Donated equipment and IT student support provides a helping hand as new school year kicks off
DALLAS, September 28, 2010 – As the new school year gets into full swing, the Dallas Independent School District and Westwood College are partnering to help Skyline High School meet its technology needs and bridge the gap that exists for both students and staff. Westwood College and several of the college’s information technology (IT) students are showing how a private organization can make a difference at a public school. Through Dallas ISD’s Partners in Education Program, Westwood recently made a donation including Netbooks, portable computer carts and interactive white boards. These much needed supplies will be used throughout Skyline High School by staff and students.
Westwood staff and students were at the Skyline High School campus today to deliver the donated equipment and to view the installation of the computers and SMART boards.
“As in many schools throughout the district, state and country, there are never enough computers, networking infrastructure continually needs updating, and the staff available to install and wire school IT equipment is limited,” said Skyline Principal Harold Wright. Dallas ISD Director of Community Relations, Deno Harris agreed. “We depend on donations, like this one from Westwood College, to help schools fill their needs,” Harris added.
In addition, the Dallas ISD Technology Outreach program is partnering with Westwood College to involve Westwood IT students in the rehab and repair of previously donated computers and equipment. These needed products will then move from a warehouse of donated equipment into classrooms or into student homes as part of Dallas ISD’s Connect-A-Student to Technology (CAST) program.
The CAST program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and to date, has refurbished 15,000 computers supporting 15,000 homes. The requirement to receive a computer is that a home must currently be without one. The goal for 2010 is to refurbish 500 computers and Westwood College IT students look forward to helping Dallas ISD reach that goal.
Starting in November, Westwood students will donate five hours at Dallas ISD’s donation warehouse facility, which is set up as a computer lab. In the five hours, each student will be able to completely refurbish one or two computers. Nine students from the college are currently participating in “The Future is IT Program,” providing them with hands-on training and a real-life work experience while working toward their degrees.
“We are very excited about the partnership we are building with Dallas ISD and hope it will make a significant impact on the area’s schools and families,” said David Borofsky, associate provost, Westwood College. “Equally important is the outstanding opportunity this provides our own IT students. By donating their time to rehab and refurbish computers, they are gaining valuable work experience and making a real contribution to their community.”
To learn more about how you or your company can make a technology contribution to the Dallas ISD and help further bridge the technology gap, contact Dallas ISD Desktop Services at (972) 925-4927 or (972) 925-5036. Equipment assessments will be performed by Desktop Services to ensure district technology standards are met. Donated equipment that meets assessment standards will be placed in either the CAST or the Computers for Classrooms programs.
About Westwood College
Westwood College is an institution of higher learning with 17 campuses across the country. Westwood offers a hands-on, career-focused curriculum providing three-year bachelor’s degrees in in-demand fields. More than 20,000 Westwood graduates have transformed their lives by obtaining the skills, tools, experience and connections necessary to achieve meaningful careers. Westwood College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), depending on the campus. Westwood is also a candidate for regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, please visit /.