Sprint-provided Samsung Chromebooks, wireless service and Internet security solutions will help bridge digital divide, enrich educational experience for 120 economically disadvantaged sixth graders
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 24, 2013 – Some 120 Bay Area students who might otherwise be ill-equipped to navigate and thrive in today’s online world will receive the educational tools they need through the Sprint Project Connect program. Sprint will donate 130 Samsung Chromebook laptops, wireless service and technology support to enable sixth-grade students and their teachers at Oakland Military Institute (OMI) to claim a richer learning experience that spans the “digital divide.”
“More than ever, the world calls us to use the power of the Internet and digital technologies in many areas of our lives,” said Ralph Reid, vice president of corporate relations at Sprint. “Students without the economic means to fully participate in the digital realm can be at a severe disadvantage in working toward a better future. Sprint is proud to provide the equipment, technological solutions and resources these students and teachers need to access the most current educational resources available and to achieve their highest educational goals.”
Located in Oakland, Calif., OMI is a racially diverse college preparatory academy for sixth through twelfth graders and is known for its demanding academic program that includes language arts, math, science and history, as well as world languages, leadership and physical fitness training. About 83 percent of the students qualify as economically disadvantaged, and more than 43 percent of students are learning English as a secondary language.
“Oakland Military Institute is extremely grateful for Sprint’s generosity and for this opportunity to give our sixth grade teachers and students a robust teaching and learning tool,” said Dr. Mark Ryan, Superintendent of Oakland Military Institute. “With the new technology and technology solutions, students can enjoy enhanced educational experiences while they are here at OMI, and I believe those experiences will lay the foundation for greater opportunities when they leave this school and pursue future careers.”
Solution overview
Wireless Campus Manager™, available from Sprint, has the essential tools to help simplify, manage and secure OMI’s One-to-One initiative. Wireless Campus Manager is cloud-based and scalable to help provide a flexible IT infrastructure that enables them to manage all the complexities of their digital environment like staging, imaging, logistics, asset management, as well as CIPA, LMS, and data usage monitoring, with minimal investment. Our scalable solutions helped OMI maximize student achievement in today’s digital world, while minimizing the impact of the workload on their employees. Wireless Campus Manager provides a management tool for OMI’s digital learning program so they could focus their efforts on the students.
“Providing the OMI students every advantage to learn and succeed in a 21st Century classroom was essential, but managing a digital learning environment can burden budget and staff. They needed a true partner to provide students and teachers the tools needed to ensure One-to-One success in their learning environment. Manage Mobility, Sprint, and the Wireless Campus Manager were the perfect fit,” said Kevin Beck, Director of Education Markets, Manage Mobility.
About Sprint
Sprint offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint served more than 53 million customers at the end of the second quarter of 2013 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint as the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all 47 industries, during the last five years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About Sprint Good Works?
Sprint is committed to using our technology, human and financial resources to help make the world a better place. This commitment infuses our business and culture, and it drives our Sprint Good WorksSM program. More than just a name, good works is also a belief: Good does indeed workSM. The good works we perform every day benefit three key subjects: people, product and planet. For people, we demonstrate good works through targeted philanthropic initiatives and a diverse and ethical workforce. For a better product, we harness the power of innovation to help customers minimize their environmental footprint and increase their safety and security, and to empower seniors and those with disabilities to stay connected through accessible technology. For a healthier planet, we lead the industry with our sustainable business practices and wireless reuse and recycling programs. These are just a few of the ways we demonstrate good works to bring people and resources together for a better world. You can learn more about our good works at www.sprint.com/responsibility.
About Sprint Project Connect
Sprint Project Connect is a free recycling service for anyone who has wireless phones, batteries, accessories and data cards that they no longer use. All makes and models are accepted, regardless of carrier or condition. Visit sprint.com/projectconnect for more information and a free shipping label. All net proceeds from collected equipment go to fund programs that empower youth to succeed in a digital world by learning how to use technology in safe, sustainable, and innovative ways. Since 2007, Sprint has donated over 5 million dollars to such programs. Technology grants given to schools are directed to programs that plan to creatively use interactive technology to make learning a fun and engaging experience for students while increasing academic achievement in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.
About Oakland Military Institute
The Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy (OMI) was founded in 2001 by Governor Jerry Brown and serves approximately 720 students in grades 6-12. It is a free public charter school focused on helping all students get into and succeed in college through four pillars – academics, leadership, citizenship, and athletics.
Contact(s):
Sprint
Caroline Semerdjian, 
415-684-7314
Caroline.Semerdjian@sprint.com
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