While it is not required(yet), it is HIGHLY recommended that 
students in grades 6-8 have a Flash Drive.  (They are also called 
Thumb Drives, Jump Drives, etc.)  They come in handy when a student 
needs to do computer-related work at home and transfer the files 
back and forth.  Our PCs in the lab DO NOT have floppy drives.  A 
Flash Drive can be purchased at Best Buy, Office Depot, etc. for less 
than $20.