
WEareEMPOWERED
Every Lakota student is part of a learning community dedicated to meeting each child's needs through evolving personalized learning experiences and opportunities. We value our rich history of pairing talented staff with quality tools and resources to support each student's learning and will continue to do so as we move forward in providing a student-centered education at Lakota.
Innovative Instruction Student 1:1 Program Modern Learning Spaces
Lakota's “WEareEMPOWERED" program is designed to empower Lakota students personalized learning, future ready journey.
WEareEMPOWERED expands access to innovative instructional approaches and new learning opportunities, purposefully supported by technology. This includes increased student devices, including a 1:1 student program in grades seven through twelve, an "at school" 1:1 program for our third through sixth graders, along with Innovation Hubs providing modern learning spaces for student learning through technology, collaboration and creativity!
This initiative supports the development of key student skills and responsibilities necessary to safely and effectively navigate the digital transformation of today and the highly-skilled, technology driven global world of tomorrow.
We are also empowering each teacher with specially designed professional development to support the facilitation, guidance and personalization of student learning with proven and innovative approaches, many supported by technology, to enhance lessons, projects, problem solving and assignments.
We are excited to partner with our students, parents and guardians on the #WEareEMPOWERED program for each of our students! Your voice is important to us and this program will continue to evolve through student, parent and staff voice!
FEEDBACK
CLICK HERE to offer your input anytime to help shape the Lakota WEareEMPOWERED initiative.
SUPPORT
CLICK HERE for common WWEareEMPOWERED student device and access troubleshooting options. If these do not resolve your issue:
- In person students should visit their school's Innovation Hub for additional support. During Remote Learning Days and school breaks please email CBhelp@lakotaonline.com.
- VLO student's should email VLOTechHelp@lakotaonline.com. You can also call 513-644-1197. Please note, support for family owned devices and software will be the responsibility of the family.
THE 1:1 DEVICE
Each Chromebook is Military Spec certified and features:
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Advertised all school day battery life
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Antimicrobial touch screens
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The ability to convert from a laptop to a tablet
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Two cameras for HD video recording
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7-12 grade chromebooks will be issued with a stylus pen for writing directly on the screen for supported programs and an attached protective case.
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We encourage 3-12 students to personalize their case, but nothing can be placed on the laptop itself.
Students can access Lakota’s learning management and assessment systems, a district email account, productivity suites from Google and Microsoft, and all district approved digital tools.
TOOLS FOR CREATION AND EXPRESSION
Each Lakota Chromebook will include productivity, collaboration, and drawing tools. Higher grades will have access to video and audio creation software. These offerings are designed to open up new avenues for students to creatively showcase their learning and express their interests through personalized learning opportunities.
ALWAYS ON FILTERING
While Chromebooks are considered in high regards by security experts, content filtering is just as important to support a safe environment while ensuring our students have access to the appropriate learning tools they need. All Lakota 3-12 student-issued Chromebooks utilize next gen, cloud base web filtering. This smart filtering is “always on” regardless of the device internet connection or location and is aligned with filtering in use at Lakota for years. In addition, YouTube is provided to ensure access to instructional videos, with "age-restrictions" applied.
All internet history is preserved and can be reviewed anytime by asking your student to:
- Open Chrome on their Lakota issued Chromebook.
- At the top right, click:
.
- Click History
History.
Please Note: While content filtering remains in place, device usage monitoring will be less frequent when school is not in session, due to limited staff resources. We request parents be more vigilant about their monitoring of student use of these devices during these times.
INNOVATION HUBS, SPECIALISTS & RESOURCES
The Innovation Hub is the Media Center reimagined! Virtual reality, 3D printing, green screen video stations, and flexible spaces and furniture that support innovative learning! This space will continue to evolve through student and staff voice and innovations in learning and technologies.
This space will also provide direct support to staff and students for the WEareEMPOWERED initiative through a Help Desk that students can visit for any assistance with their Chromebook, including care, usage, charging and hardware support.
The Hub will also be a place for staff and students to find support around the use of instructional technology from staff as well as through empowering student leaders with a desire to become experts in our district provided resources and tools along with the use of the space.
Our Innovation Specialists are leading the evolution of these spaces and are happy to assist our students with resources, learning activities, and assistance.
DIGITAL EQUITY
Equity of access for our students is a
primary focus, to support each student having internet access to fully leverage their WEareEMPOWERED device both in and outside of our schools. Our schools will continue to evaluate student needs and explore school based options in addition to a limited number of filtered mobile hotspots that students can checkout at the Innovation Hubs, with parent permission.
In addition, Spectrum is offering an assistance program for National School Lunch participant families for high speed home internet. Click here for more information.
The FCC is also offering the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information.
We have also begun the 'WEareConnectED' business outreach program, allowing area businesses to advertise the
availability of their wifi to our students by placing this logo in their
windows. For helping us expand the "Lakota Learning Network" for our students, these businesses will be included in Lakota's social media campaigns supporting 'WEareConnectED' to highlight our partnership in supporting our students' learning. Click here for more information on the WEareConnectED Program.

MORE PARENT/GUARDIAN RESOURCES:
In Lakota, we continue to work hard to ensure that our students, your children, are prepared to learn and live in digital world. The opportunities your child will experience related to digital learning are aligned with state and national standards and the Lakota building blocks for becoming a good digital citizen begin in Kindergarten and continue to be built upon and applied throughout their Lakota career and beyond! We believe strongly that it is our responsibility to develop your child’s foundational skills and knowledge around digital citizenship, organization, access and collaboration, developing overall good digital citizens throughout this journey.
As with all things in education, it is a partnership between school and home. That is why we would like to share with you some resources to support our guardians as you support your child in this journey:
If a 1:1 device accessory is lost, seventh-twelfth grade students should stop by their school's Innovation Hub for a replacement, and a fine will be assessed to the guardian for the following amounts:
Acer 751 Model:
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---$21 Power Supply
-----$17 Digital Pen/Stylus
-----$33 Case
Acer 752 Model:
---- $21 Power Supply
-----$11 Digital Pen/Stylus
-----$32 Case
If the entire device is lost, please contact the school directly.
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Learn more on the WEareEMPOWERED initiative through our Frequently Asked Questions.
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Learn about Future Ready Schools' Framework, which was foundational to the development of our #WEareEMPOWERED initiative
Google's Guardian's Guide to Chromebooks

Learn about empowering proactive digital learners from the International Society for Technology in Education, a key resource in the development of our #WEareEMPOWERED initiative

Personalize resources for your family through Common Sense Media

Explore Google’s internet safety resources.
“Helping kids be safe, confident explorers of the online world.”