REDMOND, Wash., March 6, 1996 — As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting a
“Connected Learning Community”
where all students have access to computers and to information online, Microsoft Corporation today announced that it will donate software, telecommunications wiring kits, training and technical support as part of NetDay96. With this contribution, Microsoft becomes one of the key corporate sponsors of this unprecedented public-private partnership to connect California schools to the Internet.
As part of its efforts, Microsoft has been working with the South San Francisco Unified School District to plan a districtwide wide area network (WAN). On NetDay, Saturday, March 9, more than 75 Microsoft employees, Microsoft Solution Providers and local community volunteers will install a local area network (LAN) at the South San Francisco High School and a server at the district office, as part of Microsoft’s ongoing initiative to help link all 16 schools and 9,500 students in the district.
“It’s great to see companies, community organizations and individuals come together to help students and educators gain access to the Internet and to each other for deeper, more meaningful learning experiences,”
said Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and CEO.
“Microsoft is excited to be part of this. NetDay will immediately empower schools to use PCs in creative ways that enhance education and help build a connected learning community.”
On NetDay, classrooms, libraries and computer labs in thousands of California’s K-12 schools will be wired to connect to the Internet. Parents, students, teachers, administrators, community members, and technicians from California’s high-technology companies, other businesses and organizations are involved in the grassroots effort initiated by California technology and media companies.
As a primary NetDay sponsor, Microsoft is:
-
purchasing wiring kits for 100 schools to provide the technology they need to connect to resources outside the classroom
-
donating 50 copies of Microsoft Windows NT Server operating system with 20 client licenses each to help network schools
-
donating 500 copies of Creative Writer, the award-winning desktop publishing and creativity software tool for students age 8 and older
-
offering Microsoft’s free Internet Jump Start CD for Educators in every NetDay kit, including an opportunity for California’s 12,000 schools to enter Microsoft’s Schools on the Web contest for up to $100,000 in technology grants.
The Internet Jump Start CD includes all the fundamental tools teachers and students need to explore and publish on the Internet, including two of Microsoft’s most powerful server products – a special release of Windows NT Server and the new Microsoft Internet Information Server. Using the Internet Jump Start CD, schools can set up their own web server and create a web site. Schools also can enter their site at no cost in the Schools on the Web registry, sponsored by Microsoft and MCI, located at the Global Schoolhouse (GSH), a popular education resource area on the Internet developed by the Global SchoolNet Foundation. Registered sites are eligible for the Schools on the Web contest for technology grants totaling up to $100,000. The rules are available on the GSH web site (http://www.gsh.org) or from the
“Focus on K-12”
area of the Microsoft web site (http://www.microsoft.com/k-12).
When students and teachers at South San Francisco High School return to school on Monday, March 11, they’ll find themselves fully connected between classrooms, to their district office and to the Internet. On NetDay, Microsoft volunteers will install a LAN at the school and a network server at the district office to lay the groundwork for a districtwide WAN.
“NetDay is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the South San Francisco schools and support their goal to use technology effectively to enhance education,”
said Dave Derry, Microsoft northern California district manager.
“The key is to create a learning community that has broad access to the best educational resources and the skills to use them. We’re working with organizations throughout northern California to bring the benefits of leading technology to the entire community.”
To help students, parents, teachers and other community members learn more about technology and its use in education, Microsoft also will provide free technology training seminars at the high school throughout the day. Sessions will feature how to publish a web page and how to search the Internet, as well as demonstrations of Microsoft Windows 95 operating system, Microsoft Office for Windows 95 and Microsoft multimedia titles such as Creative Writer, Encarta Multimedia Encyclopedia and Bookshelf multimedia reference guide. As a grand finale, the South San Francisco High School will unveil its new web site and launch its new LAN at a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m.
The Microsoft initiative at South San Francisco High is part of the SmartSchools NetDay Project, organized by more than 50 high-tech firms, the San Jose Education Network, and the San Mateo and Santa Clara County offices of education and more than 30 school districts.
Sponsorship of NetDay96 is part of Microsoft’s continuing initiative to help create a global
“Connected Learning Community”
in which all students and educators have access to technology and the tools and skills to use information effectively today and throughout their lifetimes. Microsoft believes the most important use of information technology is to improve education and is committed to providing educators and students with the high-quality software and services needed to help them make the best use of technology.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Bookshelf, Encarta, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
