LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — There is an urgent push to get Chromebooks in the hands of students within the Clark County School District.
As distance learning continues, it means thousands of kids in the valley are at risk of falling behind simply because they don't have access to technology.
13 Action News is holding a Chromebook virtual drive until June 15 as part of the 13 Connects Super Summer Rise Community Campaign.
Help provide Chromebooks to Las Vegas valley students
The Public Education Foundation, CCSD, and the Distance Learning Task Force are working with 13 Action News in asking for donations from the community to help local children succeed.
Anchor Todd Quinones interviewed Henderson Mayor Debra March, as she is helping to try to get people in the valley to provide 72,000 Chromebooks.
"We need new technology for all of our students across Southern Nevada. These are some different times with schools closing, and they need to serve our children in different ways," March said.
The reality of social distance learning has exposed the chasm in terms of technology students and families who have, and those who don't.
"It's important for us as a community to help families to be successful and to make sure that all of the children in our community have access to these tools," March said.
March also said the following when it came to the importance of the community getting involved:
"We're all in this together and finding solutions for our children. They are all our children; they are the future of our community, and if we don't take care of them, then we don't invest in them or our future. And we're going to see the results of that lack of investment."
Additionally, March says classrooms are not expected to open up again without some version of distance learning being incorporated in the school.
"I think you're going to see some social distancing. We may stagger days where kids go to school, and other days they may be using technology from home or maybe resource rooms. I don't see the COVID-19 situation going away anytime soon," March said.
The cost of each Chromebook, including the necessary software, is around $300. And more information about the campaign can be found here on how to get involved.
"This is our future. We're building a brighter future for all of our young people, and part of that is educating them and ensuring they do have the tools in their hands to be successful," March said.
