Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to assisting students and staff in creating a 21st century learning environment. In efforts to support this progress, students and staff will now be able to access our wireless network with their personal devices (laptops, netbooks, tablets, smart phones, etc) during the school day. Students may register and use their own devices to access the internet and collaborate with other students. By allowing students to use their own technology at school, we are hoping to increase the access all students have to the technology they need to succeed.

Why are we doing this?
Applications accessed by a web browser, such as  FCPS Google Apps for Education, eliminate the need to have specific software loaded onto every student computer. Cloud based computing allows students to access their information from any internet enabled device. The current economic times require unique strategies to ensure every student has equitable access to online resources. 

21st Century Learning 
We believe equitable access to technology will aid our students in becoming self-directed learners and collaborative team players.

Bring Your Own Device at Carson Middle School
Watch this SchoolScene video to learn about students at Carson Middle School who are bringing their personal devices to school, including laptops, iPads, and smart phones, to increase their learning opportunities. (watch video)

Carrying Devices in School

For the purposes of carrying and safely securing devices, Carson students are permitted to also carry a mesh sling bag or backpack, that is appropriate to secure the device. Please understand that overly bags are not permitted and need to be appropriate for the student's device.

Student Personal Devices

Students are permitted to bring their own electronic devices to school for use to support instruction. Use of student-owned devices is restricted to instructional activities under the direct supervision of a staff member. Students using privately owned electronic devices must follow the policy stated in the AUP while on school property, attending school-sponsored activities, or using the FCPS network.

A permission form is to be filled out for all devices approved throughout the school year. If you are interested in having your child bring in his/her electronic device, please review this permission form with your child.

Purchasing Devices for BYOD

Parents purchasing devices may want to consider the following information. FCPS does not recommend a specific type of device, but would like parents to know of resources available purchasing devices and software. The Technology@Home program http://www.fcps.edu/it/technology/TechnologyHome.shtml/) enables students, faculty and staff to purchase products for home technology use, directly from vendors at educational discount rates.

FCPS school purchased computers are PC based. FCPS has a procurement computer contract for Dell computers and purchases Dell Netbooks and Dell Latitude laptops. FCPS has approved school purchasing of iPADS beginning with the 2011 school year. Laptop Specifications for Online Textbooks http://www.fcps.edu/is/textbooks/onlinetextbooks/requirements.shtml

Documents for Personal Owned Devices
Permission Form for Devices
Help for Finding Mac Address Info on Devices

Students should complete paperwork with parents and bring the device and paperwork for registration.

Registration Dates
Students will be able to register devices during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please bring your completed registration form & device in a small protective bag/sleeve that you can use to carry it to lunch. We ask that you eat lunch prior to getting your device registered.