This project is the next evolution of the student laptop initiative that we began four years ago with one teacher, seven wireless laptops and a class of reading students. Since that time the program has been expanded to include all of our teachers and student in grades 3 through 8 and utilizes nearly four hundred laptops. Over those last four years we have received five major grants that have allowed the program to expand and flourish. Unfortunately, in recent years it has become evident that we must develop this program into a model that is self-sustaining and not depend on grants and other one time monies to stay educationally and financially viable.

With that goal in mind that we wanted to we decided to look at what has made this initiative work to date and also what we needed to do better. Through this effort we realized several key points: 1. Students utilize technology best when they have direct access to it. Going to the lab to use the computer at a scheduled time does not allow for dynamic "Teachable Moments". 2. Technology only breaks down the barriers of the classroom when every student has access to it. We need to avoid promulgating the digital divide to the technology equivalence of "Have and Have Not's". 3. Education is a lifelong process and should not stop when the last bell rings. Technology needs to serve the needs of students before school, during school, and at home. Through this program we can accommodate this. 4. Teachers need training and support to utilize technology in the classroom. Our students are digital natives, many of us are digital immigrants. We need to help teachers learn to use the tool to its' fullest capacity. This means far more that visiting web sites and sending IM's. It means changing how we think, design, communicate, control workflow and evaluate what our students create.

When assembled as a series of components to provide a highly evolved learning opportunity it becomes apparent that the sum of the whole will be more more than its' parts. However, we also realize that it will take a herculean effort from every party involved to make this initiative work. We feel that once this program is implemented it will meet and possibly exceed our expectations.

The purpose of this web site is to provide information to students and parents about this new and exciting program. A number of resources are also provided here to help you answer questions, resolve problems, and find the support you need. We hope you will find this helpful and use it as a resource to answer your questions. Should you require additional information please feel free to contact Paul Facteau via email at pfacteau@grsd.org or by phone at 413.685.1020.