One-to-One Computer Program
  
Documents
Questions About Personal Computers
  

 

The primary purpose of the ATSS One-to-One Computer Program is to enhance the education of students.

Every student at ATSS uses a notebook computer for their education. The one-to-one computer program has been in place since the school opened in September 2004 and this has placed ATSS at the leading edge of notebook computer programs in B.C. and North America. School goals related to achievement, and the motto, "Our Future - Our Responsibility," and the slogan, "Traditional Values + Progressive Education = ATSS," are supported by the one-to-one notebook computer program.

Families lease (rent-to-own) a PC notebook computer from the school district. Parents and students must sign a computer usage agreement. Students are responsible for the computer at all times and take the notebook computers home to provide access to technology at all times to enhance their education.

Computers are collected at the end of the school year in June for reimaging and maintenance and handed out again in September. Students keep the same computer from year to year. The computer comes with a comprehensive 3 year warranty that covers most accidental damage. The school takes care of any repair issues and provides loaner computers to students.

All student computers have the complete Encarta Encyclopedia program, Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access, Adobe Photoshop and Premiere, along with many other software programs.

 

Use of Notebook Computers

Teachers often have students using the computers as a "tool" to support learning. Many assignments are provided in digital format and students regularly use computer applications to complete school work. Communication, including a district email account, and research capabilities are important uses of the computers at school. ATSS provides a wireless network with monitored internet access for research and communication.

Classrooms are equipped with digital projectors and teachers have access to Tablet PC computers (write on screen technology) to further support and provide enriched learning experiences for students.

Computers are regularly inspected by teachers for appropriate use and content. Educational and technical support is provided as part of the program.

 

 

 

 

  

20010-11 Computer Agreement Form

 

Financial Information

  • 20010-11 payment: $290
  • Cheques are to be payable to ATSS.
  • It is recommended that the $25 "Peace-of-Mind" theft insurance be added for a total of $315.
  • Cheques must be accompanied by a signed 2010-11 computer agreement form.
  • More detailed payment information and payment options can be obtained by contacting the school.

After 4 years of payments, families own the computer. When a student graduates or leaves the school there is a $10 buyout required to have the computer reset to factory specifications and have security passwords removed. District and site licensed software can be loaded on the computers because the school district maintains ownership of the computers until the buyout. On site technical and educational support is also offered until the buyout, and loaner computers are provided when a computer is sent in for repair.

Peace-of-Mind No Deductible Theft Insurance

  • For $25 per year a school computer can be insured against theft.
  • The school must be notified immediately if there is stolen computer. A police report and contact with the school administration is required if a claim is requested.
  • When a claim is granted the computer is replaced at no additional charge with the same or an equivalent model of computer. The same model may not be available.
  • To insure the replacement computer, the $25 "Peace-of-Mind" insurance fee must be paid again.
  • In the 2007-08 school year 296 computers were insured by families.
  • This plan removes the need for families to put policy riders on their home insurance to insure school notebook computers. In some cases policy riders for notebook computers are expensive. This insurance plan is an excellent buy at $25 for one computer, for one year.

Financial Assistance and Sibling Plan

  • Please contact the school Principal for information on financial assistance. In addition, the Principal has information about the sibling payment plan, which lessens the financial burden on families with more than one student attending the school. The sibling plan allows for families to transfer payments made for an older sibling's computer for use by a younger sibling, with the following stipulations:
    • The older sibling must be leaving the school or graduating, and not taking the laptop.
    • Payments are only transferable to the older laptop; the younger sibling must use the older laptop.
    • Payments cannot be carried over multiple years; the younger sibling must be attending ATSS currently or the next school year. .................
  • Every student at ATSS uses a notebook computer for their education. The Board of Education of School District No. 34 (Abbotsford) understands that no student at ATSS shall be without a computer due to financial reasons.

Year, Payment and Model History

  • 2004-05
    $350 Gr.8-11
    Apple iBook
  • 2005-06
    $350 Gr.8-9
    Apple iBook
    --
    $400 Gr.10-12
    Acer TM4151 added Sep. 05
  • 2006-07
    $350 Gr.9
    Apple iBook
    --
    $400 Gr.10-12
    Acer TM4220 added Sep. 06
  • 2007-08
    $315 Gr.9-12
    Acer TM3260 added Sep. 07
    Acer EX4620-6194 added Jan. 08
  • 2008-09
    $315 Gr.9-12
    Acer EX4620-6736 added Sep. 08
  • 2009-10
    $290 Gr.9-12
    Acer 5630EZ added Sep. 09
  • 2010-11
    $290 Gr.9-12
    Acer 8471 added Sep. 10

 

  
  • No personal computer or other wireless device may be used at ATSS unless approved in previous years.
  • During the 2007-08 school year approximately 10 students were granted permission to use a personal computer. Personal computers were not used at ATSS before 2007-08.
  • Many families and students after using a personal computer for a short period of time expressed regret with their decision. In some cases students specifically said that they wished they never had a personal computer - they say it caused too many problems for them (the computer was a distraction with chat programs and web browsers installed that had no filters). At least one family changed mid-year from a personal computer to a school computer after they learned in greater detail how personal computers had no web filtering. There were also at least two students without a computer for a number of weeks due to damage with no loaner provided by the repair shop.
  • No school-based technical support or loaner computers are available for any student with an approved personal computer.
  • To further discuss computers please contact the school: (604) 850-7029.

Cost for Software, Insurance and Warranty on a Personal Computer

  • Gr10/11/12 Basic: $1030
  • Gr9 and Gr10/11/12 in I.T. or Media Arts - $2260

*Note - this does NOT include the cost of the computer. Add $750 minimum for an appropriate notebook computer.

Other potential expenses with a personal computer:
(1) The cost of theft insurance in which home insurance deductibles typically start at $500 plus the need to put a special "rider" on a notebook computer with an associated fee (typically $100/year minimum x 4 years = $400). ATS cost is $25 per year.

(2) Drop/spill warranties on personal computers (only available on certain makes) cost $300 and up. A broken computer screen is typically more than $500. ATS computer pricing includes a drop/spill warranty.

 

 

  
 
ATSS 2008