Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to notify you that we are in the process of setting up “Google Apps for Education” at Bay Head School for both students and teachers. This new system, powered by Google, will provide Gmail to our school, as well as a suite of other Google products such as Google Docs and Google Sites that will enable us to better communicate, share, and collaborate. We will be joining over 8 million other students and teachers that are already using Google Apps at school around the world.

We are excited to offer Google Apps as it represents an important step towards developing an effective and up to date approach to the new curriculum and learning. These tools will support the high levels of collaboration that are required in today’s classroom to prepare students with communication and collaboration skills for life.

What’s included in Google Apps?
-Gmail provides email storage with extra security including restricted incoming and outgoing email access. Emails by pupils are restricted to within Bay Head School. These email communications are monitored and recorded.
-Google Calendar enables us to create and share school or class calendars with events that can be subscribed to by parents/guardians to receive automatic updates.
-Google Drive allows students to create and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and forms. This also allows students to work on projects simultaneously.
-Google Classroom is a blended learning platform for schools that aim to simplify creating, distributing and grading assignments in a paperless way.

What are the benefits of Google Apps and what’s included?
-Ease of access, students can access Google Apps at anytime, anywhere. It is designed to work in any browser (Google Chrome, Firefox etc.) and on any computer. This enables access to your email, calendars, and documents from school or at home.
-Online storage means that no flash drives (memory sticks etc.) are required with documents and files stored in Google Drive.
-Students can easily collaborate with students from other classes, buildings, schools, and even different countries working together on group projects.
-During collaborative work teachers can monitor the progress of each child and provide instant written feedback visible to the group or the individual.
-Students can develop an online portfolio of work throughout their years at Bay Head School.
-Through websites, calendars, and email, parents can stay informed about the latest assignments and school related activities.

Parental Permission:
In order to keep you informed and also to comply with data protection legislation and Google’s Terms of Service, we are required to get parental permission before creating accounts for students. (http://goo.gl/D9GNB6)

Within the Bay Head School Google Apps Service:
-There will be no advertisements
-No external email addresses can contact student accounts, and vice-versa.
-All email communication and comments within collaborative work are monitored.
-Work uploaded to the Google Drive remains the property of the creator; it is not copied or kept by Google if the creator removes it.

User Access
Students will be shown how to use Google Apps within their classroom and as part of the technology curriculum. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to explore Google Apps with their children by logging in and accessing their schoolwork stored in Google Apps. To ensure equal access for all students and comply with online safety laws protecting children 13 and under, the District will provide accounts for students in grades K-8. Email access will begin in grade 5. District Administration and the Board of Education have carefully considered students online safety in setting up the procedures and rules for student accounts.

Summary for Parents:
Google Apps for Education is an exciting addition to the curriculum, for all subjects, and students without parental permission will be unable to participate in any lessons across the curriculum using Google Apps. All email communication is archived and the school’s Acceptable Use Policy will be enforced. School faculty and staff will monitor the use of Google Apps when students are at school. Parents/Guardians are responsible for monitoring their child’s use of applications when accessing Google Apps from home. Students are responsible for their own behavior at all times.

We are excited to be bringing these tools to the Bay Head School. Don’t hesitate in asking for more information about this initiative, and how it will be impacting teaching, learning and communication.

Educationally Yours,

Mr. Frank J. Camardo Ms. Maria Wills Mr. Kevin McDermitt
Principal Technology Support IT Coordinator