Anonymous wrote:Tap your breaks OP. This email was never sent to Whitman families.

OP here. Well we are a Whitman family and received the email.

Anonymous wrote:You need the Chrome browser. As long as you're using a device where you can download and use Chrome, you should be fine.

I find iPads really annoying to try to actually do any work on, though. Games, yes. Anything that requires typing, no.

I bought a little portable Bluetooth keyboard a while ago to deal with this issue. Brand is iclever, and it’s handy for folding up and putting in a purse. Now that DC is using my DH’s iPad, the little keyboard works really well—it’s a bit smaller than a laptop keyboard but ok for my DC’s little fingers.

Anonymous wrote:Guess only the wealthy school kids get them who probably already have chrome books...nice

Nah.

My nephew is at Neelsville in Germantown. Fairly low-income.

Kids are already given tablets to take home, so they already have them. Tablets are meant to be kept with the kids at all times.

Anonymous wrote:Question: I think it's great to distribute computers or tablets to students that need them. But I'm guessing (?) that most students who don't have access to computers also won't have access to WiFi. Am I wrong about this? Are there solutions that I'm missing? Can most cell phones be used to tether to computers?

They said they will also give internet hotspots to those in need.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/coronavirus/mcps-will-give-students-laptops-to-use-if-schools-remain-closed/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the accountability if they do not get returned? How much would it cost to the family? When do they get returned? What if families do not have internet?

It’s all taken out of Smith bonus dollars

LOL

Question: I think it's great to distribute computers or tablets to students that need them. But I'm guessing (?) that most students who don't have access to computers also won't have access to WiFi. Am I wrong about this? Are there solutions that I'm missing? Can most cell phones be used to tether to computers?

Tap your breaks OP. This email was never sent to Whitman families.

You need the Chrome browser. As long as you're using a device where you can download and use Chrome, you should be fine.

I find iPads really annoying to try to actually do any work on, though. Games, yes. Anything that requires typing, no.

Does it have to be a Chromebook? We have a desktop MAC and and iPad, but not a non-Apple product. I use my desktop to work, so I don’t really want to give it over to the kids. Will iPads work?

Anonymous wrote:Where is the accountability if they do not get returned? How much would it cost to the family? When do they get returned? What if families do not have internet?

Who cares! If MCPS didnt think about this before announcing distribution they will have to deal with the consequences.

They are going to be doing this for everyone. Believe it or not there are kids at every school in the County that don't have access to a computer/laptop. There are just more of them at some schools than at others.

Anonymous wrote:Where is the accountability if they do not get returned? How much would it cost to the family? When do they get returned? What if families do not have internet?

It’s all taken out of Smith bonus dollars

Where is the accountability if they do not get returned? How much would it cost to the family? When do they get returned? What if families do not have internet?

Guess only the wealthy school kids get them who probably already have chrome books...nice

Dear Whitman Families,

We will be distributing Chromebooks to students on Thursday, March 26, 2020, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. The distribution will take place in the bus loop in front of the main entrance at Walt Whitman. Distribution of Chromebooks is for students who do not have access to a computer, Chromebook or laptop at home. Families do not need an MCPS Chromebook if they have a computer, Chromebook or laptop at home for their child to use. To be consistent with CDC guidance, social distancing protocols, and to reduce touchpoints, we will follow a curbside distribution process.