Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a 1:1 school furnished Laptop Program?
A School-furnished laptop program is an initiative where Holy Cross will provide each student with a laptop for use in their academic studies. The program aims to ensure equal access to technology for all students, enhancing learning opportunities and integrating of digital resources into the curriculum.

2. Why is the school transitioning from BYOD to a 1:1 Laptop Program?
Holy Cross has a rich history of adapting its technology approach to enhance educational outcomes. Since 2007, the school provided 1:1 school-furnished devices, a practice that continued until the 2017 school year. In 2017, reflecting industry trends at the time, Holy Cross transitioned to a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model, which was then considered more effective than school-furnished devices.

However, recent research and our own experience have shifted this perspective. Studies now indicate that school-furnished devices are more effective in classroom settings. After reviewing our research and results, Holy Cross has determined that returning to school-furnished devices is the preferred method for teaching Pk-12 students. This shift back to a 1:1 school-furnished laptop program ensures uniformity in technology use, as every student has access to the same hardware and software. This minimizes compatibility issues, promotes equitable access to digital resources, allows for more streamlined tech support, and facilitates better curriculum integration. By managing and maintaining a consistent digital environment, Holy Cross is committed to providing the best possible educational experience for all students.

3. What grade levels will be included in this program?
Grades 5-10 and all new incoming students grades 5-12 will be included in the initial rollout with the option for current students in grades 11 & 12 to participate in the program. Our PK-4 grades are already on a 1:1 school-furnished program.

4. Are there any costs associated with the Laptop Program for parents?
Yes. There will be an annual fee cost associated with the program which includes:
A. Laptop cost

B. Software cost (does not include specialized course software)
C. Antivirus protection
D. Repair costs for most situations
E. Monitoring of the device on and off campus
F. Security tracking if the device is lost or stolen
The annual cost will be listed in the tuition letter released in January. Cost is estimated currently to be $475 per school year which will be billed to the parent tuition account in May.

5. What is the expected lifespan of each laptop?
Based on our previous experience with the 1:1 program, the laptops will be replaced every three years.

6. Is there an insurance or protection plan for the laptops?
Parents should check with their homeowner’s insurance representative regarding adding the laptop to their coverage.

7. What are the expectations for student care and responsibility for the laptop?
The expectation is that students are responsible for the day-to-day care and proper use of the laptops, adhering to guidelines provided by the school for maintaining the device in good working condition. In the event of loss or theft, parents or guardians will be responsible for the buyout cost of the device, ensuring accountability and fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for the provided equipment.

 

Once the school receives the information the vendor can begin tracking the device. The sooner the device is reported with the information above the increased chances of recovery.

9. Will students be able to take the laptops home?
Yes. Student laptops are distributed during the first week of school. Students return the laptops to the school after final exams are completed in May. During the summer the device is updated and returned to the student again in August of the following school year.

10. How will technical support be provided for the laptop?
Students requiring technical assistance can stop by the Technology office between the hours of 6 am-2:30 pm CST Monday- Friday or email [email protected] from 4 am-8 pm CST Sunday- Saturday. Remote assistance is available in the evening from 4 pm-8 pm CST.

11. How are device damages handled?
Students should bring the device to the Technology Office during normal business hours the same day or the next business day after the issue occurs. The technology office will be responsible for contacting the vendor for repair service. There are a limited number of loaner devices available for the student to sign out until the laptop is repaired. The parent is responsible for the cost of the repair if the cost is not covered by the warranty. Online payment must be made for the cost of the repair before the laptop is returned. Laptop repair costs cannot be added to your tuition account.

12. Can students personalize or modify their laptops?
In our 1:1 laptop program, students are not permitted to personalize the school-issued devices. This includes any physical modifications, unauthorized software installations, or alterations to the system settings, ensuring that the laptop remains in a standard configuration for educational purposes and ease of maintenance. Additional information will be provided in the AUP guidelines.

13. How will the school handle updates and maintenance of the laptops?
Normal updates will be pushed out from school servers. System updates will be performed during the summer.

14. What measures are in place to ensure online safety and restrict internet access?
Holy Cross provides content filtering when the device is both on campus and off campus.

15. Can students install their own software or games on the laptop?
No. The school will install all necessary software on the laptop.

16. Will students receive training on how to use their laptop?
Yes. All students in grades 5-8 and all new students will receive training on how to use the laptop. Additionally, online training videos will be available in the resource section of TigerNet.

17. What happens if a student encounters inappropriate content while using the school
laptop?
The student should stop by the Technology office with any concerns they have regarding inappropriate content or email [email protected].

18. Will the laptops come with pre-installed antivirus software?
Yes. Advanced system protection software will be installed and maintained by the Technology Office. There is no need for parents to purchase antivirus software.

19. Will Office be pre-installed on the computer?
Yes. Microsoft Office Suite will be installed on the laptop. Each family is allowed 5 licenses for free that they may install on other family-owned computers. These licenses are valid during the student’s enrollment at Holy Cross.

20. What measures are in place to ensure online safety and prevent cyberbullying?
Online safety and cyberbullying education is infused into the curriculum.

21. Who can parents contact for more information or if they have concerns regarding the
program?
Please email [email protected] if you have any concerns.