7,700 iPads now in transit ahead of iRock rollout in Rock Hill Schools
This Fall, nearly eight thousand students in the Rock Hill School District will be issued their own iPad for the school year.
Right now, roughly 7,700 devices are currently in transit head of the first rollout likely in late August.
The 3.1 million dollar plan, dubbed iRock, was approved by district leaders this spring. Students in grades four through eight will be working on the digital devices at home and at school. Rock Hill Schools Associate Superintendent of Operations Tony Cox says the base model iPad 2 suits the district’s needs perfectly.
[audio: 130724-COX-C.mp3]Cox said the district received a small price break from Apple, purchasing the tablet devices through Apple’s Enterprise sales program. But the real savings came from discounts on protective cases and accessories.
[audio: 130724-COX-A.mp3]The district qualified for signficant savings — up to 66 percent — buying the accessories in bulk.
And while the devices are Wi-Fi only, Cox says the model teachers will use to integrate the devices will allow students to work from home regardless of whether or not wireless internet is available.
[audio: 130724-COX-D.mp3]The devices will be rolled out to students after parents and students take part in an orientation session scheduled at the discretion of each school.
Community-wide question and answer sessions on the iRock program will be held twice next week: Tuesday, July 30 at 5 p.m. at Castle Heights Middle School and at Thursday, August 1 at Dutchman Creek Middle School.
Members of the iRock Leadership Team will provide general information on the iRock program to interested parents and members of the community.
