Santa Clarita school districts are discussing their plans for supporting students through distance learning, as Governor Gavin Newsom requires all schools on the COVID-19 “watch list” to start the fall online.

Many SCV districts are already offering Chromebooks to students, with the William S. Hart School District working toward having a device for all high school and junior high students in Santa Clarita.

“If a parent or student wants a Chromebook, they just have to contact their school’s administration,” said Dave Caldwell, spokesperson for the Hart District. “We have been working with the WiSH Foundation to try and provide them to all students who need them.”

Since 2014, the Hart School District has been slowly working toward a 1:1 ratio of computers to students, according to the district.

“Every three years these Chromebooks were rotated with newer devices, which subsequently led to a surplus,” district officials said.

In 2018, with the help of the District’s foundation, WiSH Education Foundation, these surplus Chromebooks were made available for free to any student who had a need for a device to work on at home. A few hundred were distributed.

In April, the Hart District said they distributed over 4,000 Chromebooks to students, a number that has risen since the lockdown has been extended.

“The WiSH Chromebook program was never intended to be used for emergency response, but of course it became absolutely vital when school closures were announced,” said Amy Daniels, WiSH executive director. “School site administration quickly identified need and the District Technology Department’s response time with deliveries was remarkable.”

In addition to Hart, the Santa Clarita Valley also has several elementary school districts.

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The Newhall School District (NSD) is not only providing Chromebooks but “wrap-around” services as well to support the entire social-emotional learning needs of students, said Superintendent Jeff Pelzel.

“We are expanding a similar program we had in the Spring where we handed out close to 2,500 devices,” Pelzel said. “We also provided about 600 hot spots for families who need them.”

In addition to the devices, the NSD is also providing resource packets with pencils, paper and other materials depending on the subject.

“Every month is connected to each unit,” Pelzel said. “We are even sending out art supplies. It is a really important part of our core education.”

For parents returning to work, the Newhall School District is also working toward a subsidized child care program on each of their campuses.

The Saugus Union School District (SUSD) is also providing the Chromebook devices to students, continuing their program from the Spring.

“We were able to provide devices to all who needed them during the spring closure and we feel confident we will meet that challenge in August,” said Superintendent Dr. Colleen Hawkins.

The SUSD has a 1:1 ratio for Chromebooks and students in grades 3-6, and a 3:1 ratio in TK-2. according to Hawkins.

“We have ordered additional Chromebooks to round out our supply,” Hawkins said.

The Castaic Union School District (CUSD) is set to have a process for students to check out a Chromebook for online instruction if needed, said Superintendent Steve Doyle.

“We are diligently working on the details of exactly how we will be supporting our students for distance learning,” Doyle said.

Officials with the Sulphur Springs School Union District were unable to be reached to comment as of Thursday afternoon.

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