Sprint-provided Dell laptops and Internet connectivity will help bridge digital divide and enrich educational experience for Bay Area students

Company Website: http://www.sprint.com
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- (Business Wire)

Some 65 Bay Area students will receive the educational tools they need to navigate and thrive in today’s online world. Sprint, through the Sprint Project Connect Program, will donate 65 Dell laptops and Internet connectivity to enable some students and their teachers at Kennedy High School (KHS) in the West Contra Costa Unified School District to claim a richer learning experience that spans the “digital divide.”

“Increasingly, our daily lives, both personally and professionally, require the use and understanding of digital technology,” said Ralph Reid, vice president -- Corporate Responsibility 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 Richmond, California, KHS is in the midst of transforming into a full-service, community school that offers students a more science- and technology-based curriculum, which the Sprint Project Connect program will help support. KHA serves more than 800 students, 35 percent of whom are English learners; nearly 80 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced meals.

"Kennedy High School is extremely grateful for Sprint's generosity and for this opportunity to give our students a robust learning tool," Principal Phillip Johnson said. “These students will receive instruction on how to use technology successfully and develop life-long learning skills. Through an agreement between Kennedy and Contra Costa College, these students will also have the ability to earn 12 college credits to help establish a path for their education beyond high school.”

The Project Connect Program funds Internet safety and other technology-related programs and resources to help youth succeed in a digital world. Funding is provided through a charitable phone-recycling program through which customers and non-customers can donate their no-longer-used wireless devices with net proceeds benefiting youth technology programs. This is the second consecutive year that Sprint, through the Project Connect program, has made a donation to a Bay Area school to provide technology to students. Last year, a $100,000 donation was given to Oakland Military Institute in California.

About Sprint

Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served more than 54 million customers as of June 30, 2014 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; leading no-contract 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 U.S. company in customer satisfaction, across all 43 industries, over the last six years. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America in 2011, 2012 and 2013. 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 Works^SM program. More than just a name, Good works is also a belief: Good does indeed work^SM. 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/goodworks.

About Sprint Project Connect

Sprint Project Connectis 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 the West Contra Costa Unified School District

West Contra Costa Unified School District serves nearly 30,000 students in the East Bay Area of Northern California. The District, in partnership with the community, serves the whole child, preparing every student to succeed in higher education, career and life by pairing high-quality academics with social, emotional and wellness support.

Contacts:

Sprint
Caroline Semerdjian, 415-684-7314
Caroline.Semerdjian@sprint.com

Source: Sprint