DELL MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michelle Mosmeyer, Dean Kline (512) 723-2408, (512) 728-8626
michelle_mosmeyer@dell.com dean_kline@dell.com
SEDTA MEDIA CONTACT:
Melinda G. George (333) 333-3333
CIC CONTACT:
Carol Vernon (202) 775-1044
SCHOOL DISTRICTS HARDEST HIT BY HURRICANES TO RECEIVE 15 MOBILE COMPUTER LABS FROM DELL, EDUCATION PARTNERS Dell, SETDA, Cable in the Classroom Respond To Needs Outlined by Local Educators
ROUND ROCK, Texas, Feb. 7, 2006 – Students from 15 hurricane-ravaged school districts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas soon will have access to educational content thanks to a donation of mobile computer labs from Dell, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and Cable in the Classroom.
"Now these schools can bring the mobile computer carts from classroom to classroom, giving more students access to technology and information," said Karen Bruett, vice president of Dell’s K-12 business. "This donation is an example of how a global company like Dell can help enable local benefits to customers and communities. We encourage other companies and organizations to help us revitalize these schools by donating any products or services they can."
While significantly damaged by the hurricanes, schools receiving these mobile labs are capable of using the technology immediately. The districts include:
Louisiana |
Mississippi |
Texas |
Jefferson Parish |
Biloxi School District |
Buna ISD |
Plaquemines Parish |
Moss Point School District |
Deweyville ISD |
St Bernard Parish |
Pascagoula School District |
Nederland ISD |
St. Tammany Parish |
Bay-Waveland School District |
Sabine Pass ISD |
Vermilion Parish Pass |
Christian School |
District Spurger ISD |
"These mobile labs provide students with critical access to educational content, both in their classrooms and from the Internet, that had been unavailable since the storms," said Helen Soulé, Ph.D., executive director of Cable in the Classroom. "They also demonstrate the powerful role that technology and online resources can play in restoring educational programs after disasters threaten to disrupt learning."
Designed with input from educators, these secure, flexible mobile computer labs provide an average-sized class with a 2:1 student-to-computer ratio or better. They include:
- 16 Dell Latitude™ laptops
- One Datamation mobile laptop cart
- One wireless access point
- One Dell laser printer
- 3 years Dell technical support
- Microsoft Office 2003 Professional software
- Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements Software
- Wireless Internet access
Intel, Microsoft, Adobe, Time Warner and Datamation also contributed to the donations.
"These systems bring new opportunities to students and teachers who have otherwise lost so much," Melinda G. George, executive director of SETDA. "Students can now extend the hours and locations available for learning and study. We’re proud to see educational technology play such a critical role in the recovery process."
Dell also will work with SETDA to offer special pricing on identical mobile labs to any schools identified as meeting the eligibility criteria. EDITOR’S NOTE: vSKOOL, a consortium providing education-related relief to K-12 students, educators and families affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, has established an online clearinghouse of donated educational products and services at www.vskool.org. Available items include online courses, test preparation services, software and digital content.