Technology Help
The Library works with the Technology Department to help you with your laptops. If you have a problem with the physical device you can bring it to the library and we will help you troubleshoot the problem or process your computer for repair and issue you a loaner laptop.
Sorry, No Loaner Laptops for students who forget their devices. We do have desktop computers so your teacher could send you to the Library to work if necessary.
We do not have extra chargers you can borrow. However, you may leave your computer with us for an hour or so if you need a charge.
If you have an issue with a blocked site, password reset etc. (something that is related to your student account and not a physical device,) please contact the Tech Dept through the Help Desk Portal https://abingtonps.incidentiq.com
About Abington Tech Support
The Abington Information Technology Department works with students and staff to improve and maintain the technology integration at Abington Public Schools. For damaged or devices in need of trouble shooting the department provides aid and loaners to students and staff who need them. A student with an issue should go to the library with their broken device. The library staff will help you navigate the help portal.https://abingtonps.incidentiq.com You will be provided with updates about your device repair through the portal.
Director of Technology Services:
Rich Bykowski: richbykowski@abingtonps.org
Phone #:781-982-2164
Support Specialist: Oliver Crichlow: olivercrichlow@abingtonps.org
Support Specialist: Rhys Papineau: rhyspapineau@abingtonps.org
Technology Integration Specialist: Vicki Graham: vickigraham@abingtonps.org
As a Microsoft School, we have access to a plethora of helpful tutorials and professional development in the Microsoft Educator Community. Once you register , you can collaborate with other educators, find lessons, and access tutorials to suit your interests and skill levels. Even students can access these tools. This is a great resource!
Abington Public Schools
Laptop Care and Use Policy Guide
A Resource for Students and Parents/Guardians
Abington Public Schools Vision
"The Abington Public Schools (APS), in partnership with families and the community, is a model school system that provides opportunities for all students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, and act responsibly to achieve their highest potential in academics, arts, and athletics. We are dedicated to providing state of the art resources for teaching and learning, technology, and facilities in an environment that is safe and supportive, enabling students to become life-long learners. Our students are prepared to face the challenges of the future in an ever-changing world."
The effective and meaningful use of technology integrated across all curricula will enhance the quality and scope of teaching and learning and create the environment for students to be digitally literate, gain the critical thinking skills and the knowledge and experiences essential for their success today and in the future.
Receiving Your Laptop
Laptops will be issued to students in Grades 5 - 12.
Students and Parents/Guardians are required to sign-off on the Laptop Care and Use Policy Guide, included in the student handbook, before students are allowed to take their Laptop home.
Transfer/New Student Distribution
All transfers, new students or students that miss the summer/fall distribution will receive a laptop from their school's guidance department or office. Both students and their parents/guardians must sign the Laptop Care and Use Policy Guide prior to picking up a Laptop.
Taking Care of Your Laptop
Students are responsible for the general care of the Laptop they have been issued by the school. Laptops that are broken or fail to work properly must be taken to the Library Media center as soon as possible so that the problem can be taken care of properly. District-owned Laptops should never be taken to an outside computer service for any type of repairs or maintenance. Students should never leave their Laptops unattended except when locked in their locker.
General Precautions
Laptops should be used for educational purposes only.
No food or drink should be near the Laptops.
Cords, cables, and removable storage devices must be inserted carefully into Laptops.
Laptops should not be used or stored near pets.
Laptops should not be exposed to extreme temperatures, such as leaving it in a car overnight during the winter.
Laptops should not be used with the power cord plugged in where the cord may be a tripping hazard.
Laptops must remain free of any inappropriate content both on the laptop hardware (cover) and software.
Heavy objects should never be placed on top of Laptops.
Carrying Laptops
Always transport Laptops with care and in the protective case.
Never lift Laptops by the screen.
Never carry Laptops with the screen open.
Screen Care
The Laptop screen can be damaged if subjected to heavy objects, rough treatment, certain cleaning solvents, and other liquids. The screens are particularly sensitive to damage from excessive pressure.
Do not put pressure on the top of a Laptop when it is closed.
· Do not store a Laptop with the screen open.
· Do not place anything inside the protective case that will press against the cover.
· Make sure there is nothing on the keyboard before closing the lid (e.g. pens, pencils, etc).
· Only clean the screen with a soft, dry microfiber or anti-static cloth.
Using Your Laptop at School
Students are expected to bring a fully charged Laptop to school every day and bring their Laptops to all classes unless specifically advised not to do so by their teacher.
