Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 22:13     Subject: Re:Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is why laptops do not belong in schools. Keep them at home. Make kids take notes on paper. Do tests on paper. Plummeting test rates are directly linked to more time on tech.


Do you even have kids that go to MCPS beyond the age of elementary school? Some teachers are pencil/paper people but my kid has at least 3 classes where in-class assignments, quizzes etc are administered via laptop.


+1 If my kid kept their laptop home, they would flunk several classes. This is not something we choose as parents.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 21:29     Subject: Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is there a way to block additional websites/links on the MCPS issued laptops? I noticed my kids playing games on it, when they’re supposed to be doing homework and want to block those sites. But I tried and I couldn’t do it without admin rights to the laptop.

Any suggestions? I heard kids share the links to websites of games that aren’t yet blocked by MCPS, so I recognize the school district is playing a game of whack-a-mole to stay ahead of the kids, but I would like to reduce the potential for distraction on these school computers.

Thanks in advance.

Why can’t you take the Chromebook away after hw has been completed?


Homework isn’t getting completed efficiently because they are going on random websites. Also I’ve heard that a lot of kids are playing games during school when the teacher doesn’t notice. I want to make sure mine isn’t tempted to be one of them.


LOL
This is a ubiquitous problem at all grade levels and in all schools.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 15:15     Subject: Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:If you cannot teach your child how to do the right thing when nobody is watching, you have essentially failed as a parent and successfully raised monsters.

Don't let them have access to non-MCPS electronic devices until they can demonstrate their ability to properly use the MCPS device. Get an email from school saying your kid is on games? Take away cell phones and video games until that behavior at school has stopped. I assure you, saying no to your child is easier than you think it is and it will not lead to a lifetime of resentment.


Your brain is broken. Try turning it on and off again.

Why aren't the teachers saying no to the child?
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 12:21     Subject: Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
If you cannot teach your child how to do the right thing when nobody is watching, you have essentially failed as a parent and successfully raised monsters.

Don't let them have access to non-MCPS electronic devices until they can demonstrate their ability to properly use the MCPS device. Get an email from school saying your kid is on games? Take away cell phones and video games until that behavior at school has stopped. I assure you, saying no to your child is easier than you think it is and it will not lead to a lifetime of resentment.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 12:15     Subject: Re:Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is why laptops do not belong in schools. Keep them at home. Make kids take notes on paper. Do tests on paper. Plummeting test rates are directly linked to more time on tech.


As a teacher I am torn on this. On one hand I support teaching these kids to use the tolls and resources available to them that will prepare him for life beyond K12. On the other hand, I understand and have seen first hand that children today(and honestly those of us who grew up before all this integrated tech would likely be having the same issues) simply do not have the self control and discipline to stay on task. Really I am not sure what the real solution to this issue is. Is it a parenting issue? A school procedure issue? Likely its a combination of both and its going to require a lot of work on both sides. Neither side can demand or expect the other to carry the weight of making this happen.


How is it a parenting issue if these are MCPS laptops and only MCPS has admin rights to control what kids are accessing and can’t stop kids from going to these sites in a school setting?


Parents need to teach their children self control and self discipline. That 100% is an at home learning experience and not one that should be on the teacher's shoulders
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 12:11     Subject: Re:Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is why laptops do not belong in schools. Keep them at home. Make kids take notes on paper. Do tests on paper. Plummeting test rates are directly linked to more time on tech.


As a teacher I am torn on this. On one hand I support teaching these kids to use the tolls and resources available to them that will prepare him for life beyond K12. On the other hand, I understand and have seen first hand that children today(and honestly those of us who grew up before all this integrated tech would likely be having the same issues) simply do not have the self control and discipline to stay on task. Really I am not sure what the real solution to this issue is. Is it a parenting issue? A school procedure issue? Likely its a combination of both and its going to require a lot of work on both sides. Neither side can demand or expect the other to carry the weight of making this happen.


How is it a parenting issue if these are MCPS laptops and only MCPS has admin rights to control what kids are accessing and can’t stop kids from going to these sites in a school setting?
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 12:07     Subject: Re:Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:This is why laptops do not belong in schools. Keep them at home. Make kids take notes on paper. Do tests on paper. Plummeting test rates are directly linked to more time on tech.


Do you even have kids that go to MCPS beyond the age of elementary school? Some teachers are pencil/paper people but my kid has at least 3 classes where in-class assignments, quizzes etc are administered via laptop.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 11:25     Subject: Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:At the MS I worked at last year, the kids discovered they could create a google doc with all the games inside of it and avoid firewalls and block lists. They also could use it as a live chat room


And yet, mcps tech will tell you that there is nothing that they can do to limit communication/sharing with others within the mcps Google system.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 09:30     Subject: Re:Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
Anonymous wrote:This is why laptops do not belong in schools. Keep them at home. Make kids take notes on paper. Do tests on paper. Plummeting test rates are directly linked to more time on tech.


As a teacher I am torn on this. On one hand I support teaching these kids to use the tolls and resources available to them that will prepare him for life beyond K12. On the other hand, I understand and have seen first hand that children today(and honestly those of us who grew up before all this integrated tech would likely be having the same issues) simply do not have the self control and discipline to stay on task. Really I am not sure what the real solution to this issue is. Is it a parenting issue? A school procedure issue? Likely its a combination of both and its going to require a lot of work on both sides. Neither side can demand or expect the other to carry the weight of making this happen.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2025 09:19     Subject: Re:Blocking additional websites on MCPS Chromebook
This is why laptops do not belong in schools. Keep them at home. Make kids take notes on paper. Do tests on paper. Plummeting test rates are directly linked to more time on tech.