Owasso Students Return To Classes With New Chromebooks

More Green Country students are headed back to school tomorrow, and Owasso high-schoolers have brand-new gear waiting for them this year.

For the first time, the district is giving laptops to all 3,000 of their high school students. Students say it makes coming back to school that much sweeter.

Iyana Jones is a freshman this year, which means a new school, new teachers and new faces.

"I was scared all summer 'cause I'm gonna be in high school, and I just can't believe I'm gonna be in high school," she said.

Also new this year is Chromebooks for all Owasso ninth through 12th graders.

It cost the Owasso Public Schools district about $2 million to buy Chromebooks for all 3,000 high schoolers.

This project is funded by a bond issue that 80 percent of voters agreed to last fall.

Kendal Gann, principal of Owasso Mid-High, said now her students will be able to do homework assignments or study on their own laptops even if they don't have the internet at home.

"It is an equalizer, and it kind of keeps everyone on the same playing field," Gann said.

As our world keeps changing and evolving with technology, Gann said it's important that students keep up their digital skills, which shouldn't be hard for this generation.

"Kids nowadays, they're used to having technology in their faces all the time," Jones said.

Students can buy a $20 insurance policy that will protect against wear-and-tear.

And, some students will learn how to fix the Chromebooks as one of their technology classes - from cracked screens to troubleshooting.

Gann said, "I think it's an exciting time. It's a paradigm shift in education, but I think it's a great paradigm shift."

High schoolers at Jenks and Broken Arrow schools also have Chromebooks. Some elementary students at Sapulpa have them as well.