad Responsible Use Agreement and 1 to 1 Device Agreement last fall. For a complete version please go to the following link on the NPS Digital Media and Learning Website. (Scroll down to the RUP/ 1 to 1 agreements)

• What if I am leaving Needham Public schools for a private school or moving out of town?
  
  If your child will not be returning to the Needham Public Schools in the fall of 7th grade or leaving in mid-year. Please contact Ms.Fahey in the front office. Also make sure to return the district iPad, case, charging cable (both the brick and cable), and neoprene bag on (or before), you leave the district. We will collect all iPads, for those leaving the district, on June 16 last block of the day if not returned before then. Please return them to the front office where they will be logged as returned and a receipt issued. 

Please have your child do the following before returning their iPad

1. Remove passcode if you have one set (A must!)

2. Back up/transfer any files you would need after you leave (only if your child would like to save any work/project for the future)

3. Wipe the iPad if you would like- we will do this when you return it to the district if you do not do it before. 

If school is not in session, please return to Corine Burke at the Central Administration Building, 1330 Highland Avenue. Contact Ms. Burke for an appointment. 

• How should I care for my iPad over the summer?

  • Please care for your iPad as you do over the school year. 

    • Keep your case on at all times

    • Don’t put pressure/items directly on the screen of your iPad

    • Don’t store/leave your iPad in a hot car 

    • Keep it away from water (or any liquid) and sand (the beach/a water park is not a good place for the school iPad)

    • Keep your apps and operating system up to date

• Will there be anyone available to help troubleshoot my iPad over the summer?

  • If there are issues with your child’s iPad over the summer, please bring it to the attention of the Pollard Technology Integration Specialists in September.  Unfortunately, there is no technical support over the summer for student iPads.
    
    

  • Please also refer to the Apple online help page to search for answers to your questions or the help page for the individual app. You can also set an appointment at a local Apple Store.
          Apple Online Help- https://www.apple.com/support/ipad/
    
    

• When do I need to bring my iPad to Pollard?

  • Please bring your iPad on the first day of school at Pollard.
    
    

• What do I do if I am running out of space?

  • There are many ways to get more space back.  To see what is taking up most of your space go to Settings > General > About.  This will tell you how much space you have left, what is taking up most of your space (how many pictures, apps, videos, music, you have on your iPad).  To see specifics about each app go to Settings > General > Usage > Manage Storage 

    • Delete any unneeded photos, videos, songs, documents, or apps/games. 

    • Back up any unneeded files, images, videos to a cloud account (Google Drive, iCloud, etc) and then remove them from your iPad

• Can I delete the apps we used in 6th Grade?

  • The core apps used in 6th grade (Google apps, Notability, My Homework, Quizlet, Khan Academy, Socrative, and the iWork and iLife suite of tools) will continue to be used at Pollard.  You may delete any class specific app (apps specifically for a certain class).  If you need them again you can always pull them back down from the cloud.)
    
    

• Can I delete my notes in Notability?

  • Yes you may but make sure they are backed up to your Google Drive so that if you need them in the future you can pull them back from your Drive. See instructions
    
    

• Can I delete my Google Docs files from 6th Grade? 

  • I would recommend you delete only the files you do not want to keep as part of 6th grade portfolio.  Organize the rest of your files into one file called 6th Grade work and drop all of your folders and files in here from the year.  

  • Hint: Also create new folders for 7th grade so that you may continue to be organized in the coming year.
    
    

• What will I need on my iPad at the start of 7th Grade? 

  • You will continue to use the suite of apps used here at High Rock - see list