WAVERLY, IA--(Marketwire - April 5, 2010) - Devastated by floods that ravaged Iowa communities during the summer of 2008, Washington Irving Elementary was left without basic teaching tools and technology for its 260 students. Even two years later, classes are still held in a nearby warehouse, and children make do with old computers salvaged from the floodwaters. Now, all that is about to change for the better, thanks to a unique technology grant program aimed at helping school libraries.
By rallying the local community and taking its dramatic story of destruction and renewal to a national audience, Washington Irving Elementary will receive new computers as part of Acer and Intel's School Library Technology Makeover initiative.
"The value of the Acer and Intel's technology makeover, both for our students' academic advancement and the school's infrastructure modernization, is like a dream come true," said Roger Wilcox, principal at Washington Irving Elementary. "It represents a sorely needed resource that will continue to support students and teachers for years to come, and this is a symbol of the progress we're making toward rebuilding our school."
To win the grant, Washington Irving Elementary competed against nine other entries, and all the schools received in excess of 81,000 votes from a nationwide audience. A key part of Washington Irving Elementary's submission was a YouTube video showing the extent of the flooding at the old school campus.
"It was immediately clear to all who watched the school's story that Washington Irving Elementary was committed to providing children with a healthy and nurturing learning environment despite the devastation the community experienced during the floods," said Richard Black, director of marketing for Acer America Corporation. "You can't help but be moved by what these families have been through and their determination to rebuild."
Washington Irving Elementary and its students have already made significant progress in rebuilding a functional learning environment, which will be further enhanced with the new computers from Acer and Intel. For the grand prize, the school will receive 10 new Acer Aspire Timeline notebooks and two all-in-one desktop computers.
"The faculty and the students at Washington Irving are so excited for our new computers," said Wilcox of the elementary school. "We are so grateful to the community and the entire state for helping us win this contest. It will go a long way in helping our students take their education to the next level."
As part of the contest, Washington Irving Elementary competed against nine other worthy K-12 schools throughout the country, including:
- Edward T. Bowser, Sr. Unique School of Excellence - East Orange, N.J.
- Early Childhood Education Center - Clark County School District - Athens, Ga.
- Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School - Arlington, Va.
- Mesa Vista Middle and High School - Ojo Caliente, N.M.
- Neosho Heights Elementary School - Oswego, Kan.
- Range Elementary School - Watauga, Tenn.
- Richard B. Russell Middle School - Winder, Ga.
- Theodore Roosevelt Educational Campus - Bronx, N.Y.
- Thomas Middle School - Holdenville, Okla.
"We are so impressed with how the local communities rallied behind their schools for this opportunity," said Black from Acer. "Their votes have put a voice to the overarching need for today's students to have access to the latest technology to not only excel in their studies, but also become educated learners of the 21st century."
The Acer and Intel School Library Technology Makeover is an opportunity for K-12 schools to win the latest technology to improve the outdated and inefficient learning environments of their libraries, the vital information hub for any school.
As soon as this spring, Washington Irving Elementary will receive its new computers from Acer and Intel.
About Acer
Since its founding in 1976, Acer has achieved the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Globally, Acer ranks No. 2 for total PCs and notebooks. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company's continuing growth, while its multi-brand approach effectively integrates Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands in worldwide markets. Acer strives to design environmentally friendly products and establish a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement in staging the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and London 2012 Olympic Games. Estimated revenue for 2009 is US$17.9 billion. See www.acer.com for more information.
More Details:
Learn more about Washington Irving Elementary School and Acer's School Library Technology Makeover Contest at: http://professional.us.acer.com/edu/LibraryMakeover
Watch Washington Irving Elementary School's video showing the flood damage and its new temporary building: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBPqZ4a9maU
Follow Acer Education on Twitter and Facebook
Contact Information:
Contact Info:
CMD PR on behalf of Acer, 503-274-7006, sweek@cmdagency.com
Acer PR contact: Alison Williams, 408-533-7746, alison_williams@acer.com
