An update to a story we brought you last month about the theft of dozens of iPads and computers from a San Jose school: Since NBC Bay Area’s story aired, a group has come forward to replace much of the technology that was stolen from River Glen Elementary School.
Thirty-one iPads were stolen along with 31 laptops. The school has been trying to get along without that equipment, but starting Friday, it won’t have to.
MORE: Another San Jose School Computer Theft Reported
The Safeway Foundation has announced it is donating 31 iPads to the K-through-8 school.
In the meantime, the school district is working to replace the laptops that were stolen.
The burglary happened during the weekend of Oct 26 and 27. Someone broke into the computer lab and took two large carts containing the computers and iPads.
Police later found the empty carts, discarded along Interstate 280, but so far have not recovered the equipment or made any arrests.
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The loss was devastating for the school because parents spent two years raising money to buy the iPads and computers.
River Glen Principal Carlos Salcido told NBC Bay Area Thursday morning that it’s gratifying to see how a bad situation can be turned around by the generosity of others.
MORE: iPads Stolen From San Jose Elementary School
“Just an incredible amount of relief and happiness, because the community saw our story and people really felt pushed to do something for the school and the students,” Salcido said.
Insurance did not cover the cost to replace the stolen items, since the $70,000 loss fell below the district’s deductible.
Since the theft, the school has been trying to get along with older computers, one for every 12 students or so.
The Safeway Foundation is planning to deliver the 31 new iPads Friday afternoon, and the school hopes to have all of the laptops replaced by the district by the end of the month.
Just as River Glen is having its computers replaced, 19 laptops were reported missing from a storage room at Galarza Elementary on Tuesday.
