Please Donate Your Old Smartphone
Posted on 11/29/2017

Please consider donating your old smartphone to the Oneida City School District to support many technology initiatives.

 

The Oneida City School District would like your used smartphones, wipe them clean with a factory reset, connect them to our wireless network and load educational apps for our students to use in the classroom. We are glad to accept donations of any iOS or Android smartphone that is no more than four years old. The wall charger used to charge the smartphone should be included along with the donated smartphone. No other accessories are required. Smartphones only, please!

 

Why does The Oneida City School District want donated smartphones?

Smartphones have become very powerful in recent years, and can now assist with many educational tasks. They are great for running educational apps!  The District would like to take used smartphones, wipe them clean with a factory reset, connect them to our wireless network, load educational apps, and make them available for teachers to use with their students.

 

What kinds of smartphones does the District want?

We are glad to accept donations of any iOS or Android smartphone that is no more than four years old. Examples would include any iPhone, Motorola Droid, HTC EVO, Samsung Galaxy, LG Optimus, Sony Xperia, or any other of the many Android phones.

 

What should be donated with the smartphone?

The wall charger used to charge the smartphone should be included along with the donated smartphone. No other accessories are required.

 

Will old data be removed from the donated smartphones?

Yes, we will do a factory reset to wipe all previous data and settings from the smartphone so that it will be getting a fresh start. However, we encourage you to do the same for any smartphone you donate if you wish.

 

How will the donated smartphones get connectivity?

The smartphones will no longer use cell phone connectivity, since they will no longer be part of any cell phone plan. We will connect the smartphones to our school’s wireless network for their connectivity needs.

How will the donated smartphones be distributed?

The smartphones will not be given directly to students. Instead, the smartphones will be assigned bar codes and will be made available for teachers to check out as needed through our technology integration specialist and coach. Teachers will then allow students to use them in class as needed for learning activities as it ties to the curriculum.

 

How does this relate to the District’s Bring Your Own Device program?

While a majority of students routinely bring in personal technology devices, some students do not for various reasons. The donated smartphones will provide additional mobile devices to be used by students who do not have their own or are not able to bring their own to school.

 

Where will the donated smartphones be used?

The scope of their distribution will depend on the number of smartphones donated. Ideally, we would like to use them district-wide across all grade levels. We will post pictures of the students using them in class via social media and the district newsletter.

 

Is the donation of a smartphone tax deductible?

Yes, you may claim the donation of a smartphone to the school as a tax deduction. The School District does not set the value for the donation, but simply provides you with a letter indicating that the donation has been made and received.

If you wish to receive a letter from the District for the tax deduction for your donation, you must include your name, address, and phone number along with the donated smartphone. The letter will be sent to you at a later time.

 

How should a smartphone be donated?

Option 1:

Give the smartphone to the District by:

* Having your child give it to his/her teacher.

* Dropping it off at the main office of your child’s school during business hours (hours vary depending on the school).

* Dropping it off at the District Administration Building weekdays between 7:30 and 4:30 p.m.

 

Option 2:

Put the smartphone and wall charger (and any other accessories you are including) in a box or envelope.

Mark “Oneida City School District Technology Department” on the outside.