Friday, March 13, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Bethlehem Area School District has recently decided to allow our sixth and seventh graders to take their assigned Chromebooks home at the end of each school day as an extension of our BASD Empower Program. This decision enhances our ongoing efforts to provide students with Chromebooks to access blended, anywhere, anytime learning resources. In light of the current health crisis associated with the coronavirus, this becomes more prudent. It also allows us to complete our 1:1 BASD Empower plan and initiative for the remainder of the school year. A charger for their Samsung device is additionally being provided. Students are required to bring their charged Chromebook to school each day.
These items will be brought home today for the first time and will continue to come home with students for the remainder of the school year. Students are encouraged to safely store their Chromebooks in their book bag or in a separate carrying case. A case will not be provided for these Samsung Chromebooks this year.
As you are aware, much of our curriculum and many online resources and tools require access to technology including but not limited to: Schoology, IXL, EnVision Math, StudySync, Discovery Ed, etc. Permitting our students to take home their Chromebooks for the remainder of the school year allows them the capability of accessing course materials and resources while at school and at home. To better familiarize yourself with the BASD Empower initiative, please visit the BASD website and search for the Empower – 1:1 Take Home Technology Initiative at https://www.basdschools.org/empower.
Sincerely,
Dr. Peter J. Mayes
Principal
Nitschmann Middle School
Bethlehem Area School District