High school students in Chatham County like Cline Harris are saying goodbye to the traditional books and pens as they receive a new laptop to call their own for the school year.

"This means I can do work at home without waiting to do it in class," Cline said.

The district distributed the first group of laptops at Chatham Central Wednesday night. Parents like Patty Fox had to accompany students as they received their computers. She said this will make a difference for families in the area.

"One or both parents may be out of work so this is a great opportunity to get a laptop without having to find the money or finance it. It's a Godsent," Fox said.

Linda Harris said it will also be a bit more convenient for her family.

"It's going to be a lot easier. We have a laptop at home but there are some evenings when he needs to do research and I am doing busy doing paperwork for our business," Harris said.

About 2200 students in all will receive laptops across the four high schools around the county by next week. Director of Technology for the district Peggy Douglas said they have had computers in the classroom for years but have been working toward the one student, one laptop initiative.

"We started with two carts in every school with fifteen laptops on each," Douglas said.

Because of grants from a state-wide non-profit organization called the Golden Leaf Foundation and local funding they were able to achieve their goal.

In addition to the laptops, the students will get a carrying case that fits right in their book bag.

Parents and kids were given a quick lesson how to care for the compute along with some rules that go with the privilege.

The district will hold meetings after school Thursday and throughout next week to distribute the remainder of the laptops.