New Chromebooks are being rolled out to all students, as it is a part of the new and updated 1:1 initiative from the district, starting on January 25th through the 27th for in person and the 28th for Online learners. All students must fill out a form marking “Yes” or “No” to receiving one.

“Once COVID hit and forced everyone online,” Assistant Principal I-N Frank Perez said. “The district had to make a decision, with the COVID money that was released to all districts, that would end up sending Chromebook to the ones that need it, in order to still gain knowledge and progress.”

Each school across the state is receiving the same amount as their student population.

With Denton High sitting at around 1,995 they will receive that many and pass down the older ones that students had to the lower grades. That is because of the lower grades needing different types of Chromebooks. The 1:1 program is set for students to keep the Chromebooks for their entire time of being in Denton ISD, and they are allowed to take them home over the summer.

“Older Chromebooks will be disposed of because they are labeled End of Life Chromebooks and won’t be used or passed down,” Assistant Principal Perez said. “The Elementary and Middle school campuses need different kinds of Chromebooks than High school, so passing the one’s from here to the lower grades made the most sense.”

Students have the choice to opt in or out of the Chromebook program, and the overall focus is for the students to have the best learning experience possible whether they’re online or in person.

“If students have personal devices that they would rather use, the families can opt out of receiving a new chrome book,” Campus Hardware Technician Michelle Johnston said. “The District will not be able to provide support on personal devices and all state testing must be done on a District owned Chromebook for state testing compliance.”

The rollout is expected to take place in the cafeteria area parking lot, and everything will be sanitized and ready to be dropped off to the students who chose yes.

There is no fee for the Chromebook, and the damage fee will be determined on the severity of the damage. Lost ones will be tracked with the GPS inside.

“You can’t expect lower income families to be able pay $250 for a new Chromebook if damaged,” Perez said. ”So we want to find the best way to cover it, unless of course it’s a damage that is beyond repair or on purpose.”

The Chromebook rollout first took place in 2016, when a 4 year plan was sent and approved for the future uses of Chromebooks. It started as a 3:1 and they would always stay in the classroom, but due to COVID-19 they changed the plans to 1:1 and they would be allowed to be taken home.