Can Students Use a Personal Computer for Online Learning?

At schools that don't have one-to-one technology for their students, yes, this is a good option. For schools that issue one-to-one devices to students, the answer to this is more complicated than a yes or no. Students may use their own computers to access their Google accounts. However, certain software applications and features will only work on a district managed device. For instance, Google Quizzes locks a district device into the quiz until it is over so that students have difficulty cheating. We are trying to get the quality of online instruction to improve. To do that, we need teachers to be able to depend on being able to use applications that they know will work on the devices students are using. So, yes, they can use their own device but they should have a school device as well to make sure they will be able to use all the applications a teacher may assign students to use.

Thompson School District Student Technology Access

TSD is very engaged in providing access to technology for students for remote learning. However, the district does not yet have enough computing devices (chromebooks and iPads) for every student. Lots of new devices have been ordered but due to an imbalance in worldwide supply and demand, we do not have reliable dates of delivery. These newly ordered student devices could take months to arrive and be deployed. In the meantime, the following plans will be implemented to provide as much access to technology as possible for our students. 

Schools With One-to-One Technology Access

At these schools, students are required to check out devices directly at their school on dates and times that the schools will communicate to their communities. Both online options will be supported by the school’s devices. These devices support specialized curriculum and because of this, they are not optional. Students enrolled at these schools who checked out a device last Spring will turn in the old device before they can receive their new device from the school. Parents must update their student’s registration at https://thompsonco.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/thompson.jsp prior to a student checking out a school device. Then they need to complete the checkout form at https://forms.gle/SaMHLKEf9KuRLRq88 before coming to the checkout station at the school’s scheduled disbursement dates. Collecting this information in advance improves our efficiency and keeps lines distanced and moving quickly.

1. Mountain View High
2. Conrad Ball Middle 
3. Laurene Edmondson Elementary 
4. High Plains School
5. Turner Middle
6. Berthoud High
7. Bill Reed Middle 
8. Walt Clark Middle 
9. Carrie Martin Elementary
10. Monroe Elementary 
11. Berthoud Elementary 
12. Ivy Stockwell Elementary 
13. Mary Blair Elementary
14. Loveland High 
15. Big Thompson Elementary 
16. Ferguson High
    

Schools Without One-to-One Technology Access

At these schools, student devices will be checked out centrally starting August 19th through August 28th, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 to 4:00 daily. Both online options will be supported by these district provided devices. Students enrolled at these schools who checked out a device last Spring should keep that device for the foreseeable future. District devices are meant for students who do not have their own devices at home. They are supplemental to home technology and are not meant for all students, only those that don’t have their own devices at home. If a TSD student from one of the schools below does not have home technology available, they may check out a device regardless of family size. Parents must update their student’s registration at https://thompsonco.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/thompson.jsp prior to a student checking out a district device. Then they need to complete the checkout form at https://forms.gle/SaMHLKEf9KuRLRq88 before coming to the checkout station at the Conrad Ball Middle School north parking lot (2660 N Monroe Ave, Loveland, CO 80538 - see red on map below). Collecting this information in advance improves our efficiency and keeps lines distanced and moving quickly. If you need assistance with your TSD device, please call the ITS Help Desk for assistance at 970-613-7777. Unfortunately, this device offering is not available to TSD charter school students.

Please do not come to the checkout station if anyone in your family is exhibiting symptoms of illness. Parents/Guardians of students younger than 16 must check out the device for their student at the checkout station. You will stay in your vehicle as the device is checked out to you. If you do not have a vehicle, please walk to the checkout station after 2:00 pm to receive a device. To qualify for a student district device, the following conditions are required. The student must:

• have inadequate home hardware options to access learning resources,
• be currently registered at a TSD school, and
• have access to an internet connection outside of TSD facilities.

1. Thompson Valley High 
2. Lucile Erwin Middle
3. B.F. Kitchen Elementary
4. Centennial Elementary
5. Cottonwood Plains Elementary 
6. Coyote Ridge Elementary 
7. Garfield Elementary
8. Lincoln Elementary 
9. Namaqua Elementary
10. Ponderosa Elementary 
11. Sarah Milner Elementary 
12. Truscott Elementary 
13. Winona Elementary 
14. Early Childhood Center at Stansberry
    

Internet Access for Students

TSD has been working since last Spring to assist families who don’t have adequate access to the internet. There are five methods of access that are available. As families are found without access, the ITS Help Desk follows up to help get them connected. If you know a TSD family without internet access, please fill out the Internet Access Assistance Request Form at: https://forms.gle/7496EgpT7jMnXfCw6 so that we can follow up to provide assistance.

Free Internet from Comcast

COMCAST EXTENDS 60-DAYS OF FREE INTERNET SERVICE TO NEW INTERNET ESSENTIALS CUSTOMERS.  As the current school year comes to an end, school districts across the country are already announcing plans for when school returns in the fall. To help provide additional support to students and families, Comcast will continue to provide 60 days of free Internet service to new, eligible Internet Essentials customers through the end of this year. In addition, Comcast will continue to waive, through the end of the year, the requirement that customers not have a past due balance with Comcast to qualify for the free offer. Learn more here.

COMCAST EXTENDS FREE PUBLIC WIFI ACCESS TO EVERYONE FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2020. To continue to help keep people connected as the country prepares to reopen, Comcast is extending free access to the 1.5 million public Xfinity WiFi hotspots to anyone who needs them, including non-customers, through the end of 2020. Learn more here.