Salinas middle schoolers swap textbooks for technology with Google Chromebooks

Hundreds of Salinas middle school students are ditching traditional books for technology. Students will now use a special laptop to enhance learning and lighten up their backpacks. Parents who spoke with NewsChannel 5 said they’re excited kids will get the chance to use a new tablet but some say they’re nervous about the chance of it being stolen. District leaders said they’re counting on students and parents to prevent the laptops from becoming a target.

“I can see the concern because he used to walk home and it was like, the rain or if someone’s trying to get him or you know,” said parent Christina Barroa.

On Tuesday night, more than 500 students at Gavilan View Middle School walked away with a Google Chromebook in hand, costing about $500 each. Santa Rita School District officials said it’s the first district in Monterey County to provide one-to-one devices and to allow middle school students to take them home. Parents said they’re excited, but also a little nervous.

“I think my only concern really is just somebody taking it or stealing it,” said parent Dan Emerson.

Safety is a top priority for the district as well, as students and parents sign off on a long list of rules and insurance will cover any damage with a $25 co-pay.

“We’re pretty well supervised when people are leaving campus. We have lots of kids that are picked up we have very few that walk,” said Santa Rita superintendent Shelly Morr.

But for those who walk, it will eventually lighten the load. Next year they won’t have to carry thick books. Instead they’ll sling their Chromebook on their backs.

“I mean right now we have three really big books that I carry home and sometimes teachers without planning they just give us homework in all three books,” said student Perla Salas.

Morr said last spring students had a test run with a different piece of computer equipment. She said it went so well, the district worked hard to make it a regular thing.

“We pulled E-rate money together, we pulled together the common core dollars,” Morr said.

To make sure kids don’t end up in the wrong places on the Internet, the district said each laptop is already installed with three safety filters.

On Wednesday night, students at Bolsa Knolls Middle School will also get Chromebooks. The district said students who misuse the laptop will get three warnings before they’re taken away.