The Rich Central student body may be in for a technological advancement that may change the student-teacher interaction both inside  and outside of school.

Mr. Bonomo is piloting cloud-based e-mail accounts for students at Rich Central, while other teachers are piloting the program at both Rich East and Rich South. Because the e-mail accounts are based on Google Sky Drive, all students would be able to access them from home and receive updates on assignments and projects from their teachers. Access to the new student accounts could potentially eliminate the need for the Rich 227 student directory.

“The e-mail accounts are more professional and are similar to the setup of college e-mail accounts,” states Mr. Bonomo.

Mr. Bonomo’s class has been piloting the new e-mail accounts since the end of first quarter. Through Sky Drive, his pupils have been able to share documents such as PowerPoint and edit them with their partners live. “It really helps us with different types of projects and provides us with easier access to the materials we need,” elaborates Senior Brittanie Williams.

The only drawbacks that could have been found for the cloud-based accounts were trying to get students to adapt to them and creating reasons for the students to use them. “Sometimes Mr. Bonomo gives us secret extra credit if we check our accounts often,” explains Senior Sydney Pickens.

The e-mail accounts, however, cover more ground than the text reminders, and store data online. “It’s like a book on the computer,” continues Pickens.

When asked how soon the rest of Rich Central could have access to the email accounts, Mr. Bonomo replied, “It depends upon the Board to approve a modified Acceptable Use Policy that covers the e-mail accounts.” He assured though that a plan is being worked on.

Overall, the new Sky Drive accounts could potentially enhance the efficiency of Rich 227 student both inside and outside of school, and develop better parent/student/teacher communication all around.

“This is the future of Rich Central,” states Mr. Bonomo,”this technology will push us faster into the 21st century. There will be no going back.”