Digital Equity and Access

For New York State students to lead productive and successful lives upon graduation, they must understand and know how to use digital technologies. Technology knowledge and skills are vital for full participation in 21st Century life, work, and citizenship. Sufficient access to computing devices and high-speed internet are essential for educational equity. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the inequitable access to technology and internet services in students’ places of residence was a priority to be addressed. The closure of New York schools and subsequent shift to remote learning only highlighted this urgent need. The period of remote learning due to school closures presented significant challenges, especially due to the digital divide, but also unprecedented opportunity for schools, students, and families to leverage technology to support instruction, learning, communication, and meaningful connections. The effective use of digital technology can assist educators in differentiating and personalizing learning; provide flexibility in scheduling and pace; and provide multiple entry points for students to engage in. In alignment with the Board of Regents’ vision for teaching and learning, as articulated in the USNY Statewide Learning Technology Plan (2010), NYSED is committed to working with schools and partners to help ensure students have “all the time, everywhere” access to devices and high-speed internet, both at school and at their places of residence. In the limited cases where students may still lack internet access in their places of residence, despite best efforts, districts and schools must ensure that all efforts are being made to provide some form of internet access availability.

CHROMEBOOKS / ACCESS TO DEVICES

If you haven't already, please fill out our instructional model request form so we can better prepare for our third Chromebook deployment scheduled for September 8th-11th. At this time, the supply of Chromebooks that were available at the district office has been exhausted and all future Chromebook deployment will be occurring from the schools between September 8 -11.

Due to limited quantities we are prioritizing chromebooks for students who do not have a device at home. Chromebooks will be picked up from the school your child attends. For households with children attending multiple buildings, multiple pickups will ideally need to be made. Specific pickup times for each building will be established and announced over the next couple weeks.

The survey data will also be used to inform hotspot needs for families with no internet access.

STUDENT DEVICE / APP / PROGRAM ACCESS

If a student has forgotten their username/password to a district issued Chromebook or any of the programs that the district currently operates, please send an email to the building specific email address below and our staff will work together to help that student regain access.

• • Ridgemillsstudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • Bellamystudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • Dentistudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • Stokesstudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • Joystudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • Gansevoortstudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • Staleystudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • Stroughstudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

  • RFAstudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org

A student’s classroom teacher(s) may also be able to help with some of these barriers.

INTERNET ACCESS

The Rome City School District recognizes that access to reliable and consistent internet service may be a barrier for some families attempting to participate in iLearning experiences. Any family that has a concern related to this barrier should contact the Rome City School District central office to speak with our technology department regarding options for connectivity. As we progress through the school year, we plan to phase in the use of our building libraries as “internet cafes” to students and their families. Hours of operation and capacity will be dependent upon our ability to maintain all health and safety requirements at any given point in time. Supervision of students will be the responsibility of a student’s parent/guardian.

LOCAL WIFI ACCESS LOCATIONS

Access to WiFi for students and families can be a barrier to participating in any form of virtual learning experience. Click here for a list of local WiFi access locations.

CONTACTS

Mr. Patrick Sullivan

Director of Information Technology

409 Bell Road, Rome, NY 13440

psullivan@romecsd.org ~ 315.338.6500