LISD staff began handing out devices in the morning at Akin, Parkside, Rutledge, Reagan and River Ridge elementary schools. Devices were distributed at Naumann and River Place in the afternoon.
Either one or two lanes were open at each school for parents to drive up, provide student identification and receive a laptop computer with safe filtering devices already installed.
While middle and secondary students have typically have devices for online instruction, elementary grades do not.
LISD enrolls approximately 18,478 pre-K through elementary students, according to the district. According to Chief Technical Officer Laurelyn Arterbury, there is a 1:1 student/device ratio in grades 3-5, but only a 2:1 student/device ratio in PreK-grade 2. Not all devices are Chromebooks, she added.
Teachers began reconnecting with students on March 25 before sharing information that had previously been studied on March 26. On April 6, LISD students began learning new material, according to the district.
The next two days’ laptop schedule are as follows:
April 8
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Larkspur, Knowles, Faubion, Whitestone, Grandview
1:30-4 p.m.: Bagdad, Camacho, Reed, Pleasant Hill, Cypress
April 9
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Plain, Block House Creek, Westside, Mason, Bush
1:30-4 p.m.: Winkley, Cox, Deer Creek, Giddens, Steiner Ranch
Parents must write this information on a sheet of paper and place it on their dashboard:
- printed first and last name of parent/guardian;
- printed first and last name of student;
- grade of student; and
- student identification number, if available.
For district families that currently lack internet access, LISD spokesperson Corey Ryan said the district also uses phone calls and text messages in English and Spanish to alert families. LISD is also using mobile apps that allow teachers to call parents and students without sharing personal cell phone numbers.
Families that have difficulties with their devices may submit a help ticket online at http://servicemanager.leanderisd.org or call 512-570-0566.
