By Eric Stock
HEYWORTH – An effort to provide each student with a computer in Heyworth schools has taken a big step.
The Heyworth Education Foundation has announced a $50,000 grant to provide for one Chromebook computer for each student in 5th, 6th, 9th and 10th grades to use at school and home starting next fall.
The Heyworth School District Board of Education last fall approved a one-to-one technology initiative to provide each student in grades 5, 6, 9 and 10 with a Chromebook computer.
“I am excited about the possibilities for our students,” said superintendent Ty Wolf. “I envision a school community where students will be using technology daily to create, collaborate, and communicate with others.”
The district plans to assess a $75 technology fee at registration for students in the program and the student will own the device after four years. The fee covers the cost of the device plus full insurance. The district will add grade levels to the Initiative in future years until all students in grade 5-12 have a personal device.
The fee would be waived for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
“What we are really trying to do is provide those educational experiences that are going to give our students some competitive advantages when they go out there and compete for jobs or even go to college and try to get into those top-rated programs,” Wolf said.
The foundation raised money by hosting a dance and auction earlier this spring.
Parent meetings will be held later this spring to go over more details of the program.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
