MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The start of the new school years is now less than a month away for Shelby County students and the district started getting everyone ready for virtual learning by handing out laptops and computers.
Thousands of them were handed out to middle and high school students on Monday.
The district wants to get the devices out to middle and high school students first, but with more than 100,000 thousand students, this is a monumental task.
To keep things organized, the distribution effort has been divided by school and grade level. Parents will have to pick up the devices at a specific time and locations, and you’ll need to bring a photo ID with you.
The tablets and laptops will only be given to registered parents or guardians.
If you can’t make it to your scheduled pick up time, each school will have a scheduled make up day.
On Monday, WREG’s Melissa Moon spoke to one mother about going virtual She said she’s not worried about it. Instead,s he’s more concerned about COVID-19.
“Everyone is scared about the schools, going into the school system.”
But Antonio Wortham, a senior at Manassas High School, was looking forward to spending his lasty year on campus.
“I didn’t want to do the computers because I really wanted to go to school and be around my friends, my peers.”
Students, parents and even school officials agree that face to face learning is better for kids, but understand that they’ll have to make adjustments. Parents said they’ll also have to stay on top of their kids.
“Make sure they are getting their work out, doing what they are supposed to do,” said Beverly Loverson.
The pick up schedule is not complete yet as a number of middle and high schools still need to be added to the list. District leaders are also still trying to schedule pick ups for elementary students.
You can find the schedule here.
