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:
Families also may find the following resources to be helpful:
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.
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.
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.
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