Newark Public Schools join the national Verizon Innovative Learning Schools initiative at Hawkins, Hawthorne, and Dr. Horton Elementary Schools

Three Newark Public Schools distributed internet-connected Apple iPads with data plans for students and their teachers to take home as part of the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS) initiative. Verizon and the Verizon Foundation, through the Verizon Innovative Learning program and in partnership with Digital Promise, provides free technology, free internet access, and hands-on learning experiences to help give underserved students the technology, education, and opportunity they deserve. Powered by a next-gen, technology-infused education that fundamentally changes the way teachers teach and students learn, Verizon Innovative Learning is giving more students and more schools the ability to achieve, learn and create more. And the results are nothing short of amazing. Teachers in Verizon Innovative Learning changed the way they teach and have experienced enhanced student engagement, while more students believe that having technology makes science and math more interesting.* Since 2012, the Verizon Innovative Learning program has committed a total of $400 million to support education, helping students enhance their learning by infusing technology into the school’s curriculum.

The Newark Public Schools was selected as the first district in the State of New Jersey to receive this four-year grant that will provide approximately 840 sixth, seventh, and eight grade students and educators at three schools, Hawkins Street Elementary, Hawthorne Avenue Elementary, and Dr. William H. Horton, including 249 students here, with an iPad and a Verizon Wireless plan including up to 10 gigabits of data per month, cases, bags and curricular resources to use both in school and at home. In partnership with Digital Promise, the Verizon Foundation has also committed to provide professional development to the teachers and a partial stipend to technology coaches for a total donation equivalent of approximately $5.4 million dollars. To celebrate Newark’s participation in the program, a kick-off event will feature local middle school students each receiving their own tablets.

To learn more, please visit www.VerizonInnovativeLearning.com

• *76% of teachers said that Verizon Innovative Learning enhanced student engagement
• *79% of teachers said VILS helped them change the way they teach
• *54% of students believe that having the technology makes science more interesting
• *47% of students believe that having the technology makes math more interesting

*Source: Westat (2018).Verizon Innovative Learning Schools

About Verizon Innovative Learning
Verizon Innovative Learning addresses barriers to digital inclusion by providing the benefits of technology, connectivity, and hands-on learning opportunities to middle and high school students in underserved schools and communities, to help them thrive in the digital age. We not only fund the programs, but we also create and administer them in partnership with leading nonprofits. We diligently measure the impact of our work and refine our programs to ensure we’re making a difference – and we’re just getting started.

About Newark Public Schools
The Newark School District, with 66 schools, 5,595 employees and a student population of 35, 329, is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey. Its origin dates back to 1676. Barringer High School, in Newark’s North Ward, is the third oldest public high school in the nation. The ethnic diversity of the city provides a rich educational experience for pre-kindergarten to secondary school students. The district continues to revise its services to meet the changing needs of students.