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Ready Access FAQs

Ready-Access Digital Learning F.A.Qs

Goals and Curriculum

What are the Goals of the Ready-Access Digital Learning Plan?

To provide students with the tools and resources necessary for them to learn 21st century skills. By incorporating these devices into the curriculum, students will be able to use internet applications and collaborating platforms for research, group work, and new innovative assignments. Students will learn digital citizenship through instruction on online safety, ethical and responsible use, respectful participation and collaboration, and media awareness. Our Ready-Access Digital Learning Plan is student-first, hybrid program that provides age and curriculum-appropriate access for best use. Specifically, the goals are to:

  • Create a digital environment that supports student-centered, personalized and innovative instructional practices.
  • Provide ready-access to technology and consistent digital resources
  • Build capacity to support staff and administrators ability to leverage the digital tools and resources.
  • Design, develop and deploy a robust and reliable infrastructure to support, students, staff and administration.

How will this program improve my student’s learning?

With the advances in technology to recent date, this program helps students to take advantage of great learning opportunities. The student-first, curriculum-based, hybrid digital learning plan provides access to digital tools and resources that best enhance learning. The foundational skills that will prepare the K-12 students to be effective, responsible and creative users of all types of information and tools will also prepare them well for their college work as well as career. Providing access to devices when the instructional program best is served by them - and not used in other cases - will also provide students an opportunity to use the tools that most effectively helps them based on their learning style.

What is the Digital Citizenship Bootcamp?

Students at all grade levels will be required to complete a series of digital citizenship lessons at the start of the year prior to their use/or ability to take home a device. All lessons will be delivered through the Library Learning Commons during the first month of school prior to signing the Acceptable Use Policy and getting their device. In addition students in 6th grade will take the digital literacy course.

How will this program affect the teaching of research skills?

The new Library Learning Commons curriculum framework includes a Research and Information Literacy Strand. Critical to teaching research skills is following a process across all content areas that includes learning to search, locate, navigate, evaluate and synthesize credible information from multiple high-quality resources. With access to the Internet now always at their fingertips, part of the digital literacy curriculum will be to emphasize the importance of correctly navigating the web. Students will continue to learn to access the library databases and other online resources approved by the school. They will also learn to validate a source and affirm or reject its credibility.

Where can I access my student’s assignments?

Rather than having assignments be posted through Edline, assignments and class information will be posted through Google Classroom or through a team-based system. Check with your school for specifics on homework postings. Powerschool will remain the main source for student grades but teachers may also give comments and feedback to assignments submitted through Google Classroom. The school - public website - is getting a refresh to make finding information easier for the community members.

What is the schools and the district plan for teaching to keyboarding?

The new Library Learning Commons curriculum includes specific benchmarks for keyboarding to make sure that all students are establishing good typing skills. Overall, we feel that increased access to devices in the classroom will help students practice typing skills and will help them improve greatly. However, proper keyboarding techniques need to be taught and practiced. Students will first be introduced to typing in 2nd grade with Ready Access chromebooks in the classroom. The Typing Club - a web-based application - program will be used as our main source of teaching students through Cider Mill. Additionally, using devices in the classroom will allow students to incorporate skills learned already and get more practice.

What types of curriculum materials and digital resources will my student have access to?

Students will have access to the G-Suite of educational applications from Google including productivity tools such as Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classrooms and Forms. In addition a consistent digital toolset that provides resources available to all our students have been licensed to support learning and the Ready-Access plan. These resources range in purpose and use and depending on the need in the class - they will support research, writing, reading, assessment, problem-solving, creating, communicating, collaborating, coding and much more. In addition, as curriculum areas are being reviewed and renewed, consideration to online textbooks is part of the process.

How will this program change my student’s work at home?

The amount of homework will not change. In addition, this will range based the student's age. Some changes you might see is a transition to submitting assignments through Google Classroom, writing through the use of Google Docs and creating using a variety of multimedia tools.

Policies and Procedures

What happens if the device is damaged or stolen?

All parents will receive an updated Acceptable Use Policy & Procedure this summer. The AUP will include language regarding district-owned devices. The Library Learning Commons will have a Tech Help Desk for students with troubleshooting issues. There will be additional devices on-hand to swap out and send damaged devices for repair. On a case-by-case basis, damaged devices will be handled at the school level.

