New iPads, playground greet Oak Grove students

It's an exciting time to be a student at Oak Grove Elementary School.

Students saw old friends, met new classmates and even played on a new playground Friday during the first day of school.

But for 550 kindergarten through fifth grade students, receiving an iPad was a highlight of the day.

Oak Grove Elementary District 68 purchased iPads and iPad minis and issued them to each student Friday. The students have all-day access to the devices and, at this point, will not be taking them home.

Technology specialist Allison Honaker presented the ins and outs of the iPads in the school's library. Honaker attended Apple training in California in January and is passing along her knowledge to teachers and staff.

"The iPads are another tool. It is another tool to engage our children and connect outside of the classroom with the rest of the world," Principal Julie Waehner said.

Also on Friday, students put a new playground to the test. The school board, the PTO and the Oak Grove School Education Foundation committed nearly $250,000 to install the equipment.