March Digital Citizenship

Adapting. Balancing. Collaborating.

Each month, we will share with families a Digital Citizenship newsletter. We would like to share with you information around the technology being used in Mentor Schools along with resources to support your child's education. Please reach out with topics you would find helpful in this newsletter.

Current Operating Systems

MacBook - 12.6.3

ChromeBook - 107

iPad - 15.7.1

as of 3/28/23

K-12 Devices

Four years ago, the district moved to a 1:1 model with every student having their own device to use in grades K-12. Over this time, we have made slight modifications to meet the needs of the students as well as maximize our resources in the district. We wanted to share our current 1:1 device plan with all families so that they know what to anticipate from year to year. The 11th and 12th-grade MacBooks will change to Chromebooks over the next two years as the MacBooks are phased out.

23-24 School Year

K-3 iPad

4-8 Chromebook

9-10 Chromebook

11-12 MacBook

In December, we shared the plan to move from MacBooks at the high school level to Chromebooks. Chromebooks allow students to access our web-based resources, Schoology, and all things Google (Drive, Docs, Slides, etc.) Rising costs for MacBooks, reduction in buy-back price, and increased costs for repairs are all factors that were considered in this decision.

Here is the timeline moving forward for high school students:

May 2023 - Current 9th-grade student MacBooks will be exchanged for new Chromebooks. Current 8th-grade students will also receive a new Chromebook.
23-24 School Year - 9th and 10th-grade students will have Chromebooks. 11th and 12th-grade students will have their current MacBooks.
24-25 School Year - 9th, 10th and 11th grade students will have Chromebooks. 12th-grade students will have their current MacBooks.
25-26 School Year - All students will have Chromebooks.

Family Resource Corner

Digital Resources to Help Support Caregivers, Kids, and Families at Home

As technology continues to play a significant role in our lives, it is essential to prepare our children for success in a world that is increasingly digital. However, with so many digital tools and platforms available, it can be challenging for parents to know how best to support their children's learning in a digital environment. The US Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology has released a Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide.

The guide is a comprehensive resource that provides parents with the tools and information they need to support their children's learning in the digital age. The guide covers a wide range of topics, including the benefits and challenges of digital learning, how to create a safe and supportive digital environment, and how to use digital tools to enhance learning.

The Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide is a resource for parents who want to support their children's learning in a digital environment. It provides practical advice, tips, and resources to help parents create a safe and supportive digital environment for their children and help them succeed in an increasingly digital world.

Contributed by: Tricia Zeedrich, Mentor Schools Parent Mentor & Family Engagement Coordinator zeedrich@mentorschools.org 440.974.5359

Technology Used to Support Learning

GIZMOS

Gizmos is a virtual platform for math and science learning that offers various interactive simulations and activities for students in grades 4-12. Gizmos are designed to support hands-on learning

There are over 450 math and science simulations covering topics such as forces and motion, energy transformations, genetics, and fractions. Each Gizmo is an interactive learning tool that allows students to manipulate variables and see the results in real time. This helps students to visualize concepts and understand complex ideas.

Gizmos foster collaboration and teamwork among students. Many of the Gizmos are designed to be used in pairs or groups, allowing students to work together to solve problems and share their findings. This promotes critical thinking and communication skills. The easiest way to access GIZMOS is through Clever.

Try a Podcast

Are you looking for new ways to engage your children and help them learn and grow? One form of media that has exploded in popularity over the past few years is podcasts. These audio shows cover various topics and can be a valuable tool for kids' education and entertainment. Here are a few reasons why podcasts are an excellent choice for

kids:

Podcasts can expand kids' horizons
Podcasts can improve listening skills
Podcasts can be a great alternative to screen time

Common Sense Media has great recommendations for parents and kids around podcasts. When visiting the site, you can filter by age. Take a break from the screen and try a podcast!

Mentor Public Schools

6451 Center Street

Mentor, Ohio 44060

Phone 440.255.4444

Stay Social With Us: