Hawthornes Tech Pulse

Welcome to the first edition of Hawthorne Tech Pulse, your go-to source for all things tech at Hawthorne Public Schools! Brought to you by Teddy the Tech, our friendly tech department mascot, this newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest technology updates, tips, and news. Whether you're a staff member or student, we’re here to help you stay connected and informed with everything happening in the world of technology at our schools. Let's embark on this digital journey together—one pulse at a time!

We've all been there: stuck with a tech problem that just won’t go away, no matter what we try. Frustration builds, and we finally call in tech support. Then, they walk in, restart our computer, and—BAM—the issue disappears. Sound familiar?

You’re probably left wondering how such a simple solution fixed the problem. Well, the answer is just as simple as the fix.

Imagine your computer processing tasks like driving to a store. You've done it a hundred times and know the exact route. But suddenly, you hit road construction. One detour leads to another, and soon you're lost, driving down unfamiliar roads. If you'd known about the construction ahead of time, you could’ve taken a better route from the start.

This is what happens with our computers. They usually know how to process tasks efficiently, but when something interrupts the usual path—like an update or a change—it struggles to find a new route. Restarting clears those "roadblocks" and lets your computer start fresh, finding the best way forward.

So, the next time you're dealing with a frustrating tech issue, remember that sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. A quick restart can often clear out the confusion and get everything running smoothly again. If it doesn’t, Teddy the Tech and the Hawthorne Tech Department are always here to help! Stay tuned to **Hawthorne Tech Pulse** for more tips and tricks to make your tech life easier.

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual initiative to raise awareness about the importance of staying safe and secure online. In today’s digital world, where everything from personal data to financial information is stored online, protecting our cyber assets has never been more critical.

The theme for 2024 focuses on empowering individuals and organizations to adopt strong cybersecurity habits. Key areas of focus include the use of strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, recognizing phishing attacks, and regularly updating software.

By practicing good cyber hygiene, everyone can help reduce the risk of cyber threats and ensure a safer online experience for all. Remember, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility!

Check out some of the awesome resources below to learn more about how you can do your part to keep our school community safe from cyberattacks.

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The latest iPhone was released in September of this year, with pre-orders starting shortly after its announcement. Sales officially began in late September, giving customers access to the new device. The base model starts at around $999, while higher-end models with more storage or features can push the price up to $1,499 or more.

While this iPhone brings improvements like better camera capabilities, enhanced performance, and design tweaks, the changes compared to the previous model are relatively minor. If you're already using a recent iPhone, the upgrade might not feel significant enough to justify the high price.

However, if your iPhone is several years old, upgrading could be worth it, as you'll see a noticeable boost in speed, battery life, and overall performance.

For non-iPhone users, now might not be the best time to switch. Many new Android models are expected to launch after the holidays, which could offer more competitive pricing or features tailored to your needs.

For a more in-depth look into this, check out the article "Should You Upgrade to the New iPhone 16 or 16 Pro?" by Nick Guy from the Wall Street Journal, who does a deep dive into each previous model and whether he thinks it’s worth the upgrade or not.