Dear TJHSST Parents and Students,
Summer time is filled with planning for the upcoming school year. One item you will not need to have on your purchase list is a laptop for school. When we open our doors in the fall, all students at TJHSST will have their own device. We are excited to be part of FCPSOn, the district-wide initiative to bring laptops to each student.
On April 1 we sent a bulletin introducing you to the project. We invited you to participate in a survey,and you asked great questions. Thank you for your feedback!
Below are answers to the questions our community submitted to us:
Q: When will students receive the laptop?
A: Laptops will be distributed through Homerooms during the first two weeks of school.
Q: Is there a fee associated with the introduction of these laptops?
A: Yes. All students will be charged a yearly Technology Fee, regardless of whether they choose to take the school-issued device or bring their own. The fee is $50/$25 for reduced lunch/$0 for free lunch. Read more about the fee on the FCPS website.
Q: Do students need to bring a laptop to school every day?
A: Yes, students will be expected to bring fully-charged laptop to school every day.
Q: Will students be able to download personal stuff onto the school-issued laptop?
A: No, students will not be able to install additional software themselves. All software that is required for classwork will either already be installed, or be made available to install through the Software Center.
Q: Would the students be admins on the devices? Would they be able to install software that they want? What amount of control will students have over the device?
A: No. Any software necessary for school work will either already be installed or be available to download through the Software Center. However, no other software will be able to be installed.
Q: Will students be able to keep the same device for multiple years?
A: Yes. The same device will be issued to a student each year. However, devices will need to be collected yearly for maintenance.
Q: What is the configuration of the laptop (specs)?
A: Dell Latitude 3300 XCTO
- Intel® Core™ i3-7020U Processor (2 Core, 3M cache, based 2.3GHz)
- 4GB, 1x4GB, DDR4 2666MHz Non-ECC
- M.2 128GB SATA Class 35 Solid State Drive
- 13.3" HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare Non-Touch, Camera & Microphone, WLAN Capable
- 4 Cell 56WHR Battery
- 65W AC Adapter, 3-pin
Q: I am concerned that the laptop's specifications don't adequately meet TJ's unique demands.
A: We’ve been piloting the previous model laptop and have received positive feedback from our teachers. Desktop computers will be available in labs that need specialized software, such as AutoDesk; however, we have found that AutoDesk does run on the laptops piloted.
Q: What happens if the laptop is lost or stolen?
A: If device is lost or stolen, the family should file a police report immediately and report it to the school. Refer to the FCPSOn - Technology Support Fee web page for more information.
Q: Is the device insured by FCPS? How often is it replaced?
A: If the device is damaged, it is covered by a warranty for repairs. More information about the replacement cycle will be given as it becomes available.
Q: Will this initiative extend to elementary school?
A: See the FCPSOn web page. Pending approval, FCPSOn will be implemented at remaining schools during the proposed timeline:
- 2019-20 High Schools
- 2020-21 Middle Schools
- 2021-22 Elementary Grades 5-6
- 2022-23 Elementary Grades 3-4
Q: What web filtering is implemented on the device? Will the restrictions on these devices be the same as the ones currently placed on a personal computer over school WiFi?
A: Content filtering at home is similar to, but not the same as, the content filtering at school. The FCPSOn at home filtering solution only has the ability to allow or block categories FCPS-wide, and as such, categories are permitted and blocked using the same settings in place at the elementary school level. This means that some social media and social networking categories are blocked on all FCPSOn computers when those computers are used off of the FCPS network.
Q: What security software is installed on the device?
A: McAfee
Q: Any WiFi connectivity limitations at home for using the laptop ? How about printing at home?
A: The laptop will be able to connect to any wireless connection and the internet will be content filtered.
Windows 10 comes with pre-installed printer drivers. As long as the driver is already installed, then the laptop should be able to connect to the home printer.
Again, we look forward implementing FCPSOn and appreciate your ongoing support of technology that will enhance your child's experience at TJ. We will continue to share more information as it becomes available, although your best resource will be the FCPSOn web page.
Sincerely,
The TJ Tech Team
Rationale for Taking School-Issued FCPSOn Device
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Cost to Repair and Replace Personal Devices: If a student loses or damages a personal device the cost to repair or replace must be paid by the family. The FCPSOn device was chosen to be durable and is designed to be carried back and forth from home and school. The wear and tear of moving between classes and from home to school will be shouldered by the FCPSOn device, rather than a student’s personal device. If a student accidentally damages their FCPSOn device, on site tech support specialists will repair the device as well as provide a loaner, which will ensure learning isn’t interrupted by not having a device.
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Access to Curricular Software: FCPSOn curricular software will be preloaded on FCPSOn laptops or available through APPV. FCPS licensed software can not be provided for student owned devices.
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FCPS Laptops Are Needed for Testing: FCPS standardized assessments such as SOL testing must be done on a school issued device. Students will be able to walk into a testing environment ready to go with the FCPSOn device. Schools will need to provide FCPS devices for testing to students that do not accept the FCPSOn device.
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Wifi and Printer Configuration: The FCPSOn laptop is already connected to the FCPS wifi network as well as a printer in the school. Students will need to add personally owned devices to the FCPS wifi network and will not have the ability to print.
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Separation of School and Personal Information: Having an FCPSOn device and a personal device provides a Digital Citizenship lesson. It teaches students to complete school work on their FCPS laptop and to do personal things, such as shop, or play games on their personal device. This helps prepare students for being in the work force and complying with an employer mandate to separate work life from personal life.
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