6
AN INSIDE LOOK AT RTC NETWORKS’ NEW LOOK & NAME
NEW POSITIONS AND PROMOTIONS, SERVICE AWARDS AND UPCOMING EVENTS! PAGE 3 NEW TOWN HIGH SCHOOL WITH 10 GIG INTERNET FROM RTC NETWORKS, NEW TOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IS TRANSFORMING THE WAY THAT STUDENTS LEARN.
RTC NETWORKS IS MORE PREPARED THAN EVER TO PROVIDE OUR COMMUNITIES WITH CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES.
24 Main Street North, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND 58770
www.RTC.coop, RTC@restel.com www.facebook.com/RTC.coop
Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 701.862.3115
Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311
24/7 Help Desk: 0211 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.497.2151
Headquarters: 24 Main St N Parshall, ND 58770
New Town Office: 202 College Drive
New Town, ND 58763
Watford City Office: 701 14th St SW Watford City, ND 58854
Business Office:
0811 (Toll-free within RTC Exchanges)
701.862.3115
Fax: 701.862.3008 Email: rtc@restel.com
Publication Contact: Shannon Stafslien, Marketing Manager
CEO/General Manager: Shane D. Hart
Directors & Officers:
Jeanette Hoff, President
Jared Eagle, Vice President
Jennifer Sorenson, Secretary/Treasurer
Wayne Skarda, Director
Terry Wilber, Director
Amy Ones, Director
Barbara Steinmetz, Director
Tim Krebsbach, Director
Alicia Brenna, Attorney
You may have noticed some changes around here lately.
Reservation Telephone Cooperative is now RTC Networks. As we celebrate our 70th year as a cooperative and usher in a new era of innovation, it
technologies and the same high-quality service that you, our members, have come to expect. You can read more about the meaning behind our new name and look on page 6. Also in this issue of The Communicator you can learn how New Town Public School District is transforming the way that students learn with 10 Gig internet (page 4), discover the difference between broadband and wi-fi (page 8), and catch up on announcements and upcoming events from our cooperative (page 10).
Finally, I am excited to announce that our Annual Meeting will be held in-person this year! Please join us on September 9th at the 4 Bears Event
RTC Networks is more prepared than ever to provide our communities with cutting-edge technologies.
seemed like the perfect time to take on a name that reflects who we are and where we are going while still honoring where we have been.
This new brand is the product of many months of collaboration and discussion about our past, present, and future goals, and we are proud to finally share it with you. With this change, I believe that RTC Networks is more prepared than ever to provide our communities with cutting-edge
Center in New Town. This meeting will be an opportunity to reflect on the successes and lessons of the past year, discuss our goals and vision for 2022, and simply catch up after so many months apart.
I look forward to seeing you all there.
Shane Hart
Shane Hart, CEO
With 10 Gig internet from RTC Networks, New Town Public School District is transforming the way that students learn.
Students in New Town, North Dakota, will soon be able to embark on oncein-a-lifetime adventures—witnessing the legendary artworks of the Louvre, climbing the steps of the Great Wall of China, diving beneath the ocean’s surface to explore the Great Barrier Reef—without ever leaving their classroom.
It isn’t teleportation. These excursions will take place in the district’s new state-of-the-art virtual reality lab, where students can don futuristic VR headsets and be instantly transported thousands of miles away. Rather than simply reading about a museum, monument, or natural wonder in a textbook, students can immerse themselves in these new worlds—improving interest, understanding, and recall.
Virtual field trips are a revolutionary and relatively affordable way to engage students in their schoolwork, and they are just one way that New Town teachers
will use new 10 Gig internet from RTC Networks to eliminate barriers and redefine education.
“Going forward, the possibilities are endless,” said district Technology Coordinator Ian Ellsworth. “We’re going to have 21 VR headsets. So I could have 21 children sitting there being taken through museums and having a live person at the other end, discussing everything with them. And 10 Gig will make that possible.”
New Town Public Schools is a district of just 950 students, located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in western North Dakota. And this fall, they will become the first district in the state and among the first in the nation with access to 10 Gig internet.
The need for high-speed internet district-wide came into stark relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like districts across the country, New Town transitioned to distance learning in March 2020 to prevent the spread
of the virus. And like every other district, New Town faced challenges along the way.
“To start with, we had the teachers in the school building, and only having a one gig connection into the building and everybody being online at the same time brought our bandwidth down greatly,” Ellsworth said. “It was a logistical and technical nightmare.”
So when RTC Networks announced the launch of 10 Gig service in 2021, Ellsworth immediately approached Superintendent Beth Zietz.
