Last night was the final roll-out of getting Chrome computers into the hands of students.
You know, sometimes you get invited to stop by an event, and you think it is nothing
special. Last night it was, "Hey Jim, last of the Chrome Roll-Out." I stopped up expecting
kids getting computers but something strange happened, read on.
After getting the run down, and what is expected with the students and the parents they
all headed down the hallway to three stations. The first was to check in the students and
exchange the proper paperwork, and check for $50. The deal is the students get them for
$50 a year, and then can purchase them for $1 at the end of the program.
More and more parents and students flooded the hallway, anxious for the offer and the
chance for their own computer.
You could feel the excitement at station 2.
Station 2 is where they were checked off, and handed a new Chrome computer and a case for it.
The cases were your typical shoulder case with a nice Lakewood Schools logo on it.
Checked another one off!
Then something very real and very different was happening at Station 3. At Station 3
they would open the box, turn on the computer, check that it worked, show the student
how to turn it on, and how to properly store it and carry it.
Paul Hieronymus from Lakewood City Schools, in charge of technology and this roll-out
then spoke with the student, about engraving their initials on the plug, and then shutting it
all down and putting it away, and then it happened!
As the student zipped everything up, and threw the strap over their shoulder, and turned
to their parents with smiles beaming, they suddenly seemed more mature, suddenly seemed
more responsible, and eager to get into it, and life.
Leaving the event, a little wiser myself, I could not help but notice the pencil sharpeners
next to the garbage. An age old way to schmooze the teachers and/or serve out detentions
headed to the scrap heap.
The future is now, and Lakewood Schools are on it.
To everyone at Harding, administrators, parents and kids, thanks for letting me be a part of it.
It is tough to hold onto your children, as they grow up faster than ever. But it is worth the try.
.