Each child will need a number of items for school While I am sure the school might provide a Chromebook for their educational needs, I don’t feel this is enough. In addition, ad Chromebook PC will not be able to support the other resources available for the child. With that said, each child will get a collection of items that would be ideal for school, and their education. All of these items will go with the child if they leave my custody. This will just make sense as the child would have been heavily invested into the school package they would have received from me. The following are included.
Backpack
A backpack is essential. For children younger than 13, I will get them a roller backpack. These backpacks in my experience don’t have a lot of pockets, or sections, so the child will likely have to put everything in one or two sections, and that might take some time to figure out the best solution for them. Chidren 13+ will receive a more conventional backpack without the rollers. It would be assumed that a child of 13 or older will be able to carry the backpack on their back.
Duffle Bag
A duffle bag is essential. A child might have physical education, and even if they don’t, they might be involved in after school sports. With that said, their active-wear will be in the duffle bag to keep everything separate from the backpack. A duffle bag is easier to wash, and dry than a backpack. The duffle bag will have the big main pocket, and a side pocket for things like deodorant.
Kindle
The child will receive a Kindle Color Soft Signature edition for reading. I will hope that the school will offer text books in Kindle format, and if so – they will benefit from this. Even if that is not the case, the child will still receive a Kindle. The Kindle can be used to download books which I will encourage the child to do. They will use their debit card to pay for the ebooks they wish to have.
MacBook Air
Probably the most expensive item in this package, the notebook PC will replace the Chromebook offered by the school. To the best of my knowledge, Chromebook PCs don’t support NAS or VPNs. These tow resources are essential for the child to have access to. Without the NAS, they won’t be able to access the larger files they have without the need to using an SD card reader, which the Chromebook PC is not guaranteed to have.
With that said, the child will receive a MacBook Air which will be a smaller computer, but sufficient in the use of the computer. There will be 16GB which is the minimum standard for memory, and since this computer will be their primary computer, they would need a minimum of 2TB of storage. Unfortunately, the notebook does not have an SD card reader, but the notebook will still meet all of their needs.
I will guess that while at school, the child will have to connect to the school’s network, and therefore might not be able to VPN into the residence’s LAN. When that happens, they will not be able to access their NAS resources. With that said, every child should have the files they need on the computer, or a USB-C thumb drive. The specs of the computer is as follows:
- CPU: Latest M series CPU for MacBook Air
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 2TB
- Screen: 13.3″ screen
- Ports: 2 Thunderbolt4 ports, 3.5mm audio, magsafe charging port
- Connectivity: Wifi-6, Bluetooth 5
- OS: MacOS
iPhone
Each child will receive an iPhone SE. This will have 256GB of storage, and while basic, it will meet the needs of the foster child. And yes, I do see value in an 8 year old to having a phone. However, they won’t be allowed to have a cellular service line until they turn 13. Before the age of 13, the child will use a SIP client, and will receive a unique telephone number their use. They will not be able to take the SIP phone number with them, but if they have a cellular plan, they can choose to take their cellular number with them.
Tablet
The child will receive an 11″ iPad Air without cellular. The capacity will be 256GB, and can be used to read graphic novels, play games, and watch video content. There will also be a stylus for the tablet, so if they have any drawing ambition, then the tablet will work ideally for the child. As a media machine, they will be able to download the Tablo app, and connect with their Tablo. As long as they are connected with the LAN, they will be able to access the Tablo. However, I will imagine that the TV in the bedroom will work much nicer than an 11″ screen.
Telephone Number
Since every child will receive an iPhone SE, they will also have the option to download a SIP client to connect with their home phone line. As long as they have wifi, they will be able to make and receive calls on that particular number. Once they are old enough to have their own cellular service, we will work together to decide the best plan, and carrier for them. They will of course have to use their money if they want a cellular service plan. Otherwise, they can use the home line they will have access to.
When the child leaves my custody, they will be able to take their cellular number with them. However, the home phone number will stay back. It will be the child’s responsibility to notify anyone calling their home phone line of the cellular number before they move out.
Thumb Drive
The child will receive a Sandisk 256GB USB-C thumb drive. This is good for loading their school files if they don’t wish the use their computer’s SSD. I am not sure why this will be the case, but it will be so nonetheless. I have chosen Sandisk as this is a reliable brand, and one of the few that I came across that supports both USB-A (other computers), and USB-C (supported computers). 256GB will be sufficient for even large projects.
Water Bottle
I will make sure that every child will have a water bottle that they could use while in school, or out and about. I would recommend that the child will fill their bottle up, and store it overnight in the refrigerator. When the bottle is empty, hopefully, the child will have a bottle dispenser the child could use in school. The child will be able to make use of this bottle, and it should fit into a bottle pocket within their backpack.
Writing Tablet
I will provide each child with a Remarkable Paper Pro Move with a marker plus, and a folio. This is an eInk tablet that would replace the need for a notebook, and pens. The child can use this to write notes during class. If they make a mistake, they can “erase” the mistake. It doesn’t use any paper since it is eInk. This saves the environment as that is fewer trees to cut down. There will also be a line paper option to make it easier to write. The folio will help protect the screen, and the tablet has a back light for viewing in the dark.
Unfortunately, there was no mention on ebook formats that the tablet will support. I would imagine that it isn’t a ebook reader, but a single purpose item. This makes it less functional, but I guess that is what the Kindle will be for. There is also a subscription service, but the child will have to decide if it is worth the cost.
Additional Details
Each child will receive these resources, and they will be able to keep these resources, even if they are no longer in my care. The child will be responsible for any recurring cost that the items might have with their debit card that they will receive from their bank account. This will include purchasing apps, eBooks, or additional warranty coverage with regards to Apple products.