PGPCS K enrollment new student- option to decline tech access

[Anonymous]

Has anyone else had the option and/or know what the difference will be?

" All students are AUTOMATICALLY given access to computer network and Internet resources, including Google accounts, each year.

Parents/Guardians may choose to deny students access to technology resources by choosing ONE of the options below.


Option 1: My student is not allowed access to any computing device, PGCPS network resources, and the Internet (including email, online testing, CTE classes, AR testing, library computer access, digital resources and textbooks, eBooks, iPads, iPods, desktops, laptops, SMART Boards, and more).


Option 2: My student (grades 6-13) is not allowed to have an email account but is permitted to have access to all other technology resources. (Note: no students in Grades K-5 are provided email accounts).
"

Is this ACTUALLY an option and/or anyone know how option 1 is implemented? I wish they would include their data plan and show what each grade has access to and how they limit access and what they limits are on use in class (ex. <10% of all teaching materials,testing,learning activities are done using tech)

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do it because it is going to be a huge PITA for the teacher to implement and I would guess that 90+% of the other students will not opt out.
Your kid will see the other kids doing their work on technology while they are given different work.
In my experience, kids aren’t on technology most of the time in K. They have stations that rotate during the math and RELA blocks. Small groups with the teacher, some sort of worksheet that involves coloring, computers. During computers they do something like iReady or Dreambox or some other sort of educational site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do it because it is going to be a huge PITA for the teacher to implement and I would guess that 90+% of the other students will not opt out.
Your kid will see the other kids doing their work on technology while they are given different work.
In my experience, kids aren’t on technology most of the time in K. They have stations that rotate during the math and RELA blocks. Small groups with the teacher, some sort of worksheet that involves coloring, computers. During computers they do something like iReady or Dreambox or some other sort of educational site.

I already selected to opt out due to age and grade. My interest is actually more in how they implement opting out vs opting in and whether this is actually going to be implemented in the classroom. I also think it's interesting that they are even giving an option because I haven't heard any other families talk about it in other school districts.

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do it because it is going to be a huge PITA for the teacher to implement and I would guess that 90+% of the other students will not opt out.
Your kid will see the other kids doing their work on technology while they are given different work.
In my experience, kids aren’t on technology most of the time in K. They have stations that rotate during the math and RELA blocks. Small groups with the teacher, some sort of worksheet that involves coloring, computers. During computers they do something like iReady or Dreambox or some other sort of educational site.

I already selected to opt out due to age and grade. My interest is actually more in how they implement opting out vs opting in and whether this is actually going to be implemented in the classroom. I also think it's interesting that they are even giving an option because I haven't heard any other families talk about it in other school districts.

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If this is important to you, be prepared to follow up a lot and make sure that your preference is implemented.
Getting 504 plans and IEPs completely implemented can be a struggle and they are mandated by law.

[Anonymous]

I'm a PGCPS teacher. Our elementary students use computer programs often and all state testing is done online Grade 3+. Many district tests are online, and some are adaptive. If your student doesn't participate in all the on-line testing, they will have to be sent elsewhere for all the test times, and then do testing one on one with a teacher using paper and pencil I guess? It's not like they just won't test your child. It will have to happen in person, though. So your child will be pulled out quite a bit from instruction for that testing. I know the official party line is that testing is brief and doesn't take up much time, but in reality testing takes up a LOT of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a PGCPS teacher. Our elementary students use computer programs often and all state testing is done online Grade 3+. Many district tests are online, and some are adaptive. If your student doesn't participate in all the on-line testing, they will have to be sent elsewhere for all the test times, and then do testing one on one with a teacher using paper and pencil I guess? It's not like they just won't test your child. It will have to happen in person, though. So your child will be pulled out quite a bit from instruction for that testing. I know the official party line is that testing is brief and doesn't take up much time, but in reality testing takes up a LOT of time.

So why does PGPCS make it an option and again, is there a detailed plan available for how much technology is used for lower grades? Are you aware that PCGCS has this as an option for enrollment?
I just want to know how much of the instructional time is spent on screens for each age group because the computer/tech intrusion is mostly a money grab, which is fine, but I don't think it's healthy for 40% of 7-year-olds educational time to be using just any technology. Smart Boards- great! Library media- awesome! Individual computers where access is not controlled nor monitored- meh.
As a teacher, I am sure you understand where someone might question the fact that all technology is lumped in together when all technology is not equal- either in its educational benefit or addictive quality. Sure, I learned typing on a computer and played Oregon Trail but it was a class, not a feature. If screens are being used constantly then I will have to limit home use even more than I planned.

[Anonymous]

Have you asked to observe a K class?
When my kiddo was in K they used computers about 10% of the time.
I'm sure that it is a lot more now.
The PGCPS network does have firewalls that block off a lot of sites.
I think K students get iPads not Chromebooks and that they are even more restricted.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in first grade in PGCPS. In K they didn't use their technology a ton except for enrichment type things (reading programs, math games) so I can imagine it not being a big deal that year to opt out as enrichment can be done in many ways. I am sure it is teacher and school dependent of course. However, this year in first grade her teacher uses canvas to send out homework assignments, communications, etc... I cannot imagine how much work it would be this year to deal with opting out, it almost feels like technology is a requirement.

[Anonymous]

My son is in first in a PGCPS school. That form is actually incorrect. He has an email address, and has had it since K and PGCPS regularly sends emails to it. they use their computer for various assignments and they have a class every other week called "technology" where they learn how to better use their computers. (he didn't have that in K but did use the computer for learning games).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in first in a PGCPS school. That form is actually incorrect. He has an email address, and has had it since K and PGCPS regularly sends emails to it. they use their computer for various assignments and they have a class every other week called "technology" where they learn how to better use their computers. (he didn't have that in K but did use the computer for learning games).

Just an FYI to new parents.....pgcps student email accounts can only send/receive messages from other pgcps accounts (student and staff) and Canvas/Google Classroom.

[Anonymous]

I opted my PGCPS student out through second grade. No big deal but was pre-pandemic. Just know that your child's classmates will be on computers during that time, and you should speak with the teacher about materials that can be used / work that can be done in lieu of computer time. My student was provided access to the hands-on learning materials and books instead.