PRAIRIE LAND REGIONAL DIVISION #25
BOX 670
101 Palliser Trail
HANNA, ALBERTA T0J 1P0
TELEPHONE: 403-854-4481
TOLL-FREE: 1-800-601-3898
FAX: 403-854-2803
November 30, 2015
Dear Parents:
IMPORTANT
Keeping up with technology has always been a struggle for school divisions because it seems to be changing
on a daily basis. We understand that technology is not necessary for every single lesson or learning concept
in school but we do understand the need to provide our students with the best opportunity to use and learn
with technology as the work force they are going to enter will inevitably deal with its growing uses.
A few years ago, PLRD conducted a technology audit which revealed some pretty alarming statistics
concerning some of the models we were using in our schools. Traditional configurations such as
computer labs and laptop carts were requiring as much as 35% of class time in some cases just to get
all students up and running. With the student owned device these times can be reduced to less than
2%. Some PLRD junior/senior high schools are already at a one to one level but PLRD’s goal is to have this
same advantage for all of our students.
Our school division would like to move toward a model where every student from grade 7 to 12 will be
required to have a device ready to use in every school and in every class by the start of the second semester
of this school year (February 1, 2016). This does NOT mean that students will be using their devices every
single minute of school but rather that they will have their own personal device within their grasp for the
times that the teacher believes it will help benefit student learning.
Learning from our past mistakes, we do not want to prescribe a specific model for your child(ren) as each
individual will have a different level of comfort in terms of what kind of device to use in class. If your child
is comfortable using their phone as their device for school work, then that is completely fine or if they have
an older laptop or tablet then there is not a need to make any kind of purchase.
We are very aware and cognizant of the financial burden that this may cause to you if you are needing to buy
a new device for your child(ren) and to assist, we would like to help by offering a model of an interest free
loan where you would be able to give us post-dated cheques to a maximum total of no more than $500
(please see the attached form for details). If this option is still not acceptable because of your current
financial situation, then please contact your principal and she/he will work with you to come up with an
acceptable plan.
Schools will still have a few extra devices available for the times that a student forgets to bring their device
to school. The funding saved by not buying computers/laptop carts for Jr./Sr. high schools will be allocated
to the growing costs of providing adequate bandwidth.
We strongly believe that this change is going to have a huge benefit to help maximize the learning
opportunities for our students and we want to thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation
as PLRD makes this transition. As we the see the successes of other school divisions who have already made
this change, it helps us feel more confident that this is the right direction for our schools. Please do not
hesitate to contact your principal or one of us (Cam/Steve) if you have further questions or concerns.
Cam McKeage
Superintendent of PLRD #25
Steven Nielsen
Deputy Superintendent of PLRD #25
PLRD: SMALL SCHOOLS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR BIG FUTURES
PRAIRIE LAND REGIONAL DIVISION #25
BOX 670
101 Palliser Trail
HANNA, ALBERTA T0J 1P0
TELEPHONE: 403-854-4481
TOLL-FREE: 1-800-601-3898
FAX: 403-854-2803
FAQ’s:
My child already has tablet/phone/laptop….. Do I need to buy them a new one?
Absolutely not. Any device that your child feels confident using is perfectly fine.
My child is only in grade 7 and I am concerned with the device being damaged during transport to and from
home…Can I have my child keep his/her device at school and then do homework on our family computer?
Yes. Principals will work with you to provide a safe place for your children to store their devices at school if
you do not want them bringing them home.
I am already worried about the levels of screen time for my child and have a concern that they will even be
less active at school having their own device.
The students will not be on the devices the entire time at school but only the times when it makes sense to
help improve/assist learning. In terms of activity, the levels of activity should not go down as the device will
only be replacing/assisting with things such as worksheets/notes/research/ etc. and not physical education or
any other physical activities.
If I do a payment plan, what is the maximum number of post-dated cheques I can use to make the payments
reasonable?
Ten would be the preferred maximum but we can modify this if ten does not work for you.
If my child’s device breaks or needs attention, what do I do?
