Red Bank Regional High School has embarked on a one-to-one technology initiative to give every freshman and eventually every student their own computer to use in the classroom and at home.
According to Louis Moore, Red Bank High Superintendent of Schools, the high school has become increasingly digitized. Moore stated students work with their teachers in a Google Classroom, have their own email accounts and exclusively apply to colleges online.
The school subscribes to resource services that students and staff can access, and parents can view a student’s academic record by accessing the digital parent portal. Due to the importance of the internet to their students, district administrators seek to ensure students will have kitchen-table access.
However, a survey revealed 10 percent of students lack internet access when they leave the high school, according to the superintendent.
In January, Moore spoke before a gathering of community members who included elected officials, as well as business, religious and community service leaders, according to district representatives.
Organizations present included Lunch Break, Rotary Club, Community YMCA, The Red Bank River Center, St. Anthony’s, the Pilgrim Baptist Church, Monmouth Reform Temple, Monmouth Telecom, Red Bank Public Library, The Two River Times, Red Bank High Board of Education members and the Horizons Student Enrichment Program.
“It is increasing clear that access to technology for people in this community is essential
for their success,” Moore said.
Short-term and long-term solutions were discussed at the gathering, such as the purchase of portable internet jet packs and extending the hours of internet access at public places, according to district representatives. Those present ultimately agreed to form action groups to work on finding solutions to bring complete access to Wi-Fi to the Red Bank community.