“I told her, ‘We don’t know how long this at-home learning is going to last. We need to build our infrastructure up, and RTC Networks is offering 10 Gig. And I think it’s something we should do,’” Ellsworth said.
school day. The program will be piloted in the middle school this year, and if successful, extend to the high school and elementary school in the coming years.
In districts across the country, equipping students with their own computers has been shown to increase student participation and collaboration, empower students to take control of their own learning, and prepare them for the future beyond the classroom. New Town Public Schools is taking the program one step further to ensure that both students and staff are able to make the most of their revolutionary new speeds.
“The ‘Plus’ is really important because it includes teacher training and making sure that our staff are truly prepared to use the internet in a powerful way,” Zietz said. “We’re implementing a technology coach, so our teachers who maybe are still getting their internet feet underneath them have someone to go to and to support and to coach them with questions.”
10 Gig will help eliminate barriers to learning by allowing New Town teachers to place technology in the hands of every student.
She was quickly convinced. For Zietz, bringing 10 Gig to New Town is about more than offering the latestand-greatest in classroom technology. It is about ensuring that all of their students have access to the same learning opportunities.
10 Gig will help eliminate barriers to learning by allowing New Town teachers to place technology in the hands of every student. Beginning this fall, New Town Public Schools will implement a “One-to-One Plus” computing program, in which every student will be assigned a MacBook Air to use throughout the
This training will allow teachers to incorporate the SAMR model, which lays out four tiers of online learning: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. At the Substitution tier, students can utilize some of the most basic forms of classroom technology, like writing a paper in a Word document rather than with a pen and paper. By the fourth tier, Redefinition, learning is transformed by activities that were previously thought impossible in the classroom.
“Our students are so different than what they were 20 years ago. Their minds are actually wired differently as they’ve grown up in the digital age,” Zietz said. “Many of them are already past the Substitution stage. That isn’t new to them. They want to
dig in, they want to create, they want to share with the world the things that they’re doing. And having 10 Gig coming into our school is going to provide that next step for our students.”
Virtual field trips are just the beginning. At the Redefinition level, students can also share their ideas by publishing papers online or gain global perspectives by video chatting with students on the other side of the world.
“They can literally, in 30 seconds, be online with a student in Africa discussing the Serengeti,” Ellsworth said. “With the current bandwidth that we have, that would not be possible. But with RTC Networks supplying 10 Gig, literally for the children, the world is going to be their oyster.”
10 Gig will make it possible for New Town students and teachers to access classroom technologies like these all at the same time, without disruptions to their connection. Even more importantly, it will allow the district to address the needs of the whole child, including mental health services—another need that came to the forefront amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s hard to learn if there’s a lot of other things going on in your life that are running through your brain,” Zietz said. “In New Town, North Dakota, our nearest mental health services are at least an hour away if not further. And so having this high-speed internet will also allow us to provide additional virtual services for our
students, so that they can see licensed professionals to assist them with mental health issues.”
For New Town Public Schools, bringing 10 Gig to their students isn’t just about meeting the needs of today; it’s about anticipating the needs of the future.
“New Town has always been a progressive district and we want to be prepared for the future,” Zietz said. “When everyone else is clamoring for 10 Gig, we will already have it. And we will be using it to really increase student learning and student engagement.”
New classroom technologies will continue to emerge, and someday—as much as Beth and Ian hate to admit it—another emergency may force schools into lockdown. No matter what happens, with 10 Gig from RTC Networks, New Town Public Schools will be ready.
“It absolutely makes us really proud that we’re going to be the first people to do this. We’re a small town showing the big schools how it should be done. And we could not do that without RTC Networks,” Ellsworth said. “RTC Networks is not just our suppliers, they’re our partners in this. And without them, there is no way that we could move forward.”
With 10 Gig, the possibilities are endless. Learn more and sign up today at rtc.coop/internet to transform the way you live, work, and learn.
We hear these words tossed around every day, and while they are often used in reference to the same thing— the Internet—the technology they describe is actually pretty different.
Today, we are going to walk you through the differences between Wi-Fi and Broadband. If you are more of a visual learner, watch our latest Tech Tip video to follow along with tech expert Riley. Let’s get started!
Let’s start with the basic definition of the Internet. To put it simply, the Internet is a massive global network of computers and machines that are constantly talking to each other. When these computers and machines communicate, we are able to look up information, chat with our friends, and even work and attend school remotely.