We highly recommend getting a warranty with your device so you can go to the manufacturer for the needed
repairs. These devices are owned by you and it will be your responsibility to get them repaired. If the school
has a student tech team and the problem in very minor, they may be able to help.
If my child forgets one day, will they be at a major disadvantage in their classes if the teacher is using a
lesson requiring a device?
No. Each school will keep a reasonable amount of extra devices for the times that students forget just as they
do for calculators or textbooks.
Do I need to buy an expensive device for my child?
Absolutely not. There are very reasonably priced devices (such as a Chromebook) and there is not a need to
spend more.
Will my child be at a disadvantage if they have a less expensive device than other students?
No. The device is more of a “portal” to get to the same destination as everyone else in the class. Google
classroom for example is the same for every single student regardless of what kind of device was used to
access it.
Do I have to purchase through Best Buy?
No. BestBuy is just one option as they offer digital gift cards (meaning we can email them to you) and you
would not have to make the initial purchase. If you decide to purchase through any other store, you just
need to provide the receipt along with your post-dated cheques and then PLRD will issue you a cheque.
PLRD: SMALL SCHOOLS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR BIG FUTURES
PRAIRIE LAND REGIONAL DIVISION #25
BOX 670
101 Palliser Trail
HANNA, ALBERTA T0J 1P0
TELEPHONE: 403-854-4481
TOLL-FREE: 1-800-601-3898
FAX: 403-854-2803
Steps to Purchasing a Device with a PLRD Interest Free Loan
1. Go to www.bestbuy.ca and choose the device that you would like to purchase.
2. Deliver post-dated cheques (payable to PLRD) (up to 10) to your school in the amount
of the device you have chosen to the nearest $25. PLRD will be purchasing Best Buy
electronic gift cards to send to you and unfortunately the lowest denomination of gift
card is $25, so please round up.
For example: You pick a device that is $246. Send 10 post-dated cheques of $25 each for a
total of $250 as that is the value in Best Buy gift cards PLRD will be sending you via email.
With your cheques, please provide: your child’s name, a brief description of the device
you are going to purchase, the email address that you would like us to send the
electronic gift cards to.
*PLEASE ENSURE THE ACURACY OF YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS BY WRITING IT TWICE
3. Upon receiving your post-dated cheques, PLRD will purchase the electronic gift cards
and then email them to the address you provided us with.
4. Go back to www.bestbuy.ca and “add to cart” the device you chose.
5. Then go to the “check out” (you can do it as a guest/ no need to set up an account), fill
in the mailing information and then when you get to the payment page, simply type in
the numbers of the Best Buy ecard that we have sent you.
6. Wait for your device to arrive in the mail :>
Important Note: If you do not wish to purchase through Best Buy, then follow these steps:
1. Purchase a device for you child ($500 or below) through ANY company you prefer.
2. Bring us the invoice with your post-dated cheques.
3. We will have a cheque mailed to you on our next cheque run to cover the cost of the
total cost of the device.
PLRD: SMALL SCHOOLS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR BIG FUTURES
PRAIRIE LAND REGIONAL DIVISION #25
BOX 670
101 Palliser Trail
HANNA, ALBERTA T0J 1P0
TELEPHONE: 403-854-4481
TOLL-FREE: 1-800-601-3898
FAX: 403-854-2803
PLRD PURCHASE PLAN FORM FOR STUDENT DEVICE
Parent Name:
_______________________
Student Grade: __________
Student Name: ________________________
Date: ________________ Student School: ________________
Description of the device to purchase:
_________________________________________
Total value of the device (cannot exceed $500)
________________
Number of post-dated cheques: _______
Amount of each individual post-dated cheque: ________________
Fill out the next two lines only if purchasing though Best Buy online ecards: (please print very clearly)
Email for the ecards to be sent to:
___________________________________________
Reconfirm the email (please print again)
____________________________________________
I am participating in PLRD’s interest free purchasing plan for a device for my child so they will have a device
to use each day of their junior/senior education with PLRD. I will ensure that my account will have sufficient
funds for each of the post-dated cheques that I have submitted to PLRD.
Parent’s Signature: ______________________________________________
PLRD: SMALL SCHOOLS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR BIG FUTURES