While this school year’s opening is different than any that have come before, our staff has the same level of commitment and excitement to meet, teach and support all students. HCPSS teachers have been busy preparing online learning materials for their classes and are dedicated to creating a caring and supportive online classroom.

We recognize there may be times the applications HCPSS is using for virtual learning may not work as anticipated. This may be due to the nationwide increase in demand on these services or an issue with your local internet provider. We know this may be stressful for both you and your child, and ask for your patience as we work through any challenges that may arise. HCPSS teachers will be understanding and flexible if interruptions to technology services cause delays in assignment submissions and missed virtual learning sessions. 

Please find below suggestions on how to proceed if your student experiences an issue.

What should we do when technology is not working?
Occasionally, students may have issues with Canvas, Google Meet or other learning platforms used by HCPSS. If your child is having difficulty:

• Logging in to Google Meet - Directions on joining a Google Meet can be found online. If your child is still unable to join, have them send their teacher a message via Canvas or you can send the teacher an email to make them aware. Your child can work on other assignments in Canvas and/or you can have them focus on another learning platform used by their teachers, such as Lexia Core5 or DreamBox at the elementary level or Actively Learn at the middle and high school levels, until the issue is resolved.
• Logging in to Canvas - Have your child attend any scheduled virtual learning sessions and/or have them focus on another learning platform used by their teachers, such as Lexia Core5 or DreamBox at the elementary level or Actively Learn at middle and high school levels. Make sure to let your child’s teacher know about the issue via email. 

Families also may find the following resources to be helpful:

• Student Technology Resources: Provides guides, resources and videos for HCPSS student technology. Below are some direct links to commonly used resources:
  • Canvas Orientation - includes how to navigate Canvas
  • Google Meet - includes a video overview of how to login
  • Chromebooks - provides a variety of resources for using an HCPSS Chromebook
• Password and Username Self-Service: Allows families to request a password reset or student’s username. New students can use this application to retrieve their account information. This application is also linked off the hcpss.me website, which also includes user directions.
• HCPSS Connect Parent Resources: Provides HCPSS Connect—including Synergy, Canvas, and Family File—guides and videos for parents. 
• After receiving a Chromebook, families can use the directions for connecting a Chromebook to Wi-Fi to connect it to their home network. 

SJLES is here to support you! We know technology may present some challenges, so we have created an andditional  resource to help families succeed in our virtual learning environment. Please contact Ms. Kennedy if you have any questions regarding our applications or your Chromebooks. 

• Shannon Kennedy, Technology Teacher / shannon_kennedy@hcpss.org

Will students be provided with devices for the 2020-2021 school year?

In addition to Chromebooks HCPSS already owns, the Board of Education approved the purchase of additional devices to help remove technology barriers and advance equitable student learning outcomes. As such, HCPSS will provide 1:1 devices for elementary and middle school students, and, until additional devices are procured, will provide high school students devices upon request.

Every student entering grades pre-kindergarten through 8 will be provided with a Chromebook; parents/guardians do not need to do anything to request this device. Beginning in mid-August, parents/guardians of students entering high school may request a device. All device distribution will occur in late August. Details will be communicated as soon as they are available.

Any student who borrowed a Chromebook for spring or summer learning may continue to use that device during the 2020-2021 school year.

Broken HCPSS Chromebook Process

Should an HCPSS Chromebook become broken over the summer, students/parents should bring the broken device to the HCPSS Logistics Center (9645 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046) to receive a replacement device. The building will be open weekdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through Friday, July 10, with the exception of being closed Friday, July 3. Beginning Monday, July 13, the Logistics Center will be open weekdays from 9-11 a.m.

Leaving HCPSS?

Families moving out of Howard County are responsible for returning  the device to the HCPSS Logistics Center (9645 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046). The building will be open weekdays from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

HCPSS Google Meet Engagement & Behavioral Expectations 

• Adhere to HCPSS Policy 8080 Responsible Use Technology and Social Media and other relevant HCPSS policies.

• Follow the school’s values (ex. Be Safe, Act Responsibly, Respect Self and Others, Keep Focused)

• Students will only be permitted into a Google Meet  session with a HCPSS email account.  All students can be identified through their HCPSS email account.

• Inappropriate/offensive/threatening comments, misrepresentation of identity, and/or disruptive participants (invited or uninvited) during Google Meet sessions will not be tolerated.

• Sharing login information violates the confidentiality rights of other students and places them at risk of having to witness disruptive behaviors from students who are not members of the class or school community. 

• Students who are disruptive and/or “trespass” Google Meet sessions will be immediately reported to administration and will receive appropriate consequences in accordance with the HCPSS Code of Conduct.  Consequences may result in temporary or permanent loss of technology access, which will also result in a student's inability to participate in Google Meet sessions; arrangement for receiving instruction and assignments will be established by administration communicated and arranged with parents.

Additional information can be found in the  Safety Measures During the Google Meet Session on 20-21 HCPSS Virtual Teaching and Learning Page