MacBook Program

Pensacola Catholic High School became the first school in the entire Panhandle of Florida to be part of grade-wide 1 to 1 laptop initiative.   That is, each student is educated with the assistance of his/her own laptop which is used throughout the curriculum as an invaluable learning tool.   This was the first step towards a learning environment in which students and teachers have 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week access to the tools and resources of the 21st Century classroom.

Catholic High School has been preparing for this exciting initiative for many years.  CHS boasts a universal wireless environment and teachers who have been equipped and teaching with laptops for the past six years.  In addition, our teachers have been and continue to be involved in an intensive faculty professional development program that enables them to engage students in learning in a truly digital environment.  We are very aware that students in the 21st Century learn most comfortably and enthusiastically when they are able to access, analyze, and synthesize information using digital tools. Our laptop initiative is the needed step toward helping our students to achieve and be successful in a fully digital learning environment.

To make this possible, Catholic High School has contracted with Apple, Inc. to set up a lease-to-purchase program.   By means of this program, each student now has a laptop around the clock.  Apple has offered CHS lease terms that will make it possible for our families to acquire this wonderful learning tool and all the needed software applications, along with 4 years of hardware and software assurances, at a price that is unavailable elsewhere.  

It is our fervent hope that this wonderful learning opportunity is within the reach of any child who wishes the quality of a Catholic High School education.

Battery Care

Avoid extreme heat (and cold). When the environment is too warm, your laptop fan will kick on to keep the processor cool. Plus, heat isn’t good for your battery or your laptop.  Make sure your laptop’s exhaust vents are not blocked, or else heat will build up inside the laptop.  Always make sure your laptop is powered down or asleep before placing it in your case.  Operate your MacBook Pro as near room temperature (72° Fahrenheit) as possible, and only in an environment where the temperature is between 50° and 95° Fahrenheit.  Don’t leave it locked in a trunk, especially when the weather is on the warm side (most of the year here in Pensacola!).  You should store your laptop in a place where the temperature is between -13° and 113° Fahrenheit.

Give your battery a frequent workout – keep its juices flowing!  Ideally, you should be using your notebook daily on battery power, and then plug it in at home or at a charging station to charge. TRY NOT TO EVER STORE YOUR NOTEBOOK WITH A COMPLETELY DISCHARGED BATTERY. Doing so could cause the battery to fall into a deep discharge state, which would render it incapable of holding any charge. You can fully discharge and recharge your battery once a month, but not more often than that.

Battery Saver Best Practices

Care and Maintenance

Basic Care

• Use only approved wipes for the screen- cleaners that are designed for LCD screens (regular glass cleaner cleaners that contain alcohol or ammonia and will cause damage).
• While the computer is turned off, you may clean the keyboard, trackpad and surfaces with a lightly damp cloth. Never spray cleansers directly on your computer.
• The trackpad can be damaged if not used properly. Never use a pencil, eraser or other object on the trackpad.
• Don’t place heavy objects on top of the laptop. This may cause damage to the screen. In a pile the laptop must be on top!
• Do not place stickers on the inside/outside of the laptop.
• Be careful with the screen. Don’t touch the screen with your fingers or any other object.
• Don’t place anything between the screen and the keyboard when you close the computer.
• Use your laptop on a sturdy surface that allows for adequate air circulation. Placing the laptop on a pillow during use or blocking the air vents can cause it to overheat.

Best Practices

• Eject drives and shared folders
• Regularly save all open documents
• Quit applications you are not using
• Put laptop to sleep when not in use (close the lid)
• Save and backup your data. Data will be backed up if and only if you have your GOOGLE DRIVE FOR DESKTOP app actively open and running. Click here for instructions.
• Once a week:
  • Make sure Mosyle Manager is open
  • Empty the trash
  • Restart or shut down
  • Clear your browsing data in Chrome
• Keep your Home Directory organized:
  • Keep your folders organized; documents in the Documents folder, movies in the Movies folder, pictures in the Pictures folder, and music in the Music folder.
  • Clean out your Downloads folder by deleting items that you no longer need or file the items you would like to keep in the correct folder (Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, or Music).

