Technology FAQs

Do all students need to bring a computer?
Yes. All students are required to purchase an Apple laptop for use in their classwork. See the Laptop Requirements tab for purchase specifications.

Can I use an iPad instead of a laptop?
Although many students use iPads in addition to their computers, it is not an acceptable substitute at this time. Feel free to bring your iPad to Brewster, but know that your laptop is expected to be brought to class.

What is Brewsterization? 
Before or on the opening weekend of the school year, students enroll their laptops into the school's management platform. This installs the essential software and configurations needed for classes and the “Self-Service” application that grants students access to the rest of Brewster's software library. This ensures that all students have consistent tools and resources that teachers and students can expect and rely on. We affectionately call this process “Brewsterization.” 

How do I add software on my computer that is not included in the initial “Brewsterization” configuration?
After your computer is “Brewsterized,” you will have the "Self-Service" application. This will allow you to install additional software the school provides, such as the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Fusion 360, and much more. Further, Applications on the Mac App Store can be downloaded to your computer anytime without visiting the Tech HelpDesk. However, the Tech Department must evaluate any software that requires administrative access to install to ensure both legality and compatibility with the school's software. 

How do I change settings and get administrative privileges on my computer?
Students at Brewster are not permitted to be the administrator on their computers. Students needing changes requiring administrative privileges must visit the Help Desk. We will work with you to support your needs while ensuring that classroom software is always prepared and configured.
 

Brewster requires each student to have an Apple laptop computer that meets our yearly minimum requirements. Students are required to bring their Brewsterized computer to every class, every day. The units should be fully functional and charged. Students are also required to have a functional power adaptor for their computers. 

What is the deadline to register my computer?
All new and returning students must register their computers yearly with the Tech Department by August 15. To register your student’s computer, you will find a link on the Student Portal after July 1. Feel free to call our tech helpline at 603-­569­-7000 with any questions.

Which Apple Computer Should I Buy?
We recommend waiting until the end of June before purchasing your computer to take advantage of any new product lines from Apple. Education discounts are detailed below. If you are purchasing a new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Ensure your laptop has internal storage of at least 256GB and 8GB of RAM. ­A laptop with a 128GB hard drive will not allow your student enough space to work efficiently. The typical Brewster student quickly fills their laptop’s hard drive with photos, music, TV shows, movies, and additional software that surpasses the storage limit of 128 GB hard drives.
• To see current Apple laptop models and receive a school discount to the Apple Education Store. 
• If you purchase from an Apple retail store, ask for the student discount—Brewster Academy is a registered educational facility with Apple.
• We strongly recommend purchasing the additional AppleCare+ Warranty Protection Plan for your computer. “AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage or $299 for other damage, plus applicable tax.”
   

Do you already have an Apple laptop? Here are our classroom requirements:

• Your computer must be able to run Apple’s latest Operating System, macOS 13 Sonoma.
• We require the unit NOT to have less than 8GB RAM (more is preferable).
• We require the unit NOT to have less than 256 GB of internal storage (more is preferable).

NOTE: The Tech Department will review all submitted serial numbers to ensure they meet the above requirements. We will contact you if your computer, based on its original sales configuration, may not meet classroom expectations. Please submit (via the Student Portal) the laptop's serial number by August 15.

Backup Options
Students are recommended to have some backup method to protect the files on their laptops in case of a hard drive failure or loss of the device. The two best options are an external hard drive or a subscription to a cloud-based backup service.

If you choose an external hard drive, the drive should be compatible with your computer ports and at least the same storage space as the computer. 

Cloud-based backup services are great since they are configured once and continually backup your laptop as you use it. Popular services include BackBlaze, Carbonite, and Mozy.

Technology Fee
The annual technology fee includes using curricular software during the academic year, using a loaner computer during repairs, direct support, and Internet usage.

Warranties and Repairs
Brewster works with a locally certified Apple repair facility that can perform both in-warranty and out­-of­-warranty repairs. However, we strongly recommend purchasing the additional AppleCare+ Warranty Protection Plan for your computer, as it will extend your warranty and cover accidental damage with a service fee. Alternatively, please check your homeowner’s/renter’s insurance policy to verify it covers your student’s laptop to your satisfaction. Supplementary insurance can be purchased from various companies, such as Safeware.

