ONE TO ONE INITIATIVE

A Message to Students and Parents

The School District of Elmwood is excited to provide a new learning opportunity for staff in students in grades 9-12. A new generation of students expects a learning environment that integrates today’s digital tools, accommodates a mobile lifestyle, adapts to individual learning styles, and encourages collaboration and teamwork. The Elmwood School Board, along with the Administrators and Staff of the Elmwood School District, are launching an exciting educational opportunity for students in grades 5-12 that will help meet these expectations and prepare students for the 21st Century workforce. Through the use of technology, the One to One Computer Initiative will focus on achieving the following goals for our students and our community:

  • Improve student engagement, achievement, and acquisition of 21st Century Skills, including:

    • Creativity and innovation

    • Communication and collaboration

    • Research and information fluency

    • Critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making

    • Digital citizenship

    • Technology operations and concepts

  • Enhance instructional strategies through the effective use of technology and 21st Century teaching methods

  • Improve educational access, participation, and communication by all students, parents, and members of the community

  • Increase student accountability in the learning process

To help achieve these goals, students in grades 5-12 will be issued a laptop computer that will travel with them throughout the school day and may also be taken home after regular school hours. The laptop, software, and all accessories remain the property of the Elmwood School District at all times and are loaned to the students primarily for educational purposes. At the end of the academic school year, the laptops will be collected for routine updates, maintenance, and cleaning.

Before your student receives his/her laptop, please read through the important information on the following pages regarding expectations and policies related to this initiative. You and your student must sign and submit the accompanying Equipment Loan Agreement and have a signed copy of “Acceptable Use Policy” on file with the Elmwood School District.

Anticipated Instructional Impact:

Through the One to One initiative, teaching and learning will be improved in the following ways:

  • Increased student engagement

  • Increased student achievement

  • Increased student attendance

  • Increased student interest in school

  • Increased personal responsibility

  • Improved teaching methods

  • Accessible learning tool (laptop) available 24/7

  • Cross-curricular collaboration

Benefits to Students and the Community:

The central focus of this initiative is to make a positive impact in the education of students and to offer a number of advantages to the community. By loaning each student a laptop computer that can be taken home, the school district is providing a valuable tool to families that will give them access to a variety of positive resources available in our technology-driven society. This provides students with a mobile learning tool that they can access at any time while also sharing the technology with the members of their household. We live in the age of technology; the 21st Century workplace demands employees who are comfortable and competent in their use of technology. This Initiative will help build a bridge between the school and the community by producing graduates who will make up a tech-savvy workforce in our area.

Support for Students and Parents/Guardians:

If you or your student experience technical difficulties with the equipment supplied by the school district, students will have access to tech support at the building. In case of equipment problems or technical issues, bring the laptop to school.

Internet Access:

Home Internet access is not necessary for participation in this program. If Internet access is present in the student’s home, a broadband Internet connection (such as DSL or cable) is required to access the Internet on the school laptop. These machines will not be able to access the Internet effectively with a dial-up connection. You can use a wireless connection with these laptops.

The Elmwood School District’s wireless Internet access is available while the building is open; students will be able to use their district laptops to access the Internet in this way if a broadband connection is not available at home. Teachers will adjust assignments and strategies to reflect the limited availability of broadband access in our area, encouraging students to use the Internet while at school (when needed) and use the software at home to complete their tasks. Teachers will need to be flexible and understanding when requiring students to use the Internet for research or to complete assignments. Adequate time will have to be provided in school for activities requiring the Internet. Students will be using various Internet resources for the purposes of:

  • Responding to and commenting on curriculum topics

  • Creating written projects/ media projects and commenting on each other’s work

  • Reviewing and sharing study strategies before tests and quizzes

  • Collaborating on projects

  • Practicing taking varied points of view on a topic

  • Constructing class notes and writing persuasively

  • Making classroom suggestions

  • Creating content pages on curriculum topics

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), ESD filters Internet content accessed from within the school network. Internet content filtering on the laptop will work when it is used at home. The standard district filtering policy is in effect. Parental supervision is always encouraged.

Care of Computers, Damages, Repair Costs and Replacement Costs:

Personal responsibility on the part of the student is a goal and a key for the success of this program. Please read the Policy Handbook and Technology Agreement for full details of replacement costs.