Highlands schedules iPad, Chromebook distributions for students, sign-ups required

Highlands School District will distribute iPads and Chromebooks to its students next week, the district announced.

Distributions are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the high school in Harrison.

Families are required to sign up for a specific time slot on one of those days.

“If families do not sign up for one of these time slots, your child will not have their device for the start of the school year on Aug. 28,” the district said.

Signup sheets are available on the district’s website.

There will be two distribution areas at the high school, at the student parking lot entrance and the courtyard entrance.

Walk-ins will not be allowed because of covid-19 social distancing guidelines and in-person limits. Only one parent and the children who need a device are allowed to attend, and face coverings must be worn to enter the building.

The district is giving iPads to students in pre-kindergarten through first grade, and Chromebooks to students in second through 12th grade.

Parents will be able to buy insurance on the devices, with payment due at the pickup. The cost is $50 per device, or $25 for families that qualify for free and reduced lunch.

The district plans to start the 2020-21 school year on Friday, Aug. 28 with all students working from home.

The school board is expected to solidify the first day of school when it votes on a revised 2020-21 school year calendar at its meeting on Monday. The meeting will be held virtually, district spokeswoman Jennifer Goldberg said.

Under a hybrid plan, students are being split into two groups, with one attending classes in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the other on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All students will work remotely on Fridays.

Schedules for elementary, middle and high school students are available through Power School, the district’s student information system. Assignments for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten at the Early Childhood Center were mailed, along with information on accessing Power School, according to the district.

High school students have until Friday, Aug. 21 to make schedule change requests online.

The district is also holding orientation sessions the week of Aug. 17 for its virtual academy. Four sessions for parents, two for grades kindergarten through six and two for grades seven through 12, will be held on Zoom.

Details on the orientation sessions, including links are available on the district’s website.

The sessions will be recorded and posted to the district’s website for those unable to participate.