Pioneers, Come Get Your iPads

We are very excited about our One-to-One Technology Initiative for all students in grades 5-12! Our teachers have been preparing diligently for a major shift in how we teach and how our students will learn … with iPads.  

We feel it important to answer any questions you have and to do some parent/student training prior to handing the devices to our students. The most commonly asked question so far has been about insurance.  

• The district has a 3-year lease on the iPads and will offer a 3-year insurance policy to parents for just $20.  
• That $20 covers the entire 3-year period and has a $50 deductible.  
• With the insurance, if the iPad is damaged or lost, the student/parent will be responsible for the deductible and a replacement iPad will be provided.
• If you choose not to purchase the insurance, replacement of a damaged or lost iPad will cost $400.  
• Please bring a check or cash to orientation to pay for insurance - credit cards will not be accepted.
• We request that you set up an iTunes account prior to the orientation meeting.  Please bring your iTunes account password and your pioneers.us school email password.

Our goal is to get the iPads in the students’ hands about three weeks before the school year begins so they can “hit the ground running” on the first day of school.  We have set up the following dates and times for a parent/student orientation and training session.  Our superintendent, Dr. Miller, will begin the session by laying out the vision behind this initiative and answering questions you might have.  You and your student will then sign the technology acceptable use agreement and will receive the iPad.  A copy of the acceptable use policy is included in this packet for you to review.

CL5 Students only Monday Aug 13 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Seniors only Tuesday Aug 14 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Juniors only Tuesday Aug 14 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Sophomores only Tuesday Aug 14 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Freshmen only Tuesday Aug 14 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

If you are unable to make your designated daytime training, evening orientation/training sessions will be held at the following dates/times:

Make-up session Tuesday Aug 21 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Make-up session Tuesday Aug 28 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.           

BOTH the student and parent must be present at the orientation/training.  Fall sports practices will be held at times that do not conflict with these times.  Families with more than one child can call ahead and reserve the time that they will attend together.  For those families, we will have all iPads ready for them if an RSVP is made.  Please RSVP to 679-1000.  A tentative agenda for the orientation/training will include:

• meet in high school cafetorium for an introduction by Dr. Miller
• sign district technology agreement and purchase insurance
• receive your district issued iPad
• participate in a small group training sessions on how to use your iPad
• check out district approved covers
• set up iTunes account if you don't come with one already

As you can see from the agenda, this orientation and training has been designed to help both you and your student feel more comfortable with our one-to-one technology initiative and be ready for day one of school.  On the left side of district website at www.croslex.org under “District Documents” there is a document called “iPad Q&A for Parents and Students”.  It has been updated with the latest information and will answer many questions you have.  In their advertisement about the iPad, Apple says “This Changes Everything!”  As “Pioneers” we have looked at recent data from schools using iPads who have seen dramatic increases in learning.  We believe the iPad is truly “Pioneering” in education.