OpenWorld Learning Media Contact:
Christi Kirchner
Media & Donor Relations Manager
Phone: 303-633-4190
Cell: 720-841-7677
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"Lights On" Afterschool at Trevista ECE - 8 School due to Partnership with OpenWorld Learning

Monday, September 22, 2008: Community and education leaders celebrated the expansion of OpenWorld Learning's programs at Trevista ECE - 8 School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Denver Public Schools, Superintendent Michael Bennet, Principal Veronica Benavidez and OpenWorld Learning CEO, Barb Youmans spoke about the impact of the recent school restructuring at Trevisa ECE - 8 School. The ribbon-cutting ceremony served as an official recognition of the financial support of donors who have remained committed to providing innovative afterschool programming to disadvantaged students in DPS, despite last year's school closings.

Last year's restructuring has provided opportunities for school administrators and nonprofits to work together to make sure students benefit from having more resources focused on larger, community schools. When DPS closed Smedley Elementary School last spring, OpenWorld Learning worked with school principals and teachers to ensure students in the Sunnyside neighborhood would still have access to the advanced technology afterschool programs. Denver Public Schools Superintendent, Michael Bennet said, "OpenWorld Learning is one of the great partnerships at DPS. It is wonderful to now see a connected program that works with both middle and elementary aged students. We're happy they're here because we know it will make a difference for the kids in this community."

OpenWorld Learning uses advanced technology, such as computer programming and robotics, to engage disadvantaged students throughout the Denver-area, and program operations for the 2008-2009 school year have been expanded to serve students in 3-5 and 6-8 at Trevista ECE - 8 School.

As school administrators, parents and students adjust to their newly created community schools, nonprofits also are responding to the opportunity to serve more students. The restructuring decisions were intended to ensure that all students affected by the closures would have better educational opportunity. OpenWorld Learning shares this goal of increasing student achievement and the tool of digital technology is an innovative approach that is successful with lower income students. "So few of the kids have access to technology in their homes," said Principal Benavidez.

OpenWorld Learning has been a front-runner in providing afterschool and summer programming that leverages the existing resources in public schools to literally "turn the lights on" in school computer labs and in children's minds. The curriculum encourages creativity, leadership, self-direction, analytical thinking and technology application skills, and the OpenWorld Learning is excited to collaborate with schools like Trevista that are preparing students for civic responsibility and success in higher education and beyond.

About OpenWorld Learning: Through an innovative educational curriculum, students learn advanced computer skills, including computer programming. They develop basic skills in reading, writing and math, and they learn the core skills of the Information Age - including creative thinking, analytic reasoning, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership. In 2007, OpenWorld Learning received the "Excellence in Education" award from the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was named one of the "50 Most Innovative Technology Companies in the State of Colorado" by CSIA.