By: FISD Communication Department
In a socially distanced world, the Friendswood ISD Technology Department been more
connected than ever. Since the closure of schools back in March, the Department has given out
more than 1,000 devices consisting of Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots for connectivity. This
allowed for students to continue learning despite not being face-to-face in classrooms.
“When we heard we were going to start remote learning, the first thing on our minds was to get
devices to students however we could,” Executive Director of Technology Tonia Meadows said.
Immediately, technicians began working on distributing the devices to those who needed them. It was a process filled with many hours of manual labor, late nights, weekends and standing out in the Texas heat, but they promptly succeeded in getting the devices to the students.
“We had technicians working in hot buildings, preparing devices and shuttling them over to
Bales to be distributed as fast as we could,” Meadows said. “No one complained, no one said
‘that’s not my job.’ They all just jumped in and worked to accomplish the goal. I am glad to say
we did not turn anyone down that requested a Chromebook.”
Meadows said this was a huge accomplishment for her team.
“We all have our own story and our families all have different abilities and needs when it comes
to technology,” Meadows stated. “It is our job…to do what we can to flatten that divide and
provide what is needed so that all students can access the learning resources equally – especially with COVID and distance learning.
“The bulk, if not all, of the learning requires some amount of technology to work,” she said. “If a
student did not have access to technology, then they did not have access to the learning. That just cannot happen.”
When FISD reopened schools on August 31, there were 1,548 students who opted for virtually
learning. Therefore, the Technology Department’s work with distance learning was not finished.
“With our one-to-one initiative in response to COVID, we had to rethink how we were set up to
provide support” Meadows said. “This school year, we have technicians and librarians working a
morning help desk at the junior high and high school so students with issues can get them
addressed between 8 a.m. through first period. We also have our elementary campuses set up to hand out devices on an as-needed basis.”
The Department has also played a pivotal role in the implementation of the FISD Education
Foundation-funded Zoom platform.
Meadows said these technological advances in education may not have occurred without the
trying times of the global pandemic and virtual learning.
“COVID has taught us we can [adapt],” Meadows said. “We needed a push to really get us going and it is exciting to see what the teachers are learning and doing now that might not have
happened if COVID had not happened. It seems as though we are on the cusp of a new way of
teaching and learning and it is exciting to watch.”
As FISD continues to grow and adapt to an ever-changing environment, Meadows said she is
certain the Technology Team will be there to meet new needs, just as they have in the past.
