Coronavirus: East Aurora Buys 6K iPads To Support Remote Learning

AURORA, IL — East Aurora School District 131 recently shelled out more than $2.2 million to buy iPads for elementary students, with the district switching to remote learning as Illinois remains shut down due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus. The district approved the seven-figure expense at its April 6 board meeting to acquire 6,000 devices for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Parents can pick up the devices on Monday and Tuesday, Superintendent Jennifer Norrell said. The devices will be pre-loaded with apps in both English and Spanish, and the devices will work with or without internet access, Norrell said Tuesday in a video update.

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The district launched a newly enhanced remote-learning plan this week, and the devices will allow kindergarten through fifth-grade students to access all the materials they will need, Norrell said.

“I want to take this time today to let our families know that we are so very appreciative of our parents and so very proud of our students,” Norrell said.

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The superintendent also announced in her video that the district has secured a new time and place for graduation. The ceremony is set to start at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center, if the safety of students and their families can be ensured.

District 131 formed a committee to explore options for other events affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus. The committee is tasked with developing additional back-up plans if the Aug .1 ceremony can not be held.

“We are hopeful that we will be well beyond the pandemic threats and we will be allowed to minimally convene our graduates,” she said.

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The district has also moved East Aurora High School’s prom to July 18 at the Hilton Double Tree in Lisle. The event will run from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Norrell also provided an update on the District 131’s efforts to feed students amid the coronavirus. The district has provided 85,000 meals as of Tuesday through its food distribution at its schools, as well as 36 bus routes delivering food to students, the superintendent said.

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