Bring Your Own Digital Device Program – Message to ASD-S Families of High School Students

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) has announced a Bring Your Own Digital Device program starting September 2020 in high schools across the province. High school students are asked to bring their own electronic devices for learning as part of a shift toward a more personalized, collaborative and tech-based learning model.

With the new school year, high school students will physically attend school on a rotational basis (minimum every other day). This is part of the efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Schools will communicate the specifics of this schedule to their students in August. When students are not physically in school, they will be engaged in various learning methods, such as online learning, guided projects, and experiential learning. Students will use various digital platforms for their learning, both at school and from home and having their own personal device will facilitate this transition.

System requirements for these platforms are available online and families are encouraged to review this document to confirm compatibility with their student’s device or reference it as they shop for a new device.

Families should note: Every student in NB can install Microsoft Office 365, which includes applications such as MS Teams, on personal computers for free. If you are purchasing a laptop for the High School laptop program, you do not need to purchase Office 365 for your device. Instructions for downloading are can be found here.

To support families in the purchase of these devices, the province is offering a financial assistance program to middle- and low-income families who will need to purchase laptops or tablets for their children. This rebate is retroactive to March, 16, 2020.

Eligible families will be able to apply through the Parent Portal online as of July 31. More information will be shared in the upcoming weeks. If parents have any questions or concerns they can call 1-833-901-1963 or email EECDRTS-EDPERAE@gnb.ca. To view the Government announcement, visit:

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2020.07.0414.html​