Hubbell Provides Cabling Solutions for East Lyme High School's Top-Notch Technology

.East Lyme, CT -- While most picture windows allow you to gaze out at scenic views, one unique window on the second floor of Connecticut's East Lyme High School offers something much more extraordinary. Here onlookers watch hundreds of blinking lights and observe rack after rack of the latest technology equipment that provides students and faculty with an advanced data communications system, designed for the 21St century.

A High-Tech Renovation
To alleviate growing enrollment and inadequate facilities, the town of East Lyme approved a $14 million expansion and renovation project for the high school, with $750,000 allocated for technology alone. The expansion included the addition of a 48,000 square-foot math and science wing, a two-story student commons, and upgrade of existing space.Completed in August of 2000, the school's new professionally designed Ethernet local and wide area network (LAN/WAN) provides eight connections in each classroom. Sandy Austin, the school's Computer Coordinator, remembers a time when the previous technology was characterized by network breakdowns and amateur installations. "We had a single drop in each classroom and two in the library," explains Sandy. "In 1996, we added ten drops to the computer lab and we did most of the work ourselves. It was a makeshift job."Today, the more than 1,000 students enjoy two computer labs, a distance-learning center, an updated library, and freestanding computers in the new student commons area. Nearly 300 computers at the high school and 1,000 computers district-wide are currently connected to the system and it is expanding on a regular basis. "We've gone up a giant step to a new plateau and there's lots of room for growth," says Austin. Connecticut's lieutenant governor has even identified East Lyme High School as a leader in technology among the state's public schools.

A Room with a View
East Lyme High School's new high-speed (Tl) system was designed utilizing more than 1,300 Category 5e UTP data cables connected to over 100 workstation locations with 8 drops in each classroom, several more in computer labs, and additional drops throughout other areas of the school. Visible through a large picture window directly across the hall from the school's library, the system's main distribution frame (MDF) contains ten racks that hold nine file servers and fiber optic interconnect centers for the middle school, three elementary schools, and district administration office. Via star topology of single and multi-mode optical fiber cable and Category 3 voice copper cable, the MDF serves six intermediate distribution frames (IDF) located in telecommunications closets throughout the school.Communications Cable Consultants Inc. (CCCI), a professional design firm located in Hamden, CT, designed the new system. Lou Carpenter, communications specialist for CCCI, believes having the MDF in its unique location is an asset. "Having the racks and equipment in front of the window near the library is a wonderful approach that we don't often see in this business," says Carpenter. "It makes the library and technology a focal point for the school--as they should be."Hubbell Premise Wiring supplied all structured cabling system connecting hardware including SpeedGain Category 5e wall plates, jacks, patch panels, and line and patch cords. Hubbell is a leading provider of structured cabling system solutions, headquartered in Stonington, CT. Hubbell equipment racks and cabinets are installed in the MDF and IDFs, in addition to compact remote equipment cabinets in the school's gymnasium area. Acting as liaison between the school and designers and installers, E.J. McCue, District Sales Manager for Hubbell, provided training and customer service to ensure a successful installation at East Lyme High School."Hubbell has a long history of making quality components and it's important that they're here for the distance," says Carpenter. "They help make sure the customer is getting a top-quality product." Carpenter believes that all manufacturers need to be alert and constantly improving their services and products. "Hubbell is one of the leaders in the industry," says Carpenter. "They provide resolutions easily and that shows commitment to the client."

A Step Ahead
With a new data communications system in place, East Lyme High School is technologically competent for at least another ten years and the system's expansion ability should take them even further. Principal Gerald Mistretta knows the importance of having this top-notch technology. "We want our students to leave here on a level playing field," says Mistretta. "We're providing them with the education and technology expertise they need to be out in front of other students." Strategies at the school include required technology competencies for graduating seniors based on standards from the International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE) and various training workshops for teachers and administrators. "We want our staff to be comfortable with the computers so they can integrate technology into their curriculum," adds Mistrefta.Already education is taking on a whole new approach at the school. Students are accessing the Internet for research information, contacting teachers via e-mail, and getting missed assignments from the web. "I'm noticing the amount of Internet searches growing and growing each day," says Marie Shaw, Librarian. "We're always exploring new ways to use the technology." In preparing to teach an upcoming course, Shaw plans to require all assignments turned in as e-mail attachments.One of the most impressive components of East Lyme High School's renovation and expansion project is the new student commons area. This awe-inspiring section of the school reaches two stories high and provides natural light through oversize windows. Freestanding computers and connections in the commons allow students to send e-mail, search the Internet, or plug in their own laptops. "Our student commons is modeled after a college," explains Mistretta. "Our kids are so proud of the new space and technology especially when they visit other schools and realize the extent of what we have here."

Challenges Overcome
Coordination of the school's complex technology installation was a huge undertaking. The town of East Lyme was committed to keeping the project on schedule and budget, creating a challenge for installers. "The minute that crews were done tearing down walls, we were right behind them installing the cabling for the new technology," says Paul Schmitz, Communications Operations Manager at A/Z Corporation, the local company chosen from among 15 installers to implement the new system. A/Z Corporation is a certified installer of the Hubbell products, which enabled them to provide Hubbell's 25-year warranty on all installed equipment. "When given the opportunity, our people prefer to install the Hubbell products," comments Schmitz.Ron Stazick, Superintendent for A/Z Corporation and resident of East Lyme couldn't agree more. "I like to know where my tax dollars are going and that's one reason why I'm pleased that A/Z Corporation and Hubbell products were chosen for East Lyme High School," says Stazick. "The products are aesthetically pleasing and the Hubbell people bend over backwards to help us."The installation was completed in such a way that the technology is seamless throughout the entire school. "We wanted the connections to be the same in the 1968 section of the building and the 1999 section of the building," comments Shaw. "We're extremely pleased with the results."Though Hubbell racks holding technology equipment are visible through the picture window of the MDF, everything is safely installed behind locked doors. In areas where space was an issue, equipment is housed in Hubbell's REBOX, a remote equipment cabinet designed for installation in uncontrolled environments. "We were fortunate that school officials paid attention to recommendations and gave us space large enough for the racks and equipment," says Carpenter. "Where they couldn't give us a secured area, the REBOX works quite nicely." REBOX meets industry standards for protection against dust, water, and vandalism. Vandalism, however, has not been a problem at the East Lyme High School. "Not that all students are angels by any means," says Shaw, "but our students treat the equipment with respect and we've had very little tampering."

A Job Done Right
Having the new data communications system professionally designed was a smart decision by the East Lyme High School. Ron Symolon, RCDD and President of CCCI, knows just how important this is. "Selecting an engineered solution where the technology drives the project is key in acquiring a managed system that is expandable for future use." Hubbell's SpeedGain connectivity products provide the school with the performance headroom to support emerging high-speed applications.Austin, who is responsible for ensuring that the system and computers stay up and running, couldn't agree more. "Using outside professional designers and experienced installers really streamlined the entire process," says Austin. "In the past, we learned a lot of ways not to do things, but this time we had it done right."If you ever visit the East Lyme High School, take a trip up to the second floor and spend some time gazing through the picture window at what has been acknowledged as leading technology among Connecticut's public schools. "We know that the new system is truly appreciated around here," says Mistretta. "It's hard to find an empty computer desk in the building."Hubbell Premise Wiring delivers structured cabling system solutions that exceed the requirements of new and emerging standards and provide the required bandwidth to support new high-speed applications. Worldwide product support and total customer satisfaction are provided through sales and distribution facilities.