North Dickinson County School District had 120 HP devices delivered just before the holiday break.

“It was a great Christmas present,” North Dickinson Superintendent/Principal Angel Inglese said.

Breitung Township School District received 365 of the electronic tablets in November, augmenting the supply of devices they already had assembled.

“The teachers really like it,” said Justin Cowen, director of learning technology for Breitung Township Schools. “The students like having the same machines.”

TWO BREITUNG TOWNSHIP Schools students use new Chromebooks to participate in virtual classes in November. In front is sixth-grader Alexa Hearn, while in back is Kingsford High School sophomore Ava Peters. (Submitted photo)

Both districts invested federal CARES Act funds, intended to help schools cover COVID-19 expenses, to upgrade technology for remote learning, given the repeated state mandates that closed down in-person classes.

North Dickinson County in Felch Township originally had been told the HP Chromebooks would arrive in October. But high demand and reduced production due to COVID-19 shutdowns delayed the order, to the point that Inglese had heard they might have to wait until Valentine’s Day in February. Then the 120 new HP Chromebooks came Dec. 22.

It will give North Dickinson a 1-to-1 ratio of computer devices for all students in seventh through 12th grades.

“We’re excited to see how these work in our classrooms,” Inglese said.

While the tablets will aid in teaching if the school again goes to virtual learning, Inglese believes they also will become as much a part of in-person classes as textbooks.

Cowen agreed, noting many learning materials today are completely online, so they can be more easily updated than the printed versions.

Breitung Township Schools got 365 HP Chromebooks in November, which with the devices the district already had created a 1-to-1 ratio for fifth through 12th grades — more than 1,100 students.

The district has been working for some time to achieve a 1-to-1 ratio, but this accelerated the process, Cowen said.

The devices are easy to use and were easy to prepare for classes, taking only a matter of days to be ready, Cowen said.

In both districts, the new Chromebooks will give all students equal access to online learning and resources. Several Google platforms have been set up to not only let classes meet but for posting educational materials.

When schools were forced to go to virtual learning, some students had to use a smartphone to attend online sessions because they didn’t have a computer at home.

In North Dickinson, that lack can be exacerbated by poor internet service in rural areas, though Inglese said much of the district does have a reliable connection.

Even with decent internet, families with multiple children may have difficulties attending online classes at the same time or might have to share devices, Cowen said. Plans might have data limits, though some providers have allowed for more, given the circumstances.

Several businesses also have provided “Flivver Fuel-Up” sites with wi-fi where students can download assignments and materials, Cowen said.

Through another grant from T-Mobile, the district has been able to provide about 150 wi-fi “hot spots” to assist families with their internet connections, Cowen added.

Breitung Township Schools passed out many of the Chromebooks just after the Thanksgiving break, when elementary and middle school students were allowed to resume in-person classes. Though high school remained on virtual learning until Dec. 21, students in those grades were able to pick up a Chromebook at their school, Cowen said.

Any devices not picked up earlier will be distributed when school comes back into session today, he said. The district still is waiting on 140 tablets ordered for elementary classes.

North Dickinson County was the only area district not out on holiday break when the state lifted the high school restrictions Dec. 21, so grades nine through 12th had three days back in class, Inglese said. But the HP Chromebooks didn’t arrive until Dec. 22, so they were to be converted for use during the break.

North Dickinson students who got an early look at the new Chromebooks liked what they saw.

Junior Isabella Reimer said while her Sagola Township home does have a computer “it’s really old.” And the Chromebook “has a camera; I don’t have a camera.”

Sophie Mattson, also an 11th-grade student, was impressed just firing one up before it had been prepped.

“I think it’s good,” Mattson said. “I don’t have a computer.”