Technology

In Orono Public Schools, technology plays a vital role in ensuring that all stakeholders are able to maximize their potential in life. We believe in providing all stakeholders with learning environments that provide access to a wide variety of resources, both digital and physical. Current research supports the integration of technology into the classroom in order for learners to engage in more rigorous and deeper learning. A robust technology platform allows for students to expand their learning environment and engage with diverse cultures and communities across the globe. Digital resources can enhance and accelerate learning outcomes for all students. Our goal is to provide students with digital experiences that focus on engaging students in new learning that enables them to create and innovate, collaborate with others, communicate effectively and think critically when presented with new information.

Technology Support

Email: technology@orono.k12.mn.us
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Support Request

ParentvueStudent Info System

SCHOOLOGY3-12 Digital Classroom

SEESAWK-2 Digital Classroom

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Four Core Strategies

In order to achieve our vision, there are four core strategies that we will utilize to achieve this vision: Instructional Technology, Access, Customer Service, and Safety and Security. Each strategy will focus on the knowledge, actions and values of all stakeholders as we work collaboratively toward these outcomes.

Instructional Technology

Advances in educational technology have provided stakeholders with new ways to engage in learning through learning management systems, and the establishment of new relationships by connecting people all over the world through communication platforms that allow students to access tools and information faster than ever. To ensure the success of all stakeholders, it is important that we emphasize the professional development of our staff so that they are able to continue offering students an unparalleled learning experience.

Our stakeholders will:

Know

How to use various methods of assessment to determine student needs and respond accordingly
How to utilize technology as a way to enhance instructional practices and engage students
The impact of their actions online and what it means to be a positive digital citizen within a diverse global community

Believe

That learning environments are ever changing and students access learning in a variety of formats so they are prepared for opportunities after graduation
That technology creates authentic and real-world learning experiences that cannot be replicated in a traditional educational setting
In a culture of growth, learning and purposeful innovation

Access

A robust technology program provides all stakeholders with simple, easy and complete access to the available applications, professional development, resources and tools. In our department, access has two different components: the ability to easily connect to our network to access the global community and provide the tools necessary for all students to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Our stakeholders will:

Know

The purpose of our infrastructure and the various systems that make it run successfully
How accessibility options eliminate barriers, creating an inclusive environment
How to find and utilize available resources
What the Orono P.L.U.S. program is and how it supports each member of the community

Believe

That technology eliminates barriers and opens the door to collaboration and communication on a global scale
That an infrastructure that supports our stakeholders is equipped with the necessary resources in order to provide a consistent, safe environment for learning
That access to resources should not be a barrier for any stakeholder

Customer Service

A critical component to the seamless operation of a complex technology network is the service that each stakeholder is provided. Customer service is not just about the resolution of the problem, but it incorporates the support, conversations, speed and manners throughout the process. Our department strives to provide quality, professional customer service.

Our stakeholders will:

Know

How to connect with various members of the technology department in order to resolve questions
How to use their provided tools and resources in order to support stakeholder learning
Where they can find on-demand support articles, videos and information

Believe

That they have the capacity to grow in their technical knowledge
Prompt and professional support is key to providing access to various educational resources

Safety and Security

In today’s world, safety and security are paramount in all environments, physical and digital. A safe and secure digital environment protects stakeholders from inappropriate content, internal and external threats and provides the education and training to limit risks across all platforms.

Our stakeholders will:

Know

The best practices associated with cyber security, such as: device security, data privacy, digital footprints, etc…
How to analyze various resources, communications and websites for credibility and know the process to report suspicious activity
That Orono Public Schools will provide the highest levels of digital security possible

Believe

That safety and security is as important as the instruction that takes place in the classroom
Each stakeholder plays an important role in protecting the assets of the school district
That all stakeholders have the right to data privacy

Technology Staff

Leadership

Sean Beaverson
Technology Coordinator
Sean.Beaverson@orono.k12.mn.us

Operations & Management

Joel Mellor
Cloud Systems Specialist
Joel.Mellor@orono.k12.mn.us

Jason Woyak
Systems and Security Specialist
Sean.Beaverson@orono.k12.mn.us

Instructional Support

Bailey Nett
Instructional Technology Coach
Bailey.Nett@orono.k12.mn.us

Support

Jason Banks K-5
Technology Support Specialist
Jason.Banks@orono.k12.mn.us

Rob Kovach 6-8
Technology Support Specialist
Robert.Kovach@orono.k12.mn.us

Josh Header 9-12
Technology Support Specialist
joshua.header@orono.k12.mn.us

Our Environment

We have had some changes over the past few years, and want to provide a quick overview of our tools and approach for school-based accounts and technology. Included below is information about the platforms, accounts and devices we use during the school year.

Appropriate Student Accounts and Access

We provide user accounts for students from Kindergarten through their Senior year. These accounts are intended to be used for school-based activities. All school-provided accounts are managed and monitored for security and safety of our students and staff.

K-5 - Walled Garden Approach

6-8 Walled Garden - Narrowed Gate

9-12 District-Provided User Accounts

Digital Classroom

Another element of our district’s approach is inclusion of a standard digital classroom space. We use two different platforms based on the appropriateness of the platform to support student learning.

K-2 - Seesaw
3-12 Schoology

K-2 - Seesaw

A very popular platform for elementary aged students, Seesaw is a digital portfolio in which teachers can create and share activities and students then respond to and interact with the content using a touch screen device (iPad). The tactile nature of the platform is friendly to our littlest learners as they navigate and is easy to share with families so that you can actually see and hear what students are creating and completing.

3-12 Schoology

The purpose of Schoology is to provide a platform for teachers to organize digital content in a way that makes it easy for students to navigate and find any number of items related to a specific content area. This platform includes curriculum, resources, assignments, assessments and feedback tools so that students are able to submit digital artifacts and receive feedback from teachers in a way that is familiar to the modern workplace.

Technology Guide for Families

The Orono Tech Department is excited to welcome students back to school each fall. With the back to school season comes some useful steps and updates that can be completed before return to make the transition back even easier. Please use the information included below to support your students return to school for the new year.

Click the arrows at the bottom of the frame, below, to view the slideshow.

Contact

technology@orono.k12.mn.us

Quick Links

Technology in our Schools

Schumann Elementary, Grades K-2

1:1 School provided Ipads
Devices stay at school
Digital Classroom: Seesaw
SE Tech Overview 2022

Intermediate School, Grades 3-5

1:1 School provided Chromebooks
Devices stay at school
Digital Classroom: Schoology
IS Tech Overview 2022

Middle School, Grades 6-8 | High School, Grades 9-12

1:1 Choice of; a School Issued Chromebook for yearly check out, or (BYOD) bring your own device
Optional Family Insurance for purchase for incidentals related to School Issued Chromebook accidental breakage
Students expected to charge their device at home and bring to school everyday.
Digital Classroom: Schoology

Devices

Right Tool for the Right Learning

In order to ensure equal access to the various digital platforms and tools we have a device program that is designed to the right approach developmentally for all students.

Elementary - District-Provided Devices
Secondary - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Annual Check-Out Program

Elementary - District-Provided Devices

Orono Schumann Elementary:

For our youngest learners, the district provides managed iPads for each classroom. These iPads are equipped with a variety of age-appropriate apps including Seesaw. This year we will be keeping iPads in the classroom and will not be asking students to bring them back and forth from home to school.

Intermediate School:

For grades 3-5 the district provides a school issued Chromebook. These devices will remain at school this year, unless the teacher team determines a need for the device to go home which would be communicated in advance.

Secondary - Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Annual Check-Out Program

At our secondary level families are provided two options to support classroom technology. The first option is our BYOD program which allows students to bring a personal device from home. For families that choose the BYOD option we request that you complete the Technology Support Consent form (available in ParentVUE) if you would like for our department to provide onsite troubleshooting or incidental repairs.

Bring Your Own Device - Orono Technology Support Consent -

Orono has trained staff members that are able to offer diagnostic and troubleshoot advice to support students who run into issues with their device. By providing consent, you are allowing members of the Orono Technology Department to provide troubleshooting steps and support on your child’s device. If a member of the Orono Technology Department is unable to resolve the issue, they will recommend next steps. This consent only needs to be completed once during your enrollment in Orono Public Schools. In addition to providing consent, you are also releasing Orono Public Schools from any liability while working on the device.

Without consent, families will be responsible for solving personal device issues with a vendor of their choice.

Annual Check-Out Program -

Thanks to the support of our community Orono Schools is pleased to offer families the option to check out a managed Chromebook for their student this school year. These Chromebooks are pre-configured for the school environment and provide a secure learning experience both at school and home. Check out of the annual devices if facilitated at the school site during back to school events in August.

Device Recommendations (6-12):

Below is a list of potential devices that are all suitable for daily learning in Orono Public Schools. Please note that these are recommended devices based on technical requirements for student success in our digital environment. Any questions or need further assistance, please contact the Orono Tech Department at technology@orono.k12.mn.us.

Recommendations and Definitions

Device Models

*Prices may fluctuate

Model	Price	Value
HP Chromebook 14"	$205	Intel Celeron N4120 Processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of eMMC storage, 14-inch HD display, and a backlit keyboard.
Acer Spin 314 Chromebook 14"	$356	Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook, Intel Pentium N6000 Processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of eMMC storage, 14-inch gorilla glass display.
Lenovo V15 Windows Laptop 15.6"	$487-509	AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 16GB of RAM, 512-1TB of SSD storage, 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, Windows 11 Pro.
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 14"	$779-$949	AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16 - 40GB of RAM, 512GB - 2TB of SSD storage, 14-inch FHD+ Display, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 11 Pro.
MacBook Air Laptop-13.6"	$899-$1,199	Apple M2 or M3 chip, 8GB of RAM, 256-512GB of SSD storage, 13.6-inch Retina display, MagSafe 3 Charging, Two USB 4 Ports, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID sensor.
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14"	$920	Intel Evo 10 Core i7-1355U, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 512GB of PCI-E SSD storage, 14-inch 2.2k 16:10 Touchscreen Display w/ Stylus Pen, Windows 11.
MacBook Pro Laptop-13.3"	$1,499-$1,899	Apple M3 chip, 8-16GB of RAM, 512GB-1TB of SSD storage, 14-inch Retina XDR display, Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, MagSafe 3 Charging, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Force Touch trackpad.

Hardware Glossary

Hardware	Description
Processor	The processor is the brain of your laptop. It is responsible for carrying out all of the instructions that the computer needs to run. The more powerful the processor, the faster your laptop will be. We recommend a minimum of Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5, or Apple M processor for most students.
RAM	Random Access Memory (RAM) is a type of computer memory that stores data that the CPU is actively using. The more RAM a laptop has, the more programs it can run at the same time without slowing down. We recommend 8GB of RAM for most students, as this will allow them to run multiple programs at once without any problems.
Storage	SSD stands for solid-state drive. It is a type of storage device that uses flash memory to store data. Speed: SSDs are much faster than HDDs. They can boot up your computer in seconds, and they can load applications and files much faster as well. Durability: SSDs are more durable than HDDs. They are less likely to be damaged by bumps or drops, and they are also less likely to fail due to mechanical problems. Silent operation: SSDs do not have any moving parts, so they are completely silent when they are operating. This can be a big advantage if you are working in a quiet environment

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Requirement	Windows	Mac	Chrome
Processor	Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3	Apple M1 or M2	Intel Celeron or Pentium
RAM	8GB	8GB	4GB
Storage	256GB (SSD)	256GB (SSD)	32GB (eMMC)
Operating System	Windows 10 or 11	macOS Monterey or Ventura	Chrome OS

*Please note that these are just minimum requirements. If you are planning on doing more demanding tasks, such as video editing or graphic design, you may need a more powerful laptop.

Recommended Specs:

Requirement	Windows	Mac	Chrome
Processor	Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7	Apple M1 or M2	Intel Core i3 , AMD Ryzen 3, Snapdragon
RAM	8GB-16GB	8GB-16GB	8GB
Storage	256GB-512GB (SSD)	256GB-512GB (SSD)	64gb-128gb (eMMC)
Operating System	Windows 10 or 11	macOS Monterey or Ventura	Chrome OS

Digital Tools

Federal and State Statute Compliance

Orono Schools remained dedicated to the appropriate use of digital tools. This includes compliance with state and federal laws designed to protect students' privacy, access to appropriate content and limiting cyber-bullying and creating safe environments for digital work.

Federal Laws:

State Statutes:

Annual Notice: Protection and Privacy of Student Data

Orono Schools is committed to the protection and privacy of student data. Private student data is only accessible to the student, to the biological parents or legal guardians of that student, and to staff with an educational need to know. The school district also classifies some information as “directory information,” which is information contained in a student’s education record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

The district considers the following information to be directory information: Student name, address, telephone listing, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status (i.e., full-time or part-time), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended. It also includes the name, address, electronic mail address and telephone number of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s).

Directory information is available upon request and is sought by community organizations including the Orono parent organizations (PTO, OMSPA and SPA), youth sports teams, the Orono Foundation for Education, local newspapers, businesses, and other organizations that work with youth and families in our community. You have the right to opt out and not allow your information to be included in directory information. This option is available the next time you login to the ParentVUE portal. Your decision will be in effect until you request to reverse it.

Orono Apps