Parent+Meeting+Notes


 * Summary of Chart Recordings**

Parent Laptop Advisory Group Meeting notes 8/16/07

Parent Engagement •	Laptop workshops o	Training sessions led by their children •	Conference to receive laptop •	Payment plan for insurance •	Meet parents in the community, churches, community centers, libraries •	Have on-going training to help parents become familiar with Macs-teach us to monitor •	Networking parent groups •	Parent nights for parent & kids (like Math nights) o	Parents need to be active with their child •	Work with churches, Rec centers, restaurants, El Centro, Kennsington, B & G at Mount Carmel, Argentine, Bethany, Bell, Y’s

Questions o	Insurance cost if more than 1 student in family? o	What is the filter & parent block? o	What chat rooms are available? o	If someone else breaks child’s computer. What do we do?

Safety •	Publicity to the community o	PSAs on radio stations o	Billboards, notices in community •	Community knowledge o	Drop off points •	Public safety organizations o	Create as resources •	Communicate with phone master •	Encourage parents to communicate with others (patrons, parents, neighborhoods) •	Parent informational team (provide them a laptop) •	Tracking/disabling HD •	Variety of backpacks o	Encourage use of backpack •	Media nights at school •	If bullied-where/when to report •	24 Hour #? •	Provide safety tips (general for predators) o	Walk in groups o	Be aware of surroundings o	Safe places (block parents) o	Safety tips: “don’t fight for it”

•	Tell about theft deterrents (Computrace), news, paper, this is an educational tool •	Communicate with Pawn Shops, neighborhood associations •	Flyers at homes near bus stops

Who won’t get involved?

o	Homeless o	Addicts o	Those that don’t understand the computer

How do we reach them? o	Parent to parent o	Have food at events, they will come o	Tie to coat drive, food drive, etc o	Tie to health fairs

__**Notes from Washington Group**__ What have you heard about Laptops for Learning

•	I have heard that students are supposed to be getting laptops. I don’t know who will provide training. •	I know someone who is connected to another school district that piloted this last year. The kids were able to upload their textbooks, and work better, have easier access to research, and be able to work outside of the classroom. •	I’m the librarian at Washington. I wasn’t a supporter of this in the beginning, but I have had my laptop all summer, and I guarantee you that the kids will learn more with these. The laptop is so easy to use, and to carry around. I still have my PC laptop, but this is the one I take home every night! •	I know about the technology. I was concerned that kids wouldn’t have textbooks, so that is very important to me. When I heard that textbooks would be available, I thought I would look at the idea of laptops further. What I don’t know is how the academics and the curriculum will be interwoven with the laptops. School has already started, so how will teachers integrate the laptops with what they are already doing? •	As the librarian, a lot of kids beg me to stay in the library, so that they can use the computers to get their work done. •	I am for the computers. My only concern is that the children are going to move further on, and not stay with the lesson. I am worried that the students will get off task. . . I am not computer literate. •	We have software in our computer rooms that allows the teacher to identify where the students are on the internet.

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

•	I like the idea of being able to get online, and use it as a communication tool. It is important to me that the information is there for parents to access. I want to be able to communicate with teachers. •	School loop will be for all grades? •	When issuing the computers, will the kids be able to use the computers during the summer?

Safety and Parent Involvement

•	I think one of the most important things is to inform the community about the safety features on the Laptops. •	Put out safety tips for the kids. What to do, and what not to do, in order to be safe. o	Keep them in the backpacks o	[we will use different styles of backpacks] o	Make sure the kids know not to risk anything for the laptops. Teach them to just give up the laptop. •	Encourage the kids to put the computers in their bags in order to move from class to class •	Public service announcements on radio stations •	Make the community aware. If security folks at the Legends know about the laptops, they will look out for the kids. •	Use phone master to call parents. •	If enough kids walk out of school with their laptops, the other kids will make sure that their parents get to school. •	Encourage other parents to reach out to the reluctant parents. (Danisha Carter) •	Parent informational teams to communicate with other parents.

__**Notes from Schlagle Group**__ What do you know about Laptops for Learning? -Son was a part of the pilot - used as a tool for the benchmarks - wanted it wrapped around virtual learning and tools to help keep the parents involved in the the learning - seeing school progress as it happens (not wait for the paper) Don’t want it just to be games or downloading music. Want it to open other languages options and cultures - learn about that. Need to use the tech for reading Read about it in the paper - but the most informative was teh meeting for the pilot Son is already interested in tech -- laptop is a good tool and resource Liked the fact that the laptop had specific tools in the the students hands directed towards benchmarks. Also - allowed student to be responsible for the laptop and encouraged the student to be teacher and share information with the parents Student was inspired and “honored” that the district would “invest” in the students and “believe in them enough to give them computers” Like the fact this allows the parent to “connect” with the school Information based on what is in the paper The buzz among the students is very high - need to capitalize on that as a buzz for learning I as a parent just heard about it - and i am for it. My son teaches us using the technology Since her dot has started using the laptop from the pilot - the child is acting better (less discipline problems) at home - so I think it is a great idea - it is more then just an educational tool - it is a behavior enhancement tool. It is excellent. Kids that were having problems with pencil and paper - GOT IT when they did it on the laptops.

What is the vision of the Laptops for Learning?

Rules and Regulations for the Student Laptops

Internet Use - Will the internet sites be monitored....possible spot checks if the school deems it necessary. All internet activity is logged.

Home internet access...how can you integrate a Mac into my home internet

Will the help desk be available for home use? Can parents call? - the district is discussing how long the hours would be.

Strengthening the signal of the internet - but it will not cover all the city.

Any questions on r items missing from the Student Use Document- -- NO FAQ: Books on line - will this be available? Will the students have textbooks or literature books online.....?

Textbooks will not be replaced - but some will be available online....

Safety and security of students carrying the laptops .... concerns of the parents -

Bags - look like a book bags and not computer bags. Have a variety of bags... Make the police aware - to be more mindful Regular safety tips - walk in groups, stay away from wooded areas - more general education about safety - don’t walk at night or alone. Remind our kids of safety rules...

There needs to be parent meetings at each of the schools - where parents can be informed.

Get the word out that

Is there any data - Get word out to potential sellers of stolen equipment that this computer is stolen and unusable.... put signs in the pawn shops in the metro area or other potential remarket areas. Also put on the news and in the media.

Use this to bond the community together to give this tool to our kids - get everyone involved. Communicate with library, adopt a school, create safe havens -- quick trips, churches, block parents...communicate with the parents around the bus stops... let them know what is going on.

Can we have classes for parents and families. -- Have students hold classes on Friday and Saturdays that kids teach parents.