Laptops being repaired
Loaner Laptops will be issued to students that require a repair to their Laptops. Laptops in need of repair should be brought to the Library Media Center to swap with a Loaner Laptop.
Repaired Laptops will be returned to the Library Media Center when the Laptop repair is completed.
Charging Laptops
Laptops should be brought to school each day with a full charge.
There will be a limited number of charging stations located in the school, available to students on a first-come-first-served basis.
Spare chargers can be purchased at online outlets such as Amazon.com.
Backgrounds and Themes
Inappropriate media may not be used as Laptop backgrounds or themes. The presence of such media will result in disciplinary action.
Sound
Sound should be muted at all times unless permission is obtained from a teacher.
Headphones may be used at the discretion of the teacher.
Students should have their own personal set of headphones for sanitary reasons.
Logging into a Laptop
Students will log into their Laptops using their school-issued account.
Students should never share their account passwords with others, including faculty and staff.
Managing and Saving Your Digital Work with a Laptop
All student work will be stored in Internet/cloud based applications (OneDrive) and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and most mobile Internet devices.
The district will not be responsible for the loss of any student work.
Using Your Laptop Outside of School
Students are encouraged to use their Laptops at home and other locations outside of school. A WiFi Internet connection will be required for the majority of Laptop use, however, some applications can be used while not connected to the Internet. Students are bound by the Abington Public Schools Acceptable Use Policy, Administrative Procedures, and all guidelines wherever they use their Laptops.
Content Filter
The district utilizes an Internet content filter that is in compliance with the federally mandated Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). All Laptops, regardless of physical location (in or out of school), will have all Internet activity protected and monitored by the district. If an educationally valuable site is blocked, students should contact their teachers or a member of the Technology staff to request that the site be unblocked.
Location Information
The APS provided Laptops will be equipped with location tracking software to help APS track the location of any Laptop reported missing or stolen. If a Laptop is suspected to be stolen or missing, the theft/loss should be reported to the Library Media Center immediately.
General Laptop Requirements
Software
No software should be installed by students at any time on their laptop. Attempts to circumvent install protections may result in loss of Laptop privileges. Students may not use or install any operating system on their Laptop other than the current version of Windows that is supported and managed by the district.
Laptop Identification
Asset Tags
All Laptops will be labeled with an Abington asset tag. The asset tag indicates the Laptop is property of the Abington Public Schools and links it to the student to whom the specific Laptop has been assigned.
Asset tags may not be modified or tampered with in any way.
Families may be responsible for the full replacement cost of a Laptop with a damaged or missing asset tag.
Users
Each student will be assigned a designated Laptop during his/her time in the Abington Public Schools. This will be the same device annually returned. Take good care of it!
Repairing/Replacing Your Laptop
All Laptops in need of repair must be brought to the Library Media Center as soon as possible.
The Library Media Center will provide a loaner Laptop and the Technology Services Department will engage in repair of the student Laptop.
APS reserves the right to pursue financial compensation for any damage deemed malicious in nature to a district owned Laptop.
Estimated Costs: The following are approximate costs of Laptop parts and replacements:
Replacement device - $450.00
Case - $25.00
Appropriate Uses and Digital Citizenship
School-issued Laptops should be used for educational purposes only and students must adhere to the Abington Public Schools Acceptable Use Policy, all of its corresponding administrative procedures and the Laptop Care and Use Policy. While working in a digital and collaborative environment, students should always conduct themselves as good digital citizens by adhering to the following responsible use guidelines.
Privacy Expectations
All use of school issued laptops will be monitored and logged by APS.
On Campus Laptop Use
All computing devices on the school network go through a content filter that prevents students from accessing harmful content. This filter also logs user activity, including those websites searched and accessed by the end user. The filtering policies are a requirement of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
Off Campus Laptop Use
When Laptops are being used off school grounds devices will continue to be monitored and filtered with our security tools.
Laptops will be filtered for the purpose of preventing students from accessing harmful content in a similar way they are filtered on school grounds.
At no time will any member of the Abington Public School staff have the ability to manipulate the Laptop webcam in any way.
Transferring/Withdrawing Students
Students that transfer out of or withdraw from the Abington Public Schools must turn in their Laptops, cases, power supplies, and any other equipment issued with the Laptop to the Library Media Center on their last day of attendance. Failure to turn in the Laptop will result in the student being charged the full replacement cost. There will also be a charge for any missing peripheral equipment such as the case or power supply. The District may also file a report of stolen property with the local law enforcement agency for equipment not returned.
Approved by the
Abington School Committee
on April 24, 2018