Tips for Device Care Over Break
The Princeton Public Schools Technology Department will be collecting devices from the following groups of students prior to the end of the school year:
- Pre-Kindergarten Students
- First Grade Students
- Fifth Grade Students
- Seniors
- Students Leaving the District
If your child's device is being collected and has been brought home throughout the school year, please make sure your child returns the device and charger. If there is any damage to the device, please make sure the insurance has been paid.
Students in grades 1 and 5 will be receiving new devices when they return to the district in the fall.
Device for Summer Programs
If your child's device is being collected and they need a device for summer programs, please submit a ticket in Incident IQ. The request will be routed to the building technology assistant and they can make sure your child has a device.
Tips for Device Care
Keep your device socially distanced from all food and drink (at least 6’)
During the school year, the tech office has seen a large uptick in devices being damaged by liquid and or food. Please keep any food or drink at a safe distance from the device. If liquid is spilled on the device, DO NOT put the device in rice. Immediately turn off the power and turn the device upside down. As soon as possible, bring the device to your building's technology assistant.
Only use the district provided power adapter and charging cable, as others may damage the device.
We have seen many non-Apple or HP chargers short, or shock devices due to poor construction and safety in their designs. If you have a problem or have lost your original charger, please work with your building tech assistant to get a replacement or swap the non-working one.
Do not place objects on top of your device
The screen on district devices can be fragile and may crack when pressure is applied to the back of the screen shell. Do not place books, or any object that may cause pressure to the display, on top of the device.
If your device is not charging properly, check for debris in the charging port.
With all the moving back and forth from bag to desk, it is possible that debris may accumulate in the charging port of the device. The MacBooks have two USB-C charging ports and the 2nd port can be used if the first port is clogged. Most of the time debris can be removed by gently blowing into the port, however if this doesn't resolve the issue, please see your building's tech assistant.
Cleaning Your Device
MacBook Airs
When cleaning the outside of your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down your computer and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don't spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.
To clean the screen on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen. To clean hard-to-remove smudges, you can moisten the cloth with a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution.
MacBook Pro models from 2016 and later with Touch Bar and Touch ID: Clean the Touch Bar and Touch ID (power button) on these computers the same way you would clean the display. Shut down your Mac and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the Touch Bar and Touch ID.
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010): The bottom case of these computers uses a soft nonslip material. Use a 3M Gray Microfiber or soft dye-free, lint-free cloth to clean the bottom case.
Chromebooks
When cleaning the outside of your Chromebook, first shut down the device and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the exterior of the device. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don't spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.
To clean smudges from the screen, choose a non-abrasive cloth or towel. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cable. Wipe the screen gently with a soft, dry cloth.
iPads
Handle your iPad with care to maintain its appearance. To clean iPad, unplug all cables and turn off iPad (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPad.
iPad has an oleophobic coating on the screen; simply wipe iPad's screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal usage, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and might scratch your screen.
Updates
How to Keep your District Issued MacBook Up-to-date and Your Files Backed Up With iCloud
1.Turn on your computer and login. This will start checking for updates. All needed app updates will apply automatically.
There are many updates that may happen over the summer break. To make sure your device is ready for the new school year, let those app updates run (ex. Microsoft, Chrome, Firefox, Zoom). This may take up to 30 min depending on how long the device was not used. (If you do not turn on the device before coming back to the district, then the machine may run slowly as it tries to get all the needed updates at once).
2. Run the upgrade to the newest Mac Operating System: 12.4 Monterey. The newest operating system helps keep the machine running smoothy and is recommended by the tech office. This does require the machine to be plugged into to power during the upgrade and will take about 45 minutes to perform.
To run the upgrade, click on the Self-Service app in your dock.
Click on “Upgrade to Monterey 12.4”. (If you don’t see the upgrade showing in self-service, then you are already upgraded. Please see below for other update options.)
3. Run any outstanding system updates. Again, this will help keep the computer secure and up-to-date.
Click on the Apple Menu in the upper left corner of the sceen, then click on System Preferences. Click on the “Software Update” icon on the middle left of the window. If there are any updates needed, they will appear here with a restart or download button.
4. Check your login to your district iCloud account. Your district iCloud account keeps your Desktop and Documents folders backed up, but only if it is fully logged in and set to store the data in iCloud.
Go to the Apple Menu, then click on System Preferences. Click on the “Apple ID” icon in the upper right corner. Make sure to follow any prompts to sign in or verify your info. The login should be your district email address and password. (firstinitial/lastname@princetonk12.org for example: jsmith@princetonk12.org) and the same password you use to login to your computer.) In the menu that appears, make sure the box is checked next to iCloud Drive. Then click the “Options” button next to iCloud Drive. In the options for iCloud Drive, make sure the box is checked next to “Desktop & Documents Folders”. This allows both folders to be saved and backed up so you will never lose your files.
How to Keep your District issued iPad Up-to-date
You can check for and install software updates at any time.
1. Tap on the "Settings" app.
2. Navigate to General > Software Update.
The screen shows the currently installed version of iPad OS and whether an update is available.
If you have any questions or issues, please submit a ticket through Incident IQ.