Some students and parents are working hard to adapt to the new system of remote learning during a time of social distancing.
Fourth-grader Javien Castillo is trying to learrn online at home, but his mom says it's been difficult without having an iPad or laptop.
"I'm not the only one," says Shepel Castillo "I know there's so many kids out there, but the concern that I have for mine is him falling behind."
The city's Department of Education began distributing newly ordered iPads this week with the first batch of 25,000 given to high priority students.
"We're prioritizing students in temporary housing, in poverty, students in foster care," says NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza.
Education officials tell News 12 that 50,000 iPads will be handed out each week moving forward until the DOE reaches its goal of 300,000.
Councilman Fernando Cabrera says the City Council has funded the purchase of devices in the past. He is calling on the DOE to release the iPads that are already in public schools.
As for Castillo's situation, a DOE spokesperson released a statement saying, "...PS 46 distributed all of its school-based devices to students who did not have one for their schoolwork, and this student will receive a paper packet of schoolwork while we fulfill their request for a device. The principal will stay in contact with the family to provide support."
Castillo says she has no clear answer as to when her son will receive a device to do his school work.
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