ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The district is able to track stolen devices and students will also get special training to make sure the district-owned laptops are safe.
Jones High School in Orlando is going digital this year. The district is expanding its laptop program to every high school student.
“Never show it (laptop) around out in public. Always keep it in your bag,” said student Gregory Dawson.
Some of the devices are worth up to $500.
“Within the first two weeks of school, all students in grades six through 12 complete an online digital literacy course that includes both physical and virtual safety tips,” said Mariel Milano, director of digital curriculum.
The district has plastered its name and number on the cover. And each device has tracking software that can be used if the computer is reported stolen.
“It's only activated in the event or report of a theft or some sort of emergency where we'd need to track them,” said Bryan Holmes, director of school police.
The laptops will have filters to block inappropriate content. And the district says it will conduct an inventory of the program three times a year.
“We trust our community. We know they're invested in this program as much as we are, and they'll return the device in a safe and orderly manner,” Milando said.
If they don't, students and parents are on the hook.
Contact Michael Lopardi for more on this story.