Move back seniors. This March the schools will be equipping freshmen, sophomores and juniors with brand new Macbooks.

The initiative is a part of the district’s new blended learning program. The goal is to seamlessly integrate technology and equip teachers with new educational tools.

The district follows other schools in the region who have already implemented these programs. Associate Principle of Curriculum and Instruction Adam Wessel believes the district waited to make implementation as effective as possible.

“It’s a big investment, a lot of kids, a lot of devices, certainly it’s a big decision because of the financial component of it,” Wessel said.

The decision follows a three-month study last year where some classrooms were given test devices. According to the Blue Valley website, the tests were effective at determining the devices improved productivity, had high levels of access, and were easily monitored.

Senior Ellie Anderson was one of the few students to test a device last year.

“My class had the Chromebooks last year and we hated it, they were worse than the computers we already had. Even though I’m disappointed seniors can’t use Macbooks, it’s better than not getting one of those Chromebooks,” Anderson said.

While high schools are receiving Macbooks, the middle schoolers are receiving Chromebooks.

Wessel described that one of the main tasks for the administration will be being mindful and proactive of that transition and help students adjust.

Overall, the administration is excited for the transition, but there are some concerns.

“There a lot of commonalities with a Macbook […] and the distractions a cell phone can offer […] the other thing that has to be thought through and is going to be a challenge no doubt is the security of those devices,” Wessel said, “and by that devices getting broken because it falls off a desk or a kid leaves it laying out in the open and it disappears.”

However, Wessel believes that these are issues the administration and staff can work through and the blended learning program will be a success