Coronavirus Update
- Cancellation, Closings, Dismissals, & Delays
- Learning in Place Plans
- Coronavirus Communications Update Newsletter, May 15, 2020
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FAQs on School Closure
- FAQs for Families
- FAQs on Student Mobile Devices
- FAQs on Q4 Procedures & Final Grades
- FAQs about Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer for Households and Recipients
- FAQs for Employees
- FAQs on Zoom Video Conferencing for Parents/Students
- FAQs on Zoom Video Conferencing for Staff
- FAQs on the Coronavirus Disease
- Press Releases Related to Coronavirus
- Governor-ordered Closure for Students, March 13, 2020
- Superintendent Byrdsong Letter, March 12, 2020
- Superintendent Byrdsong Letter, March 11, 2020
- Superintendent Byrdsong Letter, Feb. 28, 2020
- Coronavirus: Share the facts; stop the fear
- The VDH on the coronavirus
- Mental Health Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Student Mobile Devices
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The following questions and answers have been compiled to assist NPS parents/guardians and students with guidelines for using NPS mobile devices at home. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your school or the NPS Department of Information Technology’s Helpdesk at 757-628-3900.
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What device will students receive?
The district will provide Chromebooks, iPads, or laptops.
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Who will receive the devices?
All students in preK through grade 12 who do not have access to a device to complete online activities. If your child needs a device and has not been contacted by their school, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.
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How can my child access the Internet if we don’t have access at home?
Wireless hotspots (MiFis) have been ordered for students who need them. The delivery of the hotspots is expected by no later than the end of May. Once these devices arrive, building principals will advise parents/guardians. The distribution of the wireless hotspots will be similar to the mobile device distribution.
In the meantime, NPS WiFi is accessible and available in the parking lots of schools with the exception of Sewells Point Elementary and Lake Taylor High. In the case of Lake Taylor High, access is available in the parking area of Lake Taylor School, and in the case of Sewells Point Elementary, access is available in the parking area of nearby Camp Allen Elementary.
Parents/Guardians also have the option of contacting local Internet service providers, as some are offering no-cost access to qualifying families during the school closure.
With the help of local officials, schools, and libraries across Virginia, the Commonwealth Connect team and Virginia Tech have developed an interactive map of free, publicly available WiFi hotspots that Virginians can access from a vehicle. This map will be continually updated with WiFi hotspots. For Coronavirus broadband resources, please visit the Commonwealth Connect website. -
How long will students keep their devices?
Students will keep their devices until further notice. High school seniors should contact their principal for a device return date.
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What happens if my child’s mobile device is not working?
Contact the helpdesk at 757-628-3900 for technical difficulties or to report damage.
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What happens if the mobile device is damaged?
Students are responsible for the care of their mobile device. Warranties do not cover damage caused by misuse, abuse, or accidents. The student may be responsible for repair cost for damage from misuse, abuse, or accidents. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
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What happens if my child’s mobile device is stolen?
Students will be responsible for the replacement cost of the mobile device if it is lost. If the mobile device is stolen, a formal police report must be filed with the Norfolk Police Department within 48 hours. A copy of the report must be submitted to the student’s school.
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What are the estimated replacement costs?
It will be determined for each individual case.
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Will my child be penalized for not having a mobile device if I do not want to be responsible for it?
NPS hopes that all students will be able to benefit from having a mobile device to use at home. Parents/Guardians, however, must give permission before their child is assigned a mobile device. Parents/Guardians have the option for their child to not participate in the mobile device distribution.
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How is one student’s mobile device identified from another student?
Each mobile device is labeled with a serial number that is specifically tied to a particular student. This information is stored by NPS so we can determine which mobile device is assigned to which student.
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What login will students use on the mobile device?
Students will use their current NPS username and password on a laptop. Students will use their current NPS email and password on Chromebooks and Windows laptops. iPads will be able to be used at home without a login.
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Will unsafe or inappropriate websites be filtered on the mobile devices?
Yes, unsafe and inappropriate websites are filtered on students’ mobile devices. However, we ask that parents/guardians also monitor student activity while connected online to the Internet as a safety precaution.
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How can students submit work of assignments via their devices?
Teachers use Google Classrooms, Class Dojo, or Virtual Virginia for student assignments. Please check with your child’s teacher.
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Will students be expected to use the mobile device for school-related activities only?
The devices will be used for school purposes. Parents/Guardians should regularly monitor their children while on the Internet to ensure that their mobile device is being used for school purposes.
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How will inappropriate use of the mobile device be addressed?
Students are required to follow all policies and procedures in the NPS Student Handbook, Standards of Student Conduct, and the Acceptable Use Procedure (AUP) for Computer Systems. A student’s failure to follow these policies and procedures may result in the loss of Norfolk Public Schools’ computer network privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.
