WHPS INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Online School, Pupil Services, Technology & Resources
ONLINE SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND PUPIL SERVICES RESOURCES
While Monday was only the first day of our emergency closing, normal school operations already seem like a distant memory. We hope this message finds you and yours both in good health and good spirits. We are pleased to be writing to you to share specifics on the launch of online resources (available immediately) and our plan for online learning (beginning early the week of 3/23).
Beginning today, we are posting on our websites (school and district), general resources to support all students in exploration and enrichment during this period of emergency closing. These resources are intended to provide for reinforcement and extension of learning in a self-directed setting. This represents a short-term bridge to the resumption of structured learning opportunities (beginning early week of 3/23) in an online environment. By the end of this week, we will publish further information pointing you to our online learning platforms where students will be able to view a weekly learning plan, lesson materials and resources. We will also share schedules and/or means for checking in with teachers at regular and frequent points in time as well as how to ask for and receive additional help and support. These online resources are optional and offered to parents as helpful ideas. In the interim, the following resources can be found online at whps.org or your school's website. Hard copies of packets are available at 'Grab and Go' and Chromebook distribution sites for those without printing capabilities.
Elementary resources:https://www.smore.com/etgwj-whps-online-resources
Secondary resources: https://www.smore.com/agzj9-whps-online-resources
Pupil Services resources: https://www.smore.com/1vxr6
Library resources : https://soraapp.com (middle and high school via Google accounts) and http://www.westhartfordlibrary.org/services/ebooks_eaudio.asp (all ages)
A key ingredient to the success of this plan is student access to a device (computer, laptop, ipad). It is important to note that learning plans are asynchronous, which is to say that teachers will not simply be live-streaming daily instruction. Students and families should be able to access the learning materials anywhere and anytime. In support of that effort, this week and in the days ahead, we will have devices available for sign-out at various locations. Below are a list of frequently asked questions about loaner devices.
Do I need to come pick up a device? If you have a desktop or laptop computer/tablet/iPad that your child can access at some point during the day, you do not need a loaner device. Even if you have multiple children, you may not need multiple devices if they are able to share throughout the day. We do want to prioritize by need, so if you have multiple devices at home, we would ask that you try this first week of school and determine if you truly have a need.
Does my PK-2nd grade student need a device? In the primary grades, we will need to rely on an adult caregiver to read over the learning plan. There may be some video or audio segments to share with a child, however, if the adult has a device, the child will not require one.
What type of devices are available? The majority of school devices are chromebooks. These devices operate like laptops but require a school account to operate. Thus, these devices are only appropriate for students in grades 3 and up.
Who can borrow a device? Devices are for WHPS students and require a WHPS user account. Loaner devices are intended for students who do not have personal devices. We ask that the community only request a loaner if there is a legitimate need. Devices cannot be used by anyone without a registered account. Students under age 18 in need of a device will need a parent to sign for the equipment at the time of pick up.
What if we have no device at all in the home and a student in grades PK-2? Parents who lack any device will want one to support their student and should call the principal. In the short term, we have paper copies of supplemental learning material available until we coordinate an appropriate technology solution.
TECHNOLOGY* LOANER PICK-UP SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS
This week, Chromebooks will be available for pick up during the dates, times and locations listed below (for grades 3 and up). Parents will be required to sign-out devices for students under the age of 18. Please try to bring your own ink pen.
To help keep everyone safe, and to do our best to minimize contact, please be patient and keep 6 feet of space in any line as you are signing out technology at a school/site. Remember that there are multiple sites open for 4 hours each day. If there is a need after Friday, we will publish a calendar of additional days and times for distribution.
*Students can still use their own personally owned devices (Chromebooks, Windows-based devices, iPads, etc) for the upcoming online schooling. Chromebook loaners are intended for families in need of a device. WHPS will be using device-neutral products (Google Meets, Google Classroom, Zoom, etc) that work with iOS devices.
TECHNOLOGY (CHROMEBOOK) LOANER PICK-UP SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS:
THURSDAY, MARCH 19TH - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Charter Oak International Academy, 425 Oakwood Ave. 860-233-8506
- King Philip Middle School, 100 King Philip Drive 860-233-8236
- Hall High School, 975 North Main Street 860-232-4561
FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Charter Oak International Academy, 425 Oakwood Ave. 860-233-8506
- King Philip Middle School ,100 King Philip Drive 860-233-8236
- Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Road 860-929-5050
- Braeburn, 45 Braeburn Road 860-561-2200
- Bugbee, 1943 Asylum Ave. 860-929-5500
- Whiting Lane, 47 Whiting Lane 860-233-8541
- Hillcrest Avenue Neighborhood Outreach Center (HANOC) Located at 105 Hillcrest Avenue
RESOURCES FOR INTERNET ACCESS AND TECHNOLOGY
The programs/companies below offer discounted Internet and/or computers based on need. West Hartford Public Schools provides this information as a public service - being listed does
not signify endorsement by the district. Please contact providers directly for more information.
Comcast is offering free internet to low income families that don't have internet.
LOCAL FOOD PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Click here for a description of Community Food Programs and Resources