1st Day of School Prep
August 28, 2020
We are just three days away from the first day of school! Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is ready for a successful start to the new year, and we would like to share some tips and advice for making sure your student is prepared for learning.
In this update, you will find information about getting ready for school:
Prepare your child’s device
Get connected to the internet
Know the distance learning tools
Reach out for help
Fuel your brain
Smile for the camera!
Prepare Your Child’s Device
Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is providing a device for every student to begin distance learning on Monday, August 31.
To kick off a successful school day, we suggest you make the following preparations with your children on their device:
Make sure the device is fully charged. If you leave it powered on for about an hour, all of the necessary apps will populate.
Make sure your child is signed in to Google Classroom with their WCPS username and password. In the Google Classroom app, click “Join” to access each teacher’s class material or enter the code that the teacher shares with you.
If your child’s iPad is missing the Google Classroom or Zoom apps, find the Self Service app (pictured above right). You can click on these apps in Self Service to install them on the device.
If your child’s Chromebook is missing the Google Classroom app, open Google Chrome and go to www.classroom.google.com. If the Chromebook needs the Zoom app, follow these directions.
If you have not picked up a device for your child, contact the school to arrange a time.
Get Connected to the Internet
Many families have contacted schools regarding the need for internet service in their home. Antietam Broadband and Comcast are reaching out to customers in their respective areas to arrange for installation if you meet the program qualifications.
If you have already reached out to your child's school about your need, you should soon be receiving calls from these providers to arrange for installation. If you live in an area not serviced by either of these providers, WCPS has purchased AT&T hotspots and will distribute them as we identify families. We recognize not all areas receive AT&T reception, and we are working with additional vendors for a similar solution.
WiFi hotspots are also available at every WCPS school campus, and Antietam Broadband and Comcast continue to offer their community hotspots free of charge.
Know the Distance Learning Tools
WCPS has created a one-stop shop for parents/guardians and families to learn the ins and outs of distance learning. From following and submitting assignments in Google Classroom to troubleshooting device issues and connecting to online classes, the Distance Learning - Family Portal will provide you with tips to help everyone navigate distance learning. There are also helpful resources to help your child connect with school services, like counselors, meal sites, and even the best ways to communicate with teachers. If you have questions about distance learning, this is a place for answers.
Please note: a few of these areas are still in development as we put the finishing touches on our distance learning arrangements.
Click on the image to visit the Distance Learning - Family Portal.
Look for the Distance Learning - Family Portal on your child's WCPS device!
Reach Out for Help
Technology Help Hotline
If your child needs technical assistance with a WCPS-issued device, we are here to help! WCPS is operating a Technology Help Hotline with staff taking calls from 8:00 a.m.-8:00p.m. Monday-Thursday. This service launches Monday, August 31. Staff will be able to assist English- and Spanish-speaking parents and guardians.
To reach the Technology Help Hotline, call 301-766-8990.
School Help Hotline
Coming soon! School staff members will be available from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday to provide general assistance with school-related assignments, applications, and websites. We will be sharing the School Help Hotline contact phone numbers for each school next week!
Fuel Your Brain
It is important that students have the nutrition and energy to help power through their school day. We are happy to announce all WCPS students will be served a FREE breakfast at any of our meal sites!
WCPS grab-n-go meal sites will continue to operate, but food will now be served under the National School Lunch Program. This means we are only able to serve students who are enrolled in a WCPS school, and students must provide their student ID number when picking up their meals. Students who do not receive free and reduced meals will be charged the regular rate for their lunch. Payment will be made through the student’s My School Bucks balance. Parents can add money to their child’s account online and on the mobile app.
Here’s what families need to know about our meal sites:
Each day students will receive a meal bag with a lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day.
Children can get meals from any location - they do not need to go to their school.
WCPS is no longer able to serve food to children who are not school age due to changes in federal regulations.
Students who received free and reduced meals last year will continue to do so for the first 30 school days. A new application must be completed to continue receiving free and reduced meals for the full school year.
Smile for the Camera!
The first day of school is a milestone each and every year. We hope you will continue the tradition of capturing this memorable moment with a photo, as this school year is one we will never forget. WCPS has prepared a digital toolkit to compliment your child’s smile with the school year and their grade. You can download and print the image, or you can even save it to your child’s device to hold when you take their picture!
We hope you will share your photos on social media in celebration of the school year kick-off using the hashtag #wcpsfirstday. We’ll be asking parents, students, and our school staff to share their first day photos on our WCPS Facebook page, and we might include them in our highlight video!
Contact WCPS
Website: www.wcpsmd.com
Location: 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-766-2800
Facebook: facebook.com/wcpsmd
Twitter: @wcpsmd