What students are currently being deployed to and when?  

The first phase of Connected Futures concluded in Fall 2020 and provided devices to eligible K-12 students. Now, the winter 2021 deployment is targeting all kindergarten and new to the district 9th grade students. Deployments will run from March 1st – April 16th.   

What do I do if my student already has a loaner school laptop?  

Students are required to return their loaner laptop devices when picking up their new Connected Futures device. Please bring all loaner hardware (laptop, hotspot, charger, etc.) with you to pick up your Connected Futures tablet.   

What if my student is not part of the current deployment group but has not yet received a Connected Futures device?  

There will be future deployment windows targeting other groups of students. Information will come from schools and your child’s DPSCD email. If you want to make sure to receive information about this and other opportunities from your child’s school, contact the school’s main office and ensure your contact details are up to date. 

Who is eligible to get a device, data till the end of the school year, and support services?​  

Any Kindergarten or new to the district 9th grade DPSCD student enrolled in the District during in February 2021, and was included in the Fall Membership Count is eligible to receive a device, LTE data until the end of the 2020/2021 school year, as well as technical support.  Eligible students will be pulled directly from the District's student information system. If all devices are not claimed by the end of deployment (April 16th), the District will distribute devices to other eligible students, pending availability. ​ 

What do I need to bring with me when coming to pick up my child’s device?  

If you were provided a temporary loaner device and/or mobile hotspot, please bring all loaner equipment and accessories e.g., AC adaptors, etc. This must be returned prior to receiving your new device.   

Parents and guardians must show a government-issued ID, such as a Driver's License or State ID, their child's student ID, or a utility bill in their name, to pick up a device for their child. This step is to prevent fraud and theft.   

How will I know when and where to pick up my device?​  

• A Family Interest Survey email has been sent to your child’s DPSCD email account ​  
• Take the survey for each child you’d like to participate​  
• You will get details for your pickup as soon as you take the survey  

Where can I pick-up my child’s device?  

Deployments will occur at the Family and Technology Resource Hubs located across the district. You may pick up your child’s tablet at whichever Hub is most convenient for you. Locations and time vary daily so please check the schedule here for up to date Hub hours.  

​Will there be one device available per eligible family or per eligible student?​ 

There is one device available per eligible student. ​  

​How will I find out if my student can get a device?​  

The parent or legal guardian of each eligible student will receive a survey link in their child’s DPSCD email to confirm their interest, update their contact information, and commit to an agreement about the use of the device.  Once complete, the parent or legal guardian will receive a confirmation email and next steps for deployment.  Families who do not complete the survey will receive proactive follow up from school staff to ensure they are aware of the opportunity. ​  

​Can a school staff member or customer care representative tell me if my child is eligible? ​  

After the participation survey is distributed, these staff will be able to tell you if your child is eligible, but not before that time.  If you want to make sure to receive information, contact your school’s principal to ensure your contact phone number and email address (if you have one) is up to date, and that you are checking these regularly.   

Will there be data caps or throttles on the LTE?​  

We worked hard to identify a partner for LTE service that will be unlimited, and we are pleased to share that there will be an extremely high data cap on the provided LTE access. ​  

​If I want to keep a data plan after the end of the school year, can I?​  

As the owner of the device, families may choose to start their own data plan for the device on a compatible LTE network, or add the device to an existing data plan, at their discretion and expense.​  

 I appreciate the mobile data, but it is not a great connection at my home, or I am finding it slow. What are my options?   

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Signing up is easy and fast. Visit apply.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) to submit your application today. Qualified households can receive reliable & affordable in-home internet service. 

 Where can I find the survey I need to take to participate? ​  

If your student is part of the Winter 2021 deployment (A kindergarten or new to the district 9th grader) and eligibility email is coming to your child’s DPSCD email account. ​Surveys will be sent out to families the week of 2/22.  

​How do I access my child’s email account?​  

Families can access their child’s email account through the Clever portal.  ​  

• Customer Care staff can support families to access Clever using this guide on Detroitk12.org. ​  

• Use the DPSCD Email link in the Microsoft Shortcut section (MS Outlook Icon). ​  

​Can I get a translation of the survey? ​  

In the upper righthand corner of the survey, there is an option to translate the survey into each of the District’s core languages.  If the family you are supporting does not speak one of the translated languages, please direct the family to Over the Phone translation services.  

 Confirmation Email (Note: Replaces the Registration Email Section)  

 How do I get the email that tells me how to pick up my child’s device?​Take the survey in each of your children’s DPSCD email account to get directions for picking up their device.  This message will give you further details on when and where to pick up devices.   

​I got the confirmation email but the pick-up time will not work for me. What can I do?​  

If your child (and a trusted adult for younger students) is available for the pick-up time, and your child has his or her student ID and a copy of a recent utility bill in your name, they can pick up the device without you. Just be sure that they bring their ID/utility bill.​  

What do I need to bring with me to pick up my child’s device?​  

• If you received a loaner device, students are required to return their loaner laptop devices when picking up their new Connected Futures device. Please bring all loaner hardware (laptop, hotspot, charger, etc.) with you to pick up your Connected Futures tablet.   

• Please bring a state ID, student ID, or utility bill to your pick up site and have it ready to show staff to verify your identity.​  
• Wear your masks.