1-to-1 Learning FAQ

  1. Why does the school district feel students need to use an iPad at school?
  2. Why did the district choose the iPad instead of other devices?
  3. Who will be receiving iPads and when?
  4. What are my responsibilities as a parent of a student in Grade 3 — Grade 12?
  5. My child already has a personal iPad. Can he/she just use that instead of using a district iPad?
  6. Do I have to have wireless access at home?
  7. Does my child have to use the iPad?
  8. Will my child use the iPad in every class?
  9. How are you going to teach children ethical use of these devices?
  10. May I add or remove apps on my child’s IPad?
  11. How can I ensure that my child does not download inappropriate apps to the iPad?
  12. What does the technology fee cover?
  13. Do I have to purchase the Technology Fee for each of my children?
  14. What if I am unable to pay the technology fee?
  15. Why does my child need email?
  16. What do students use as an Apple Id? What If they already have one?
  17. Who owns the IPad? Is it my child’s to keep?
  18. Will students keep the devices during breaks?
  19. What happens if an iPad is lost?
  20. What happens if the iPad gets stolen?
  21. What If my child forgets to bring his/her iPad to school?
  22. What are the expectations for student use of the Pads?




1. Why does the school district feel students need to use an iPad at school?

We believe that the use of the iPad will provide students with the skills they need to support their learning and to prepare students with the tools they need to be college and career ready in today’s workforce. We understand that this initiative is not about a specific device, but rather, about what an internet-connected device will enable our students to accomplish.

2. Why did the district choose the iPad instead of other devices?

With the help of our pilot one-to-one teachers and our technology steering committee, we concluded that the iPad Mini was the best mix of learning usefulness, supportability, and affordability. All devices have pros and cons, and the iPad Mini is the device that best suits our instructional goals while still being sustainable.

3. Who will be receiving iPads and when?

Middle school students received iPads during the 2014-15 school year. Other students in grades 3-12 received an individual iPad in the 2015-16 school year. Students in grades 6-12 will be issued the device for home use as well. Students in grades 3 through 5 will keep their devices at school. Students will receive these devices near the beginning of the school year, though exact times may vary.In the meantime, students may access existing technology for digital learning.

4. What are my responsibilities as a parent of a
student in Grade 3 — Grade 12?

Each school will have orientation sessions that parents must attend in order to learn the full details about the EXCEL Digital Conversion. Dates and times will be published on your school website and on the district website. Parents/guardians must attend the orientation, sign the Parent and Student Agreement for EXCEL, and pay the $35 technology fee for students in grade 6 or higher before the school can issue a district owned iPad to the student.

5. My child already has a personal iPad. Can he/she just use that instead of using a district iPad?

All students will need to use the district owned device that will be configured to meet the school needs and standards.

6. Do I have to have wireless access at home?

While helpful, it is not necessary for you to have internet access at home. Information that will be needed for homework can be downloaded to the iPad before the students leave school so that they will still be able to access the information from home.

7. Does my child have to use the iPad?

Educational resources and content will be delivered via the iPad. This makes the device a necessity for your child’s education. The EXCEL Digital Conversion brings individual learning to your child and provides the opportunity for students to have information at their fingertips.

8. Will my child use the iPad in every class?

Teachers from all subjects and grade levels have been participating in on-going training on how to best incorporate technology in the classroom setting. We believe all content and grade levels can benefit from technology use, though some classes might lend themselves to iPad use more than others. Students should be prepared to have the iPad in every class, allowing for the teacher to make appropriate decisions on iPad integration.

9. How are you going to teach children ethical use of these devices?

Digital citizenship is a concept that helps students understand how to use technology appropriately in a society filled with technology. Students will participate in digital citizenship lessons with their teachers. Spartanburg 2 expects students to use technology appropriately and responsibly, whether in electronic communication or participation. We have electronic precautions in place in order for students to participate safely and securely in this environment and enjoy the rights of a digital world in an educational setting.We strongly encourage parents to be involved in this learning opportunity for your children. It will be important for you to be proactive in your expectations of how the devices are used at home. Monitor what your child is doing on the device and have discussions with them about the appropriateness and inappropriateness of certain online activities. Parent Support Sessions will be provided through the year.

10. May I add or remove apps on my child’s IPad?

Applications originally installed by SSD2 on each district-owned iPad must remain on the district-owned iPad in usable condition and readily accessible at all times. Students may not remove these required applications, and school staff will periodically check district-owned iPads to ensure that students have not removed them. The school may also add other applications periodically.

