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Serrano Announces Apple Donation of Technological Products to Bronx Schools Through ConnectED Initiative(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) THE BRONX, N.Y., Oct. 31 -- Rep. Jose E. Serrano, D-N.Y. (15th CD), issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Jose E. Serrano announced that Apple will be donating iPads, Macs, AppleTVs, software, applications and services to five public schools in the Bronx. Apple is contributing $100 million in products and services to 114 schools across the nation through a partnership with the Obama Administration's ConnectEd initiative. P.S. 163 Arthur A. Schomburg Elementary School, The Bilingual School, Bronx International High School, P.S. 107, and Soundview Academy for Culture & Scholarship, all located in the Bronx, will receive Apple products through the partnership. "Lack of access to high speed internet and modern technology in our schools' classrooms are contributing to a technological and educational divide in the United States. Some students are up to speed with modern technology, while others lag behind simply because of their economic background. The digital divide has a serious impact on educational opportunities for low-income students, making it more difficult for them to learn, to do homework, or even to apply for college or a job. "The ConnectED public-private initiative will help students in the Bronx from diverse backgrounds bridge this divide and enjoy a richer educational experience at school while gaining the technological skills they need to thrive and succeed in a global economy. I applaud Apple for supporting President Obama's ConnectEd initiative and their emphasis on giving disadvantaged students from all sorts of backgrounds access to technology," said Congressman Serrano. The ConnectEd initiative seeks enrich students learning experience and provide them with the technological skills they need to succeed in the future by expanding access to broadband, high-speed wireless, and educational technology in schools within the next five years. The initiative's goal is that by 2017, 99% of American students have access to broadband internet access and a richer learning experience. ConnectEd was announced in 2013 by President Obama as a part of his plan to ensure that students are prepared to use the next generation of technology and compete successfully in the global economy. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has pledged to invest $2 billion to expand access to high-speed internet for our nation's schools and libraries. Apple, Microsoft, Verizon and numerous other private-sector companies have pledged to give more than $2 billion in technology to classrooms. As part of that pledge, Apple will be donating technological products and resources to schools where at least 96 percent of its student population qualify to participate in the free or reduced-price lunch program. The majority of students in these schools are from underrepresented communities. These schools are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas, and range in size from 80 to nearly 1,000 students. The schools will receive: an iPad for every student; a Mac and iPad for every teacher and administrator; an Apple TV for every classroom; Apple software to support creativity and productivity; appropriate third-party applications and components; and a dedicated Apple team to provide ongoing professional development and support. TNS30VitinMar-141101-4921505 30VitinMar (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |