As a leader in telecommunications for more than 140 years, AT&T excels at helping people stay connected. Now, with a generous contribution to the Luzerne County SHINE program, the company is helping to bridge the digital divide for SHINE students and their families.
The company’s donation of $30,000 and 100 laptops provides SHINE students with access to DreamBox, a game-based software that delivers math and reading activities uniquely tailored to each student’s needs. By completing an average of five lessons each week, students can increase their proficiency by as much as one and a half grade levels.
The laptops will enhance connectivity for both SHINE students and their families. More students will be able to log on to DreamBox and The Achievery, AT&T’s online learning platform for grades K-12. Families can use the laptops to engage with their children’s education and access community resources and job training opportunities.
“The donation enables us to meet the growing needs of our students and their families in new and meaningful ways,” said Carol Nicholas, executive director of Luzerne County SHINE. “We’re excited about the long-term, positive impact and grateful to our community partners at AT&T for making our dreams come true.”
The contribution, part of the AT&T Connected Learning Initiative, was announced at Lee Park Elementary Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, one of SHINE’s nine locations in six school districts. Guests included David Kerr, president of AT&T Pennsylvania; Lisa Baker, State Senator; Alec Ryncavage, State Representative; Nathan Barrett, Hanover Area School District Superintendent; and Greg Cant, president of Wilkes University. In his remarks, Cant recognized the real star power in the room — the young people chosen to represent the more than 500 SHINE students who have already completed a combined 2,404 DreamBox lessons in just two months. “Everything we’re doing is because we want you to succeed, said Cant, addressing the students. “One day, you’re going to be game-changers. One day, you’re going to change the world.”
For more from area media:
- SHINE after school program gets 100 computers, $30,000 from AT&T – Times Leader
- SHINE program received laptops from AT&T | Education | citizensvoice.com
- STEM-project program SHINE gets 100 donated laptops | Eyewitness News (pahomepage.com)
- STEM-project program SHINE gets 100 donated laptops (yahoo.com)
