SMMUSD Students Keep Chromebooks for Summer

By Jack Simon, Observer Staff Writer

Students who were issued Chromebooks by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will not have to return their devices if they plan to continue with learning over the summer, school officials said this week.

“We understand that many families are anxious to continue with student progress and learning over the summer,” said Supt. Ben Drati. “We are planning to allow our students to keep their Chromebooks to support and facilitate summer learning.”

In a letter to parents, posted online on Tuesday, Drati also said that “Hotspots will be available” over the summer for families who do not have internet access. In addition, several software applications, including Google Classroom, will be accessible over the summer, he continued.

“Students who will be at the same school in the fall may keep their Hotspot for summer use,” Drati said.

Drati stated those moving to new schools or leaving the district will have to return their Chromebooks and “hotspots” by the end of the current school year.

“The district has invested considerable resources from our COVID funding into providing a device for each student and teacher during this past year of distance learning, and now through the summer,” he said “We appreciate students taking care of these devices so we may continue to use them and have them available for students throughout the school year.”