Distribution

What are the specs of the MacBook?

MacBook Airs distributed in 2018-2019 (and 2021 8th graders):

• Model: A1466
• CPU: 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-5350U)
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 250 GB SSD
• Ports: USB 3.0 x2, Thunderbolt, SD Card, headphone jack
• Screen: 1440x900 resolution

MacBook Airs distributed in 2020:

• Model: A2179
• CPU: 1.1 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-1030NG7)
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 250 GB SSD
• Ports: USB-C x2, headphone jack
• Screen: 2560x1600 resolution

MacBook Airs distributed in 2021 (except for 8th graders):

• Model: A2337
• CPU: 3.2 GHz Apple M1
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 250 GB SSD
• Ports: USB-C x2, headphone jack
• Screen: 2560x1600 resolution

How and when will the MacBooks be distributed?

MacBooks are distributed to incoming students of all grade levels at the start of the school year during New Student Orientation. Students will use their laptops for the entirety of their Trinity career, with the exception of 8th graders. 8th graders will receive older laptops, but will receive a new laptop when they enter 9th grade, which they can use for the rest of their Trinity career.

MacBooks are distributed to new faculty members during their orientation day before Faculty Work Week. Returning faculty members receiving new laptops will get them during Faculty Work Week.

Will students be able to opt out?

No. All students are required to participate in the MacBook Air 1:1 program at Trinity. Every single student at Trinity will have access to their own MacBook Air computer that they can use at school and off-campus. After thorough research, it was determined that there was a real need for technology that was equitable and reliable and up-to-date. We needed a device that provided universal hardware and software and was available to the student all day, every day in every classroom and at home. Having all students on the same device ensures that teachers don't have to adjust instruction for different platforms and focuses the learning process, makes expectations consistent, and allows for a heightened level of predictability for student performance. 

Will students receive a case for their MacBook?

Trinity will not be supplying MacBook Air cases, but we require that ALL students receiving a device purchase a hard cover protective case and/or a padded sleeve. Cases can be purchased for as little as $10 from online retailers and big box electronics stores. 

Students are responsible for ensuring that their device is not damaged while in their possession. While our new MacBooks do come with AppleCare, not every aspect of your computer is covered. If the MacBook is lost, stolen, or damaged while in the borrower's possession, the borrower is responsible for paying for the first $100 towards the replacement or repair of the device. 

Purchasing a sturdy case for your new MacBook will protect it during use and transport. Purchasing a case will also allow you to "customize" your device and make it easily identifiable. Stickers or other accessories can be placed on the purchased case, but NO stickers, writing, drawings, artwork, engravings, etc. should be placed on the device itself. 

Even with a case, students need to exercise caution and protect their MacBook Air from the weather, water or other liquid, food, pets, and small children. Cases do not protect the MacBooks from extreme heat or cold or the weight of heavy objects, such as books, musical instruments, sports equipment, etc.. 

If a computer is damaged or not working properly, please contact support@trinityes.org with details of the issue and pictures if applicable, or turn it in to the technology department for repair or replacement. Faculty, staff members, parents/guardians, and students are not authorized to attempt repairs themselves, or contract with any other individuals or businesses for the repair of the laptop. 

Security

Are the MacBooks safe for students to use?

Yes! There are many layers of safety and security involved with our MacBook initiative. The safest way to use a computer is under the supervision of an adult and we strive at Trinity to ensure that our students grow each year as digital citizens. Through chapel presentations on the appropriate use of social media to internet safety and cyber-security in technology classes, such as our Discover Your Tech class, Trinity takes training students on appropriate use of digital media and technology very seriously. 

Here are a few ways Trinity uses technology to increase student safety and security: 

• When students take the MacBooks home, they will be subject to the same Internet filter that protects the students in school. The "always on" content filtering blocks harmful and inappropriate websites no matter where the student accesses the Internet--from school, home, or on vacation--the filter is always on!
• Parents can further control what apps, websites, games, time limits, messages, and content their children can access through Apple's Parental Controls setting, located under Apple -> System Preferences -> Parental Controls. 
• We ensure that our students grow each year as digital citizens. Acceptable use policies are signed and reviewed by all students and students will attend sessions on internet safety and digital security. Parents and students can also access online Internet safety resources here or through Common Sense Media's website.

Is the school using a content filter for internet browsing?

Yes. Trinity uses Securly and Untangle for content filtering, web caching, remote access, and policy enforcement. Read more about Securly and Untangle and what they do for Trinity and our mobile device management.

Will Trinity's internet filters be active outside of the school?

Yes. Trinity uses Securly and Untangle for content filtering. Both allow us to block categories of websites, specific sites, and file types from at school and while students are using their MacBooks off campus. Untangle also protects computers from viruses, trojans, and malware.

