The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) distributed more than 5,000 Dell Venue Pro tablet computers to students at Pioneer Valley, Ernest Righetti, and Santa Maria high schools on May 19 at 10 a.m. Parents received recorded phone calls regarding the new technological addition at the schools, as well as letters detailing the district’s Student Tablet Use Policy, insurance measures, and Digital Citizenship forms.
“Technology and Internet resources are indispensable tools for the modern learner,” said John Davis, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, in a release from the district. “We are excited to provide a new level of access and opportunity for our students.”
Students will receive support from the district’s information technology technicians, and technical support services are planned throughout the year. The total cost of the tablets was $2.2 million, with $200,000 coming from Common Core funds and the rest provided by Local Control Accountability Plan funds; 2,000 new tablets are allotted for incoming freshman in the coming fall semester.
This article appears in May 21-28, 2015.
