Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Update as of September 4, 2020: More than 28,000 Chromebooks and tablets have been distributed to SBISD students. Based on enrollment numbers, 85% of students now have the use of personal learning devices. In addition, more than 1,200 hot spots are on loan for students to access WiFi at home.

 

August 26, 2020

Chromebooks and iPads issued across 47 schools and facilities from August 3-14

Spring Branch ISD has mobilized during early August to provide Chromebooks and iPads, as well as available hotspots, to approximately 14,000 students in need of a digital learning device or better access to the internet.

Looking ahead to the new school year starting August 24, the district has placed a dozen buses equipped with Wi-Fi to neighborhoods and schools with the greatest surveyed need for student internet access (See news posting on this topic).

This priority district effort included technology department employees, librarians and other support staff and school personnel. A main goal was to deploy devices before the new school year’s start. On August 24, students began the new school year with two weeks of remote learning.

On Sept. 8, approximately half of all students will continue instruction with Virtual Learning at home, while others return to their campuses for in-person instruction.

The successful, two-week deployment began August 3 with a focus on providing devices to prekindergarten and elementary students in need. By April last school year, SBISD had provided digital devices to all middle and high school students.

“Between SBISD’s lifecycle refresh program and through the generous donations of the district’s PTAs, we have been able to provide either a Chromebook or iPads to all students seeking a device,” reports Christina Masick, SBISD’s associate superintendent for technology.

For many years, SBISD has also allowed students to use their own devices, known as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), in addition.

The work involved in meeting this latest digital goal was nothing less than heroic across multiple areas and district teams.

Device deployment entailed thousands of Chromebooks and iPads; multiple distribution sites and schedules, primarily at PreKs and elementary schools; coordinated teams of librarians and support staff for recordkeeping needs and assistance; extended hours of technology services department planning and supervision; plus the added layers of social distancing and health and safety guidelines due to COVID-19.

During the week of August 11-14, student device deployments at two campuses, Spring Branch and Valley Oaks elementaries, paired eager students and families with ready-to-serve staff. The two schools enroll more than 850 students.

Valley Oaks curbside device delivery operation

At Valley Oaks, parents were surveyed to determine if their children needed a loaner Chromebook (K-5^th) or an iPad (PreK). To check out a device, electronic documents were filled out and signed, and pick-up appointments set.

To disburse hundreds of learning devices, Librarian Becky Reese said the safety and security of staff and families was essential. A curbside, appointment-based delivery system was established and operated.

Bruce Burgner, a beloved Valley Oaks teacher assistant, was drive-up greeter for the family arrivals by car and SUV.

“This has been the longest ‘spring break’ ever,” he quipped. “Seeing the parents and students is a sight for sore eyes. I have really missed them.”

Transportation and technology services staff assisted campus staff. “This could not have happened without the employees who worked out in the 100-degree heat for three days,” said a grateful Reese. “They have worked so willingly and happily.”

 

“I am super grateful the district is providing these,” said Annette Wilburn, parent of a Valley Oaks fourth-grader. “My friends told me it only took a few minutes to pick up a device. It’s so convenient.”

Her twin daughters, students at Cornerstone Academy, used Chromebooks to do online assignments when the district suspended in-person instruction in March.

Librarian Reese credits residents who approved the 2017 Bond, which includes a technology fund, as well as the Valley Oaks PTA.

The PTA allocated auction funds for the purchase of devices. Grant funds are paying for many devices, too, across the district.

Device distribution at Spring Branch Elementary

At Spring Branch Elementary, parents lined up early on Monday, August 11, for a first-day distribution. More than 140 Chromebooks and iPads were issued in that first day; hundreds more were issued in the following days.

That school’s daily deployment schedule ran from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. to account for family work schedules, which include many designated essential workers.

Spring Branch Librarian Dika Sanders joined other staff or support team members at separate stations set up under the shade of the covered outdoor sports court.

Families moved through sign-ups, device sign-ons and other points of assistance, including log-on and password confirmations.

“The commitment our families have to assist their kids is great. Everybody here is concerned about how their students will do in [online] school, and how they best connect at home,” the librarian said.

“There are family challenges and concerns, to be sure, but this has also been an opportunity to share the importance of home and school working together, and that is the conversation we are hearing here.” 

The pandemic quickened urgency and may have increased family need. SBISD has conducted a family technology survey in recent years as part of its annual process of registration, Associate Superintendent Masick reports.

While many families here have a home-based device, she said, it’s usually shared, and Internet access can be a significant challenge. For pockets of SBISD, about 20 percent of the district, Internet access is the data plan on a cell phone. “We don’t think this is adequate for distance learning,” Masick said.

“What we have seen this year,” she adds “with many families working from home or as the result of job loss or financial hardship, is a significant increase in requests for both devices and hot spots.”

SBISD, like school districts across the nation, has faced supply chain challenges for both devices and hot spots. Some orders may not be filled fully, or arrive later. In response, SBISD has lended devices used as classroom sets, and also issued iPads equipped with data cards for Internet connectivity at select middle school campuses.

The district has also deployed WiFi enabled buses to many campus and community locations, and an expansion of WiFi coverage in locations makes it possible to access the district network outside a school building.

Masick sums up the digital effort in “it takes a village” terms, and with a heartfelt statement on the meaning of community and cooperation.

“This is an amazing community in which I am proud to work and raise my own family!” she proclaims. “I have seen teachers, parents and community members come together with tremendous grace and flexibility to solve all sorts of unique challenges that this pandemic has thrown at us, proving it takes a village!”