Bethlehem Catholic High School to give laptops to all students

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new program will give Bethlehem Catholic High School students free laptop computers to use during their time at the school and beyond, the school announced.

The school will give laptops to all 550 of its students, it said in a news release Thursday.

• All 550 students at Bethlehem Catholic High School will get free laptops to use while and the school and keep upon graduation
• The laptops are part of the school's 1:1 computer program, which recognizes technology is 'a necessity in our modern world'
• The purchase was made through a gift from the John and Kathy Feehan Foundation

The seeds for the 1:1 computer program were planted last year during the school's annual Golden Gala, where it raised funds to upgrade its network infrastructure in preparation for the program, according to the release.

"Seeing technology as a necessity in our modern world is what sparked the need for this program," school Principal Lucas Wilde said.

The vision became a reality after a gift from the John and Kathy Feehan Foundation. The Feehans are among the school's biggest donors. John Feehan is a 1982 graduate of Bethlehem Catholic.

Each student will get "a professional-quality, Windows-based laptop for use throughout the entirety of their high school career at Bethlehem Catholic," the release says.

"Upon graduating from Bethlehem Catholic High School, they will keep these laptops to use during their collegiate and professional careers.

"Implementation of a 1:1 computer program will result in increased educational opportunities, which will enhance student performance and better prepare students for future successes."

The release said, "Bethlehem Catholic is incredibly grateful for its benefactors ... transforming our vision into a reality."

Over the next weeks, students will get the laptops as well as policies around their use, the release said. Faculty also will be trained.