Bring Your Own Device
The Bolles School implemented the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirement in 2014. All students in grades 6-12 are required to bring a Windows 10 or 11 Pro, Windows Ink enabled computing device that meets the requirements specified below. The intent of the required BYOD program is to ensure academic teachers are able to plan appropriate and engaging class experiences, knowing all students will have access to their own compatible personal device.
More from CTO Paul Sollee
We have found that having digital inking capabilities along with a full desktop operating system like Windows 10 Pro is desired by our teachers to allow for more opportunities using technology in the classroom. Therefore, each student must have a Windows 10 Pro device with Windows Inking capabilities. (Macs, iPads, Android devices do not meet our requirements) There are a variety of devices that have these capabilities, but their experiences can be very different. We highly recommend the Surface Pro or Surface Laptop Studio lines of devices which can be purchased through our campus store. If you already have a device that you would like for your child(ren) to use, the link below will lead to required specifications to help guide you in assessing currently owned devices or to guide you in considering a new student device. If you intend to purchase a new device for your child, we encourage you to consider doing so well in advance for your child to become familiar with the device prior to the start of the school year.
The School provides wireless access and a Microsoft 365 account to all students. The Microsoft 365 account provides your child with a Bolles email address and the ability to install the Office Suite on their device as well as four more devices.
All campus buildings have wireless network access so your child will not be required to have a data plan to use the device at school. All students are only allowed to use their devices for academic purposes during the school day unless otherwise directed by their classroom teacher. Each student is responsible to come to school with a fully charged device and stylus/pen.
We thank you for your support and attention to this policy and we hope you are as excited as we are about how this will continue to enhance the overall academic experience for our students.
Best Regards,
Paul Sollee
Chief Technology Officer
BYOD Requirements, Purchasing Device, and IT Support
If you are purchasing a new device for your student, we highly recommend the Surface Pro or the Surface Laptop Studio.
- The device you have should be part of a package that includes:
- The minimum device specifications are:
- Purchasing Options
- Bolles IT support options
The device you have should be part of a package that includes:
The minimum device specifications are:
- Windows 10 or 11 Pro operating system
- 8GB of RAM
- 128GB hard drive
- Wireless card must support the 802.11a (5GHz) standard
- Screen size should be a minimum of 11”
- Digital Inking capabilities (the kind of stylus that emulates the tip of a finger is not acceptable)
- Battery life rating for a minimum of 5 hours of video playback
- Full-size keyboard
- Front and Rear camera
Purchasing Options
You may purchase a Surface Pro or Surface Laptop Studio through our campus store (Please note the Surface Pro X, Surface Laptop, and Surface Go Laptop do not meet our minimum specifications). You can also purchase from the Microsoft online store, BestBuy, CostCo, etc. The devices offered through the Bolles Campus Store include Bolles' negotiated discount prices and have distinct advantages from what you might see in BestBuy, Costco or even the online Microsoft store. Our devices and warranties are commercial SKUs. What does that mean? Here is a table to help you compare:
|
Commercial device |
Consumer device |
Where can I purchase? |
Bolles Campus Store |
BestBuy, CostCo, Microsoft online store, etc. |
Hardware |
No difference in like models |
No difference in like models |
Operating system (Win10 or 11 Pro required) |
Windows 10 or 11 Pro |
Windows 10 or 11 Home (Pro is usually $100 upgrade) |
|
|
|
|
Commercial Warranty |
Consumer Warranty |
# years coverage |
3 |
2 |
# of claims during coverage period |
2 |
2 |
Deductible per claim |
$0 |
$49-$100 |
Warranty Return process |
Replacement delivered to you first–normally within 2 business days of claim acceptance—and then you send broken device back |
You send broken device in first, wait for device to be looked at and then they send back fixed device or replacement device |
Devices ordered through Bolles also have the benefit of handling a warranty claim through the IT office and, if the device is inoperable, a loaner will be provided.
To order your device from the campus store please click here.
You may contact our campus store via email at campusstore@bolles.org.
Bolles IT support options
If your child ever needs assistance from our IT department, they can come by the IT office (Pratt Hall at Bartram and Swisher Library at San Jose) on campus during zero-hour and activities period. Outside of zero-hour and activities, your child can still come by the IT office at each campus but there is a chance our techs will be out of the office supporting tickets with teachers, etc. The other way to contact us is via email at ITDesktopSupport@bolles.org. That address is monitored by our techs for all four campuses.
Protecting your device
- An accidental damage protection (ADP) plan is the most important thing you can do to protect your investment. This is automatically part of the Bolles campus store bundle.
- The second thing is to purchase a case or sleeve to carry your device. This is a personal choice and can be purchased from the campus store or online.
- Another form of protection you can add to your device is a protective glass shield. It can protect your screen from scratches and abrasions and some screen impact scenarios. This is a personal choice and can be purchased from the campus store or online.
- Show your device some TLC and treat it with respect. Based on experience, the most common way a student seems to break their device is by putting it in their backpack. Please do not have your child carry their device in their backpack or other case where they tote their books and other belongings. Even in a protective case or sleeve the pressure of the books and tossing of their backpack to the ground will easily crush their device screen. It is advisable to have them carry the device separate from their backpack in a protective case or sleeve.
