By Jim McCarthy, Sara Matthis and Mandy Miles
Monroe County schools are in the process of distributing Chromebooks to students who need the laptop computers to complete assignments while schools are limited to online learning during the coronavirus crisis.
The distribution started March 26, and by Friday, March 27, Key West High School had loaned out about 300 computers.
‘We handed out about 200 yesterday [Thursday] and then another 100 or so today [Friday], and we’ll be here again Monday through Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.,” KWHS librarian Sarah Smith said Friday afternoon.
She and teacher Stacy Saunders were manning the drive-through process on Friday, insisting that parents and students remain in their cars and simply pull up to the circle in front of the school. Social distancing, however, was less evident on Thursday afternoon at Poinciana Elementary, where a large cluster of parents and young children stood shoulder to shoulder in line outside the school.
At Key West High School, Smith and Saunders reminded all families that the student and a parent must be present to borrow a Chromebook.
“A parent can’t come pick it up without the student, and a student can’t pick it up without a parent,” Smith said.
“And a student can only obtain a Chromebook from their own school,” Smith added. “So if a family has a student at Key West High and a student in middle school at Horace O’Bryant, the parent has to go to each student’s school with that student.”
CHROMEBOOK DRIVE-UP DISTRIBUTION FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS
Chromebooks will be available for drive-up check-out to high school students at the front high school entrance during the following dates and times. Both parent and student must be present to pick up and sign for a Chromebook during these times.
KEY WEST HIGH SCHOOL
- Monday, March 30, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 31, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 1, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
MARATHON HIGH SCHOOL
- Monday, March 30, 7:15 to 10:45 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 31, 12:30-3 p.m.
CORAL SHORES HIGH SCHOOL
- Monday, March 30, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If students already have a working iPad, computer, and/or Chromebook at home, they are not required to pick up a Chromebook. The school district can allow only two devices per household for families with multiple children. Parents will need to sign a contract that explains the expectations for use and that all property must be returned when school reopens.
The school-issued Chromebooks are “scrubbed clean” when distributed and equipped with internet and app restrictions.
Students will have access to virtual courses beginning on March 30. Virtual instruction will begin on April 1. Visit the school district’s Emergency Instructional Continuity Plan for more information. Students may choose to access Supplemental Content now.
Comcast is making free internet service available to families without a connection. Those without internet service may call the school’s technology support hotline at 305-289-2480 Ext. 55314 for assistance.
