Chromebook distribution connects students to school at home

The move to home learning sparked the BVSD IT team into action, as home learning would necessitate all students having access to devices and internet to allow them to connect with their teachers and classmates.

Staff spent a weekend going to every school and disassembling Chromecarts, cleaning devices, and packaging devices with their chargers to be ready for distribution. Staff at each school scheduled times with their families to come pick up devices in a drive-through process. In all, over 7,000 devices have been given to students to use for home learning.

"I think this is awesome," says Meadowlark parent Leo Lesperance when picking up a Chromebook for his student. "What a great way to continue learning when we can't be very close to each other."

In the meantime, BVSD staff have also distributed backpacks with paper materials, supplies, and books to elementary students who didn’t have access to a device/internet.

With home learning continuing until at least April 30, working to get all students access to the internet is the top priority. The IT department has been working with families and community partners on free internet options-- working with Comcast, Livewire, and the City of Boulder.

Even once devices and internet are in place, everyone from teachers, to parents, to students are learning new digital platforms and expectations.

Says Meadowlark teacher, Tiffany Hampton, “It will be a learning curve for everyone, but hopefully it will open up new pathways, not just for now but into the future.”

If you are still in need of a device or internet for your student, please reach out to your school, or IT at 720-561-HELP.