Dateline: September 4, 2008

CISD to begin handing out new laptops

By Ashlyn Tubbs, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon CISD has announced its distribution dates for its 1-to-1 laptop initiative.

The dates are as follows: Saturday, September 6, 9-11 a.m. for Seniors and Juniors; Monday, September 8, 7-9 p.m. for Sophomores and Freshman; Tuesday, September 9, 7-9 p.m. for 8th and 7th graders, and Monday September 15, 7-9 p.m. for 6th and 5th graders.

All laptop distribution will take place in the Cafeteria. A parent must be in attendance to hear and understand all rules and policies; $40 maintenance fee must be paid; and all forms and agreements must be signed before the laptop will be issued to the student.

As a part of Clarendon CISD’s ongoing efforts to provide all the tools necessary to prepare our students for excelling in the 21st century, a 1-to-1 laptop initiative is being initiated. Students in grades 5-12 will be issued a laptop computer. Students in grades Pre-K-4 will have access to laptops via a mobile laptop cart. Teachers received their laptops in January inservice training, and students will receive their laptops in the fall semester of 2008.

In order to facilitate the imaging, repairs, and training on so many computers, a new technology building is in the process of construction just west of the Administration Building. This building will house all of our servers, the videoconference room, technology staff offices, a workroom, and two technology classrooms. In addition, a wireless network has been installed throughout the campuses to allow students and teachers to connect to our school network wirelessly while on campus.

Teacher training is a major component of this initiative. Teachers have already completed two separate two-day training sessions from Apple trainers.