Preparation and Administration of the Computer
All computers will be prepared to function on the Brewster network during Orientation at the start of the school year to ensure students have the software they need for academic purposes—we call the process Brewsterization.

All laptop computers used by students are administered and controlled by Brewster Academy. Students do not have administrative access to their computers during the academic year. This policy helps prevent unauthorized use that may interfere with the computer’s functionality and allows Brewster to regulate Internet and intranet use for students on campus.

Parental control software of any kind is not allowed on students' Brewsterized computers.

Software Owned by Brewster Academy
Brewster Academy provides specific software programs for educational use. This software is owned by the Academy. Students who separate from Brewster during the school year must “de-­Brewsterize” their computer with the Tech Department. At the end of the academic year, all student computers are de­-Brewsterized. This process removes Brewster-owned software and restores administrative access to the user. Note: De-­Brewsterization will not delete personal files.

Recommended Accessories
Additional accessories are available to help protect your investment and reduce the chances of accidental damage or data loss. Some of these include:

● A hard external case that fits on the computer and insulates it from damage (one option is Speck cases at www.speckproducts.com)
● A keyboard cover that protects the keyboard from dust, small damaging materials, and liquid spills (one option is KB covers at www.kbcovers.com)

Questions?
If you have any questions regarding Brewster’s technology program or purchasing computers, please contact the Brewster Technology Department at 603­-569-­7000 or email us at helpdesk@brewsteracademy.org.

What is the Brewster Portal?
The Portal is an everyday tool at Brewster. Students view grades, write weekly reports to their parents, view their schedules, get school news, and more. (Parents have their own Portal with important information and updates throughout the year.) Canvas is our Learning Management System, located in the Student Portal, where students access all course materials and submit assignments.

How do I get onto the Student Portal?
Students will be sent instructions to access the Student Portal at the beginning of July. Parents will be emailed information about logging in to the Parent Portal soon after students are enrolled. The Parent Portal address is portals.veracross.com/brewster. Please contact the Help Desk at 603-569-7000 if you have questions or need help accessing the Portals.

How do I access my email?
New students will receive details at the beginning of July with their new Brewster email and instructions on how to set a password and access their Brewster email accounts. All email at Brewster Academy passes through Gmail. This can be accessed by going to mail.brewsteracademy.org.

When can I use the internet, and what are the restrictions?
The wireless network is on 24/7 for students. All student internet access has filters based on the website category and the application they are using. These filters are formed by federal standards and Academy needs.

Acceptable Use Policy
We require that all students, faculty, and staff read and abide by the Acceptable Use Policy, which is found in the Community Handbook and posted on the Brewster Portal. 

Should I bring my own printer to campus?
There are plenty of printing options available to students on campus. There are printers available in each Team area and in the library. If you need to bring a personal printer to campus, you will need to contact the Tech Office to connect your printer through our BA-Device network. 

How do I add a Brewster printer?
Brewster utilizes a secured printing environment installed on your computer during “Brewsterization.” You will have a single print queue called “Brewster Print Queue.” Send all print jobs to that, find a printer on campus, log in using your door access card, and follow the on-screen or printed instructions. 

How do I report a tech issue I’m having?
The Technology Department is available to help! Email helpdesk@brewsteracademy.org, call us at 603-569-7000, or submit a ticket here.

What happens if I break my computer?
The Technology Department will issue a loaner computer until the personal computer can be repaired or replaced. 

We partner with a local Apple Certified Warranty and Repair Center, Lakes Region Computer (LRC), that can perform both in-warranty and out­-of­-warranty repairs if your computer needs to be sent out for repair.

We anticipate repairs to be completed within two weeks unless there are extenuating circumstances. During the repair process, LRC will communicate with parents for permissions and payment through our work order email system. LRC will begin repair work until parents approve all repairs and costs.

Parents are asked to respond to repair diagnosis requests promptly. Payments must be made directly and promptly upon receipt of the invoice to LRC. Invoices are provided via the email work order. 

If a parent chooses to have the computer repaired by a different service, the Tech Department must be notified of the plan. We will issue a loaner computer for the student. Outside repairs by the parents must be completed within two weeks and returned to the student, who must report to the Tech Department helpdesk to ensure the repaired computer is ready for use in classes and the loaner is returned.