SUPERINTENDENT CREW AND MIAMI MAYOR DIAZ  TO RECOGNIZE STUDENTS
WHO HAVE EARNED FREE COMPUTERS, INTERNET ACCESS

“ELEVATE MIAMI” Partnership Will Give Sixth-Grade Students Free Computers

MIAMI—Superintendent of Schools Rudy Crew and City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz will recognize more than 600 Miami-Dade County Public Schools students who will each receive a free computer to take home as a result of their participation in the ELEVATE MIAMI Rites of Passage Initiative.  The recognition ceremony will take place on Monday, April 21, at 10:30 a.m., at Virrick Park, 3255 Plaza Street in Coconut Grove.

The ceremony will include “student reflections” and the presentation of a $125,000 check from AT&T for Internet access for the students.  Other contributing sponsors include the Knight Foundation, Microsoft and Per Scholas.
 
The students from 12 Title I schools participated in the ELEVATE MIAMI Rites of Passage Initiative aimed at preparing Miami residents for a leadership position in the global economy by establishing public and private partnerships, which facilitate affordable technology, including mobile and low-cost Internet access.  The partnership between M-DCPS and the City of Miami resulted in the creation of a life skills sixth-grade transition course that focused on the integration of the practical use of technology in the instruction of middle school subject areas.
 
To be rewarded a free computer, the students had to complete the required coursework and also meet important benchmarks during the school year, which were linked to academics, effort, conduct and parent involvement.   The students will receive their brand new computers at their respective schools on the following dates and time:

Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Ada Merritt K-8	8:15 a.m.
Dunbar Elementary	4 p.m.
Young Women’s Preparatory Academy	6 p.m.

Thursday, April 24, 2008
Shenandoah Middle	6 p.m.

Friday, April 25, 2008
Ada Merritt K-8	8:15 a.m.
Dunbar Elementary	4 p.m.
Young Women’s Preparatory Academy	6 p.m.

Friday, April 25, 2008
Citrus Grove Elementary	3:15 p.m.
Edison Middle	6 p.m.

Saturday, April 26, 2008
Kinloch Park Elementary	10 a.m.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Charles Drew Middle	6 p.m.
Coral Way Elementary	6 p.m.
Allapatah Middle	6 p.m.
Carver Middle	6 p.m.

Thursday, May 1, 2008
Shenandoah Middle	6 p.m.

Friday, May 2, 2008
Citrus Grove Middle	3:15 p.m.
Jose de Diego Middle	6 p.m.

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Citrus Grove Middle	9:30 a.m.
Jose de Diego Middle	9:30 a.m.

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08-JJS/289

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