Graduates of Palm Springs Unified high schools to receive a free Chromebook or tablet
Graduating seniors in the Palm Springs Unified School District will receive a special send-off gift — a free refurbished Chromebook or, maybe, a Google tablet or iPad.
All of the approximately 1,600 graduates from the district will have the option to claim a device through their high school. The devices are on average more than five years old and no longer support software the district needs to administer tests and other academic applications. But after refurbishment, they are functional for many tasks such as web browsing and word processing that can help students in their first year of college or a job search.
Will Carr, the district’s director of technology, called the initiative a “win-win” because it can help students and families in need of an internet-capable device, and it also is a more sustainable approach to sunsetting devices.
Carr said the outdated devices would otherwise be recycled and salvaged for parts.
“So, we’re giving them a second life, which is kind of cool,” he said.
The district plans to continue this program beyond this year, so younger PSUSD students can consider this another perk of graduation they can look forward to.
Jonathan Horwitz covers education for The Desert Sun. Reach him at jonathan.horwitz@desertsun.com or @Writes_Jonathan.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs Unified to give graduates a free Chromebook or tablet
