From the beginning of the school year until the week of October 24-28, MacArthur’s sixth graders had not to received their Chromebooks due to damages that happened last year.  Principal Mr. David Casper, along with other teachers at school, decided that sixth graders should get their Chromebook later on in the year, so they can learn how to use and take care of them properly.

“Chromebooks are opening doors for all our youth. Why not include the sixth graders?” said Computer Technician Mr. Jesus Lozano.  There were 467 Chromebooks ready to be distributed to sixth graders.  Although, 85 Chromebooks were still being repaired.

The sixth graders received their Chromebooks during the week of October 24, on Wednesday October 26 during P.E., if they got all their paperwork signed, which was given to them on that Monday.  

The seventh and eighth graders also received new cases on Monday, October 24.  The new cases will allow the Chromebook to be opened up without taking the Chromebook out of the case. Casper said, “My goal is to get technology in the hands of the sixth graders so they can use this tool at school and home to enhance learning.”

The Chromebooks are currently being repaired by Lozano and by the technology department of the Santa Ana Unified School District.  The Chromebooks usually take half an hour to an hour depending on the amount of damage for Lozano to fix, if we have all the parts that are needed.  But if we are missing some parts, it can end up taking a week or more.  If the damages are really bad like charging problems or a broken screen, then that is when the laptops get sent over to the District office.  There are currently 75 Chromebooks getting repaired by the District office, said Casper.

According to Casper, some of the sixth grade teachers were a bit frustrated because the Chromebook was needed for homework and/or classwork, so they found it challenging to find ways to get around the situation.  Although, sixth grade teachers had access to a cart of Chromebooks to work with.

So far, the incoming sixth graders next year will be getting Chromebooks during the first month of the school year and the seventh and eighth graders will be getting their Chromebooks when they get their textbooks, at program verification.