One-to-One Update

I thought I would take this opportunity to update everyone on the status of our One-to-One computing initiative.

Communication

• The first meeting of the Parent focus group was held on November 26th. Overall, the initiative was well-received by the parents. The major concern was the amount of screen time that the boys will experience on a daily basis. This is an understandable concern and Lara and I will be looking at ways to best monitor and communicate about this next year. Our next meeting with this set of parents is on January 14th. This will be followed by a presentation to the PPO on January 24th.
• Our first student focus group meetings have been held over the past few weeks as well. Students are excited and are voicing some very insightful ideas and suggestions. We will continue to meet with students across all grade levels in the new year and tackle topics like storage and charging, student agreements and classroom expectations.

Laptop Bags

• One of our priorities is making sure that the boys' laptops are stored and transported safely. We know how they tend to treat their belongings, so we are being particularly diligent about this part of our planning. 
• Thank-you to the faculty who are still trying a variety of laptop bags. We currently have 6 different models that are being tried with one more to add to the mix after the break. We have a current favourite, but are waiting for the delivery of one more "always on" bag that is a little slimmer and more compact.

Moving Forward

• Tom, Bernard, Jim LaPlante, Lara and I are meeting regularly to ensure that we are continuing to move forward with our plans for implementation.
•  Here are some items that are in the works:
• Design and building of locked storage & charging stations for Form 4 and 5 classrooms and storage within the music room.
• Planning two spring presentations to parents - the first on the general use of technology at home and the second a formal presentation of the one-to-one program for September.
• The design for the new help desk to be located across from 7C (in the old AV room) has been completed. Construction will take place in the spring.
• In the new year, we will begin to develop a staged take-home policy - what do students need to be able to demonstrate to be earn the privilege of taking their laptop home.

As always, we are happy to discuss this and how it is going to affect you and your students next year.

- Sarah