Technology in RCPS

General Info

There are in excess of 5,000 computers in Rockingham County Public Schools. There is at least one networked computer in each classroom. Each high school has at least six computer labs including at least two mobile, wireless labs; each middle school has at least five labs including a mobile, wireless lab; all elementary schools have at least two labs.

There are over 14,000 technology users (students, teachers, administrators, and staff).

Technology use in RCPS is guided by our Technology Plan. Click here for the latest update of that plan, created originally in 2010 and revised annually.

Elementary and middle school instructional networks are 100% Macintosh. Click to see why we buy Macs High schools have both Windows and Macintosh computers on the instructional network. All administrative computers, K-12, are Windows.

All schools use the PowerSchool student management system from Pearson Education. A PowerSchool support page is maintained by RCPS.

RCPS maintains a FirstClass® e-mail system for employees, a Moodle server for online classroom content management, and a WordPress server for blogs and websites.

The RCPS School Board has approved an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for all users. Specific classroom and staff-related issues pertaining to technology use in RCPS are discussed on this page.

All professional employees must verify that they possess the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel.

 

Technology Staff

With over 14,000 technology users and more than 5,000 computers to support, the 26-member technology staff is led by Joe Hill, Director of Math and Technology.

What do we do? See a partial list and meet our staff!

 

RCPS Networks

In each school, all classrooms, libraries, labs, and offices are wired with an instructional network (LAN) which delivers instructional software from multiple file servers at each site. Click for a detailed description of the RCPS LANs. The RCPS LAN uses traditional wired ethernet as well as wireless networks in many locations.

The division is well on its way of providing in every classroom the following technologies: an up-to-date workstation(s), an interactive whiteboard, a ceiling mounted projector, a document camera, a DVD/VHS player.

Teachers and administrators use many handheld devices including student response systems, iPods, iPads, and GPS.

The division has a wide area network (WAN) featuring 10 MBPS or faster fiber transmission lines which provide WAN access, including Internet, to each school. All high schools and two elementary schools (RBES and PVES) have a 100 MBPS connection to the RCPS Central Office.

Internet access, provided by Shentel, is available in every classroom, library, lab, and office.

Internet access is filtered using DeepNines software running on Redhat Linux utilizing Squid Proxy.