With that in mind, let’s talk about broadband. Broadband is your home Internet, which happens through a wired connection. So if we think of the Internet as billions of little destinations, broadband is the tunnel we move through to reach them. In the past, broadband “tunnels” were constructed of copper wire, but nowadays, we use faster, more durable fiber-optic cable.
Information travels around the globe on millions of miles of fiber cable, eventually meeting a fiber cabinet on your street corner, which is connected via fibers straight to the modem in your home, which is connected to your router. You connect an Ethernet cable between your router and your computer, and ta-da! You have a stable, high-speed Internet connection.
If broadband is a tunnel, then think of Wi-Fi as an airplane carrying your information from the router to your
device. Today’s smartphones, tablets, and most laptops don’t have a port to connect to an Ethernet cable. Instead, they use radio signals to send and receive invisible data through the air between your device and your router.
When data reaches your router, it flows back down the wires to your front door and out to the fiber cabinet and then through the cables and across the vast Internet network.
They say that “knowledge is power”, and now that you know the difference between broadband and WiFi, you have the power to make better use of your Internet.
That’s it for this edition of Tech Tips! Visit rtc.coop/techtips for this and other tips to make your technology work for you.
RTC Networks’ 70th Annual Meeting is Thursday, September 9, 2021 at the 4 Bears Event Center in New Town.
Registration and meal starts at 5:00. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Business to be conducted at this meeting will include electing board members and reporting on the previous fiscal year. The candidates are: Jared Eagle for District 2A (Mandaree, New Town, Ross), John McElwain and Josh Reinisch for District 5 (Douglas, Makoti, Max, Roseglen, Ryder) Members can participate in the election by voting online, by mail, or in-person at the meeting. All members will receive a ballot packet in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by September 7.
For more information visit our website at rtc.coop/annualmeeting2021.
Mandaree, New Town, Ross
Jared Eagle has lived in New Town his entire life. He is the son of Ronnie and Kim Eagle. Jared has worked for the Indian Health Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes health system for 15 years. He currently serves as the MHA Nation Health Administrator. Jared has been on the RTC Board of Directors since 2015.
A graduate of North Dakota State University, Jared is active in the community. He served on the New Town Volunteer Fire Department for seven years and the North Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Advisory Board for seven years. He also served for nine years on the Edgewater Country Club Board. He and his wife Candice Eagle, who works for the Bank of ND have one daughter named Ellery.
Douglas, Makoti, Max, Roseglen, Ryder
John McElwain was born and raised in Max. After graduating from Max Public High School, he attended college before returning home to join his father, Jim McElwain, to work on the family farm and McElwain Construction Inc. In 1987, John married Tammy, and they raised their two children, Nicole and Justin. For eight years, he worked as the Max City Maintenance Operator. In 2001, with the passing of his father, John took over the operation of the family farm and McElwain Construction Inc., which does excavation work throughout North Dakota. John has served on the Max Civic Club, and the Immaculate Conception Church Board. He is currently serving on the Max Farmers Elevator Board (2000 to present) and the Max Fire Department (1987 to present). He enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends at the lake.
Douglas, Makoti, Max, Roseglen, Ryder
Josh was raised in Ryder, ND and graduated from North Shore High School in Makoti with the Class of 2007. He then attended Bismarck State College and graduated with a Degree in Welding. After college, Josh has worked in the Oil Field for the past 14 years with BOS Roustabout which is a family business and he also farms with his Dad. Josh is active with the Ryder-Makoti Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Makoti Threshers Association and the local Snowmobile Club the Sakakawea Fence Stretchers from Garrison. He was a Ryder City Council member until moving to his Grandparents farm south of Ryder. Josh enjoys traveling to the Mountains to snowmobile in the winter, pontooning on Lake Sakakawea in the summer, and hunting deer in the fall.
