Cabin John Middle School
10701 Gainsborough Road
Potomac , Maryland 20854-2599
301-469-1150
December 19, 2014
Dear CJMS Families:
As a part of the technology modernization program in MCPS, all students and staff will get a
secure, MCPS Google Apps for Education (GAFE) account to expand the possibilities for
collaboration and engagement. The new technology is an instructional tool to help
students achieve the three core competencies of academic excellence, creative problem
solving and social emotional learning. Students will be challenged to develop a deep
understanding of the course content and to explain their thinking as they work to achieve
the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
In addition, all sixth grade reading, English, science, social studies and math classes at CJMS
will be equipped with Chromebooks. Students will be able to utilize this technology for inclass access to Google Apps for Education as an integral part of their instruction. In addition,
student work can be saved on the cloud and accessed from anywhere the Internet is
available. This will minimize the number of loose worksheets and papers that can easily be
lost between home and school.
Guidelines for the use of these two technology initiatives can be found on the back of this
letter.
For more information about the GAFE accounts and the Chromebooks, see the “21st Century
Learning Spaces” information sheet from the MCPS Office of the Chief Technology Officer
which is posted on the CJMS webpage.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paulette L. Smith,
Principal
 All students in all grades will use a Google Apps for Education account to support and
enhance their learning this year.
 To support these accounts, students in grade 6 will also have Chromebooks from the MCPS
Technology Initiative in their classrooms.
 Google Apps for Education Accounts and the Chromebooks are for educational uses only.
This includes apps, websites, email and more.
 Students should follow teacher directions when returning Chromebooks to cart, i.e. plug
back in, etc.
 The Chromebooks may be used for testing later in the school year.
Student Email
 All students in MCPS now have Google email accounts.
 Students cannot send or receive outside email.
 Email should be used for educational purposes only.
 All emails are closely monitored by staff.
 MCPS staff can “audit” student accounts (including email) at any time if it is suspected that
students are using their accounts inappropriately.
Google Apps
 CJMS Staff will guide students in the use of apps for educational purposes only. This means
that students are not to add apps to their Google accounts without the supervision of a staff
member.
 Staff will preview all apps before using with students.
 Staff also have the ability to view and remove apps downloaded by students.