iPads Take Over the School

The first day back to school after Christmas break was an exciting one.  Today was the deployment of iPads to each student and teacher.  The school received significant support from iSchool Campus and Apple.  The school was selected to be the sixth school in the Nation and the first on the east coast to be selected for this program.  


On hand for the deployment was presidential hopeful and former Utah Governor, Jon Huntsman.  Tagging along with Huntsman were member of the press from CNN, ABCNews, Fox and several newspapers.  

Following is the press release

Dec. 28, 2011: Strong Foundations Charter School receives NH’s first Smart School deployment from iSchool Campus.

Strong Foundations Charter School in Pembroke, NH is excited to announce an agreement with Utah-based iSchool Campus, which will begin NH’s first Smart School deployment on January 3, 2012. It will consist of over 200 iPads, one for every student and teacher, and more than a dozen advanced iMac computers.  Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who has a long record of supporting innovation in education in Utah, will be on site for a kick-off event from 10-11 a.m. This is NH’s first Smart School deployment by iSchool. Steve Pitcher, Venture Director for iSchool, says, “Smart Schools consist of more than putting iPads in every student’s hands. This deployment will create a safe, advanced wireless and networking infrastructure with more band width than most small cities, in one school. iSchool Campus technology makes the world the student’s campus.”

Kathleen McClaskey, Board Chair for SFCS and President of Ed Tech Associates, remarked, “1:1 computing is the future of innovation in education. Strong Foundations has been a model school for reading instruction, the Core Knowledge© curriculum, the integration of technology in the classroom and now, 1:1 iPads in the hands of every student.  I believe that the 1:1 iPad learning environment can truly level the playing field for all students."

 

Beth McClure, Principal of SFCS, says, “Our affiliation with iSchool has helped us begin using 1:1 devices years ahead of schedule. We will use a blended model of digital and traditional instruction, so students will have the best of both worlds. Our curriculum is one of our hallmarks, and that will stay the same. Teachers will receive professional development to help them become skilled at integrating this technology into their lessons.”