iPads on supply list in some Montreal schools

ST-LAZARE: The Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) headed back to class on Thursday.

Many parents spent the week buying pencils and notebooks, but some parents at a Saint-Lazare school had a much heavier bill to foot.

For grade three students at Evergreen Elementary, there were only a couple of items on the supplies list this year: an iPad and its accessories.

It’s part of the school board’s digital citizenship program, aimed at teaching children appropriate and ethical use of technology.

“We believe that children should be owning their learning,” said Michael Chechile, director of educational services for the LBPSB.

“We believe in student engagement and we think that technology is one of the tools that can make that happen.”

The iPad won’t wipe out traditional methods of teaching – instead, it will complement them.

But that still means parents will have to fork out around $600.

The school explains that it’s an investment from which families will benefit over the next four years.

It’s a one-time purchase, and the school will fund all other basic supplies (textbooks, pencils, notebooks, etc) for the students thereafter.

Evergreen principal Kathleen O’Reilly says parents usually pay around 150 dollars at the beginning of each year for basic supplies.

She says that over four years, the cost will balance out, and most parents are in favour of the program.

One parent, Kelly Delorme says her grade two son is mature enough to handle the device.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Delorme.

“I’ve been teaching at a high school for 14 years, and as a teacher I think it’s important for our future children to know how to use the tools appropriately.”

Education is great, say some parents, but it’s the cost that worries them.

Richard Nadler has kids in grades four and six.

This means they won’t be taking part in the iPad project – and Nadler isn’t complaining.

“You know it’s for today,” he said.

“It’s the now that I’m looking at. And when I heard about the people having to buy today, that’s what frustrated me.”

The president of the school board said that, despite the high price, no child will be left out.

“We are ensuring that no student is ever left out because of financial restrictions,” said Suanne Stein Day.

“Arrangements can be made on a case by case basis.”

This year will be a trial run for the iPad program.

If all goes well, the device will be on the grade three supply list for years to come.