NEWS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GRANT TO
EXPAND STUDENT HOME WIFI
WHAT: Announcement of a major grant from the Federal Communications
Commission to expand use of take-home computers and home broadband access
for middle school students.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2011
WHERE: Rick Selby's eighth grade US History class, Innovation Middle School,
5095 Arvinels Ave. (92117). Directions: SR-163 or I-805 to Clairemont Mesa
Blvd.; west on Clairemont Mesa Blvd.; Right on Limerick Ave.; Right on
Lehrer Dr.
DETAILS: The FCC's 2011 "Learning On The Go" wireless pilot program has
granted nearly $1 million to support existing and expand 3G wireless
broadband service to sixth graders at eight schools and continue the
school-wide program at Innovation Middle School. More than 3,000 students
will be involved in the program. Schools receiving the assistance for the
2011-12 school year are Innovation in Clairemont, Millennial Tech Middle in
the Emerald Hills, Dana in Pt. Loma, Knox in Lincoln Park; Lewis in Allied
Gardens; Longfellow in Clairemont; Mann in City Heights; Pershing in San
Carlos and Wilson in Mid-City.
The grant will help further the district's i21 initiative, part of the
district¹s five-year plan to transform education through the integration of
technology. One barrier is the significant digital divide that exists beyond
the schools' site networks -- in students' homes without internet
connections or computers. This grant will loan students netbook computers
and a wireless, 3G connection so they can work from home, whether or not
their house has an internet connection. 3G networks are wireless networks
used by "smart phones" for internet connections.
Other districts receiving grants are located in Sioux City, Ia.; Watkins
Glen, NY.; New Rochelle, NY,; and Painted Post, NY.
San Diego Unified's i21 program is funded through Prop. S, the 2008 bond
vote approved by nearly 70 percent of eligible San Diego Unified voters.
Among its goal is to provide one computer for each student in grades grades
3-12.
SPEAKERS/PHOTOS: Darryl LaGace, Chief Information Officer; Harlan Klein,
principal Innovation Middle School; students in Mr. Selby's eighth grade US
History class. The news conference will take place during Mr. Selby's class.
Students can be photographed and interviewed with their netbook computers.
Contact:
Jack Brandais
Communications Department
San Diego Unified School District
(619) 725-5570 (Desk)
(619) 607-0477 (Cell)
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