If my student needs help with their device, where do they go?

Help with simple troubleshooting can be found at the Student Help Desk in the Library Learning Commons. If the device is NOT district-provided (i.e., at WHS), contact the support service of the device manufacturer.

How will the school ensure that my student is searching effectively online?

Students connected to the Wilton Public School’s network will continue to be subject to the iBoss filter blocking inappropriate sites and content. Internet use will also be periodically monitored by the teacher to ensure that students are on task. Finally, part of the Library Learning Commons curriculum is to teach effective search techniques as appropriate at each grade level with appropriate search engines or databases introduced to students in Grades K-5 that provide alternative to Google.

Student Privacy

How will the school ensure my student’s privacy?

All devices connected to the Wilton Public Schools network will be monitored by our district staff and any sites not used for educational purposes will continue to be blocked. The Wilton Public Schools currently meet all filtering guidelines set by the state of Connecticut through CEN (Connecticut Education Network) Filtering of content to all public schools through iBoss filtering system. Wilton is also Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant and uses provided filtering from the state. Additionally, the district controls all applications pushed to iPads and chromebooks which students cannot make changes to. Also, as part of teacher training for the Ready Access program, teachers will be expected to periodically oversee student work on devices to make sure they are on task.

Will my student be able to access their work on different devices?

Yes, students use their school Google accounts for all work, which means it can be accessed from any device they sign into. Students can therefore easily switch between their device and a home desktop should they need to.

What does my student do if their device is out of battery and needs to be charged?

Students are required to have their device charged before it is needed in class. The Library Learning Commons offers charging options for students before, after, or between classes.

How will the school limit screen time for students during the day?

While chromebooks will become an integral part of classroom learning, when their use is not necessary, teachers will ask students to put them away. Teachers will also be coordinating lessons to ensure that screen time is staggered throughout the day. In addition, some schools will be restricting device usage in certain spaces like cafeterias and gyms.

Professional Learning For Teachers

How and when are the teachers getting trained?

Teachers will be trained to incorporate Ready Access during professional development days at the start of the year. They will receive approximately 13-14 hours of training through the yearly professional calendar. Training will be coordinated with members of the Library Learning Commons and District Technology staff.

  • Wilton High School Questions

    Who needs to buy devices?

    All students at Wilton High School will need to have a device that meets the qualifications outlined in the program guidelines. Those who do not currently have a device or are not receiving one through the school will need to purchase one.

    Will the school provide my student with a device?

    Students with a special situation who are unable to afford a device can apply for one to be provided to them. The requirements for eligibility are outlined in the application.

    Do devices need specific software or meet certain requirements?

    Devices must run on a current operating system and be able to connect to the internet. They are not required to have any additional software. Software used in classes will be provided to students by the instructor.

    Do iPads or cell phones count as devices?

    No, iPads and cellphones will not be supported under this program and their use in classrooms will be restricted.

    Can the device be a Mac? Or does it have to be PC?

    The curriculum at Wilton High School will focus on instruction using the recommended PC devices running Windows operating system. It is highly encouraged that students use a PC but Mac’s will still be allowed for this program for students that are already proficient in using them. Please note that Mac’s may not run certain programs used in classes.

    How does my student get their device?

    The Wilton Public Schools will be providing all students kindergarten through 8th grade with devices for the program. While Miller-Driscoll students will be using class sets of devices, Cider Mill and Middlebrook students will be assigned their own individual chromebook for use in school and, for the upper grades, at home. After completing initial digital literacy classes during the first week of school, students will go to their Library Learning Commons with their class to sign the Acceptable Use Policy and receive their device. Library staff will be checking out devices and chargers to the students through our new library resource manager. After the student receives their device, the device becomes their responsibility to maintain as they use it throughout the year. If they need technical assistance with their device, the student should bring it to the Library Learning Commons Student Help Desk. At the end of the year, the device should be returned to the Library Learning Commons.

  • What is the policy regarding maintenance and repairs?