Dealing with Breakages
Surface pens and power adapters will be available for purchase from the campus stores in the event they lose or break theirs. Styluses and power adapters for other brand models will not be available for purchase on campus.
FAQs
- What does “One-to-One” (1:1) mean?
- What does BYOD mean?
- Which device works best for BYOD?
- Does the school have WiFi available?
- Is web access restricted on the School's WiFi network?
- Tell me about e-textbooks. Do students have the option to download e-textbooks/e-books instead of purchasing hard cover books?
- Don’t students just get distracted by these devices?
- What applications will be required?
- What types of support may my child count on for his device?
- Why is the School using Office365 and not another program, such as Google Apps for Education?
- What if my child’s device breaks? What if he/she forgets it?
- How will students be prepared to use devices at school?
- Will pencil and paper be abandoned as a result of the BYOD program?
What does “One-to-One” (1:1) mean?
What does BYOD mean?
Which device works best for BYOD?
Bolles highly recommends the Surface Pro or Surface Book lines of devices. Those devices can be purchased through our campus store. When selecting a device please make sure it meets the Bolles published BYOD minimum requirements. Smartphones, iPads and Android tablets, and Mac PCs are not approved BYOD program devices. Windows devices that do not have native digital inking capabilities are not approved BYOD program devices.
To order your device from the campus store please click here.
You may contact our campus store via email at campusstore@bolles.org.
Does the school have WiFi available?
Is web access restricted on the School's WiFi network?
Tell me about e-textbooks. Do students have the option to download e-textbooks/e-books instead of purchasing hard cover books?
Keep in mind that you do not need an e-book reader (kindle, nook, etc) to read e-books. E-books should be read using the custom MBS application Vitalsource and/or via a web browser.
Don’t students just get distracted by these devices?
We believe it is not only important for students to be more than gadget-savvy – and many students already are very adept – but also to use devices as tools for research, inquiry and analysis. They can only learn to do this effectively and efficiently by using devices at school, at appropriate times and on academic activities specified by the teacher, both inside and outside the classroom. Yes, there is a risk of distraction that comes along with this. We believe it is better for students to learn to responsibly practice focus in school, where parents and teachers are still very involved, before they experience the additional freedoms of college. In the middle school enrichment classes and through Digital Literacy lessons, we teach students techniques to manage technology responsibly and avoid distraction.
What applications will be required?
What types of support may my child count on for his device?
Why is the School using Office365 and not another program, such as Google Apps for Education?
What if my child’s device breaks? What if he/she forgets it?
Ultimately it is the student/family’s responsibility to have a working device that meets the minimum standards listed above. Breakages and malfunctions will happen which is why having an Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) plan such as Microsoft Complete is so important. If you purchase your device through our campus store, our desktop support at the Bartram and San Jose Campuses can assist you in making a warranty claim.
Surface pens and power adapters will be available for purchase from the campus stores in the event they lose or break theirs. Styluses and power adapters for other brand models will not be available for purchase on campus.
How will students be prepared to use devices at school?
Will pencil and paper be abandoned as a result of the BYOD program?
Helpful Technology Links
Parent Internet and Social Media Resources
- Internet Safety and Netiquette for Students
- Home | ConnectSafelyConnectSafely
Wonderful collection of internet Resources for Parents - iKeepsafe for Parents
"You can help your child become a responsible, ethical digital citizen with healthy online relationships. To do that, you’ll use the same successful parenting skills that you’re already using at home. Resilient digital citizens recognize and seek out the 3Cs—appropriate contact, content, and conduct—in all digital settings" - Family Online Safety Institute The Family Online Safety Institute is an international, non-profit organization which works to make the online world safer for kids and their families. ...Through research, resources, events and special projects, FOSI promotes a culture of responsibility online and encourages a sense of digital citizenship for all.
- Google Safety Center
Online safety from Google--Learn how to use all of the features from Google to make your family safer on line. - Trend Alert: 6 Messaging Apps That Let Teens Share (Iffy) Secrets | Common Sense Media
Advice from Common Sense Media editors. Capturing and posting casual moments seems consequence-free. But, of course, it's not. - Privacy, The Internet, and You | doug --- off the record
- 5 Fun and Safe Social Networks for Children
- 10 Tech Tips for Parents - The Online Mom
- CyberWise | We help BUSY Adults Keep Kids Safe Online
- Parents’ Guides From ConnectSafely | ConnectSafely
- Top Social Networks & Apps Your Kids are Using | Gaggle
- Home | ConnectSafelyConnectSafely
- News & Commentary | Parenting Squad
- Social network spotlight |
"READ FULL POST CATEGORIES: Student Safety Social Network Spotlight: Facebook Posted on August 25, 2014 by Alex Beck Facebook is a social network veteran and, while originally only available to college students, has since opened its doors to many others from grade school students to senior citizens. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it’s important to stay on top of" - Common Sense Media
- Family Media Agreements - Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12
- Reviews & Age Ratings - Best Movies, Books, Apps, Games for Kids
- 11 Sites and Apps Kids Are Heading to After Facebook | Common Sense Media
Advice from Common Sense Media editors. Next-generation apps that let users text, video chat, shop, and share their pics and videos are attracting teens like catnip.
- It's Complicated
Great book about teens and social networking. Well worth the read. - Unplugging regularly as a family