If you need a device but can afford one

[Anonymous]

I am going to need at least one if not two additional devices for fall. Our school will be giving them out next week - does the city really have enough for everyone and I should pick one up, or do I hold back because I can technically afford one and there won’t be enough for others?

[Anonymous]

My school gave us one- and we waited to ensure all those at the head of the line had received them first. (Eg. low and reduced income)

Multiple kids, means multiple devices. You never know which parent lost a job ... or might. In our case, single parent here- and we could not purchase a webcam ANYWHERE. Lamenting this- and seeing DC meltdown in a zoom where they could see classmates, but they could not see DC resulted in my asking if there were any extras. We received a hardy- YES- we want all of our students to have easy access and not have that be a hurdle to participation.

[Anonymous]

Just get devices for your kids; it's fine and you will know that they are compatible with the DCPS platforms.

[Anonymous]

Webcams aren't available anywhere. They're even rarer than a Nintendo switch.

[Anonymous]

We need a device and can afford to buy one. I like the idea of using the recommended hardware and letting them deal with any tech issues. Seems silly that they do not offer the ability to buy one at the DCPS cost (which hopefully is well below retail).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We need a device and can afford to buy one. I like the idea of using the recommended hardware and letting them deal with any tech issues. Seems silly that they do not offer the ability to buy one at the DCPS cost (which hopefully is well below retail).

It’s not. They can’t buy the cheapest Dell offers bc it isn’t powerful enough, then they have to buy a 3-year warranty, plus add a physical device tracking thing for insurance. I was ordering for my school and what we wanted was $450 but ended up being $800.

[Anonymous]

In the spring we made it work with tablets and old laptops. We have thought about buying laptops but requested devices for our two kids in upper ES. The reason why we asked is because DCPS has enough devices, and if it doesn't have enough, it will go out and buy more. Just go ahead and ask. Each school has plenty of devices. DOn't be afraid to ask for help. We even asked for a hotspot because four people on at the same time is draining. We adults will use our home and the kids can use the hotspot.

[Anonymous]

I'm a DCPS teacher in addition to a DCPS parent, and I chose to purchase devices for my own children. The schools will give you one if you ask, but I hate to imagine my taking them for my children leading to other children ending up with devices that aren't as good. DCPS schools do have plenty of laptops in general, but many of them are really quite bad, and I want the students who have no other options to have the devices that work best.

That said, if you do truly need one, definitely request one from your school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a DCPS teacher in addition to a DCPS parent, and I chose to purchase devices for my own children. The schools will give you one if you ask, but I hate to imagine my taking them for my children leading to other children ending up with devices that aren't as good. DCPS schools do have plenty of laptops in general, but many of them are really quite bad, and I want the students who have no other options to have the devices that work best.

That said, if you do truly need one, definitely request one from your school!

Why do you think this? DCPS has issued specs for systems that are recommended and have purchased devices that meet those specs specifically for distribution to students districtwide. Do you think the central has spent the summer cleaning out schools and are handing them out?

Your request, as a DCPS parent and teacher will not cause another child to go without. Families, regardless of means, should be encouraged and comfortable requesting devices from schools to ensure compatibility with DCPS platforms and to minimize tech issues as the school year begins.

[Anonymous]

I think higher income parents should buy devices. We did for our kids.

[Anonymous]

You should buy your own.

[Anonymous]

We bought our own. Sure DCPS could pay for enough that we could get the free ones- but that is still money that could be allocated elsewhere. We considered it One of our contributions to helping out right now.

[Anonymous]

I asked if we should buy one and was told not to that our school was going to have a lot left over. I was very explicit that we can without hardship and didn’t want to take a device from someone in need, and was still told to use one from DCPS, so we are.

[Anonymous]

FYI DCPS tech support is not responsive to tech or platform issues with students that are using personal devices. They are only willing to help you when you are using a DCPS computer.

[Anonymous]

I also told our charter we can buy one but they said they had plenty. I don’t think you’re necessarily using up resources although perhaps with DCPS it’s different.