NRMS sets 1:1 deployment meetings

Jan 05, 2013 (The Wilson Daily Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Parents of students at three Nash-Rocky Mount schools must attend a deployment session in order for their child to receive either their new iPads or new Macbook Airs.

Students in sixth grade at Parker Middle School will receive iPads and students in grades 7-12 at Southern Nash High and Nash Central High will receive Macbook Airs to use for the remainder of the school year as part of a pilot program.

"Today's rapidly changing world demands that our students be critical thinkers with strong digital literacy skills," said Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. "The iConnect initiative will increase the level of rigor and relevance provided throughout our instructional programs. When implemented strategically and effectively, mobile technology transforms the traditional teaching and learning model. It allows students to become more independent, and teachers to shift from acting as 'directors' of learning to 'facilitators' of learning." The deployment sessions at Parker Middle will be held on Jan. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Jan. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. A last chance session will be held Jan. 29 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The deployment sessions at Southern Nash High will be held Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon and on Jan. 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. A last chance session will be held Jan. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m.

The deployment sessions at Nash Central High will be held Jan. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Jan. 22 from 3 to 6 p.m. A last chance session will be held Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The last chance sessions are for parents and students who could not attend one of the other deployment sessions.

Parents and students will hear about device care, troubleshooting, responsible and acceptable use, digital citizenship and discipline. Parents and students must complete a session prior to signing for and picking up their iPad or laptop.

The cost is $25 per student for the pilot schools. Starting next school year, the fee will be $50 per student. Parents can set up payment plans, district officials said.

"We're offering three opportunities per pilot school for students and parents to come and learn what they need to know initially to utilize these devices effectively," said Jane Finch, chief technology officer for NRMS. "Our pilot schools will benefit us as we work through any issues that we need to address prior to the district-wide roll-out next fall." The plan is for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools to issue iPads for classroom use for all students in grades 4-6 and for all students in grades 7-12 to have a Macbook Air laptop computer by the start of next school year.

Gail Powers, principal of Nash Central High, is looking forward to the level of equity that will be provided for students as the computers will give all of them instant access to information.

"When we think about human history -- the progression from handwriting to printing presses, and from printed materials to the Internet age, each advance in technology has served as an equalizer, and an important vehicle for exposing more people to information," Power said. "The one-to-one initiative in our school system wipes away all excuses. Every student, regardless of any demographic characteristic, will have access to information on virtually any subject, right at their fingertips. It will be an amazing opportunity and experience for our students." ___ (c)2013 The Wilson Daily Times (Wilson, N.C.) Visit The Wilson Daily Times (Wilson, N.C.) at www.wilsontimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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