WPS Issued Devices and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Information We wanted to share the process for keeping or returning Waterford Public Schools issued devices (Chromebooks and iPads) for the 2020-2021 school year.
In June, families were instructed to keep school issued devices over the summer. This decision was made to eliminate the redeployment of devices in case the decision to continue distance learning was made for the fall. Due to our current health situation, the decision was made that Waterford Public Schools will be implementing the hybrid model to start the school year.
Students will need devices both at home and at school in order to access the Learning Management Systems in place (Seesaw and Google Classroom).
Because most of the devices we use in our buildings were issued to families in Waterford in the spring, it leaves our device supply depleted in the schools. Due to this, we are strongly encouraging the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy at all academic levels (elementary, middle and high school). That means that if your child has a school issued or personal device, we would like them to transport the device and charging cord between home and school on the days they are assigned. This will allow students to access the digital work teachers post through Seesaw and Google Classroom in both settings. If you are planning on your child using a personal device, we recommend students in grades PreK-2 use an iPad and students in Grades 3-12 use a Chromebook or laptop.
If you are no longer in need of a district issued device, we have set up a few dates and times for those to be returned. This will help with making more devices available to students who need them. A member of our IT staff will be available for returns at Clark Lane from 12-4 pm on the following dates: Tuesday, August 25th and Friday, August 28th. Above are the preferred return times, but if you are unable to make these dates, you can drop off the device (Chromebook or iPad) to the main office at Clark Lane with your child’s first name, last name and school. The scheduled times are for drop off only. There will be no devices handed out at this time.
If your child was a second grader last school year and you borrowed an iPad in order to access Seesaw, you will need to return the iPad. Your child will be transitioning to Google Classroom as the Learning Management System for third grade, so a Chromebook, laptop or desktop should be the device used. Information will follow about the exchange of iPads for Chromebooks if your child needs one. We are anticipating having Chromebooks available soon.
We will continue our tech support of district issued devices to support hybrid and distance learning again this year. You can email techsupport@waterfordschools.org at any time.