Freshmen Chromebook Initiative launches

Students in the Class of 2023 received individual Chromebooks at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.  

The Chromebooks were assigned to each student for the entirety of their academic careers at PA. The program is called “The 1-1 Chromebook Initiative” and was spearheaded by Digital Learning Specialist, Ms. Quesnell and Technical Support Specialist, Mr. Dodenhoff. 

By making students responsible for their own Chromebook, administration hopes to lower the damage of the Chromebooks at PA, said Ms. Quesnell.

Ms. Quesnell hopes that by having this “24/7” access of learning that students will become more creative and collaborative. 

This year, 225 Chromebooks were purchased for $48,600. If PA were to purchase a Chromebook for each of the 763 students, it would cost $164,808. Therefore, the school decided to stagger the classes getting Chromebooks.

However, some upperclassmen believe the initiative is unfair.

“Fair isn’t always equal,” Ms. Quesnell said. “If we didn’t do it this way, we wouldn’t be doing it at all.” 

So far, the freshmen have enjoyed having their own Chromebooks. “You get easier access, and can study on the go,” said freshman Zoie Wall. 

Freshmen teachers also received individual Chromebooks. 

“They’re a wonderful resource,” said freshman English teacher Mrs. Williams.