Cars lined up outside Edison Tech Monday afternoon with families picking up Chromebooks provided by the Rochester City School District in order to continue school remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pickup was designated for sixth through eighth grade students, and students in high school who have yet to pick up a computer. Thousands of Chromebooks were distributed Monday, as the state announced schools will remain closed until at least April 29.

The district had limited staff on hand and asked parents to call ahead so they could continue to practice social distancing.

"They sign up for a day and a time and everybody has been adhering to that. It allows us to be able to service our parents. In less than a minute we're able to get people through the line and on their way," said Glen Vanderwater, the district’s chief technology officer. 

District officials say it's been a team effort to ensure students learn throughout the pandemic. 

"This is awesome. I'm just so thankful and so grateful that we've got this opportunity that these kids can keep learning, keep growing while we're going through this coronavirus like this," said Deneise Whitty Jones, an RCSD parent. 

Chromebooks will be available at Edison Tech through Thursday.

"Many of the cars that you see here that are picking up chrome books for multiple family members or for their neighbors, so it's really Rochester coming together and helping out one another," said Vanderwater. 

Next week, Chromebooks will be distributed from the Douglass Campus at 940 Fernwood Park, Monday through Friday by appointment. People will need to call (585) 262-8700 to sign up.