The Vicksburg Warren School District has been recognized for its innovation and transformation by Google, which designated the school system as a Google for Education Reference District.

A GERD district is one that demonstrates excellence and leadership through the innovative use of technology, according to a press release from VWSD, including G Suite for Education and Chromebooks to drive impact and positive learning outcomes.

“Any time the district gets recognized as a leader in an area is exciting,” Wade Grant, technology director for VWSD, said. “This particular designation is important because it acknowledges all that we are doing to embrace technology.”

According to Grant, the number of Google devices in the school district has increased in the last three years from less than 100 to more than 8,400, giving every student and teacher access to a chromebook to use each day.

“Paired with ongoing training around the G Suite tools, having access to this technology provides a strong platform for today’s 21st Century learning,” Grant said.

The benefits of being a Google reference district include branding on the school website, peer recognition, VWSD impact shared and showcased on the Google for Education website, and the opportunity to test new Google products and programs before they hit the open market.

“We are charged with preparing our students for the future and the future will absolutely be run by technology,” Grant said. “We cannot equip our students for success without it.”