Do the MacBooks have parental controls?

Each MacBook has the ability to have Parental Controls enabled, should the parent or guardian request. Parental Control settings on the MacBook Air can do such things as limit specific applications on the Mac, allow access to certain sites or limit access to adult sites, restrict movies that are rated R or television shows that are rated TV-MA, or prevent access to apps that are 17+. In addition, Parental Controls can limit weekday or weekend time limits to a certain number of hours of the day, or even set a bedtime, so the device cannot be accessed during specified hours.  

Software

Will students be able to download and install software on their MacBooks?

Students will be able to customize their MacBook Airs through the Self Service application, which has already been installed on their MacBooks. Through Self Service, students can select software and apps that they would like to install on their local machine. If a student has a special software or app request, they can follow these steps to request it. Requests will be reviewed and either added to Self Service or installed locally on the student's machine. Trinity will not purchase or license apps or software for students other than what is already installed on the machine.

Do the MacBooks come with Microsoft Office?

The entire Microsoft Office Suite is available to download on the MacBook Airs using Self Service. This includes Microsoft Word (word processing), Microsoft Excel (spreadsheets), and Microsoft PowerPoint (presentations). 

What software and apps will be pre-loaded on the devices?

The MacBook Air computers come pre-installed with Google Chrome and all default apps included with macOS. Other apps, such as iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Microsoft Office, among others, are available to download for free using Self Service.

General Practices

What happens if I forget my MacBook?

If a student forgets to bring their Trinity-issued MacBook to school, they may check out a loaner device from the library for use during the school day. Loaner laptops must be returned by the end of the school day.

What happens if my MacBook gets broken or lost?

If a computer is damaged or not working properly, it must be turned in to the technology department in the library for repair or replacement. Students are not authorized to attempt repairs themselves, or contract with any other individual or business for the repair of the device. If a MacBook is lost, stolen, or damaged while in the borrower's possession, the borrower is responsible for paying for the first $100 towards the replacement or repair of the device. If the MacBook charger is lost, stolen, or damaged while in the borrower's possession, the borrower is responsible for the replacement or repair thereof. Students will be issued a temporary loaner device while the student's MacBook is being repaired. 

If my child transfers out of Trinity, do they get to keep their MacBook?

No. The Apple MacBook Airs are being leased by Trinity Episcopal School and are being loaned to students for educational purposes for the duration of their academic career at Trinity. If a student transfers out of Trinity, they must return the MacBook and charger to Trinity Episcopal School. Students are NOT able to keep their MacBooks upon graduation.

How and where should devices be stored/cared for at home?

See Device Care and Maintenance for more details.

Student Use

Will students be able to take their MacBooks home with them?

Students are able to use their MacBook computers while they are here at school during the school day and can take them home for use at night during the school year and over holidays and vacations.  

Will students be able to keep their MacBooks over the summer?

Yes. At the end of each school year, there will be a quick laptop check on campus to make sure that the MacBooks are updated and in good, working condition.

Can students personalize and customize their MacBook?

The computer is the property of Trinity Episcopal School and should be kept clean and free of marks at all times. Placing stickers, writing or drawing on, engraving or otherwise defacing the laptop are not allowed. Purchasing a case for your MacBook will protect it during use and transport and will also allow you to "customize" your device and make it easily identifiable. Stickers or other accessories can be placed on the purchased case, but NO stickers, writing, drawings, artwork, engravings, etc. should be placed on the device itself. 

Can students print from their MacBooks?

Students will not be allowed to print on-campus during the 2021-22 school year. Students can print at home by following this guide: Adding a Home Printer to Your Trinity MacBook

Will students have email or other accounts?

All Trinity students have been given a school Gmail account that they can log into and use for school correspondence. Gmail accounts all end in trinityes.org and usernames are the student's first and last name and graduation year (no spaces). All students should be checking their email accounts frequently for work and correspondence shared by teachers and official communication from the school. Students should have created a strong password with a minimum of eight characters. Students should not share their passwords with anyone and should be mindful of how they are communicating with their Trinity email account.

All Trinity students have access to PowerSchool, where they can check their grades, see their tardies and attendance, view their schedule, and verify community service and activity credit hours. PowerSchool can be reached here, at https://trinityes.powerschool.com/public/home.html or off the My Trinity portal.

What are the accessibility features of the MacBook?

Your MacBook Air comes with assistive technologies that help people with disabilities, such as vision, hearing, physical and motor skills, and learning and literacy skills. It includes features like an advanced screen reader, FaceTime, screen reader, screen and cursor magnification, dictation, and literacy tools that help those with a wide range of abilities get more from their Mac.