K-2 Teacher Details

Grinnell-Newburg K-2 Teachers:

iPad carts will be showing up in your classrooms in the next day or two.

The iPad carts include:

  - a class list 

  - an adapter to connect any iPad to your projector

  - one named and labeled iPad in a case for each of your students

  - one teacher iPad and its case

  - a temporary login for your teacher iPad.  Reset the password on your first login.

  - charger cords for each iPad.  I may be coming back to get your extras.

  - Please feel free to re-arrange the iPads on your cart in alphabetical order or whatever you want in the cart.

  - Wheel the carts over to Specials classes as needed through the school year.  Students should be using them in many ways throughout the day

  - PLEASE keep track of the iPads in your class.  If one 'disappears', it can be tracked to get it back.  Your cart can be locked, too.

-  The cart names:  BK1 -  Bailey Park - Kindergarten - Cart 1

The student iPads: 

  - hold 16 Gb of data.

  - are labeled and already assigned to each student

  - Each student has their own Apple ID, already signed in on their iPad.  Their 4-digit password is on the asset tag (not the name label). 

  - I will share a master list of your classroom iPads/students/passcodes in a Google Doc soon.

Your Teacher iPad:

  - holds 64 Gb of data

  - includes an App called Self-Service.  Apps to download will start showing up there soon.  These can be 'pushed' to your classroom iPads... directions for that will be coming soon.

  - This iPad is not labeled yet (our labeler was borrowed)  Please label, bedazzle, or do what you need to so that your 'teacher' iPad stands out from the rest.  Do this to the case and not the iPad, please.  Please include the name of your cart on the label.

Other Related Notes:

-PLEASE let me know your roster changes when you can.  Any update given to me by Monday 8/22 will be in your cart and ready for the first day of school.  

-As the school year gets rolling, there will be a tech form you can submit for any roster changes, app requests, and more.   More details will be coming on Monday 8/23 at your building meetings.

-PK, Specials teachers, and Instructional Coaches will have iPads coming yet.  We may need to visit about how that will look.  

-There are about 2000 new and repurposed computers/iPads being rolled out in the upcoming days.  Thanks for your patience as we get the kinks worked out.  

-The Apple TV's for your room are now in, but need some set up.  They will be distributed in the first couple weeks of school.  The laptop and iPad rollouts will have a higher priority.

-Some external CD/DVD drives will be available for short checkout from your building library. Their primary purpose is for installing software or burning CD/DVD's.  They may be used to play any DVD, but if you need to do that a lot, please consider just using an inexpensive DVD player  that is not connected through your computer.

-Here is a link to download the drivers to connect your new laptop to your Smartboard (if you have one).  

Protect Your Computer

We have many new computers being issued for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.

Grades 5-12 student will receive a  MacBook Air  Model # A1466  with a 45W MagSafe 2 power adapter.

Teachers will receive a MacBook Pro with Retina Display Model #A1502  with a 60W MagSafe 2 power adapter.  

The model numbers may be helpful as you accessorize your devices.

Good habits can help make your school-issue computer last without dings, dents, and other problems that may cost your family budget a fix-it charge.  Even with good care, accidents do sometimes happen.  Here are a few products that may help reduce problems down the road:

Does your power cord get in the way?
Here is a handy gadget that stores your power block and cord, protecting them and helping you stay neat and tidy.

Here is the $12.99  Quirky Cord Keeper that works for both computer styles.

There is a small version that can work with your iPad charger cable, too.

Does fraying have you fried? MacBook cords have been notorious for fraying at the power block.  This can be reduced by making a little loop (see picture) before wrapping the cord, but it still doesn't always prevent problem. There is a cool product called The Fray Fix that could help.  $14.99 will give you some protection at both ends of the cord.  The bright colors can make your charger easier to find, as well.

Protect your laptop from dings, dents, and scuffs in a fashionable way:

There are many models on the market.  This includes:

For the MacBook Pro 13.3" with Retina Display:

                 Kuzy makes a durable case available in many different solid colors for $19.95.

                 Get a little fancier with this model from iCasso for $19.95

MacBook Air 13"

                 Here is a case made by Mosiso, sold for $11.80

The school district issues a durable case, made by Brenthaven, with every laptop.  It includes a shoulder strap and side pocket for the charger cord.  It is the responsibility of the user to take good care of it according to the terms of the District's Acceptable Use Policy.  The products above are not endorsed or sold by the school district, but can provide a little extra piece of mind with the heavy use these great tools will get in the upcoming years.  

Please send me a note if you find any other products that you think would be beneficial.  I will add them to this list.