Sixth graders to pilot program that allows Chromebooks to go home with students
Sixth graders to pilot program that allows Chromebooks to go home with students
Sixth graders will be the first to pilot a 1:1 technology device to student program that will allow students to take home Chromebooks starting in January 2019.
The program is called EDGE – Educating our Digital Generation Effectively.
“We are excited that we will be able to extend the classroom outside of the school and that our sixth graders will be able to take home the devices,” said Dr. Brian Henry, superintendent. “Teachers have been participating in professional development to learn how to incorporate lessons involving technology so that the Chromebooks are more than word processors – that they are tools to advance student learning.”
The district plans to continue expanding the EDGE program until all students in grades 6-12 have access to a technology device that they may take home by January 2020. Students in grades 3-5 will have cart-based Chromebooks that will remain at school.
“We are rolling these out strategically, so that we make wise use of our resources,” said Mike Henson, director of curriculum and instructional technology.
Funds from Proposition 1, passed in April 2017, are speeding up the process. In addition to keeping the district eligible for Federal B-2 Heavily Impacted Aid, Prop 1 provides $600,000 annually in new local revenue for safety and technology.
Sixth grade parents who want to allow their children to take home a Chromebook will need to attend an EDGE parent meeting. During the meetings, Mr. Henson will discuss the EDGE Parent/Student Handbook, along with the Chromebook Insurance Plan.
The dates, times and locations for the meetings for parents of sixth graders are as follows:
o Nov. 29: 5 – 6 p.m. WSGC Gymnasium
o Dec. 10: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. WSGC Gymnasium
o Dec. 18: 5 – 6 p.m. WSGC Gymnasium
"Issued November 20, 2018"