11. How can I ensure that my child does not download inappropriate apps to the iPad?

Students are limited to use the apps available in the AirWatch app catalog. Possession of any other apps would be considered a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy

Spartanburg 2 encourages parents to spend time with their child to review what is being done on the iPad. Parents should also talk to their children about the values and standards they expect their children to follow as they use the Internet and about their use of all other media information sources such as television, telephone, movies, radio, etc.


We provide the following Parent/Guardian Monitoring Suggestions:

  • Investigate and apply parental controls available through your home based internet service provider and/or your wireless router.
  • Develop a set of rules/expectations for device use at home. Some websites provide parent/child agreements for you to sign.
  • Only allow device use in common rooms of the home (e.g. living room or kitchen) and not in bedrooms.
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in what your student is doing on the device. Ask questions and request that he/she shows you his/her work often.

While the iPads are for the students, we want to encourage parents to be involved in this learning opportunity for your children. Helping your child understand what it is they are receiving and how it should be used will help empower them to be responsible young people. For some, this will be their first experience with an iPad and the internet. Sharing that experience with your child and helping them to make positive choices as they navigate the web will enrich their experience and show them what a wonderful and powerful new learning tool they will have at their disposal.

12. What does the technology fee cover?

The $35 annual technology fee helps us pay for district apps, iPad repair, and overall sustainability of the program. If your child’s iPad is accidentally broken, you are charged $25 for the first two instances and then the complete cost of repair for the third instance. All money collected for the technology fee solely goes to sustaining the program. We will continue to monitor the technology fee collection and usage to make sure we are providing this program with as little expense to parents as possible.

13. Do I have to purchase the Technology Fee for each of my children?

Yes. The technology fee covers an individual device. You will need to pay a fee for each child in grades 6— 12.

14. What if I am unable to pay the technology fee?

If you are unable to pay for this protection plan in full, you may work out a payment plan with the school front office. If you are on a free or reduced lunch plan, you will pay according to your designation. 

15. Why does my child need email?

Spartanburg 2 will provide users with an email account for the purpose of school-related communication. Availability and use of email will be restricted based on the student’s school type.

16. What do students use as an Apple Id? What If they already have one?

The students may use an Apple ID that already exists, though we strongly recommend the student use a new Apple ID based on his or her district e-mail. Using the district e-mail address will aid district personnel in helping troubleshoot problems with your iPad and make the Mobile Device Management (MDM) system work smoother.

17. Who owns the IPad? Is it my child’s to keep?

Legal title of the iPad is with the district and shall remain with the district. The right of possession and use is limited to and conditioned on full and complete compliance with the Parent and Student iPad Agreement for the EXCEL Digital Conversion. The student is responsible at all times for the appropriate care and use of the mobile computing device.

Students transferring out of or leaving Spartanburg School District Two during the school year must return the district owned iPad (including power cords, cases and any other district or school issued accessories) before leaving the school. If a student returns his/her district owned iPad damaged, costs for replacement or repairs are the student’s responsibility if not covered by warranty. The district will charge the student the cost of needed repairs, not to exceed the replacement cost of the district owned iPad.

18. Will students keep the devices during breaks?

Students may keep their devices all year to maximize learning opportunities in and out of school; however, schools do have the right to collect them if they choose. If you have concerns about keeping your student’s device over summer break, please contact your school.

19. What happens if an iPad is lost?

The district will work with parents to locate devices, including using Find My iPad (if turned on) to locate the device. If the iPad is not located, the parents will be charged the replacement cost of the device. If the device is found undamaged within 120 days of an issued debt, the cost will be refunded in full.

20. What happens if the iPad gets stolen?

Stolen iPads must be reported to the school officials and the School Resource Officer within 48 hours. If the theft is believed to have occurred on campus, a police report must be filed with the School Resource Officer. If the theft is believed to have occurred off campus, a police report must be filed with the local police department of that jurisdiction. The district may charge parents for stolen devices if the theft was a result of negligence.

21. What If my child forgets to bring his/her iPad to school?

Students who leave their district owned iPad at home are still responsible for completing their daily course work. Repeated offenses may result in disciplinary action.

22. What are the expectations for student use of the Pads?

District owned iPads are intended for use at school each day. Students are responsible for bringing their district owned iPad to all classes, unless specifically instructed otherwise by the teacher. In addition to a teacher’s expectations, students may access school messages, announcements, calendar and schedules using their district owned iPad.

* This FAQ was generated with assistance from Anderson School District One

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