Alexander - 828
Hometown Hair Salon (701)828-3333
Emmet - 337
Hwy 83 Lawn and Leisure (701)337-2500
Hwy 83 Lawn and Leisure - Fax (701)337-2535
Kenmare - 385
Compass Health Inc (701)385-3020
Compass Health Inc - Fax (701)385-3033
Mandaree - 759
Mandaree Emergency Services (701)759-3492
Mandaree Emergency Services - Fax (701)759-3497
McKenzie, S (701)759-3777
MHA Department of Transportation (701)759-3353
Ott, Jason (701)759-3180
West Segment Energy - Fax (701)759-3444
West Segment Shop (701)759-3058
West Segment Shop - Fax (701)759-3063
White Eagle, H (701)759-3430
Max - 679
The Red Light Bar (701)679-2111
New Town - 627
Church of God - New Town (701)627-2873
Jackson, Jackie (701)627-3432
Lone Bear, Roberta (701)627-3331
MHA Interpretive Center (701)627-2238
Norma - 467
Langager, James (701)467-3611
Parshall - 862
Crossroads By Daye (701)862-3293
Yellow Bird, Pemina (701)862-4461
Roseglen - 743
TAT - WS Head Start (701)743-4078
Ross - 755
Farhart, Nancy (701)755-3778
Squaw Gap - 565
Pippert, Bronc (701)565-2298
Watford City - 444
All Around Feed And Supply (701)444-2222
Almquist, Greg (701)444-2090
Cantelow, David & Katie (701)444-3202
Earl, James & Rachel (701)444-2769
Elle’s Botique (701)444-2252
Gulley, Dave & Lori (701)444-2195
Kellogg, D (701)444-5163
Meg-A-Latte Coffee House (701)444-3505
U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (701)444-2333
Watford City - 842
Norby, Shirley (701)842-6212
Silver Fox Pipeline and Facility Services Inc (701)842-3118
Summit Silver Creek LLC - Line 3 (701)842-6461
Summit Silver Creek LLC (701)842-6490
Summit Silver Creek LLC - Line 2 (701)842-6491
Trade Ready (701)842-3118
Wastewater Treatment (701)842-6677
Will Thelen Combination Tech Lead
Otto Kinn Data Network Tech II
Wes Mincer Utility Tech
Alex Quale Data Network Tech I
Wes Mincer Utility Tech
Cody Allard Utility Tech
Samantha Kienholz Purchasing Agent
Greg Korgel Technology Specialist
Haley Nolby, CSR II
Diana Pokrzywinski Account Executive
Andrew Steele Utility Tech
Eric Thompson Combination Tech
Justine Vedaa Right of Way Specialist
Brock Lynne Accounting Specialist III
Gena Blunck CSR II - Provisioning Coordinator
Jerry Brien Utility Tech
Jon Lee Chief Financial Officer
Scot Ness Combination Tech
Joy Ruud Purchasing Agent Coordinator
Karen Huber CSR II
Lisa Schenfisch Customer Service Manager
To celebrate this milestone, we’ve lowered the price on our 1 Gig residential speed to $125/month.
Also, our 1 Gig now includes our Total Experience Wi-Fi package which guarantees great coverage throughout your home and comes with all the enhanced myRTCnet app features for FREE! Visit RTC.coop/wifi to get connected.
Lifeline is an assistance program that can help eligible people afford telephone and broadband Internet service. Tribal Lifeline & Tribal Link Up programs for tribal areas help eligible people on tribal lands afford telephone and broadband Internet service. Labor Day RTC Networks Closed Sept 6 Return to Normal Business Hours 8:00am-4:30pm Sept 7 Annual Meeting In person @ 4 Bears Event Center in New Town Sept 9
Coop Month Watch our Facebook page for giveaways! October
24 Main Street North, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND 58770
www.RTC.coop, RTC@restel.com
www.facebook.com/RTC.coop
Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 701.862.3115
Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311
24/7 Help Desk: 0211 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.497.2151
Headquarters: 24 Main St N • Parshall, ND 58770
New Town Office: 202 College Drive • New Town, ND 58763
Watford City Office: 701 14th St SW • Watford City, ND 58854
myRTCnet is included with your Whole Home Wi-Fi package. It gives you an instant snapshot of your home or small business network.
Through the app you can view all the connected devices on your network, set up parental controls or a guest network, run speed tests, change your SSID and password, and more.
All enhanced ProtectIQ and ExperienceIQ features are included FREE for 1 Gig speed customers (available for $7/month for 100x100 & 500x500 speed customers). myRTCnet puts you in charge!
Visit www.rtc.coop/wifi to get a download link, quick start guide, and more!
Congratulations to these Spring 2021 Communicator Readers’ Contest winners. They will receive at $20 credit on their RTC Networks bill.
For your chance to be entered in the drawing to win a $20 credit on your bill, correctly answer the questions at the right and include with your RTC bill. You can also submit your answers on our website at RTC.coop/readerscontest or email your answers to RTCteam@restel.com.
Lucille Broderson Watford City Exchange
Mary Carlson Kenmare Exchange
Karen Pennington New Town Exchange
Bernice Sprenger Roseglen Exchange
Joyce Waldock Parshall Exchange NAME
1. What is one of the main reasons New Town High School chose to bring in 10 Gig? 2. When and where is our annual meeting held this year?
3. What does RTC Networks’ new logo represent?