Lorain City opens first of twenty high-tech schools
Frank Jacinto Elementary uses SMART Board interactive whiteboards in every classroom
LORAIN, Ohio – October 25, 2004 – SMART Technologies Inc. announces the installation of SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards in every classroom at Frank Jacinto Elementary School in Lorain, Ohio. This is the first school completed in the district's $216 million project to open 20 new or renovated schools. As part of the project, every classroom in each of the 20 schools will have a SMART Board interactive whiteboard. Scheduled for completion in 2009, the initiative is one of the largest school renovation projects in the state.
The school district is working with SMART reseller SMART Ed Services, a division of Cleveland Corporate Services, to achieve its vision of equipping each classroom and computer lab with leading-edge technology products that improve student learning and make lesson planning and delivery easier for teachers. To assist with the purchases, the school district will receive funding through the U.S. Department of Education's QZAB Federal Grant Program and grants from the SMARTer Kids™ Foundation
The district has complemented the SMART Board interactive whiteboards with other technology products such as projectors, computers, DVD players and sound systems. The combination creates a multimedia environment where teachers can access websites in front of the entire class, show students' work, play movies, write class notes in digital ink and post files to the Internet. Everything is accessed and controlled from the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, so the teacher doesn't have to take her attention away from the class to change materials or subjects.
“Today's youth relate to technology, and the SMART Board interactive whiteboards will ensure that Frank Jacinto Elementary is the most technologically-advanced school in Lorain City,” says Dan DeNicola, director of facilities for Lorain City Schools. “These classrooms create an environment where teachers are excited to teach and students are excited to learn.”
“The opening of Frank Jacinto Elementary signals a significant investment in education technology for the students of Lorain,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. “The SMART Board interactive whiteboards will help teachers improve student outcomes and equip this generation with the technology skills needed to succeed in their careers”
Dedication Ceremony
Frank Jacinto Elementary School will hold a dedication ceremony on October 31, 2004, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Maria Hernandez Ferrier, deputy under secretary of education and Lynn Readey, director of the Ohio School Facilities Commission will be speaking. School representatives will give classroom tours to view construction and technology advancements.
About SMART Board interactive whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is the world's leading interactive whiteboard. Simply by touching the large display, users can access and control any computer application or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. With SMART Board software, users can write over applications in digital ink and then edit, save, print or post their notes to a website for future reference. SMART Board interactive whiteboards are used in classrooms, briefing rooms and boardrooms around the world, helping people to collaborate effectively whether they are in the same room or in different locations. Feature-rich software and intuitive functionality make the SMART Board interactive whiteboard the number one choice of educators, presenters and trainers in more than 75 countries. For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/smartboard.
About Lorain City Schools
Lorain City Schools empowers its students to be successful, productive and valuable members of society. As the tenth largest school district in Ohio, Lorain schools serve approximately 10,000 students and are home to a diverse and unique population. Scheduled for completion in 2009, the district's $216 million facilities construction project will provide 13 new and seven renovated buildings. The initiative is one of the largest school renovation projects in the state and will provide a completely new face for Lorain City Schools.
About SMART Ed Services
SMART Ed Services*, a division of Cleveland Corporate Services, is a premier provider of audio/visual presentation technology. Established in 1989, SMART Ed Services provides learning environments in seven states with integrative technology including: SMART Board interactive whiteboards; multimedia production services including training and sales videos, presentation graphics, digital signage and commercial broadcast pieces; SecureLink, which integrates video, voice and data for IP-based security systems; and Design/Build Integrators, creating user-friendly meeting rooms, training rooms and classrooms that integrate presentation technology with Crestron remote touch-panel control systems. For more information, visit http://www.clevelandcorporate.com/.
*SMART Ed Services is a service wholly owned and operated by Cleveland Corporate Services and is neither an affiliate nor an associate of SMART Technologies Inc.
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For more information, contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
Suite 300, 1207 11 Ave SW
Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5
403.802.2565
pr@smarttech.com
www.smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.