Updated 9/9/2013: The administration has run out of laptops. Tina Walker, the OHS technology specialist, said that more laptops "haven't been ordered." She estimated that "a lot" of students have not received laptops.
Laptop distribution started Thursday, August 29 and continued this week. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors in English classes were the first to get their laptops, followed by students in social studies and science. Freshmen began getting their laptops Thursday. Laptops are being distributed in the media center during the school day. The purpose of the 1:1 initiative is to modernize Orange County classrooms and instruction plans.
Will Okun, an OHS assistant principal, said that the administration’s goal is to be done with distribution by the end of the week. “[The staff is] trying to get them out as fast as we can.” He said that staff members are “checking over [the laptops]... [That’s] why it’s taking so long.” On Tuesday evening, the administration identified the remaining upperclassmen who paid for but did not receive laptops. Those students received their laptops Wednesday, and the administration moved on to the freshmen who paid for laptops.
Patrick Thompson, a technical support worker, estimated that distribution will be done by “next week if we’re lucky… [There’s] no way of telling [when we’ll be done].”
Jessica Byrd, a 15-year-old freshman, was happy to receive her laptop. “[It’s] cool… [I’ve] never had [my own laptop] before.”
Shea Mustian, the media specialist who runs the media center, has been checking out laptops to students using the library software. She said that laptop distribution is a “smooth but long process… [There has been] lots of excitement. I think it has been a smooth rollout.”
October 30 and 31, Shea Mustian, the media center librarian, hosted the first ever "Lunch and a movie” event to get students into the Halloween spirit. The Addams Family, a twisted comedy about an odd family who celebrates death, was shown.
Jennifer Dawson, a sophmore at OHS, said, “It is really interesting to come to the library to celebrate and watch movies that I don't normally get to see often.”
A group of students from second lunch loves the idea of having a movie at lunch but they wish that it was shorter so that they could watch the entire thing.
Mrs. Mustian said, “I really thought it was a great turn out, next time we will extend the days and make it to where the students who show up get to see the entire movie.”
She also is thinking about planning more Lunch and a Movie days.