BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Raleigh County schools began deploying iPads to all students at Beckley-Stratton Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High School this morning.
Dozens of cars were already in line at Beckley-Stratton half an hour before the deployment opened up at 8:00 am. Raleigh County schools’ technology department has been working for months to get all of the iPads ready.
“We want to make sure that every kid in Raleigh County has an iPad in their hand before September 8,” said Raleigh County Schools’ Director of Technology Rachel Pauley. “Parents can receive information from the schools, teachers, and they can be ready for September 8 when whatever method we go with. Mr. Justice, or DHHR, or the Health Department if they put us on remote.”
One of the perks for the Beckley-Stratton staff hosting the deployment was the chance to interact with the school community for the first time in almost five months.
“We’re so glad to see our parents and our students again,” said Beckley-Stratton Middle School Principal Yahon Smith. “We haven’t seen them since March 12 besides on a Zoom meeting. It’s a pleasure for us to be here to see this. We’ve got staff out here right now that are volunteering their time to do this.”
Although the deployment will be taking place every weekday through August 31, lines were long all morning. It’s a testament to the school system, as well as the Raleigh County Community, that parents were so eager to acquire resources for their students on day one.
“Raleigh County parents are definitely showing that they care about their child’s education today,” Pauley said. “I applaud every single one of them for taking the time to come out, sit through a line, sign the paperwork, get their updates, whatever they need. I completely applaud them, and Raleigh County schools thanks each and every one of them.”
For more information, as well as access to necessary paperwork for deployment, visit the Raleigh County Board of Education website.
