Is Low Cost Internet Available?

Many Internet Service Providers (ISP) provide low-cost Internet for those that qualify.  Most of our families live in areas serviced by AT&T, Brighthouse, and Comcast.  For more program information, click here or contact your provider(s) directly.

What model of chromebooks will the students be receiving?

We are purchasing Dell Chromebook 11 3120 devices.

Could the 1to1 Initiative Be Funded Through Endowments And Not Tuition?

The total cost of moving to the 1-to-1 initiative with the Chromebooks and the requisite infrastructure is nearly $400,000. In order to fund that from an endowment, the principal of the endowment would need to be at least $8,000,000. Our current total for endowed funds is hovering around $1,000,000. We have worked hard over the past 10 years to build the endowment to that level and will continue to do so in futures years. Many of the funds in that endowment are restricted to financial aid for students so they cannot be used for facility and equipment projects.

 
About half of the funds yielded from our endowment investments ($25,000) would available to contribute to the total cost of the project. Therefore, other sources of funding were necessary.

Will there be insurance available to purchase?

Parent 1 - Will there be insurance available to purchase?  How are accidental damages managed? Will there be protective carriers for the students to carry them to and from class / after school curriculars / home? Thank you!

Parent 2 - What if my son/daughter drops/breaks their device?  Depending on the answer: Is their insurance that can be purchased?

Each Chromebook will have an Accidental Damage & Protection warranty.  This warranty will cover one incident per year per device. It will be in force while the student is enrolled.  Additional damage or repair will be handled on a case by case basis.  The warranty support will be managed by the Roncalli IT Helpdesk.  If a device requires repair, a student will be issued a maintenance spare that may be used at school and at home.  

The school will offer protective covers in the Spirit Store or a family may purchase their own online.  The Chromebooks are  semi-rugged, education class devices.  The edge has a rubber strip.  The hinge is reinforced so that is does not easily break.  Cameras are fixed.  Keyboards are spill-resistant.

If a replacement Chromebook is needed, the cost will be less then $300; depending on the length of warranty required.  

Used Chromebooks For Seniors

Original question - I have heard that seniors might be receiving used chrome books. Would it be possible to purchase a new chrome book for a senior instead?

All students will be receiving new Chromebooks.

Two Blog Post Updated

As we continue to fine tune our 1to1 initiative, policies and procedures may change.  Please see updated posts regarding Loaner Devices and Will Students Keep The Devices Over The Summer?

Will Students Use Chromebooks Throughout The School Day?

Chromebooks, as with any technology resources, will be at the discretion of the teacher.  Teachers will be encouraged to utilize Chromebooks for research, content creation, assessments, online homework submission, etc..  Online digital content is available via the Google Chrome browser.

The Chromebooks have 16GB of internal storage.  Students will be able to download content and pictures to their Chromebook for later use.  Downloaded content may be used to create content via Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentation.  Many assessments, tests, and quizzes are taken online.  Our Learning Management System, Canvas, allows students to submit work online.  

Will the Chromebooks be a replacement for textbooks and/or binders?

No.  Chromebooks are an additional resource and not a replacement.

Many textbooks have websites with additional dynamic content.  Roncalli will continue to utilize textbooks and workbooks while integrating digital content from textbook sites and other online resources.

Will there be any sort of responsibility of parents for downloading and maintaining various apps or systems?

No.  Chromebooks automatically update their own operating system software. All other 'applications' will be installed and removed through our Google Apps for Education domain.

May We Bring Our Own Device?

No.  Why no?  

Google Apps for Education (GAFE) has built-in device management via a Google Chromebook license.  These licenses are purchased at the time devices are purchased.  With all devices in our GAFE domain, we are able to control the applications and access for each device.  

(For more information about controlling devices, click here.)

Roncalli looked at a number of 1 to 1 models before deciding on school issued Chromebooks.  Equability for all of our students was a consideration. This solution was selected because it gives us the best price for performance; including the device, the warranty, and support.  

How will apps and social media availability be managed on the computers during school hours?

All Chromebooks will be managed via the Roncalli Google Apps for Education (GAFE) domain.  All applications will be installed and removed by GAFE.

Since each Chromebook has a built-in Google Chrome browser, controlling access to all websites presents additional challenges.  The Roncalli network has a web filtering solution, Lightspeed.  It filters traffic by categories, as well as tracks all Internet activity by user and device.  

Lightspeed has a feature that will allow teachers to control what websites and how many browser windows may be open at one time.  This technology will be used during testing and assessments restricting a student to just one browser window and a single or set of websites.

If all of this is too technical, the bottom-line is that we have tools in place to restrict and track access.  Roncalli teaches digital citizenship.  All users, including students, teachers, and staff are responsible for their use of digital assets.  Inappropriate use is not tolerated.

Are there plans to enhance the Wifi reception?

Wi-Fi / wireless is available throughout the main building from the Cafeteria to the Show Choir room in the Fine Arts wing.  It is also available in the Annex, Blockhouse, and Training Room.  Public Wi-Fi is available in all the same locations for students and guests to utilize while on campus.  There is no password, however, a the user must accept our terms and conditions via a splash screen.

The main purpose is for administrative and academic use.  When our Gym is full of fans, wireless may be slow as a single Wi-Fi Access Points (WAP) covers the entire gym.  This is plenty for our administrative and academic needs, but may not be for a capacity-filled gym.

Additional WAP's will be installed in classroom areas that don't have their own WAP today.  Wireless technology continues to improve; hence new WAP's perform better than older WAP's.  Our wireless management software provides utilization statistics that will be used to rearrange WAP's in the most effective areas throughout our facilities.

To complete the wireless discussion, there is no public Wi-Fi available in our stadium or other athletic fields.  The stadium wireless is for media use only.