The Rockford Public Schools and Alignment Rockford announced today that Comcast is the Presenting Scholar Sponsor of the upcoming 2013 Academy Expo. “We are proud to be the Expo’s Scholar Sponsor,” said Joan Sage, local Comcast Government and Community Affairs manager. “The Scholar Sponsorship allows us to be involved where we live and work and enables us to share our Internet Essentials initiative, which provides low-cost high-speed access to the Internet for qualifying Rockford families. Internet Essentials connects students and their families to on-line learning opportunities. The 2013 Academy Expo connects students to career opportunities. Comcast sees a powerful opportunity to advance college and career readiness for all students by linking its Internet Essentials program to the 2013 Academy Expo opportunity.” Comcast’s Internet Essentials program is available to qualifying low income families for about $10 per month and a computer for about $150, along with free on-line computer classes. “It is imperative for our students to have access and connection to the Internet in order to thrive in the classroom and in their career choices,” said Laurie Preece, Executive Director for Alignment Rockford.
Approximately 5,000 9th,10th and 11th graders from Auburn, East, Guilford, Jefferson and Roosevelt Alternative High Schools will be participating in the 2013 Academy Expo, which is designed to demonstrate for students the wide variety of careers, which exist in the Rockford region . Over 140 careers will be demonstrated by employees of local businesses in order to help students select an academy and pathway based on personal interests. These academy selections will be made in January 2014.
Dr. Ehren Jarrett, Superintendent, Rockford Public Schools, said, “Comcast’s Scholar Sponsorship of the 2013 Academy Expo will actively support the District’s goal of ensuring all students graduate college and career ready. Exposing Rockford students to the wide array of career opportunities in the Rockford region will be motivating for students, and for many of our students the 2013 Academy Expo will be a transformative educational experience,” on September 18 at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
About Comcast Cable
Comcast Cable is the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. Comcast has invested in technology to build an advanced network that delivers among the fastest broadband speeds, and brings customers personalized video, communications and home management offerings. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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