Weekly News & Notes
Week Ending February 17, 2023
Swatting Calls and UHS Preparedness
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Extended Community:
As a school administrator, I am writing to you to inform you about an issue that has become prevalent in recent years - swatting calls. Swatting refers to the act of making false reports to law enforcement agencies with the intention of drawing a large response from armed police units. These calls are usually made by pranksters or individuals seeking to cause harm, and they can be dangerous and disruptive to both the school and the community.
In light of these recent events, we want to ensure that our school is well-prepared in the event of a swatting call. Our primary concern is the safety of our students and staff, and we are taking several steps to prevent any harm that may arise from such an incident.
First, we have already worked closely with local law enforcement agencies to develop protocols and guidelines for responding to swatting calls. We will conduct regular drills and training sessions to prepare our staff and students for such incidents, and we will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response. We reviewed our own protocols recently, and one of our recent crisis response team drills focused on the response to notifications such as this. Recently, we had a coordinated notification drill with the town’s emergency management system. From a cybersecurity perspective, our technology staff participated in a ransomware training. We have also worked with a number of resources to ensure that the security of our network is robust, and we have taken steps to ensure that any device that connects to our school network is neither compromised nor sharing student data or information. In addition, we know that our UPD has been briefed on the subject and best practices as well, especially since many of the swatting calls are fielded at police stations.
Second, just as we did two weeks ago, we ask for your help in ensuring that our school is safe and secure. If you hear of any rumors or threats of a potential swatting call, please alert the school administration or law enforcement immediately. It is important to take any threat seriously, and we encourage you to communicate with us whenever you have any concerns about the safety of our students and staff.
Finally, we want to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to ensure that our school is safe and secure. We take the safety of our students and staff very seriously, and we are committed to taking every possible step to prevent any harm that may arise from a swatting incident. As we have already seen across the Commonwealth in recent days, these incidents often occur without prejudice or warning.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in ensuring the safety of our school community and all our Spartans.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Rubin
Principal
Uxbridge High School
iPad Exchange and Security Updates
Dear Students and Parents/Guardians for the Classes of 2023 and 2024:
Over the past three years, we have started the process of transitioning most of our student devices from iPads to Chromebooks. The reasons for these changes initially started out of necessity and logistics, from the security features of the Chromebook, to the compatibility with testing, and the opportunities it afforded our students to use most of the technologies at cost-effective and efficient ways. Repairs and replacements are also less expensive, and many of the challenges that arise due to iPads have been reduced - and some altogether eliminated.
In particular, iPad use brings with it significant challenges with student workarounds to data privacy agreements, particularly those with respect to downloaded features, including games. At times, some student games and other apps being saved to the devices can compromise information security without consent or explicit knowledge. Many of these apps and games likewise create distractions in class, as students navigate to gaming or other social applications despite being on academic time. These can then have an impact on network bandwidth, never mind the distraction during school. Finally, in the past few months, in undertaking an audit to the network and its security, we have been able to determine that students have a variety of apps synched to their iPads that violate district network security and acceptable use policies.
In consultation with our security partners, we have determined that the following steps will be taken:
Students in the classes of 2023 and 2024 will be provided with explicit instructions, along with a deadline of February 17, 2023, for ensuring that all personal data can be secured. These instructions are shared on the following pages.
Students in the classes of 2023 and 2024 will have their iPads “wiped,” essentially resetting the devices to the school-simplified functionality.
Students in the class of 2024 will be turning in their iPads when they take the ASVAB exam on February 17. These students will be receiving touch-screen Chromebooks in replacement of the iPad.
We are considering touch-screen Chromebooks for all students moving forward. The Class of 2024 will be piloting their use for this year to assist us with making a best decision for the remainder of the district.
Students in the Class of 2024 will return the iPad and its charging cord/brick. Any device that is lost or damaged beyond repair will be subject to a $75 fee, payable via cash or certified check made payable to “Uxbridge Public Schools.” Devices that require repairs are subject to the following fees: $25 for cracked screen, $10 for lost/damaged charger.
Students in the class of 2024 will have the option to purchase device insurance to protect the new device for the remainder of the school year. Click here for information for enrolling in the insurance program. We strongly recommend all students purchase device insurance to avoid paying for costly repairs. The insurance premium is $19.75 for the remainder of the school year.
The costs of repairs on uninsured new chromebook devices are as follows:
Screen Repair: $75
Keyboard Replacement: $35
Device Replacement: $325
Students in the Class of 2023 will be given the option to return their iPads in June or purchase. The purchase price for each of the past two years has been $75.00.
The purpose of the data “wiping” is to ensure that no device that is school-owned is inadvertently sharing data or using our network for reasons other than educational. We have a commitment to ensuring safety, and recent developments around the globe around ransomware, geo-caching, and other nefarious activities have helped motivate us to develop these solutions even more quickly.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact either of us directly. We appreciate your cooperation.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR BACKING UP IPAD DATA:
Most school-related assignments are likely completed using Google apps. All data completed in Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Forms, etc., is already secure in the Google cloud. There is no need to backup these files. They will appear in your Google Drive on any computer you access, including your new chromebook.
Any non-Google files can be saved by uploading them to your Uxbridge Google Drive. To complete this, download the files and upload them to Google Drive.
If you require additional support, please make an appointment on Thursday, February 16th, with Jessica Brittingham, Director of Technology and Digital Learning, using this calendar link. Scroll to the Feb 16th date and select a time slot that works for your schedule. Please include your full name when completing the appointment process. Meetings will take place in the technology office, located next to the library.
Sincerely,
Jessica Brittingham, Director of Technology and Digital Learning
Mike Rubin, UHS Principal
Grease Takes the Stage!
The Uxbridge High School Drama Club will present GREASE: SCHOOL VERSION Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Performance dates are Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18, at 7:00PM and Sunday March 19 at 2:00PM in the Uxbridge High School Auditorium. “Grease: School Version” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. www.concordtheatricals.com
Grease is a turbo-fueled nostalgic musical road trip through the joys, relationships, and dances -- literally and emotionally -- of the students of Rydell High in 1959. Come share the excitement of new love, shiny cars, future dreams, and best friendships as “We Go Together” from those “Summer Nights” “Hopelessly Devoted to You”. and so much more! We go together is absolutely right as the UHS Drama Club has a cast and crew sixty members strong! They are directed by Mrs. Kathleen Penza and Ms. Mary Mangnall, with a great deal of assistance from Ms. Sue Hirtle. The production is also collaborative effort between several departments at Uxbridge High School including Performing Arts, Visual Arts/Graphic Design, and Technology and Construction. The annual musical is truly a school-wide effort!
Contact the Uxbridge High School office to reserve tickets. Tickets are free but required for admission. They will be available to the public starting March 6.
SPRING SPORT REGISTRATION!
Spartans:
Spring sports registration is now open. Deadline to register is March 10th. You will need a recent physical in order to complete the registration process. The physical MUST be uploaded online. There are no athletic fees.
High School Sports Offered: Varsity & JV Baseball, Varsity & JV Softball, Boys Tennis, Girls Tennis, Boys Outdoor Track and Field and Girls Outdoor Track & Field.
Sport offerings are contingent upon registration numbers and securing coaches.
Register online at: https://www.familyid.com/uxbridge-public-schools
Please contact Director of Athletics Beth Wandyes with any questions.
Email: bwandyes@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
LATEST PODCAST!
Uxbridge High School
Email: mrubin@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Website: www.uxbridgeschools.com
Location: 300 Quaker Highway, Uxbridge, MA, USA
Phone: (508)278-8633
Twitter: @UxbHSPrincipal