    Regular maintenance and repairs will be covered by the district. Should a student have a hardware or technical issue with their device, they should bring it to the Library Learning Commons to receive further assistance. The Student Help Desk can help with minor issues like connecting to the internet which issues with the device’s functionality will be covered by Library staff. Should the device need to be sent out for repair, the student will receive a replacement device. If the device is damaged, broken, or lost by the student, parents will be billed for cost of replacing the device. To prevent damages to the device, it is recommended that students purchase a waterproof case. To prevent the device from being lost, the Library Learning Commons will provide stickers for students to write their name and contact information on the device.

    Will students be required to take their devices home?

    Yes, in grades 6-8, students will be required to take their devices home to complete school work. In Grades 4-5, devices may be taken home based on teacher discretion and homework requirements. The devices will have specific applications on them that students might need to complete assignments and keep up with coursework. If you are worried about your student damaging the device, it is recommended that you purchase a waterproof case to protect the device during travel.

    What does my student do if their device is out of battery and needs to be charged?

    Students are required to have their device charged before it is needed in class. The Library Learning Commons offers charging options for students before, after, or between classes. Additional charging stations will be available where/as needed.

    Can my student use the device we already have at home if it has Google?

    The chromebooks provided to students will have applications that go beyond the use of Google. The applications, licensed by the district, cannot be pushed to any other devices not owned by the district. Simply accessing Google classroom or other G-suite applications can be done on a home device but they should have their chromebook with them in case an assignment calls for use of other applications.

  • How does my student get their device?

    The Wilton Public Schools will be providing all students kindergarten through 8th grade with devices for the program. While Miller-Driscoll students will be using class sets of devices, Cider Mill and Middlebrook students will be assigned their own individual chromebook for use in school and, for the upper grades, at home. After completing initial digital literacy classes during the first week of school, students will go to their Library Learning Commons with their class to sign the Acceptable Use Policy and receive their device. Library staff will be checking out devices and chargers to the students through our new library resource manager. After the student receives their device, the device becomes their responsibility to maintain as they use it throughout the year. If they need technical assistance with their device, the student should bring it to the Library Learning Commons Student Help Desk. At the end of the year, the device should be returned to the Library Learning Commons.

    What is the policy regarding maintenance and repairs?

    Regular maintenance and repairs will be covered by the district. Should a student have a hardware or technical issue with their device, they should bring it to the Library Learning Commons to receive further assistance. The Student Help Desk can help with minor issues like connecting to the internet which issues with the device’s functionality will be covered by Library staff. Should the device need to be sent out for repair, the student will receive a replacement device. If the device is damaged, broken, or lost by the student, parents will be billed for cost of replacing the device. To prevent damages to the device, it is recommended that students purchase a waterproof case. To prevent the device from being lost, the Library Learning Commons will provide stickers for students to write their name and contact information on the device.

    Will students be taking their devices home?

    Students in 3rd grade will not be taking devices home. Students in grades 4 and 5 will have the opportunity to take the devices home at the teacher's discretion. Most likely, devices will not go home until at least a couple months into the school year if at all.

    What does my student do if their device is out of battery and needs to be charged?

    Students are required to have their device charged before it is needed in class. The Library Learning Commons offers charging options for students before, after, or between classes. Additional charging stations will be available where/as needed. Charging in classroom is limited but available.

    Can my student use the device we already have at home if it has Google?

    The chromebooks provided to students will have applications that go beyond the use of Google. The applications, licensed by the district, cannot be pushed to any other devices not owned by the district. Simply accessing Google classroom or other G-suite applications can be done on a home device but they should use their chromebook as the primary device if an assignment calls for use of other applications. Chromebooks will always be the device used in school but should a student need to get online at home they will have the option to use either their chromebook or home device.

  • What device will my student be using?

    Students in pre-K will be using iPads in the classroom as they have been. Kindergarten and 1st grade will be using iPads as well in the classroom. There will be class sets of 6-8 iPads per class to be shared among the students. Students in 2nd grade will begin using chromebooks with each class having a full cart for student use in school.

    Can my student bring their device home?

    No. The classroom sets are to remain in the classrooms. There will be iPads in the Library that may be available for check out.

    What is the policy regarding maintenance and repairs?

    Device use will be monitored in the classroom. Should an issue arise, the student should reach out to their teacher for help. Student will be signing an acceptable use policy at the beginning of the year recognizing that they are responsible for the device when using it in the classroom.