2. How to care for your computer Always keep your computer in the case whenever you are moving from one class to another. Keep your computer in a temperature controlled climate. Keep only your computer in the case – no textbooks or 3-ring binders. Do not place anything heavy on the laptop.

3. How to care for your computer Always place your laptop on a level surface. Wash your hands before using the computer. Fluids are the number one enemy of electronic items so it is best not to eat or drink while working on the laptop. If liquid spills on the keyboard, turn the keyboard upside down to drain for at least 12 hours before powering on again. Never allow anyone else to use your school laptop.

4. How to care for your computer Never put personal data or programs that can’t be easily recovered on your laptop. –Your laptop may, someday, unexpectedly require service. Your personal data will not be protected if this happens and you could lose your data. Don’t save passwords on your laptop. –Use a password that is easy for you to remember (but not easy for someone else to guess).

5. The Proper Way to Clean Your Laptop Computer Clean the exterior by simply wiping it off with a damp, soft cloth. Dust off the screen using a dry, lint- free, soft cloth. Pressing too hard on the screen will cause damage - so be easy. Do not use cleaning agents to clean your laptop!

6. Getting Organized All of your computers and parts look the same therefore, you will each need to check your case, laptop, and accessories. When you receive your laptops you may open your computer case and make sure that you have the following items: Laptop Power cord 3 labeled items – laptop, bag, and power cord (your name must be on all three items)

7. What about my battery? You can always check your battery life by double clicking on the “battery symbol” in the lower left- hand corner of the screen (next to the red swirl). You may “put your computer to sleep” during downtimes by pressing Function and Suspend (on the escape key) – this will extend your battery life. Teacher will demonstrate on their computer!

8. Help! I can’t get online!! To check signal strength double click on the green bar graph in the lower left corner of your screen. –This will indicate low, medium, or excellent signal. –Teacher will demonstrate on their laptop.

9. Laptop Schedule 1 st period will be the designated classroom for storing your laptops on a daily basis. Once you pick up your laptop in 1 st period, it must go with you to EVERY class. You will receive a write up for leaving your laptop laying around. It is required in every class as a part of your supplies. (Write-ups for this will go on the 4-tier discipline form.) Only 1 st period Band and Gym students will store their laptops in the Library. You will pick them up from the Library after Band and P.E. and return them to the same location at the end of the day. Mrs. Marshall will give you specifics on where she wants those stored. During the day, the students going to P.E. will leave their laptops in the class prior to going out to the gym and will return to pick them back up before moving to the next period. (ONLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO P.E.) 7 th period Athletics will take their laptops back to their 1 st period teacher prior to going out to the gym. At 3:10pm, the bell will ring and you will report back to your 1 st period classroom to store the laptops on the shelves provided. They must be put in the shelves standing upright with tags facing out. Do not stack the laptops on top of one another or leave them on the floor. You will remain in your 1 st period class until the 3:15pm dismissal bell.

10. Repair Forms This year the repair forms are on the Newton Middle School Website. How do you access it? –Log onto ms.newtonisd.net –Look on the far left-hand side of the screen for the “School Resources” tab. –Click on the tab and then look for the file folder labeled “Student Laptops.” –Within the folder is information regarding the laptops. –Click on the “Laptop Repair Form” and save it to your desktop. Then, whenever you need a laptop repair you can fill it out, attach it to an email, and send it to phyllis.richmond@newtonisd.net or brenda.creel@newtonisd.net. phyllis.richmond@newtonisd.net brenda.creel@newtonisd.net

11. Last, but not least….. Laptop forms will need to be turned in as soon as possible!! We will begin issuing laptops on September 4, 2007!! I look forward to working with you and making this a successful year for integrating technology! If you have any questions regarding your laptops, please feel free to email me, stop by my office, or catch me in the hallway!! Have a GREAT YEAR!! Mrs. Richmond