Living with your MacBook, 24/7

• Before School
  • Work Wisely. Just like you need a good breakfast to fuel your day, your laptop needs power to keep up with you.  Make sure to charge it fully before the beginning of the day. If you forget to charge or need an extra boost, use the library charging stations before the first bell or during Homeroom.
  • Play it Safe. Use backpack to transport your laptop between home and school. If you’re not using your laptop, store it in your backpack until it’s time for class.
• During Classes
  • Work Wisely. Dim your screen to conserve power and make your battery charge last longer. Only keep open applications and websites you are using.  This saves processor power, memory and extends your battery life. Save early, save often.  Don’t wait until the end of class to save documents for the first time.  Make sure to save regularly while you are working. At the end of class make sure to save all your work, put your Macbook to sleep, and place it in your carry case only after it is asleep.  Plan to leave at least 2-3 minutes of time at the end of class to get this done before the bell rings.
  • Play it Safe. Work on a desktop, not on top of other items on your desk. Don’t risk having your laptop end up on the floor! When you’re not using your laptop in class, place it in your carry case. Don’t leave it out on the desk where it may get knocked off.
• In Between Classes
  • Work Wisely. If you are low on power, please charge at the charging station in the library. Remember to return before the end of the day to retrieve. Use time at lunch to charge in the library. Don’t try and walk the halls with an open laptop. Really, you’ll regret it sooner or later…
  • Play it Safe. Use your case when transporting your MacBook between classes. Don’t put pens, scissors or paperclips in the same compartment as your laptop; they may damage the screen or one of the ports. All laptops found unattended at school will be turned into the Front Office.
• After School and at Home
  • Work Wisely. You can use the library charging stations after school until 4:00 (most days). When connecting to power, plug in to the wall first, then your Macbook. When disconnecting from power, unplug from your MacBook first, then from the wall. Make sure to shut down your laptop if you don’t plan on using it for more than a day. Don’t work on a soft surface like a bed or a pillow or use in a way that will block the vents.
  • Play it Safe. Use your laptop away from food and liquids.  Spills can be deadly to your Macbook. Don’t leave in your laptop in your car overnight or for long periods.  Extreme heat can damage your MacBook.Keep your laptop locked in a safe location when you are away for the holidays.Keep your laptop safe from pets and younger siblings. Don’t keep magnetic items like paperclips or staples near the power port on your laptop.  The magnetic charge on the port will attract them and may cause damage.
• Bright ideas
  • Don’t allow others to use your MacBook.
  • Don’t log into other computers on the network.
  • Clean the exterior and screen with a dry soft cloth (these are supplied in the Library/Media Center)
• Stuck?
  • Force quit an application by going to the Apple menu and selecting Force Quit or by using the key-combination Command-Option-Esc. If your computer is slow or certain applications aren’t working right, try saving your work and restarting.

Hurricane Readiness

Keep your laptop safe during a storm. If you plan to leave town prior to a hurricane:

• Shut down your laptop and store it in your backpack.
• Place the entire backpack in a plastic trashbag.
• Leave the laptop in a protected area of your house, away from all windows and doors and off the floor.

If you plan to remain home during a hurricane:

• Unplug your laptop from electrical outlets and network cables to protect it from power surges.
• Shut your laptop down if it is not in use.
• Store your laptop in the carry case provided.
• Keep your laptop in a location that is dry.  If your laptop does get wet do not attempt to turn it back on. Allow it to dry thoroughly and bring it to the Technology Department immediately upon your return to school.

Internet Safety

You don’t need to understand the Internet to protect your family. Included with your son/daughter’s laptop is a subscription to the Lightspeed Internet filtering software for mobile laptops. This reliable and always current Internet security technology stops pornographers, hackers, trojans and other threats in their tracks. Endorsed by leading family ministries and businesses, Lightspeed mobile Internet filter and parental control software keeps your son or daughter safe online wherever they surf- at school, at home, or at their favorite “hot spot” anywhere.

It is important to remember that no program is perfect. There is always the possibility that something inappropriate could “slip through” or something that is appropriate will be blocked. Realize that filtering programs do not necessarily protect teens from all dangerous activities. And even though they might block what one can see online, they might not block what they can say. For example, even with a filter it might be possible for a child to post inappropriate material or personal information on a social networking site or blog or disclose it in a chat room or instant message. The best way to assure that your son/daughter is having positive online experiences is to stay in touch with what they are doing. One way to do this is to spend time with your children while they’re online. Have them show you what they doing and be sure to set rules and guidelines for their Internet use. We highly recommend following these basic guidelines from the “Teen Safety on the Internet Highway”: