Student Laptop FAQ's

A Dell laptop with charger.

Students will check out laptops from the Technology Liaison at their assigned school.

No. Students and parents may opt to purchase a protective case, sleeve, or bag at a retailer of their choice. 

No. 

District laptops are configured with on-going support, district-approved software, and security to offer the best experience for students.  Further, personal devices are not allowed on the TPS network.

District laptops have applications subject to licensing agreements, which do not permit installation on personal devices.  Student safety is a district priority, and personally owned devices may not provide the same digital safeguards.

 

The student's laptop is a vital learning tool and is for educational purposes only. Students are required to accept the following responsibilities: 

As a TPS student, I will:  

• Comply with TPS Acceptance and Liability guidelines and the Acceptable Use for Digital Resources policy and regulation 6973R 

• Use the equipment for educational purposes only.  

• Abide by district policies and federal/state laws, including copyright laws.  

• Use good behavior; using district technology for political, personal, or private gain, individual business, or commercial advantage is prohibited.   

• Use digital resources in a legal, moral, and ethical manner.  

• Not use digital resources for illegal purposes to harass, intimidate, or bully or to access or possess obscene pornographic or other inappropriate materials.    

• Never share or swap laptops with another student. Keep your password CONFIDENTIAL. 

• Not mark the laptop in any way with markers, stickers, etc. 

• Not remove Tacoma Public Schools labels or asset tags. 

• Not insert foreign objects into openings of the laptop. 

• Not eat or drink near the laptop. 

• Bring the laptop to school fully charged with power cords daily. 

Students will keep their assigned laptop until they leave the district or are part of a technology refresh.

Each year, students entering the first, fifth, and ninth grades will receive new laptops as part of a planned student laptop technology refresh cycle.

Graduating and unenrolling students should return their laptops and power cords to their school before their last day in the district.

Students who don't return a laptop may be subject to repercussions outlined in TPS Regulation 3520R, Student Fees, Fines, Charges. 

Students must follow the TPS Acceptance and Liability guidelines and the Acceptable Use for Digital Resources policy and regulation 6973R while using the laptop.

Please consult with your classroom teacher. 

A limited number of day-use, loaner laptops are available to students who report to school without their laptops. Individual schools will provide additional guidance. 

The Foundation for Tacoma Students is working with community partners to provide access to internet services.  Please see the foundation’s website for additional resources. Click here: https://www.tacomalearns.org/laptopinternet or email tech@graduatetacoma.org. 

Students may also connect to district WiFi when near a school building.