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MacBook Airs are assigned to all students in grades 6-12. The purpose of these district-owned devices is to provide teaching and learning opportunities that expand beyond the walls of our physical buildings. Fort Thomas Independent Schools aligns teaching and learning opportunities with the district's Strategic Plan; MacBooks are one of the high-quality resources provided for these opportunities.
Please see the sections below for more important information about MacBook maintenance and answers to frequently asked questions. There is also a section below that describes the specific models of devices in use should you need to make a purchase.
Wear and Care
Wear and Care
Whenever a student has an issue with a MacBook, they should take it to the Highlands Help Desk located next to the Highlands Middle School Library. The HMS Library is on the 2nd floor of Highlands Middle School. If coming from the pedway that connects HMS and HHS, it is one floor down after crossing the pedway.
If the device cannot be fixed by the Help Desk, then a loaner device will be provided to the student while their device is sent off to AppleCare. Broken chargers can be turned in to the Help Desk for immediate replacement. Damaged chargers due to neglect are the responsibility of the student.
To reduce incidents of damage, students should ALWAYS keep the following in mind:
Keep open containers FAR AWAY from the keyboard - The most significant damage we see every year is from liquid damage!
Treat your backpack just like a MacBook, when the MacBook is inside it. Many MacBooks are damaged every year from throwing backpacks on the floor or from them getting stepped on.
Carry your MacBook with the lid closed. NEVER carry your MacBook by the screen as doing so will cause the hinge to fail and your screen will constantly fall backward while using it.
Keep charging cables AWAY from pets.
MacBooks should be covered with a plastic or rubberized case at all times- There is not a requirement to the case that must be used. Any case will provide some damage protection and also allows the student to decorate their MacBook either with the case itself or as a place to put stickers or other decoration.
Damaged Devices & Repair Costs
Damaged Devices & Repair Costs
If the MacBook is damaged, it should be taken to the Highlands Help Desk located next to the Highlands Middle School Library. The HMS Library is on the 2nd floor of Highlands Middle School. If coming from the pedway that connects HMS and HHS, it is one floor down after crossing the pedway.
A loaner will be provided and the student's MacBook will be sent to AppleCare for repair. Two free repairs per year for accidental damage are covered by the school's technology fee paid every year, provided the student has the required MacBook cover installed. However, students will be required to pay for the cost of repair due to intentional damage, neglect, or the third repair of a school year.
Stolen MacBooks and MacBook Chargers
Stolen MacBooks and MacBook Chargers
Most MacBook theft occurs from unlocked vehicles or forgotten backpacks. Never leave a MacBook in plain sight of any vehicle, locked or unlocked. While it is advisable to never leave a device in a vehicle for an extended period of time, if necessary, do make sure the vehicle is locked with the device out of sight.
If a MacBook is stolen, the following is the procedure for obtaining a different MacBook:
Parent must file a police report in the jurisdiction of the theft.
A copy of the police report must be provided to Central Office at 28 N. Fort Thomas Avenue c/o Jody Johnson, or emailed to the Director of Technology and Information at Jody.Johnson@fortthomas.kyschools.us. If the police officer indicates that the report may take a few days to file, then the reporting police officer's contact information and the incident number can be provided to the Director of Technology prior to the report - this will expedite the process for receiving a new MacBook assignment.
An additional Technology Fee must be paid to the school where the child attends. This fee is to cover the new device.
Once the above has been provided, a different MacBook will be assigned to the student.
If a MacBook charger is stolen, it is the responsibility of the student to replace it with an authentic Apple charger of the same wattage. It is recommended that students charge their MacBooks at home and not bring a charger to school. However, if a charger must be brought to school, it should be labeled with the student's name. The school is not responsible for MacBook chargers that are left behind by students.
For MacBook Assistance...
For MacBook Assistance...
For MacBook Assistance, students should report to the Highlands Help Desk at next to the Highlands Middle School Library. The HMS Library is on the 2nd floor of Highlands Middle School. If coming from the pedway that connects HMS and HHS, it is one floor down after crossing the pedway.
Parents can use the following information for contacting the Highlands Help Desk:
Joe Sumpter, FTIS Instructional Technology Specialist
Joe.Sumpter@fortthomas.kyschools.us
859-815-2551
Students may not place any skins or stickers directly onto the MacBook. Students may not write or otherwise mar the MacBook housing. Students may purchase any style case they wish and decorate the case as they like, provided it follows the same guidelines as clothing for appropriateness.
Students may not place any skins or stickers directly onto the MacBook. Students may not write or otherwise mar the MacBook housing. Students may purchase any style case they wish and decorate the case as they like, provided it follows the same guidelines as clothing for appropriateness.
Purchasing MacBook Cases and Chargers
Students must provide a case for their assigned MacBook Air. Cases can be purchased from local stores such as Best Buy or from various online retailers. Make sure the case your purchase matches the specific model of the assigned MacBook.
Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, all students will be using the following MacBook model:
13-inch MacBook Air M1 (2020)
Model Number A2337
(cases purchased for Models A2179 and A1932 will also fit)
Non-working chargers can be exchanged at the Highlands Help Desk. It is the responsibility of the student to replace lost or stolen chargers. Chargers can be purchased from Apple, Best Buy, and other online retailers.
LOST AND STOLEN CHARGERS MUST BE REPLACED WITH AUTHENTIC APPLE CHARGERS CONTAINING AN APPLE LOGO AND NOT AFTER MARKET CHARGERS.
The MacBook Air M1 (2020) uses the following Apple charger parts:
30 W USB-C Power Adapter
USB-C Charge Cable
(2 meters minimum)
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