Microsoft Gives 34 Schools $25,000 Computer Lab Makeovers

Thousands of students in 34 schools across the nation will have the opportunity to explore the new Windows Vista™ operating system for the very first time as new computers and software come rolling into their schools. Microsoft Corp. today announced the winners of its Ultimate Windows Vista Celebration Sweepstakes; each will receive $25,000 toward a computer lab “makeover” that includes a choice of 20 laptops or desktops equipped with Windows Vista Ultimate.

“With Windows Vista Ultimate on their new computers the students at these 34 schools will have a computer experience that is easier, safer and more engaging than they’ve had before, whether the user is a computer whiz or just learning to use a PC,” said Anthony Salcito, general manager for Education, Microsoft U.S. Public Sector. “Students can quickly search for whatever it is they need, whether on the desktop or online, and they can browse the Internet with confidence that their computer and personal information are protected by enhanced security.”

The 34 schools represent a sampling of schools across the U.S. education system with winners in each region (locations vary from Hebron, Ky. and Brooklyn, N.Y., to Lenexa, Kan., and San Francisco), in private and public institutions, from both rural and urban communities. The schools serve a variety of grades from pre-K through 12, and range in size from 233 students to nearly 3,000.

“The need for more computers increases each year as teachers and students find more ways to utilize them in the classroom,” said Steve Goeglein, principal at the 3,000-student Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. “The ability to access information from the Internet and to use that information for class work is very important to both our students and our teachers. I can say with confidence that these new additions will definitely be put to good use.”

For some schools, the award brought an opportunity that might not have otherwise been available. Ginger Roper, principal of Bonne Ecole Elementary serving 671 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Slidell, La., chose to receive the portable PC lab, which includes 20 notebook PCs and their storage cart, because its mobility will allow the computers to serve all the classrooms.

“We have one lab that serves 32 classrooms,” Roper said. “And although we would like to and need to, we just don’t have the physical space or funding to create another lab. This mobile lab is an answer to our prayers. It will really serve our students well.”

“We have been trying for the last two years to have wireless computers in the classroom and our grants just seem to fall short,” said Patty Dupuy, Bonne Ecole’s technology liaison. “I am so glad that our school has this wonderful and exciting opportunity.”

The Ultimate Windows Vista Celebration Sweepstakes was held at select retail locations across the nation including Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, J&R, and Staples during celebration events on Jan. 30, 2007. Individuals nominated the school of their choice and winners were chosen by random drawing in February. Winning schools had the choice of a Windows Vista Ultimate Mobile PC lab, which includes 20 notebook PCs and storage cart, or a Windows Vista Ultimate Desktop Lab, which includes 20 PCs and flat-screen monitors.

The complete list of winners is as follows:

• Boulder Creek Elementary, Phoenix

• Rollingwood Elementary, San Bruno, Calif.

• Silver Gate Elementary, San Diego

• Lawton Alternative School, San Francisco

• Clairbourn School, San Gabriel, Calif.

• Franklin Elementary, Littleton, Colo.

• Alexis I. Dupont High School, Greenville, Del.

• Calusa Elementary School, Miami

• Doral Academy Charter Middle School, Miami

• Fulton Science Academy, Alpharetta, Ga.

• Lincoln Prairie Elementary, Lake in the Hills, Ill.

• Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis

• Holy Trinity Catholic School, Lenexa, Kan.

• North Pointe Elementary, Hebron, Ky.

• Bonne Ecole Elementary, Slidell, La.

• Natick High School, Natick, Mass.

• Utica High School, Utica, Mich.

• Chapelle Community School, Ypsilanti, Mich.

• Field Middle School, Minneapolis

• Kehrs Mill Elementary School, Chesterfield, Mo.

• Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, Neb.

• PS 138 – The Core Knowledge/Efficacy School, Brooklyn, N.Y.

• John F. Kennedy High School, Cheektowaga, N.Y.

• Canaan Elementary School, Patchogue, N.Y.

• North Mecklenburg High School, Huntersville, N.C.

• Vermilion High School, Vermilion, Ohio

• Southern Fulton Elementary School, Warfordsburg, Pa.

• Fairview Middle School, Fairview, Tenn.

• West Elementary, Grand Prairie, Texas

• Sneed Elementary School, Houston

• St. Veronica Catholic School, Chantilly, Va.


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