Simcoe County’s virtual learners equipped with new tech

The majority of students learning at home have all the tech they need to do their studies, say school board officials.

Both the public and Catholic boards purchased new devices this year in order to assist students

“The board purchased and distributed to schools an additional 996 Chromebooks at a cost of approximately $355,665 since September 2020,” Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board superintendent of business and finance Suzanne Olimer said. “Previous to this distribution, schools responded to requests from their communities by distributing devices that they had in inventory.”

She noted the board continues to purchase new technology to support virtual learning environments and address needs as they arise.

Similarity, the Simcoe County District School Board purchased 8,000 additional Chromebooks to support students in the Learn@Home program, spokesperson Sarah Kekewich said.

“Chromebooks were distributed in the fall to students who requested a device to support their learning. We do not have a wait list of students who require technology,” Kekewich said.

Simcoe County students who didn’t have internet access at home were given devices that had access, through the boards’ accounts.

– With files from Torstar News Service