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Buffalo Public Schools finally gets its order of 10,000 iPads for younger students

The devices are being distributed to students in pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade
Posted at 6:13 PM, Oct 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-27 19:14:04-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW-TV) — Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) started the school year with a plan to use 100% remote learning, but things got off to a bumpy start as hundreds of parents lined up to get technology help at the district's Center for Innovation Technology and Training on South Park Avenue in early September.

Two months into the school year and many of the tech problems have been ironed-out, said Sarah Edwards, Director of Instructional Technology.

However, getting a delivery of 10,000 new iPads for younger students was beyond the district's control as a nationwide back-log during the COVID-19 crisis made it difficult to get the equipment - until now.

The order has finally come in and the iPads are being distributed to families on a scheduled basis to make sure people stay socially distanced during the pandemic.

When the distribution is complete, over 28,000 students will have the devices they need to take remote learning to a higher level, explained Edwards.

"You are really going to see teachers challenge students to do some really creative things. I think the experience will get better as the year progresses," added Edwards.

In the attached video clip, Reporter Ed Reilly checks with some BPS parents to see how remote learning is working for their families.