Press Release - Victoria School District 61

Transforming old tech into new opportunitiesPress ReleaseGREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT UPGRADES COMPUTERS IN EACH ELEMENTARYSCHOOLVictoria BC, 27 September 2011 —A media event is being hosted by Frank Hobbs Elementary,Tuesday September 27 th at 12:30 pm to showcase the Computers for Schools‐ British Columbia (CFS)recent delivery of 1700 reuse computers.Computers for Schools ‐ British Columbia provided the Greater Victoria School District with 1700refurbished computers to substantially upgrade classroom and lab equipment in each of its elementaryschools. 61 of the 1700 computers were deployed to Frank Hobbs Elementary.“Our elementary school computers were in dire need of a refresh and the excellent equipmentreceived from CFS is an educational and economic benefit” says Tom Ferris, Chair of the Greater VictoriaSchool District. “Not only are we providing a better service for our students, but we are exemplifying the“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” model that we teach. This is truly a win‐win situation.”In many of the Greater Victoria elementary schools, 80 – 90% of the computers have been replacedover the past month. The repurposed computer equipment is used to access internet learning content,online exams and communications systems, demonstrate learning through word processing, videocreation and spreadsheets and to support educational software such as Kurzweil.“1700 computers marks our largest computer delivery to date, and it coincided with the delivery ofour 115,000 th computer” says Mary‐Em Waddington Executive Director, Computers for Schools – BritishColumbia. “It’s very rewarding to see the educational and environmental impacts that our equipmentmakes in BC classrooms, considering donors could have sent the computers for end of life disposal.”Beyond the educational benefits of Computers for Schools, the program also promotes sustainablere‐use through the refurbishment of surplus computers donated by business and government. The workof information technology students and dedicated volunteers helps extend the useful life of thecomputers by 3 to 5 years for use in schools and non‐profit organizations.The re‐use approach advocated by CFS is a key incentive for many businesses to join with thefederal government in support of learning opportunities, the environment and communitydevelopment. Computers are donated by many organizations, notably TELUS, BC Hydro, and SAP whileMicrosoft donates Windows XP. The Greater Victoria School District is happy to be the recipient of thisworking example of corporate responsibility.Computers for Schools, co‐founded in 1993 by Industry Canada and the Telecom Pioneers, refurbishescomputers and related equipment donated by governments and businesses. These computers aredistributed across Canada to schools, libraries and registered not‐for‐profit learning organizations.c/o BC Technology for Learning Society, #206 – 6741 Cariboo Road, Burnaby, BC, V3N 4A3Phone: (604) 250-9936, Fax: (604) 648-9628, Email: mwaddington@cfsbc.cawww.cfsbc.ca

Transforming old tech into new opportunitiesMedia contacts:Mary‐Em WaddingtonTom FerrisExecutive DirectorChairman, Board of EducationComputers for Schools, BC Greater Victoria School District #61604‐250‐9936 250‐475‐4106Mwaddington@cfsbc.catferris@sd61.bc.cac/o BC Technology for Learning Society, #206 – 6741 Cariboo Road, Burnaby, BC, V3N 4A3Phone: (604) 250-9936, Fax: (604) 648-9628, Email: mwaddington@cfsbc.cawww.cfsbc.ca