iPads, Other Technology Comes to East Hanover Schools

With the first day of school approaching on Thursday, students in Pre-K through eighth grade in the East Hanover School District will be welcomed back with new technology and other improvements that were completed this summer.

The biggest technological improvement was made at East Hanover Middle School, where a new audio visual system was installed in the auditorium. The new system has a projector, a wireless microphone system with speakers and a wireless internet connection, which could be used for presentations, movies and videos.

The system—costing around $250,000—was financed from several years of fundraising and donations from the PTA. The department of education also awarded the district a partial grant a few years ago for 40 percent of the financing.

"That project was a tremendous coming-together of the entire community," Superintendent Dr. Joseph Ricca said. "The PTA and the education foundation raised money for years to be able to undertake that project."

Th district also purchased 90 iPads that will be distributed in the classrooms for all three schools, in addition to the Smart Board technology already in use.

Other improvements this year are a new HVAC system installed at Franklin J. Smith Elementary School, and a refinished stage at Central Elementary School.

Franklin J. Smith School is participating in its second year of kindergarten wrap-around, an optional fee-based program for kindergarten students to attend after their half-day if their parents are unable to pick them up. Ricca said this program had much success in its first year.

The district also just transitioned their e-mail server to g-mail, which Ricca said is saving the district about $30,000 in replacing their old e-mail server for faculty, staff and administration to use. He said it will save them thousands of dollars in the long run for service maintenance and upgrades costs.

Ricca said he anticipates a "fantastic" year ahead and is looking forward for the students to experience the new improvements.

"We're very excited for the '12-'13 school year," Ricca said. "The district has continued to make significant improvements related to our academic performance. Our children are thriving and are really super engaged in everything that's happening in the buildings."