For the 2025-2026 school year, Lakeview High School has introduced new hard chrome book cases to students. Many may have already seen these cases in freshman classrooms or on loaner chrome books. These cases are thin and plastic with the Lakeview star on the front of the case. In previous years, Lakeview has supplied students with a carry-on fabric case that include a pouch on the front and optional shoulder straps.

The previous cases were easily destroyed by students and were easy for the device to be removed from the case which defeated the whole purpose of protecting Chromebooks from any harm. The goal of these hard cases is to reduce problems while protecting the Chromebooks. The device in the case is not much bigger than the device itself, so the two together are easier for students to carry around,

These cases are also easier to be clean by just wiping the surfaces. Cases in the past had to go through a difficult process to clean or just had to stay dirty. These cases can help many students stay clean and organized while focusing on various assignments, leading them to be less stressed and more calm during school.

Assistant principal Michael Detoro talks about what process the IT team and administration had to undergo for these new cases. He states, “After multiple years of Senior class Interviews, the district was under the impression that our students did not like the carrying case. We were investigating alternatives. I was a part of a small group that traveled to a school district outside of Columbus for a separate reason, but noticed their students utilizing these new cases. The District had nothing but positive things to say about these cases and even claimed that repairs decreased by approximately 50%. After some internal discussions with Mrs. Handrych and our technology department, we decided to trial these cases with the Freshman class this year.” 

Detoro also continues on to say, “I believe these cases will make it easier for students to transport their Chromebooks to and from school. I also believe it’ll be easier for students to keep their Chromebooks in working order.”

Many people have been looking for a change with the Chromebooks and here it is: new hard cases that are flat. This makes carrying Chromebooks around a lot easier and less heavy. The students can also put the Chromebooks in their backpacks so they don’t have to carry anything.

Many students report liking the new cases but not the same can be said for everyone.

Some students seem to miss the old cases. Freshman and Media Center 5th period aide Riann Sandor missed having the pocket and the strap feature of the old cases.

Sandor said, “The strap made it a lot easier to carry the chrome book. If I already have a pile of books to carry, the new case just makes my pile higher. I also liked the pocket to have easy access to my pencils and notepad. Now I have to carry around a separate pencil case.”

Because of the lack of a strap and pockets, some students with the new cases are looking for some kind of way to tote them around. While students truly desiring a tote bag can check online sources for reasonably priced solutions, Sandor added, “Mrs. Sarko had a few extra bags in storage in the media center and she offered one to me. It is even bigger than the older ones. It not only holds my new Chromebook, but it also holds my pencils case, a book I’m reading for English class, and could possibly hold other school stuff. But the most important feature is the strap.”

First period Media Center aide and freshman Marina Johnson, who was a 7th period aide last year has noticed a drop in students having constant issues with devices breaking. Sanders said, “While it’s early in the year yet, the number of devices coming in because students removed them from the soft cases and then they slid off a desk and broke is definitely down.”

Johnson also acquired a soft case to carry her device in, but reports positive feedback from those students who don’t have a lot of other school supplies to tote around each day. She says, “Most 9th graders are happy that the new cases are a lot lighter.”  

Keep those cases on!