Google donates $140K for TDMS devices

The $140,000 grant means all 578 students at the middle school will have their own device before the end of the current school year.

“This grant will allow the School District to implement a critical piece of the District’s tech strategy and a program that we hope will enhance every student’s critical thinking skills and prepare them for our technology-driven world,” said Dave Karlson, the local operations manager for Google, in a press release.

A group of middle schoolers approached each board member with a wrapped present. Inside was a Chrome book. It was a surprise to the board, facilitated by students, district staff and Google employees.

Karlson told the board every sixth grader would get their own device, which will be checked out every morning and checked back at the end of the school day, “so they don’t turn into skate boards.”

With each student having their own device, “the computer lab is under their arm,” Karlson said.

North Wasco County School District 21 Superintendent Candy Armstrong said, “We are now launching, thanks to Google, our truly one-on-one course of every student having their own Chrome book.”

The district ultimately hopes to have a device for every student in sixth through 12th grades.

The devices offer greater access to the internet, digital course materials, digital textbooks and state testing.

Karlson said the donation was a way to bridge the digital divide, for those students who may not be able to afford their own devices.

“We’re just excited to here and thankful for the opportunity,” Karlson said. He said the first devices would arrive in a month or two.

Board chair Carol Roderick, attending the meeting via phone, said, “Thank you so much, you guys are more than awesome.”

Vice Chair Kathy Ursprung joked about getting a present she had to give back. “Back in the box?” she said of the device she was presented with.