profiles
New York City is giving Chromebooks to 350,000 students
The New York City school system is providing 350,000 students with Chromebook laptop computers for their academic work.
Mayor Eric Adams says the internet-enabled devices will help the nation's largest school system bridge the digital divide between technology haves and have-nots.
The laptops are replacing outdated devices that no longer meet instructional and security standards. Students will be able to use these cellular-connected devices to get online for free wherever they live.
New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos says the access to Chromebooks means that "no matter what kind of internet access a student has at home, they’re still able to log on and take advantage of every educational opportunity available to them as we continue to move our city in a more equitable direction.”
Airline settles suit over dumping of jet fuel on schools in California
Delta Air Lines has agreed to pay $79 million to settle a lawsuit filed after one of its airplanes dumped its fuel in 2020 over schoolchildren and others in Los Angeles County.
The Associated Press reports that the Delta jet had departed from Los Angeles for Shanghai on Jan. 14, 2020, when it needed to return to Los Angeles International Airport. The plane landed safely after circling back over Los Angeles and dumping 15,000 gallons of fuel to reach a safe landing weight.
Los Angeles County firefighters were called to schools in the city of Cudahy where nearly 60 schoolchildren and teachers from several schools were examined for minor skin and lung irritations. None required hospitalization.
The airline said the weight of a full load of fuel carried a risk of damaging the jetliner during landing, and the pilots decided to dump fuel “to reduce the serious risks of flying and landing an overweight airplane on just one engine."
Infusion of funding means Idaho district can replace crumbling elementary
The state of Idaho has awarded the Boundary County district $13.2 million to replace the aging Valley View Elementary School in Bonners Ferry.
The Bonner County Daily Bee reports that the money comes from legislation that allocated $50 million for rural school facility upgrades statewide.
A panel of state officials and contractors unanimously approved Boundary County’s 310-page application and awarded it more than 25% of the total available funds.
Valley View Elementary has been in poor condition for decades. Built with materials salvaged from a decommissioned World War II base, the structure lacks rebar and central heating. The gymnasium collapsed in 1996, and a 2023 inspection found the building was one disaster away from condemnation.
The district is aiming to break ground in spring 2026 and open the new school in summer 2027.
Final year begins for 6 schools in the Bethel Park (Pa.) district
The 2025-26 school year is the final year for education at five elementary schools and one middle school in the Bethel Park (Pennsylvania) district.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Memorial and William Penn elementary schools are scheduled to close in the spring, as is Neil Armstrong Middle School.
In 2026-27, youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grade will attend the new $133 million Bethel Park Elementary Center, now under construction. The three-story, 280,000-square-foot building is designed to accommodate up to 1,800 students.
Neil Armstrong Middle, which will have grades five and six this year, will close in the spring. Fifth grade will be housed in the new elementary, and sixth grade will move to a renovated and expanded Independence Middle School.
A school board subcommittee is examining the possible uses for all the buildings that will no longer house students.