June 26, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 FLOW Area District to proceed with student laptop program by Frank J. McMahon The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education is planning to distribute laptop computers to all students in both district high schools in mid-January 2014. The public was informed of the program, known as the “One to One Technology Initiative,” at a community information night held at Indian Hills High School. The regional district also includes Ramapo High School. During the two-hour meeting, the audience of about 50 people heard from Michael Gielniak, director of programs and development at the One-to-One Institute. Based in Michigan, this national non-profit organization aims to transform education through the implementation of one-toone technology in K-12 classroom settings. Gielniak explained why the student laptop initiative is so important for students and advised that recent research indicates that students are more engaged in their work when they have their own laptops. The public also heard from Gloria DeSimone of Wyckoff, who is a mathematics teacher at Pascack Valley High School where the student laptop program has been in effect since 2004. She explained how the program permits students to use online textbooks and to subscribe to websites for their various subjects. DeSimone said the use of the laptops has transformed teaching and learning in her school and has helped prepare her students for college and the workforce. She also pointed out that, under the state’s new common core standards for every grade level, students will be assessed by taking tests online. As a result, she said it will be important for them to be familiar with the use of computers. Speaking of the potential for the program at Ramapo Indian Hills, she said, “It will forever change the learning environment in both schools.” Sydney Topfer, a Ramapo High School senior who was a student representative on the school board for the past year, also extolled the benefits of the use of computers to obtain information quickly and to improve communication between teachers and students. About $300,000 has been included in this year’s technology budget to cover the estimated cost of the computers. Frank Ceurvels, the school business administrator, explained that the district has increased its annual technology budget by $750,000 over the past few years. He said he is confident that the student laptop program can be maintained in the future. Ceurvels described the program as a good return on investment. He added, “If we want to be a progressive district, and we can do it within our budget, now is the time to do it.” John Chang, director of technology, advised that the district intends to use Apple computers because the district has been using them since 2001 and is familiar with them. He added that these computers have been found to be reliable, easy to support, and not as vulnerable to viruses as other computer systems. Chang explained that, under this program, every student will be issued a district owned laptop, and their parents or guardians will be required to pay a yearly insurance premium of $60 to $75. In addition, the students and their parents must attend an orientation program in November or December of this year and sign a new laptop agreement and technology acceptable use contract. (continued on page 21)